Single father’s dream realised
WORKING full-time in the mines, raising two children and operating a flourishing apparel brand sounds like enough work for three people, but this incredible single dad wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sean Malkus is a knockabout Australian lad who loves his family, mates and working hard. But underneath his larrikin exterior is a creative mind that never sleeps.
Mr Malkus began designing streetwear and extreme sports apparel in the mid-2000s, a passion he pursued with zest until he was forced to give it away for unforeseen reasons.
“I hung up my boots and focused on my job for a while,” Mr Malkus said.
“It was something I always loved and wanted to do again.
“I was out fishing with the boys one day and said I wanted to get back into it. They got around it and that’s where the idea of Unfamiliar was born.”
Established in 2018, Unfamiliar began as a fishing apparel brand, but has since spread its wings to also create workwear along with school and sport outfits.
Mr Malkus said they came up with the name Unfamiliar because of how much of the world’s ocean was yet to be explored. He said getting the brand off the ground was a slog that he was glad was over.
“Getting the brand out there was a big challenge,” he said. “Just getting awareness was so hard, it didn’t come overnight. The first year was insane, I put so much of my time into it. I had great people around me, mates and mates at the mine, who were helping me spread the word.
“It’s like a family, we all help each other out.”
Mr Malkus said he and his designer thrived off each other’s creativity to come up with their designs.
“I have that entrepreneurial streak about me. I’ve always been very creative and my mind’s constantly ticking over with different things.
“My designer’s definitely the best in the business. My mind and his mind create the coolest stuff. We come out with some amazing pieces.”
The 35-year-old said that customers “don’t pick a design off a website” when they deal with Unfamiliar.
“I like to work with my clients one-on-one,” he said.
“I talk to them on the phone or see them in person and go through what they want. We will work on something with them until they are 100 per cent happy.”
Mr Malkus works a sevenand-seven roster in the mines operating machinery while also raising his two children, Ameliah, 11, and Koen, 8. The single dad said he loved keeping busy and thanked his mum for helping when he’s away.