Hoselink is the innovative Brookvale business that has been changing the way we garden since 1997. It all started with a man called Tim Kierath and his brilliant idea for a hose fitting that wouldn't leak or burst. Now, it's a full-scale family operation beloved by communities both local and global.

Chapter One: It Started with Dad

Every family has an origin story. What was happening in your life when the idea for Hoselink first came to you?

I'd always wanted to build a business of my own. Like many entrepreneurs, I was constantly looking for everyday problems that frustrated people and could be solved with a better product.

Garden hose fittings were a perfect example. They leaked, blew apart under pressure, and seemed to wear out far too quickly, no matter what you paid for them. I believed there had to be a better way, and that simple idea became the beginning of Hoselink.

Rather than setting out to build a business, were you simply trying to solve a problem?

For me, the two went hand in hand. I absolutely set out to build a business, but I knew the only way to create a successful one was by solving a genuine problem. If you can make people's lives easier with a product that truly works, you've built the foundation for a lasting business.

When you first developed the no-burst hose connection, did you have any idea it would become the foundation of a company that's now recognised around the world?

Not at all. Looking back, I think one of my greatest advantages was that I didn't fully appreciate the risks I was taking. I was young, optimistic and completely focused on creating a better product.

If someone asked me to make the same decision today, knowing everything I now know about the challenges of building a global business, I'd probably say, "No, that's far too risky!" Fortunately, sometimes a little ignorance can be an entrepreneur's greatest asset.

What do you remember most about those early years?

The early years were an emotional rollercoaster. I was full of confidence and managed to secure distribution through major retailers in Australia and the United States, as well as smaller operations in the UK and France. On paper, it looked like we'd made it.

The reality was very different. The biggest challenge was that people simply didn't understand what Hoselink did or why it was different. In the United States, products were returned in such large numbers that they filled an entire warehouse. In Australia, many customers hadn't assembled the fittings correctly, so they assumed the product was faulty and returned it.

What followed were ten very difficult years. We lost money year after year and borrowed more just to keep going. Every morning I'd wake up knowing we'd lost even more money than the day before. I often wondered why I'd ever started this venture. I call them our "go broke" years.

But deep down, I never stopped believing in the product. I knew that if we could just show people how it worked, everything would change.

That breakthrough came when I appeared on the Kerri-Anne Kennerley Show with my daughter Sally, now Hoselink's Managing Director alongside her brother Jamie, and demonstrated the Hoselink system live on television. The response was extraordinary. The phones started ringing almost immediately and they haven't really stopped since.

That experience taught me one of the most valuable lessons in business: a great product isn't enough. People first have to understand why it's different and how it solves their problem.

"A GREAT PRODUCT ISN'T ENOUGH. PEOPLE FIRST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S DIFFERENT."

Chapter Two: A Family Business

Many family businesses are built by parents but eventually become something much bigger. How has your family's role evolved over the past 25 years?

When Hoselink began, online shopping was still in its infancy. I was learning as I went and, to be honest, I didn't have the knowledge for building a large online business.

Then Ben joined us, followed by Jamie and, some time later, Sally. I couldn't have been happier. Both boys were IT engineers, bringing skills that complemented the business perfectly. Sally, being an accountant, was able to step in and provide the financial discipline and stability that every growing business needs.

Together, we had the ideal combination of product engineering development, technology, IT, finance and customer focus. Looking back, that's when Hoselink really began to evolve from a small family business into the company it is today. If you want to see just how far we've come, the numbers tell the story.

Your children have now taken on leadership roles. Was there a moment when you realised the business was no longer just yours, but that it belonged to the next generation?

Absolutely. From the day my children joined the business, I knew they would eventually lead it. I had started Hoselink, but I never wanted it to depend on me forever.

Watching them bring new ideas, new skills and a fresh perspective gave me enormous confidence that the business had a future well beyond its founder. Today, seeing them lead Hoselink is one of my greatest sources of pride.

Every parent hopes to leave something meaningful for the next generation, and it's incredibly rewarding to see them not only continue that legacy but take it to a level I could never have achieved on my own.

"SEEING THEM LEAD HOSELINK IS ONE OF MY GREATEST SOURCES OF PRIDE." TIM KIERATH

Chapter Three: The People

Hoselink has grown from a family business into a business with an extended family. Who has been there almost from the beginning?

All three kids have had a part in the business from the beginning but our longest-standing employee is Michelle. She has been with Hoselink for over 16 years.

Michelle started in customer service, taking sales calls off the back of the Kerri-Anne Kennerley TV commercial. Then, she moved to Head of Marketing and is now Head of Product and Procurement. It is actually crazy how many long-standing staff we have at Hoselink.

Growing Up With Hoselink

JAMES

What was it like growing up with Hoselink? It was great. Especially in the early days. We were all 100% on board with Hoselink and could see how good it was compared to other products on the market. In our minds, this business would be a guaranteed success. It turned out to be much harder than anyone could have imagined.

I have to admit, being an 18-year-old teen, I would be lying if I said it wasn't annoying at times to be sent out to factories around Sydney to rework tens of thousands of connectors.

Did it feel like "Dad's business"? Sure did. As we were so young at the time, we weren't thinking about becoming part of the business. In saying that, looking back, all of us had some sort of hand the whole time, whether it was product reworks, photo shoots or IT.

Working with family must have its moments. What makes it so rewarding? Overall it is great. We all get on well and are on the same page when it comes to the business. I would be lying if I said we agree 100% of the time. This is okay as we can always agree in the end. We are lucky as we all bring our own skill set and experience.

What's a normal day at Hoselink actually like? Back in the day, it was controlled chaos and maybe uncontrolled at times. These days, it's carefully organised. Our department heads and staff do an outstanding job.

Chapter Four: More Than Selling Hoses

Innovation seems to run through your DNA. Looking back, which products changed the course of the business?

This is an easy one. Hose reels changed the course of our business.

Originally, we only sold our patented no-burst and no-leak hose end connectors. After taking the online route, we quickly became the experts in watering, selling hoses, sprinklers, sprayers, timers and then retractable hose reels. It's fair to say we became best known for our no burst fittings and retractable hose reels.

More recently, and to add to the retractable hose reel story, we launched our Australian-designed and built hose reels.

Over the years, Dad and I often discussed the idea of bringing the manufacturing of our key products back to Australia. But for various reasons, whether it was timing, funding, or simply not wanting to rock the boat, it never happened.

I clearly remember the day that changed. In November 2019, Dad dropped by the office, and we went out for lunch. I'd been thinking about it for a while and was keen to pitch an idea to him.

The Lunch That Changed Everything

I proposed a brand new retractable hose reel, and I had a list ready. It would be:

• Fully owned by Hoselink.
• Designed from the ground up, drawing on 15 years of product knowledge.
• Incorporating all the valuable customer feedback we've received over the years.
• Not just aiming to be the most innovative hose reel in Australia, but the world.
• And the big hitter: it would be built right here in Australia.

To be honest, I wasn't sure how he would react, but the timing must have been right; he loved the idea, and that's when our Australian made Evolve was born.

I knew creating a hose reel from the ground up would be a challenge. Looking back, I truly had no idea of the project's scale, which, in hindsight, might have been a good thing, as we may have decided not to start.

Throughout the journey, it often felt like two steps forward, one step back, and sometimes even two steps back, leaving us questioning whether we'd made the right call on this massive undertaking.

While the physical design was a huge task, it was just one piece of a massive puzzle. Witnessing every department in our business come together as one team has been incredible and truly inspiring.

On 17 September 2024, our Australian-built retractable hose reel was launched.

"NOT JUST THE MOST INNOVATIVE HOSE REEL IN AUSTRALIA, BUT THE WORLD. AND IT WOULD BE BUILT RIGHT HERE."

Chapter Five: A Gardener's Paradise

Every good garden starts with a bit of inspiration and the right gear to back it up. You'll find Hoselink at selected retailers, but hoselink.com.au is where it all happens.

The range spans the whole garden, from hoses and retractable reels to a complete watering system, quality gardening tools and solar lighting for outdoor entertaining. At the heart of it all are Hoselink's patented kink-free, leak-free connectors, the innovation the brand is best known for. More recently, the range has expanded to include food-safe metal garden beds, designed for durability and with flexible configurations that can be reshaped to suit different spaces and garden layouts.

From one Brookvale family to yours, Hoselink ships to gardens across The Beaches and around the world. Get the family outside this spring. Jump online and get inspired!

Buy it Once

Most people buy a hose twice. Once in hope, and again a summer later when the fitting splits and the whole lot gets dragged to the bin. Hoselink was built to end that cycle.

Three values have guided the business since the first patented connector came off the line: Quality, Customers and Staff, and the first of those is the one you can hold in your hand.

Proudly built in-house in Australia and designed with sustainability in mind, the Evolve Hose Reel is made to be repaired, not replaced. Its thoughtful, serviceable construction and replaceable parts mean individual components can be easily repaired or refreshed at home if they wear out, helping reduce unnecessary waste while keeping this well-made garden essential working beautifully for decades to come.

QUALITY. CUSTOMERS. STAFF.

Quickfire with James

What does your own garden look like? Pretty bad until about 18 months ago. Now I'm growing food and I've even taken up beekeeping.

Who does the gardening? Me.

Who's the perfectionist? Not me.

Who buys more plants than they have room for? Definitely me.

Favourite place on the Beaches? North Curly.

Must-haves for the backyard

Designed and built here in Australia

Evolve™ Retractable Hose Reel | Charcoal

Evolve™ locks at any length, rewinds with a gentle tug and never leaks.

The backyard upgrade you need.

Moroccan Inspired Solar Lantern

Moroccan filigree casting a warm white glow. Solar powered, sensor controlled, beautiful hung or on an outdoor table. Don't get one; everything looks better in threes.

Solar Festoon Lights Warm White

Eight metres of warm white bulbs, five lighting modes, remote control, solar powered. Instant atmosphere, no wiring, no power bill. We recommend getting the Starter Set.

Super Jet Washer

Turns tap pressure into a hard, fine spray. Two nozzles, pinpoint blast or wide fan, for cars, boats, windows and guttering. No pressure washer required.

Oscillating Sprinkler

Covers up to 15 by 12 metres and works beautifully on low pressure. Metal built, won't tip. Waters the lawn, the garden and the kids.

Hoselink's Ratchet Pruners

Hoselink's Secateurs 225mm

Get shopping at hoselink.com.au

Hoselink | 1300 900 617 | Hoselink Australia | hoselink.com.au

Photography: Hoselink®