11/04/2026
Last night I went to a business workshop at
MINT by michelle
A fantastic event, with fabulous speakers and informative content.
The evening gave me cause to reflect on my own business path and what I really wanted to do.
I had already started moving the floor plan around to make space for more site holders, but after the workshop I felt inspired to use the extra space for myself and new projects.
Being in a room with so many amazing women I found the strength and motivation to strive for what I want and need.
I don’t feel guilty or selfish like I normally would for wanting something for myself - well that’s not quite true, but I’m forcing those feelings down and doing it anyway.
Just over seven years ago I walked into a dusty, empty shop with $17 in the bank and a stubborn belief that something could grow from almost nothing.
My landlord surprised me by agreeing to hold the space while I scraped together bond, rent in advance and the permits I needed.
I will always appreciate his faith in me, not many would have signed a lease with a soul parent with no financial backing, no way to cover rent if it failed.
I took every odd job that came my way, sold anything that wasn’t nailed down, and slowly built toward a dream that felt as fragile as it was necessary.
The permits alone took over a year.
I gutted the place myself and learned to do repairs I’d never imagined I could. There were no shelves, no tables, only an empty shop and an experiment:
could I start a successful business with $17?
The early days were raw and hands-on.
I painted, measured, hammered, arranged, and rearranged.
I learned the rhythms of the business and the people in it.
That persistence turned into community.
Over six years we have run over 400 workshops and
hosted more than 350 site holders, artists, makers, small brands and local projects who needed space, exposure, or a place to try things out.
We didn’t just provide stalls or shelves;
we became a launchpad for ideas and livelihoods.
Along the way we’ve packed up and transported belongings for at least 20 local Anglesea and Aireys families who were moving, sold items they no longer needed, and made sure countless goods found new homes through charities and local organisations we partner with.
For half a decade I have poured energy into helping others build their brands and businesses.
I took pride in their growth, celebrated their milestones, and watched their ideas find traction.
But in doing so I slowly lost sight of the original vision that set me on this path.
The experiment that began as a personal challenge became a service to others,
rewarding, certainly,
but not always aligned with where I wanted to steer my own business.
Now it feels like the right moment to pause and pivot inward.
I want to think about what I need, creatively and strategically, and to imagine a version of the business that balances community support with my own long-term goals.
That might mean rebranding, refining the space, curating fewer but more focused offerings, or launching initiatives that reflect my original purpose, whatever that looks like now, shaped by six years of hands-on learning.
The story isn’t over.
If anything, those first years taught me that resourcefulness and grit can build something real from very little.
The next chapter will be about honoring what I’ve created while giving myself permission to grow in new directions,
more intentional,
more aligned,
and still rooted in the community that made all this possible.
Thank you for supporting my journey your encouragement has been invaluable.
I’m looking forward to the next chapter of the business and excited to share it with you.💕
