Following a tumultuous year of bushfires, COVID-19 and recent floods in Southern NSW, lots of small businesses and the families and communities they serve, are doing it tough. One way we’ve seen people showing their support for these local businesses is through the #shoplocal #shopvictoria and #buyfromthebush movements. We’ve been inspired by this and wanted to share a #shopsocialenterprise guide based on some of the businesses we’ve been working with over the last 18 months.
If you’re looking for a standout feature art piece for your home – check out stunning pieces by Tradara, Mimmim Design, and Miimi & Jiinda.
Miimi & Jiinda artwork.
If you’re looking for standout feature piece to wear, Tradara also makes incredible formal wear and kaftans featuring her bold and colourful artwork. Or if swimwear is what you’re after – then check out Liandra Swim also celebrating Indigenous art and stories.
Homewares from Tradara.
For jewellery and accessories, Bilum & Bilas create beautiful pieces which give a contemporary twist to the celebrated PNG handicraft bilum weaving. Perfect to complete your everyday look, or as a gift. Among Equals sell stunning bilum bags, each one a unique design tied to the weaver who made it. Buying from either of these businesses, directly provides income women weavers and their families and communities in PNG.
Handmade bilum pieces from Bilum & Bilas and Among Equals.
Songbird also create beautiful jewellery and accessories that celebrate Australian native birds.
For homewares like pillow cases, tea towels, platters, tea cups and more, these two beautiful Indigenous artists from Stradbroke Island in Queensland have some beautiful collections, Chaboo Designs and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.
Tea towels from Delvene Cockatoo Collins.
Nagula Jarndu (meaning Salt Water Women) is an Aboriginal Arts Centre based in Broome, selling incredible fabrics printed by the member artists.
Fabric from Nagaula Jarndu. Artist is Lorraine Hunter and the title of the fabric is ‘mala’ which means trumpet shell.
If you’re instead looking for a home project, why not try growing your own veggies at home with the new Farmwall – resilience growing program starting again in October. Book your place now.
Or if you’re like us, you might be cooking a lot lately? You can try Game Enough’s delicious food and ingredients inspired by the flavours of the Australian bush. Or cook some damper with boab powder from Bindam Mie. Boab is only grown in two places in the world, one of which is the Kimberleys, where Rob from Bindam Mie grew up. He grew up eating boab and has innovated lots of ways to use it. He also employs young kids from the region to harvest the boab, providing on-country employment and ensuring traditional knowledge is passed on.
Our friends at Tanna Coffee have got you covered for your home coffee machine, or if you’re more of a tea drinker, Kakadu Tiny Tots sell a range of organic and native teas which we’ve all been enjoying here at TDi. As the name might suggest, they also sell organic cotton baby clothes featuring beautiful dreamtime prints.
A collection of items from Kakadu Tiny Tots.
Maybe self-care is how you’re getting through COVID-19 lock downs? If that’s the case, check out Mandanga Enterprise’s beautiful range of calming oils and soaps which use native plants known for their healing qualities.
Skin Balm and oil from Mandanga Enterprises.
Starting a new business? Or maybe setting it up online? Sarah at Together Business is a great strategic partner and accountant who can help you set up. Empower Digital can help you build your business’s profile online and Indigico can help you with your creative elements – whether that’s branding, design or your website.
And finally, when borders reopen and you’re looking for your next adventure – check out Kimberley Cultural Adventures to get a taste of the history of Broome and surrounds – led by Rob who also runs Bindam Mie. Or, for caravaners and adventurers, Peedamulla Campground is worth checking out. Many of us at TDi have been dreaming about getting to Kakadu – if this is on your list – we recommend talking to James at Kurrih to help show you around.
Kimberley Cultural Adventures.
We hope you enjoy checking out and supporting these incredible businesses. If you purchase something, we’d love to see you share it with #buysocialenterprise
TDi supports the growth of social enterprise. We have worked with over 500 grassroots entrepreneurs across Australia and the Pacific to create sustainable business models that put people, planet and purpose into focus, instead of profit. We work with you to prove that it is possible to do good and make money. Find out more