Yarrie was only 11 years old when her family fled civil war in Sierra Leone. Now the 23-year-old "proud Australian" is on the cusp of new business success, taking an early shine to judges and audiences alike on SBS's reality-documentary series The Employables.
Having spoken openly about the workforce discrimination she faces due to the colour of her skin and the stigma of being a refugee, Yarrie initially put her name down for the innovative program in the hope of elevating her one-woman business.
"I currently sell my Aunty's Ginger Tonic at the local market," Yarrie explains to the judging panel at the beginning of the show's second episode, adding that "90 per cent of people who try the product end up buying it."
"I've had a lot of bad news in my life, so when good news comes I don't really know how to deal with it." Source: SBS
The panel, made up of self-made millionaire Creel Price, business coach Shammah Dahl and advisor Ben Reid, is visibly impressed with the research and commitment displayed by the budding entrepreneur.
"She's already got some great momentum with her tonic," Creel reasons to camera. "But the business itself is not scalable enough. How can we make it an inclusive team business rather than a one-woman business?"
When it's revealed that Yarrie's business pitch has been chosen for her group of three, the self-proclaimed foodies, she's left speechless and in tears.
"I think I'll go home tonight, cry and be happy," she says.
"I've had a lot of bad news in my life, so when good news comes I don't know how to deal with it."
While it was good news for Yarrie, her win meant that fellow contestants Abu, the 24-year-old who dreamed of starting up his own green fast food truck, and Ian, the 55-year-old legally blind former head chef, had to say farewell to their respective ideas and get onboard as stakeholders and co-founders of Yarrie's business.
However, rather than being bitter, her food-loving teammates were quick to proclaim their commitment to Yarrie's business.
"I think it's really going to work," Abu said. "I'm really ready to back her up on this."
"Today it's different," Yarrie reflects the following morning.
She adds: "We're starting something that the three of us own."
Over the coming weeks Yarrie, Ian and Abu will be working together to build their new joint venture into a business worth investing in, with the show's host Creel Price announcing that they - along with the 'fashion' team of Lazarus and Sarah - will soon be making a presentation to a group of highly influential and wealthy investors, with the hope of gaining the capital needed to take it to the next level.
Source: SBS
Team fashion, who faced a setback this episode when 57-year-old teammate Eve decided to leave the show, will be working to present Lazarus' business idea - a one-shoe shop for amputees, which also sells wheelchair accessories and add-ons.
Episode three of The Employables will air on Wednesday September 5th at 8:30pm on SBS. Catch up on Episode Two on SBS On Demand.
RECOMMENDED
How you can help refugees and asylum seekers
Share
