The ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic have been catastrophic for thousands of people who lost their jobs due to lockdowns and economic downturn.
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But for this long-time hospitality employee from Ballan, losing her job was the catalyst she needed to launch her dream business.
Stephanie Ruthen was working as the manager of The Blue Bell Hotel in Wendouree when she was stood down from work after coronavirus hit in March.
The business did not qualify for JobKeeper for its staff so Ms Ruthen was left without work and a regular income.
It was when a friend in Ballan who is the local florist mentioned the shop next to her was coming up for lease that Ms Ruthen saw an opportunity to follow her long-held dream to start a business.
They are so used to having that Melbourne lifestyle of somewhere to go on a Sunday afternoon.
- Stephanie Ruthen, The Wine & Deli Co owner
"I thought 'okay, I will stick to what I know' - what I know is gourmet fine foods and top quality wines," she said.
"So I thought I would set up a pop-up wine bar and see how I go. Since then I have been inundated, it is ridiculous."
While Ruthen described it as both a scary and risky move to open the business in the middle of COVID-19 lockdowns, it was now or never to take on the opportunity to start her own business.
"I was partly scared because I was using all my savings and money to start up the business in a time of complete uncertainty," she said.
"In reality we are still uncertain as to what is going to happen. Melbourne could well go into lockdown next winter and all the businesses could close again.
"But at the same time it was now or never if I am ever going to start up my own business.
"I thought I am not able to work at the moment, I had to do something to keep my mind active, I am just going to take a leap and see what happens."
Ms Ruthen opened her business Wine & Deli Co on the weekend of Father's Day, beginning with a takeaway-only model and offering grazing hampers.
She said delivering hampers to families in Ballan for Father's Day kickstarted the business and showcased her variety of gourmet cheeses, antipasto, salami, charcuterie, chutneys, biscuits, oils and chips to the community.
"Once people came in to see the shop they said this was just what Ballan needed," Ms Ruthen said.
"I do cellar door wines rather than what you can get at Dan Murphy's and there is a demand for good wine in the area."
The Wine & Deli Co opened for sit down casual dining with wines and cocktails when restrictions lifted and has become a Ballan favourite on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
As the business expanded, Ms Ruthen has hired more staff, growing to a team of six and offering work opportunities during a difficult period for employment.
She said there were some benefits to opening a business during the pandemic, with increased support with her liquor licence, outdoor dining permit and receiving a grant for outdoor furniture.
The business is now operating at almost full capacity with eased restrictions, hosting up to 30 people outside and 10 indoors.
Ms Ruthen continues to grow the offerings with live music on Fridays and Saturdays, takeaway ice cream from Timboon and plans to offer more takeaway options including ready to heat meals throughout winter.
"It is still a small intimate wine bar that over summer pops out into the street and has that Mediterranean vibe," she said.
Ms Ruthen said Ballan was increasingly becoming a destination and was attracting new residents from Melbourne.
As the town's make up changes, so will its businesses.
"They are so used to having that Melbourne lifestyle of somewhere to go on a Sunday afternoon," Ms Ruthen said.
"I still can't get over the fact that when I first moved out to Ballan everything shut at 3pm every day.
"The dynamic is changing a little bit. I think we need to move with the times. As much as we love Ballan, it needed a bit of a streetscape happening.
"Living in Ballan, we don't want to change it into a Daylesford type town, we do like it intimate.
"But the feeling when the weather was warm and people were walking the streets and they went to the fruit and veg shop, came to me and bought some wine and cheese, went to the local butcher, it was just such a nice community feel."
Ms Ruthen said despite some continued uncertainty with COVID-19, she was confident moving forward with the business.
"I am confident going forward because we are providing such a good point of difference to anything else in the area. I am happy with my decision," she said.
"It was a big risk, but at the end of the day I thought you can either sit around and do nothing and just wait for something to happen or you can try and create your own future.
"The community has really gotten behind this business and that is what I wanted from the start.
"It is somewhere a group of girls could go for a catch up, have a drink and a laugh and sit outside or have a neighbourhood meet up in the afternoon.
"It is so nice to see it is being so well received by the community."
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
