Business in chillies
Ettalong resident Mr Neil Smith has developed an international business in chillies.
Mr Smith also runs a lawn mowing business on the Peninsula and is a local musician with the band JaNaC.
But it is the chilli business where he gets most of his fame and recognition.
In a business that started as a hobby, Mr Smith now grows and distributes more than 100 different types of chilli seeds across the world to fellow chilli-lovers.
Mr Smith even grows the Guiness World Record holder for the hottest chilli in the world, the Bhut Jolokia Chilli, in his Ettalong backyard.
"Due the rapid expansion of the business an office and new yard also at Ettalong have been added," Mr Smith said.
"We have added our own unique range of boutique chilli sauces.
"The range is also stocked at the Beachcomber Takeaway at Ettalong for those wanting to purchase."
Mr Smith has also developed a website featuring information and tips on growing chillies, an online ordering system for seeds and other products, chilli recipes and access to the company's YouTube chilli test videos.
Mr Smith has produced around 80 videos of individual chilli tests generating more than 10,000 hits from viewers across the world.
The Hippy Seed Company chilli test videos with Neil Smith can be viewed at www.youtube.com/user/TheHippySeedCompany
Email, 9 Jun 2009
Neil Smith, The Hippy Seed Company