Blake McFarlane of Blake’s Chooks and Eggs receives 7NEWS Young Achiever Award

Forest Hill’s Blake McFarlane has received a 7NEWS Young Achiever Award for his small business Blake’s Chooks and Eggs.

The 16-year-old took home the Qoin Small Business Achiever Award at a ceremony in Perth last Friday.

Blake’s business supplies more than 1000 chickens and 400 dozens of eggs every week to Mt Barker, Albany and Denmark.

It aims to provide “ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly chooks and eggs to the Great Southern”.

Blake, who has severe dyslexia and struggled in the mainstream education system, started his business in 2019.

He has been nominated for the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for three years in a row and said he was overwhelmed and lost for words when his name was read out on Friday.

“The first thing I said in my speech was ‘well, where do I start?’,” he said.

“It was honestly, like, where do I start, I didn’t know what to say.”

He said the recognition for his business made him feel that he was “heading in the right direction”.

“It always helps when other people enjoy and like to see what you’re doing, think it’s good and put you up for those kinds of things,” he said.

All winners received a trophy, $500 cash, $500 in Qoin, a $500 Bartercard and a six-month membership with The Impact Collective.

Mr McFarlane said the prizemoney would go straight into his business venture.

“It will go back into the business, I reckon, and I might keep a bit on the side for something else in the future.”

As for his advice to other young people interested in starting a small business, Mr McFarlane said to “just go for it”.

“If you have this idea and you’ve got people backing you, and if you don’t have people backing you, there’s always other people out there that will, if they enjoy your idea and like what you’re doing,” he said.

“Definitely go for it, don’t hold back, especially if you enjoy it.”

Albany’s Jessica Howell, Wilson Brewing Company’s venue manager, was a finalist for the Pan Pacific Perth Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Award.