Business Weekly – Supa Saver

It’s fitting that newly established Supa Saver is located beneath High Tide Bar & Grill, since it’s the tide that’s bringing in its point of difference.
While a range of basic, local products have been added to the shelf, Baudinet’s main focus is to help local fishermen sell their daily catch. “Apart from the groceries, I wanted to offer fresh fish. We’ve got a cooling unit at the back of the shop which, hopefully, is big enough to hold a tonne of fish.”
In August, June Baudinet extended her antique store into a cost friendly supermarket for locals. “I came up with the idea late last year, but it wasn’t until I was in New Zealand in March that I finally decided, yes, I’m going to do it.” Although the country’s economic state seemed unpromising, she was determined to battle against the odds because at the end of the day she says, “Everybody has to eat. It’s hard work. But I’ve been used to hard work. I’ve done it all my life.”
Despite the flourishing success of her family-orientated business over the past 33years, Baudinet admits that the financial support was dim. She had even gone to the extent of installing a solar power system to help reduce the rising cost of electricity. “There were a lot of red tapes to go through to get a loan. The interest rates were just a cut to the throat. Especially when we work so hard for very little return.”
Since the store’s opening however, the fun experienced has made that fact almost insignificant.
Being in business has become a tradition for Baudinet who was raised by her grandmother, Raina, whom she describes as an “iron woman.”
“She was very disciplined. The type of person who speaks once and you move.”
There is no doubting Baudinet has inherited this same attribute. She first began her professional career as a teacher, helping young students mould their lives and develop through sports.
“I wanted children to be disciplined, keep fit, and to enjoy life,” she says.
From there she opened an antique store called Maire Garments. Over the years, it became June’s Boutique until eventually, to this day, it became Raina Tradings.
While managing the business, Baudinet became involved in the tourism industry and often travelled abroad to purchase different items to sell.
“The island just wasn’t making enough products,” she says.
The tides are likely to bring in more challenges for June and her small team. In fact, she hopes that in the near future, she will be able to plant lime and lemon trees along the pathway across in front of her store.
“I want to plant something productive,” she says. “The opportunities are always there. The question is, can I do it?”

By Sally Hosking

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?