SMALL BUSINESS + community
Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m a proud Gunditjmara woman who grew up as part of the Koorie community in Melbourne. I spent 20-plus years working in health promotion in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services before making a giant leap and starting a preventative health business in 2018. COVID impacted the delivery of our health programs, so we focused on growing our tiny online brand, then called Clothing The Gap. We create merch with a message that unites Indigenous and non-indigenous people. I now spend all my time working in a streetwear fashion label and not dressing up as a fruit or vegetable to promote health!
Why do you do what you do? I have experienced the power of fashion to create social change. This was on full display with the campaign to Free The Flag. Our tees help facilitate conversations that we want to see happen in the world!
How do you conquer self-doubt? Self-doubt isn’t really a thing for me, probably because I tend to focus on the small next steps and not the bigger goal, which also explains why we never had a business plan until recently! I’m just doing the work, listening to my gut, checking in with my people and giving my authentic best self every day.
What’s something you wish small-business owners were told from the get-go? I wish someone told me earlier that business will give you more freedom than you ever imagined to try new things and make a stance on issues you care about. If I had known how much I could use business as a platform for advocacy, I would have made the switch sooner.
What are you looking for in this year’s Good Stuff Awards? Passion, creativity, integrity and someone who is brave. I’m excited about people and businesses that leverage their success to lift others up.
Any words of wisdom? Don’t change who you are to try to fit in – your uniqueness is your power. Finally, sovereignty was never ceded in this country, so do your bit to honour and respect the Traditional Custodians of the land you get to enjoy every day.