Making our Mark
In October we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Indigenous Business Month (IBM) which showcased the theme 'Making our Mark' where we shared, celebrated and congratulated First Nations businsesses making their mark in the business sector. On socials we shared our 'Feel Good Fridays' and customer stories that feautred First Nations businesses.
Below are some customers we shared for IBM as we feel the love and dedication of the Indigenous business sector.
Meet Shane - Kennelly Constructions
Their businesses provide a wide range of services in civil, electrical, building and maintenance support across all levels of government and the private sector.
They use family values fundamental to culture, and have established long term relationships and connections which ensure that they successfully deliver projects safely, on time, on budget and exceed customer expectations.
Kennelly Constructions give back to community through programs and sponsorships.
Meet Hanina- Yarn Legal
Meet Hanina law guru making her mark in the law industry.
She started her business due to a number of years of experience and reflection on how she could best serve her community.
“I wanted to create something that aligned with my values and provided culturally safe legal services, particularly for Aboriginal people and other marginalised groups. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for people to navigate the legal system, especially if they’ve been through a lot in life. I knew there was a gap in trauma-informed and culturally safe legal services, and I felt like I had the skills and passion to fill that space."
When reflecting on the Indigenous Business Month theme, Hanina says: “For me, “making our mark” means creating a lasting impact that supports our communities. I want us to be remembered as a legal practice that stood up for justice and provided a safe space for people to tell their stories, especially in areas like institutional abuse and workplace injuries. Personally, I’d like my mark to be one of resilience - no matter where you come from or what you've been through, you can create real change by staying true to your values and connected to your community.”
Meet Simon- Saltwater Eco Tours
Meet Saltwater Eco Tours a unique tourism experience that would inspire a deeper connection to Indigenous culture and the ocean.
They have a back-to-back line up of tours featuring musicians who are ready to soothe your soul, whilst enjoying the sweet, salty, sea breeze!
A dream for owner Simon Thornalley, and a mark made for Indigenous businesses.
Meet Adam and Carmel- Empower Digital
Meet Adam and Carmel from Empower Digital a First Nations eCommerce business that’s going from strength to strength and expanding to meet the needs of their customers.
This awesome family business specialises in one-on-one digital support and e-commerce training for small and medium businesses who want to sell products online. They have also recently built an app specifically for Shopify Point of Sale called POS Cafe. The app allows businesses like cafes and coffee shops more flexibility to sell products that need complex modifications (like milk type or sweeteners).
“We are so grateful for the strong connections we've forged within the First Nations business community and beyond. Being part of a community makes it easier to take risks, try new things, and, we believe, reminds you (or holds you accountable to) your core vision and mission.”
Meet David - New Dream Productions
Meet David, making his mark in the film industry. His business @newdreamproductions has been shooting for the stars and making big moves.
His debut feature film, ‘Heart of the Man’, follows Chris Wundurra, an amateur boxer caught between family expectations and following his true passion. Currently making the festival rounds, with streaming platforms on the horizon!
David received a business loan from IBA which he used to purchase the equipment that produced this.
We also shared our newly launched Business Pathways report which highlighted the amazing work and milestones First Nations businesses are accomplishing. To read the more: IBA-Pathways-Business-Report.pdf
