OAK 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

Bungunya,

QLD

Bush Exchange

The Bush Exchange is an online store founded by Bridget Coulton. From artwork, homewares, beautiful style and things for the great outdoors you’ll be able to connect to the Australian bush like never before.

www.bushexchange.com.au @thebushexchange

Tell us about your business and how it started?

The seed for Bush Exchange was sown back in 2015 whilst raising my first child on our cotton, cropping and cattle farm west of Goondiwindi

Originally hailing from Melbourne but then firmly rooted into life in the bush, this new chapter of my life, which at some times was isolating after a busy career, saw me day dreaming quite regularly about how I could share my passion for the Australian bush in a way that could transcend barriers between the city 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.

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 to face 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 side tracked 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.

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

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

Yarragon South, VIC

Green Hills Farm

IncahootswithGippsland'syounggun winemakers,we'reproducinglimited release batchesofblushinglybeautiful,wine infused garlicsalt Apinchperfectfinishingsalttoflavour bombyourfavfoodswithastellarhitof herbaceous,garlickyoomph MadeinGippsland usingthreeingredients GreenHillsFarmgarlic, localwineandAussiesalt. www.greenhillsfarm.com.au @greenhills farm

Greenethorpe, NSW

Hunter Valley, NSW

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

Tell us about your business and how it started?

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

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.

What does success mean to you?

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

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 ability and

Boxed

deliveredtoyoursorthatsomeonespecial’sdoor throughouttheyear.Weareasubscription basedgiftparcelwitheachboxshowcasinga minimumoffourproductshandmadeby superwomenlocatedinrural,regionalorremote areasacrossAustralia Notonlydoyousupport Australianhandmadewithoursubscription,itis theperfectgiftthatkeepsongiving wwwboxedinthebushcom @boxedinthebush

Greenethorpe,

NSW

Spill The Tea Co

Founded by teenager Sienna Capra, Spill the Tea is a wholesome range of herbal and fruit based, loose leaf, ethically sourced and sustainably packaged tea handcrafted with love in regional NSW

www.spilltheteaco.com.au @spilltheteaco

Tell us about your business and how it started?

In the first lockdown of 2020, whilst I was home from boarding school and drinking copious amounts of tea, I noticed a major gap in the market for a healthy, sustainable, fun and yummy drink for my age group.

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

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.

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

OAK

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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!

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