Looking beyond disability
Warragul woman Melanie Eyles has launched ICU2 Fashion, a business that aims to employ people living with a disability.
ICU2 began early this year and is currently being run by Ms Eyles and her family, however, she is looking to expand in the future.
Ms Eyles said starting a business that employs people with disability is a long-term vision.
"Being a mum of three kids with disabilities and having worked as a support worker, I fell in love with the disability community," she explained.
"I wanted to, not only create a business but create something that had meaning to it and something that was a little bit different."
Ms Eyles applied for the Australian Government's New Business Assistance program, NEIS early on - this helped her launch ICU2, which is still in its infancy.
Despite only launching this year, ICU2 has come a long way. The business is already creating products, which can be purchased online.
"Without that (NEIS) support and mentorship, I wouldn't have been able to get as far as I have in the timeframe I have," Ms Eyles said.
She and her family plan to expand the business as time goes on and eventually begin to employ staff.
"Our vision is to employ people in the disability community," Ms Eyles said.
"We want to offer them opportunities through design, and offer them opportunities in our business as positions come up and become available."
As part of Ms Eyles's vision for ICU2, people with disability will be the brand's primary designers.
"We want to be able to pay them for when they are designing, buy the design and pay them for a percentage of the garment for the duration of the garment," she said.
"My greatest day will be the day I can shake hands with someone and say that's the first person we've contracted in our business."
Providing a workplace where all people feel valued and appreciated is a top priority for Ms Eyles.
"Many people in the disability community are so used to having people speak for them, over them, and don't advocate for them," she said.
"We want to turn that completely around...
we will never have anyone in our business who does not appreciate and value another individual."
At the moment ICU2 stock pants, t-shirts, beanies, hoodies, and jumpers, and their products are available in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and the UK.
"We've just brought out our winter range, and what we tried to do was stay within a budget-friendly range...currently there is nothing in our store that is over $50."
Currently, ICU2 is building a customer base through a public Facebook group and website. Ms Eyles said she also does virtual shows and in-home shows so people can get a first-hand look at products.