OAK Christmas Gift Guide 2022

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2022

Welcome

For those of you who are extremely organised - and cannot wait for Issue 12 to arrive in a couple of weeks - we are thrilled to showcase some incredible regional and rural businesses in this mini digital Christmas gift guide.

There are some inspiring start up stories, a recipe, plus links to social media - go give these brands some Insta love.

Many of these local business owners have offered OAK readers a discount code which is valid until 23 December 2022. [Delivery before Christmas cannot guaranteed after Australia Post cut-off dates.]

I hope it will kick off your Christmas shopping, knowing that you are supporting bush based businesses.

Enjoy xx Kimberley Furness Founder + Editor, OAK Magazine

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Where your stories are heard Subscribe and get OAK Magazine delivered to your door.

Use code OAKMAS22 and receive a free gift with purchase. www.oakmagazine.com.au

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Bungunya, QLD

Bush Exchange Tell us about your business and how it started?

The seed for Bush Exchange was sown back in 2015 whilst The Bush Exchange is an online store

raising my first child on our cotton, cropping and cattle farm

founded by Bridget Coulton. From

west of Goondiwindi.

artwork, homewares, beautiful style and things for the great outdoors - you’ll be

Originally hailing from Melbourne but then firmly rooted into

able to connect to the Australian bush like

life in the bush, this new chapter of my life, which at some times

never before.

was isolating after a busy career, saw me day-dreaming quite regularly about how I could share my passion for the Australian

www.bushexchange.com.au

bush in a way that could transcend barriers between the city

@thebushexchange

and the country.

I was looking for ways of connecting. Not long after my second child and several plays on brand names, Bush Exchange was finally born and trademarked in 2018.

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Bush Exchange was set to be an online platform that would share stories and quality products inspired by the Australian bush - from art, food, home, travel, life and style.

It all started by sharing wonderful inspiration from across the country on Instagram. Still busy with two young kids, this was a fabulous creative outlet for me to work on my brand aesthetic and vision without the pressure of operating a business.

With my third (and last!) baby born in 2019, it wasn't until 2021 that I launched my website and online journal. The online store followed a year later and here I am with my first season of online goods all set to make their way to homes across the country this Christmas.

The Bush Exchange online store is a beautifully curated marketplace which showcases artists and makers that all create something that connects to the Australian bush lifestyle in one way or another - whether it's through art, handmade goods, natural fibres or outdoor products.

We like to think people don't just buy products they buy stories, magic and relationships.

What challenges or hurdles have your faced in business?

Where do I start? My remote location is definitely a challenge, however I also know it is one of my biggest assets and driving force behind why I started an online platform in the first place.

Making connections and forming relationships online can be a lot harder without the face-toface contact. So many times I've dreamed of being able to have my own brick and mortar store in town as a place to connect but I know that would not fit in with my current lifestyle of raising a young family on a farm an hour out of town.

I think you can be challenged by getting sidetracked and looking too much at what other people are doing.

It takes a lot of faith and trust sometimes to stay on the path of your vision, especially with all the different curve balls that can be thrown your way and the lack of established revenue to support exposure and growth.

It can be a challenge to visually stand out online and make authentic connections with so many other wonderful online platforms out there.

We're soldiering on though and we are as passionate and determined as ever to carry out our mission.

We do hope that more people catch on to what we're doing and connect with us through our online journal and store on so we can continue to gradually share more stories and products from the heart of the bush.

We like to think people don't just buy products - they buy stories, magic and relationships.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of owning your own business?

Being able to create and build on something each day that aligns with your values, mission and vision.

It's a great feeling when you see something you've worked so hard on come to life and it's a pure representation of you and your brand.

In moments of self doubt, how do you build yourself back up?

If I'm having a shit day I tell myself that I must be learning a hard lesson right now and the light bulb moment will come soon.

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Elmhurst, VIC

Jugiong, NSW

Mrs Baker's Still House

Bush & Board

Our Christmas Gin is made with a traditional

From luxurious candles to gorgeous freshwater

blend of Christmas spices and tastes like

pearls, Bush & Board has a carefully curated

grandma's secret mince tarts. If that is too crazy,

range of handmade products to put under the

check out a G&T gift box with your choice of gin

tree this Christmas.

paired with the prettiest tonics on the market, from Indigenous botanicals by Tasmanian

Get 20% off with OAKMAS22

Tonic Co. bush-and-board.square.site Mention 'Christmas with OAK' in your order to add a special gift www.mrsbakers.com.au @mrsbakersstillhouse

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@bush_and_board

Castlemaine, VIC

Molyullah, VIC

Malmaison

Emme Mac Black

At Malmaison we love the timeless elegance of

Whether it's to say thank you, celebrate a

French style and how well it effortlessly blends

milestone or spoil clients and staff at Christmas,

within the modern-day Australian home.

our range of gifts are perfect for showing others

Christmas {Noël} is the most beautiful time for

how much you value and appreciate them.

families to gather together. We have curated the

Complete with beautifully designed, sustainable

most beautiful items to help you celebrate the joy

packaging, on larger orders we can personalise

of gathering to create unforgettable moments

your coffee box too.

with your loved ones.

Mention OAKMAS22 in your order

www.emmemacblack.com.au

to add a special gift

@emme_mac_black

www.malmaison.com.au @malmaison_australia

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Narromine, NSW

Yarragon South, VIC

Salubrious Living

Green Hills Farm

Enjoy browsing Salubrious Living’s collection of

In cahoots with Gippsland's young gun

artisan wares and beautiful pieces for you and

winemakers, we're producing limited-release

your home. You’ll find the perfect gift for a loved

batches of blushingly beautiful, wine-infused

one this Christmas while supporting a

garlic salt. A pinch perfect finishing salt to flavour

small business.

bomb your fav foods with a stellar hit of herbaceous, garlicky oomph. Made in Gippsland

Get 15% off with OAKMAS22

using three ingredients - Green Hills Farm garlic, local wine and Aussie salt.

www.salubriousliving.com.au @salubrious__living

www.greenhillsfarm.com.au @greenhills_farm

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Greenethorpe, NSW

Wonthaggi, VIC

Spill The Tea Co

Emu Creek Digital

Loose leaf, sustainably packaged and ethically sourced herbal and fruit based blends hand blended with love in rural NSW. Seven beautiful blends made with lots of love and thought, for a ritual that nourishes the mind, body and soul.

Get 10% off with OAKMAS22 www.spilltheteaco.com.au @spilltheteaco_

A website that thrives is a combination of three factors: great user experience, relevant traffic and a great service/product. If you can bring the last one, we can bring the first two! We offer website design, website tweaks, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), Google and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads management. If you’re looking for a passionate digital partner, let’s chat. www.emucreekdigital.com.au @emucreekdigital

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Hunter Valley, NSW

Bendigo, VIC

Hunter Hermitage Hampers

Stitch In Time

We individually curate hampers showcasing local artisan and hand-produced sustainable food products made in the Hunter Valley, NSW. Every item in your hamper is made locally by small producers and chosen with love to share the beauty of our home. Perfect Christmas gifts for your friends, family or clients. www.hunterhermitagehampers.com.au @hunterhermitagehampers

If you are looking for that special small gift that is easy to post, look no further than the beautiful selection of Liberty London products from Stitch in Time. Ladies hankies, relaxing eye pillows, scented drawer sachets, gorgeous hankies for men plus more. All handmade in Bendigo. www.stitchintime.com.au /stitchintime

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Bendigo, VIC

maude & maple

A boutique homewares, gifts and lifestyle store. maude & maple proudly supports Australian brands, designers, artists and creators. Owner Kirsty Nevinson is soon to launch her own range of handcrafted jewellery. www.maudeandmaple.com.au @maudeandmaple

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Tell us about your business and how it started?

What does success mean to you?

maude & maple started soon after I had a tarot reading in 2020 where it was revealed that I was about to embark on a new career. I was told that it would be a lot of hard work and that I should choose with love not fear.

As a child I thought that success could only be measured by someone's financial position and that wealth or being rich meant that you had an abundant supply of money.

Two weeks later I woke up and mentioned to my husband that I wanted to open my own store.

He was both surprised and incredibly supportive.

That day, on his way to work, my husband found a vacant store for lease and so the ball started rolling. maude & maple is a clothing and lifestyle boutique in the heart of Bendigo. Purveyor of carefully curated gifts, homewares, skincare, fashion and accessories from loved and trusted Australian brands, with a strong focus on natural ingredients and fibres, sustainability and ethically made or sourced goods.

Success to me as an adult is having the courage to live out your dreams, to do the things that you love and find fulfilment and happiness in what you do.

How can women support other women?

We can support other women by lifting them up, admiring their strengths and giving credit where credit is due. By embracing our differences and understanding that we are all amazing in our own ways.

I draw my inspiration and creativity from other business women who share the same vision and ethics when it comes to sustainability and design.

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Lockyer Valley, QLD.

Maryborough, VIC

Boxed in the Bush

Words on a Page

A seasonal surprise, handmade with love and delivered to yours or that someone special’s door throughout the year. We are a subscriptionbased gift parcel with each box showcasing a minimum of four products handmade by superwomen located in rural, regional or remote areas across Australia. Not only do you support Australian handmade with our subscription, it is the perfect gift that keeps on giving.

Brain Picker | Business Strategy Session.

A clever concoction of clarity and confidence.

An antidote for befuddled business brain.

Nat Dowling grabs the ideas out of your head, so you can bring your business to life.

Tailored mentoring and friendly facilitation available online or in-person. www.wordsonapage.com.au

www.boxedinthebush.com @boxedinthebush

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Pre-orders now open Use coupon OAKMAS22 at checkout to receive a gift with purchase. Limited to first 30.

BUY NOW

Greenethorpe, NSW

Spill The Tea Co Tell us about your business and how it started?

In the first lockdown of 2020, whilst I was home from boarding Founded by teenager Sienna Capra, Spill

school and drinking copious amounts of tea, I noticed a major

the Tea is a wholesome range of herbal

gap in the market for a healthy, sustainable, fun and yummy

and fruit based, loose leaf, ethically

drink for my age group.

sourced and sustainably packaged tea handcrafted with love in regional NSW.

Soft drinks, caffeinated drinks and other unhealthy beverages were what was predominantly on offer for young people.

www.spilltheteaco.com.au @spilltheteaco_

Spill the Tea was then created with that vision in mind - a new, fun, innovative approach to herbal tea specifically for teens and early adults.

I was also half way through an art assignment where I was drawing logo's - this is where our Spill the Tea girl came from.

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What is your biggest achievement in business?

I am a firm believer in celebrating every win no matter how big or small - I feel this way you are constantly practising gratitude and also minimising self doubt.

I still get excited with every order, every time I walk into a store and see my range of the shelves - such a surreal, rewarding feeling.

I was also super fortunate to be a part of TAFE NSW entrepreneurship/business course as well as winning national entrepreneurship award 'Ed Start'. Through this I was granted money to put towards further growing Spill the Tea as well as having film crews come out to my studio at home and put together a case study on myself and the business.

What challenges or hurdles have your faced in business?

As much as I have received such immense love and support from my community and the nation as a whole - age is still something that some struggle to come to terms with.

I have been declined opportunities as soon as they found out I was 15/16. With this, at times, I feel people don't take what you are doing seriously and treat it more as a blow-over type project.

I don't take it personally anymore but I think changing that belief is something that needs to be done.

What is your next big challenge/project?

I am just about to release a new limited edition summer blend 'Peachy'. I have ALWAYS wanted to create my own healthy spin on a traditional Peach Iced Tea and I think I have finally nailed it.

What is the best piece of business advice you were given?

If you're going to do something, do it properly.

This saying has surrounded me my entire life and really holds me accountable to continue working towards my goals even in times of self doubt.

This one piece of advice has shaped the way I approach all opportunities and moments in life and business.

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Discover the best places to shop locally in regional and rural Australia. When you shop local, you’re making a personal investment in your community. Let's go shopping!

This special gift guide is part of our OAK Magazine Directory membership. To be a member, purchase a 12 month premium listing for only $179.

The subscription offers you the opportunity to showcase your expertise on our blog, feature your brand in our special digital shout outs and gift guides, discounts, a complimentary digital copy of OAK Magazine plus it's fantastic for your SEO aka helps you rank higher in Google. www.oakmagazine.directory