1. It would be great if you could tell us about The Aware Network. How long ago did you start the company?
We registered the business in August 08, but it was incubating for a while before it hatched!

2. What was the inspiration behind The Aware Network? What is your vision?
To get beautiful products out there, that are also ethical. To walk the talk and inspire change for more ethical consumption.

3. What are the different styles of shoes you have? Which are the most popular?
Each shoe is completely unique, with different colours and patterns with each mola.  The high ladies boot is stunning, a big hit this winter! But the mary janes and ballet flats have been our most popular styles. Guys and girls both like the lightweight boxer boots, classic hi-tops (Converse-style), and the sneakers (similar to Pumas and Lacostes). We also have a cute range of kids shoes that are adorable.

4.    Where can our soulful consumers buy your shoes?
We sell online on our website, as well as many unique and conscious stores around Australia: Bliss EcoWear (Brisbane), Children of the Revolution (Brisbane), Talisman (Lennox Head), Grok (Sydney). We also have a lovely sales distributor in Adelaide and another in Sydney who re-sell them. We enjoy doing occasional national festivals and regional markets. We’ll also be at Greenfest in Brisbane’s botanical gardens this June.

5.    Tell us a little about the communities you support. How do you ensure that your shoes are fairly traded?
Well, the Mola textile is a custom passed on by the grandmothers in the Kuna Indian culture. The women wear the mola on their traditional blouses. The more intricate the design the more mature the woman, since each mola is made to reflect each new phase in her life. The old molas are unstitched from the blouse, and re-used into shoes by our shoe producer, a lovely family-run business in Colombia’s capital city. They make all the shoes themselves and receive a fair wage, the price they ask.

6.    What have been your greatest challenges in setting up The Aware Network?
“Learning the ins and outs of the tax system and accounting” – Daniel
“Explaining the ethics of a conscious/fairtrade/sustainable/handmade product to a customer who just wants the cheapest price” – Jasmine

7. What have been your greatest successes?
Inspiring people to believe there is a new way.

8. It is wonderful that you are choosing to live by the ideals that you are promoting. What are you doing to achieve this?
We give 10 per cent of our profits to charities and good causes we support (see our website).
And, by promoting ethical alternatives to big corporate business, we see that we are walking our talk and creating a new ‘conscious’ way of earning a living! We also aim to live by upholding the earth-honouring ways of the  indigenous Kuna culture (who make the molas) and reducing our waste, recycling and keeping our footprint as light as possible.

9. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
To accept that it is more about what you believe in rather than what you can get from it. Sometimes you may need to spend more and earn less, but it will leave you sleeping better at night.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have a few more questions:

1. What is your favourite food?
Palak Paneer (Daniel) Fresh Fruit on Muesli (Jasmine)

2. Who would be your dream next door neighbour?
Narayani Amma – a spiritual teacher embodying universal love from India.

3. What is your favourite travel destination?
India (Daniel) Different places at different times (Jasmine)

4. What do you do to relax?
Sing Bhajans and play music (Jasmine) Puja (Daniel)

5. What are you passionate about?
Sharing joy (Daniel) Living compassionately (Jasmine) and WALKING THE TALK!

6. What one change would you like to see in the world in your lifetime?
When the shift from wanting things for ourselves to wanting things for the world occurs, a while new paradigm of peace begins. It’s our blessing we know this and can participate in giving.

The Aware Network
PO Box 1511
Byron Bay 2481
M: (+61) 0449 291 219
E: info@theawarenetwork.com.au
W: www.theawarenetwork.com.au

1. Tell us a little about Ethica Accessories, a project by the Sisters of Saint Joseph (SOSJ)? How long ago did the project start?
The Sisters of Saint Joseph first arrived in Peru in 1981. From the beginning the Sisters lived among the poor providing education and support for children and families living in isolated areas and city slums. They also worked to support the poor in the jails of Peru. Since 2003 with their knowledge of the people and country they decided to establish cooperatives for women, to use their skills giving them means to earn an income and helping relieve the poverty. This is how the Sisters of Saint Joseph Peruvian Project Ltd was started.

2. What was the inspiration behind Ethica Accessories?
When the Sisters first arrived, they could do little to help the economic situation, and didn’t want to create a system of giving ‘handouts’. They set up different educational programs.  From time to time some women would bring them something they had weaved or knitted in the hope they would buy it. The Sisters noticed that these small items they produced were part of their economic resources. They observed that some of the women were very good in traditional weaving and knitting, and saw this as an opportunity to organise the women into work shops. They organised classes where other women were taught to knit with new stitches and styles as well.

3. Tell us a little about your product range. What are the most popular products?
Our product range has bags, small purses, scarves and shawls made of alpaca, children’s clothing in wool and cotton, finger puppets, Christmas decorations and cards. The most popular lines are the scarves made from alpaca or alpaca and silk, which are light and very warm. Another popular product are the finger puppets which are inexpensive items but great for kids. There is the jungle collection, sea creatures, Australian animals and even superheroes. All products sell well.

4. Where can our soulful consumers buy your products?
People can buy our products directly by contacting us on (02) 8912 2716 or emailing me at gina.bradley@sosj.com.au. Our website is currently under re-construction. We also do presentations and/or stalls in schools, parishes, markets and other events to promote our message that when you buy one of our products you are helping the women and their families in Peru. We also have two major promotional events during the year, the ‘Winter Warmer’ in May; and our ‘Christmas in Peru’ in November, where people can enjoy Peruvian music, dances and food while they do their shopping. These events are held at the Auditorium Mary Mackillop Place, Mount St, North Sydney.

People can contact us if they wish to be in our mailing list for upcoming events.

5. It is wonderful that SOSJ has been granted the decoration for “merit for distinguished services” by the government of Peru in recognition for their hard work. Tell us a little about how you ensure that your products are ethically traded?
The Sisters who live in Peru and organise the cooperatives ensure that everybody gets a fair chance in producing the goods. The women are given the wool and other raw materials they need; trained to knit until they reach an export quality, and are paid on the spot a fair wage. This money is used for food, medicine, electricity and other basic needs. Initially, when the sisters came back to Australia for a short visit every few years, they would bring some of the things to sell, and with the help of the congregation in Australia they eventually set up an office in Sydney to help market the products. Now we are developing the distribution network of outlets to help us to sell the product.

6. What have been your greatest challenges in setting up Ethica Accessories?
It has been a great challenge to get the women and communities in Peru organised and mobilised. Women have been socially marginalised for a long time. They have had no power, resources or possibilities of earning a wage, and some of the communities don’t even speak Spanish.  Alcoholism, family violence and machismo are common obstacles. The Sisters of St Joseph had to gain their confidence in making these changes through their educational work. Another challenge has been to find products suitable for the Australian market without losing the traditional designs. One approach to this was for example to introduce new wool colours.

7. What have been your greatest successes?
Our biggest success has been to see the women regain their dignity and confidence, by working in the workshops. The project started with a small group and now they are over two hundred women. They have also entered a new phase and the sisters believe they are ready to take responsibility for their own future. For example, the collective in Pitumarca now intends to register in Peru as an official Association.

8. Tell us a little about the communities that you support?
There are basically four communities in Peru that are supported by the project. Two of these are in the outskirts of the capital Lima, and two more are in remote mountain areas.

Casabet is in Lima and is probably the biggest and more professional of them. They produce all the handbags and small purses.

Cruz de Motupe is also on the outskirts of Lima, it is a very poor and marginalised area. The women do the work back home while they look after the children and come back once the product is finished. They made all the wristbands sold for World Youth Day at Mary MacKillop Place. They also make hats, gloves, hair bands and beautiful Christmas tree skirts.

Pitumarca which is in the Andes in southern Peru. It is 3,600 metres above sea level, because of the altitude, crops are hard to flourish, and so they rely on the breeding and care of alpacas and llamas. Pitumarca is well known in Peru for its traditional weaving. They use hand spun sheep’s wool tinted with dyes from local plants. This is the region which produces the traditional hats with earflaps, as seen in the ‘Golden Compass’ film. They also produce the alpaca scarfs and shawls and finger puppets.

Tarma is about 6 hours from Lima, the women get together every week. They make colourful kids scarfs and hats.

There are many wonderful stories of women that have succeeded in their journey of regaining their confidence and power.

9. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
I believe there are many opportunities for helping communities or a group of people. It is very rewarding to be able to do something to better the situation of many people, no matter where in the world.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have 5 quick questions:

1. What are your top 3 favourite movies of all time?
Some of my favourite movies are Cinema Paradiso, Parenthood and Shawshank Redemption.

2. Who would be your dream next door neighbour?
My ideal neighbour would be a family with kids the same age as mine. A fun family with similar values to ours.

3. What is your favourite food?
I have to say Mexican and Italian, although I love eating, and in Australia we are lucky to have so many choices.

4. What are you passionate about?
I have always been very interested in languages and getting to know people.

5. What one change would you like to see in the world in your lifetime?
I would really like to see more justice and equality for poor people.

Ethica Accessories
T: +61 (02) 8912 2716
E: gina.bradley@sosj.org.au

1. Tell us a little about Thea and Sami? How long ago did you start the business?
Thea & Sami began with a dream of setting up a studio in Brisbane for printing natural (and now organic) fabrics and making wearable art.

The studio was set up 2 years ago but I’m not sure I would say that it was a business in the beginning. I have learnt a lot since then.

2. What inspired you to start Thea and Sami?
After returning to school as a mature-aged student and studying Textile Design in Canada, I knew that I would want to open my own studio and business upon returning to Australia.  I was fortunate to have my partner’s support in achieving this.

3. Tell us a little about your product range. What are the most popular products?
Our range is ever-expanding.  We are currently designing a new range of hand-printed organic and natural fabrics that will be available for sale by the metre but also featured in our upcoming eco-fashion collection.

The most popular product to date has been the Brisbane Skirt. I have been selling it for 2 years and it is now available in organic linen. I plan to design and make similar skirts for other Australian cities. The printed hemp tea-towels are also popular.

4. Where can our soulful consumers buy your products?
Products can be purchased on-line through our website www.thea-sami.com.au or through our stockists (list on website).

5. What have been your greatest challenges in setting up Thea and Sami?
The greatest challenges for me has been finding suppliers and manufacturers; especially in Brisbane where most of these people can only be found through word-of-mouth. And of course, as in any small business, cash flow! I no longer sell goods on consignment.

6. What have been your greatest successes?
I consider it a success every time somebody chooses a Thea & Sami product. It validates that the designs are of a quality that a customer will appreciate enough to buy it.

Other successes have been winning a Memento Award in 2007 for my Brisbane Skirt design and being chosen as one of 12 new designers to participate in DEBUT at Fashion Exposed last September.

7. It is great that your fabrics are organic and natural, how do you ensure that this is achieved?
Fabric sourcing takes a lot of research. Before buying organic fabrics, I ask for suppliers to forward me any certificates that ensure that the fabrics have been certified organic by a recognised body.

8. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
a) Until you start making money, you will probably need some kind of supporting income (or supporting partner).
b) Networking is key for making contacts and sharing knowledge.
c) Bartering products and services is a fantastic way to save precious cash flow. Other small business owners are often open to the idea.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note:

1. What are you reading at the moment?
All my reading of late has been for increasing my knowledge and that includes on-going researching on-line. However, I am currently reading an inspiring book that I was given for Christmas: 100 Great Businesses and the Minds Behind Them by Emily Ross & Angus Holland.

2. What is your favourite fashion piece?
Of course, I like whatever we are currently designing. However, I also have a lovely collection of vintage clothing. Myfavourite would have to be a fitted jacket made from embroidered wool crepe.

3. Who would be your dream next door neighbour?
If I’m totally honest, it would be somebody who can make me laugh and de-stress. Robin Williams comes to mind.

4. What is your favourite food?
I love food! I probably prefer Mediterranean cuisine because of growing up in a Greek family with a great cook for a mother. I am missing the fresh and organic ingredients available on the Island (Greece) – figs, tomatoes, calamari, yummy etceteras.

5. What one change would you like to see in the world?
I wish we could stop the exploitation of children and especially girls in poor countries. I think education and fair trade is the key.

Thea and Sami
Unit 1, 61-63 Steel Street
Capalaba QLD 4157 AUSTRALIA
M: +61 (0) 411 270 263
F: +61 (07) 3899 9272
E: thea@thea-sami.com.au
W: www.thea-sami.com.au
Blog: www.theaandsami.blogspot.com

Here are some of my ideas. I would love to hear from you.

1) Buy Fair Trade and Organic Gifts: Make this Christmas one that helps developing communities and minimises your impact on the environment. Buying fair trade gifts ensures that the producers are paid a fair wage and supports the development of much needed community run projects. Ultimately, it helps these communities become sustainable and alleviates poverty.

Check out the contemporary, stylish and exquisite Fair trade and Organic products available from our soulful entrepreneurs featured on Soul Economy. Select from the wide range of women’s and kid’s fashion, cool streetwear, sexy underwear, jewellery, children’s toys, beautiful scarves and bags, contemporary home decor, rugs, shoes, and wrap it up with 100% recycled paper and card.

Here are some wonderful offers for our readers from our soulful entrepreneurs:

Bholu Christmas! This year, how about buying something for some one which not only has a great story but is loved by adults and children alike! Hand made by underprivileged women in India, Bholu products are all Fair Trade and part proceeds of the children’s range go directly back to rebuilding preschools in India. A worthwhile cause to be a part of and help spread the good word.

A Christmas Special when bought online at www.bholushop.com with the promotion code “i love bholu” will get you 15% off all Bholu products, but we particularly think Mavis the Monkey will bring some extra ethical christmas cheer!

www.bholushop.com
www.bholu.com
(02) 9698 0153

Moral Fibre Christmas! Looking for a gift that you can be proud to give? Something that’s totally luxurious and 100% organic and ethical? Moral Fibre super soft, light weight, t-shirts created from 70% organic bamboo / 30% organic cotton make the perfect Christmas Gift. These gems are available in a stylish, classic white crew neck (unisex) and black, oh so sexy V neck (men’s and women’s).

Let us know that Soul Economy sent you and we will add a fab eco “stocking stuffer” in with your bundle. What’s not to love. To find out more click here.

www.moralfibre.com/shop
www.moralfibre.com
enquiries@moralfibre.com

2) Volunteer: Deliver Christmas hampers on 22, 23 and 24 December. For further information, contact Stephanie or Rose at the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross, Sydney on (02) 9358 6577. Assist the Salvos with their Christmas lunches. For further information, visit http://salvos.org.au/christmas/christmas-day-lunch/ Or join in the new “side by side” volunteer program at the Wesley Mission lunches on Christmas Day and help encourage those who attend to participate in all activities. For further information call Alan or Hannah on (02) 9263 5462. And make a commitment to volunteer beyond Christmas and into 2009.

3) Give to Charity: Buy charity Christmas cards. If you order from the Charity Card Market you can select Christmas cards from over 50 charities with 100% of the sale going directly to the charity. Or, if in Sydney, you can visit The Goodwill Charity Card Shop and select your Christmas cards from 12 Australian charities. Open until Friday, 19 December, the shop is located on Level 8, 428 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000. For further information visit http://www.goodwillcharitycards.org.au/ To reduce your impact on the environment, check out the animated eCards at Red Cross and always select 100% recycled when available. You can also purchase a charity gift voucher through Karma Currency and let the recipient choose who they wish to donate to.

4) Reduce Waste and Buy Fairtrade and Organic Food: We have the tendency to over-indulge at Christmas. We buy too much, eat too much and end up with too much waste. Give some thought to those who are struggling to put food on the table and consider cutting back a little. And where available, buy Fair Trade and Organic foods. Not only do these foods taste great, they are friendlier on the environment, ensure that manufacturers are paid a fair wage and help to support community projects. There are many organic options available. With Fair Trade, you can select from coffee, tea and chocolate as well peanuts and cashews now available.

5) Donate to a Community: Give a gift that helps communities support and sustain their income, health, education or basic needs such as shelter and water. Purchase a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped. For example, a gift of bees that give women living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi the opportunity to earn an income. Or donate a gift from CAREgifts such as a water kettle, to help kill some of the water-borne bugs when only contaminated water is available for drinking. Another option is to provide a micro loan through http://kiva.org/ and help an entrepreneur in the developing world to build their business and become sustainable.

6) And finally, give one of the most precious gifts of all: Your time. In our time poor, consumerist society we often overlook the importance of spending time with family and friends and showing that you care. Christmas is the perfect time to do this.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas filled with love, light, happiness and lots of fun and laughs!

1. Tell us a little about Women for Empowerment, Freedom and Textiles (WEFT)
WEFT is a non-profit venture supporting refugee women on the Thai-Burma border and displaced women in Burma to earn much-needed income from their textiles. These women are from various ethnic groups of Burma and produce some of the finest textiles in South East Asia. They have fled persecution by the Burmese military regime, and handicrafts are one of the few accessible means to earn money safely.

WEFT’s collection of handwoven and handmade products ranges from natural dye textiles and weaving in the form of scarves, shawls, table runners, cushions and wall hangings, to pieces of beautiful woven and embroidered fabric. Every WEFT textile purchase creates income that goes directly to refugee women and their families, and helps WEFT to finance textile development workshops. For more information visit: www.weftshop.com

2. What inspired you to start WEFT? What is your vision for the company?
After graduating from NIDA in 2004, I read a book by Arundhati Roy, “The algebra of infinite injustice”. This significantly inspired me. I began thinking how can I use my skills to support those in need. They say one door closes another one opens. This has definitely been the case for me. I was enroute to England to pursue my tailoring career/training and I was going via Asia (I had travelled for 4 years before studying). At the 11th hour the training I was going to England for fell through. I was in Thailand and thought perhaps I will do some volunteering with the idea of incorporating it into lifestyle. I am in the fortunate position of being freelance, so I can take a few months off here and there. I began trying to see how I could use my skills to assist those in need!

I worked at an orphange in the far north of Thailand and then found myself in Mae sot working with KWO (Karen womens organisation), the Karen are refugees from Burma. These women and their stories made such an impact on me that I felt committed to them from the beginning. There resilience in the face of such extreme oppression and violence, their commitment to helping their people and the beautiful textiles that are born out of such suffering. Every 6 months I return to the Thai-Burma border to hold workshops that help provide them with more skills so they can feed, clothe and care for their famillies.

WEFT is a non-profit organisation and our vision is to become a self-sustaining entity so we can continue to support refugee women.

3. Tell us about the WEFT product range?

• Beautiful and intricately patterned handloomed scarves, made from a soft rayon in a variety of bold and earthy hues, these scarves can take up to 5 days to weave on a backstrap loom made by Karen refugees.
• Earthy beauty of 100% cotton naturally dyed table runners, handloomed on a backstrap loom in a variety of intricate patterns and hues of the earth. Hand dyed and handwoven by Karen Refugee women.
• Brightly coloured and boldly patterned bags made from a bamboo shuttle loom then sewn together by refugee women.
• Intricately patterned cushion covers in a variety of colour waves, handloomed on a backstrap loom by Karen refugee women.
• Sarongs/lengths of beautiful textiles handloomed on a bamboo shuttle loom, with various traditional patterns that have a story, Made by Karen women, Mon Women and Chin Women. WEFT is in the process of developing product from these gorgeous textiles, bags, children’s clothes and baby slings.
• Naturally Dyed Cushion covers and bags that have been designed with the west in mind, handloomed by a Thai Karen village on the Thai Burma border, constructed by WEFT members in the hopes of it becoming a refugee initiative.

4. What have been your greatest challenges in starting WEFT?
That’s easy, trying to sell product. I am not a seller. The reason I do this work is I love working with the women, however selling their textiles not only helps to fund workshops it also directly supports these women so that they are not solely reliant on international aid for their basic needs. Although having said that because I believe that what WEFT is doing is beneficial it makes it easier to sell. And you need to be very very fluid working on the Border as things take time and don’t happen as quickly as they do at home.

5. What have been your greatest successes?
Finding such a caring, socially minded, supportive and hardworking team, Ellen, Debra and Janita…..and personally being in a workshop and seeing the participants excited about learning things about their culture that they didn’t know, like what some of the woven patterns mean. Our launch was great as we really began to connect with like minded people and organisations.

6. Can you tell us some of the good news stories as a result of WEFT?
I was talking with Kuku yesterday at KWO here in Mae Sot and she said to me Aunty Ann’s bag designs have really advanced since you have been coming. That’s exciting. Also last week in Sydney we were part of a fashion parade that was raising money for Amnesty International’s womens refugee movement here in Sydney. WEFT thought this would be a good opportunity to connect further with the Karen Refugee community, so as part of the parade, Manupaw, Hser Hser and Paw, 18 year old girls who have been in Sydney for just over a year and have spent most of their lives in refugee camps, joined us on the catwalk in traditional Karen dress and new designs from tradtional fabric.

7. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
Listen and ask yourself is it truly beneficial for others, is the impact positive or negative.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have 5 quick questions:

1. What are you reading at the moment?
Perfect Hostage, Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma and the Generals by Justin White

2. Name your top 3 favourite movies of all time?
Dancer in the Dark, directed by Lars von Trier, Earth directed by Deepa Mehta, The Italian, directed by Andrei Kravchuk

3. Who would be your dream real life next door neighbour?
Gandhi

4. Where is your favourite travel destination?
Lake Waikaremoana, New Zealand (home)

5. What are you passionate about?
Peace, in heart and mind

2. Tell us a little about your gorgeous hand printed textile designs?
I like to generate a sense of comfort and create a unique and particular atmosphere. Colour is for your senses and design creates the direction of style. Creating a new design is a process and grows over time. It has various stages from the idea and drawing and computerised steps until it finds its way onto a screen. Having a theme I draw my inspiration from various sources, which can be influenced through my passion for antique, classical and art deco motifs — which you can find on interiors, buildings, paintings, books; but of course a rich and endless inspiration comes from our flora and fauna. I like to combine traditional & contemporary elements. You can find in my designs as well as motifs 50 to 150 years old hand printed cloth, timber blocks, drawings and designs which are from my family’s company. This archive is very precious to me. I would describe my hand printed textiles as fresh and brightly coloured featuring my signature of ornamental and floral designs.

3. It is great that your fabrics are organic and natural, how do you ensure that this is achieved?

• I prefer wherever possible to use and offer fabrics, mainly linen, cottons, silks and nettle which are organically grown, produced under sustainable methods and are fair trade products.
• I import natural and certified organic textiles from overseas, which are rated with the European “Oekotex” Standards and/or with SKAL/IMO.
• All natural textiles are cultivated under the guarantee of no use of herbicides or pesticides and no child labour. In the manufacturing process chlorine, dyes with toxic heavy metals and formaldehyde are totally banned.
• Textiles classified as certified organic are naturally grown under the guidelines of certified organic cultivation.
• My suppliers are certified and listed in official publications.

4. What products do you offer in your range? Which are the most popular?

I create limited editions for:

• Interiors & Soft Furnishings – cushions, throw rugs, wall decors, blinds
• Homewares — table decorations
• Fashion accessories – bags
• Small runs of meterage of various designs for residential interiors and clothing
• Hand printed paper, greeting cards and journals — paper is made from recycled t-shirts

The most popular are my botanical designs of Floresca, Il Giardino and Marina on my certified organic linen and cotton ranges. I am specialised in custom made products or fabric prints — having the individual choice of my designs and colour scheme. There is always a possibility to create something unique just for the customer. A few of my floral designs can be seen on skirts, t-shirts and dresses of various fashion designers. Each finished product is labelled with a small tag.

5. Where can we purchase your products? Is it also possible to purchase the fabric with your hand printed designs?
All my products can be purchased directly at my studio, by phone or by email order. The online-store on my website www.cavalieritextiledesign.com/www.ecogoesdeco.com offers some of my ranges and will be extended in the near future.

At this stage a few local boutiques and galleries are offering various items of my product range (Lismore/Byron Bay/Mullumbimby/Ballina).

Yes, I sell metreage of my hand printed textiles as well and offer custom made variations in colours and designs.

6. What have been your greatest challenges with the business?
The use of environmentally friendly materials is one wonderful side of this business, but on the other side there are still a lot of unresolved production processes, such as waste and use of water without any recycling system which are huge challenges. My team and I try to re-use materials for the production more than once and save electricity and water wherever possible. This is a daily challenge, because in our consumer orientated world is it so much easier to “just use and throw it away”. We challenge ourselves each day again to act and work responsibly and using our resources carefully.

Producing my work locally, printing by hand and taking personal care for each finished product is a great challenge but also gives me great satisfaction each day.

A great challenge for the near future is gaining a wider market to offer my products to a broader audience of interior designers, retailers and customers too. I would like to see growing recognition and acceptance by the public that quality rules over quantity and sustainability is so important these days, but it has its price.

Soul Economy is a great venue to promote sustainable products and to inform people about the urgent need to change our consuming habits and become aware that the time is now to act responsibly towards nature and ourselves.

7. What have been your successes?
I have achieved in a short time quite a satisfactory recognition of my designs and the offer of sustainable fabrics, not only in Australia but from abroad as well — which is great.

I fulfilled my dream, which I had since I was a child and I love the work which I am doing.

8. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
Have a vision, listen to your inspirations and a profound qualification is the most precious valuable thing you can provide towards your own business. Solid knowledge, skills and self-discipline are the basis towards success. Today each business has to involve responsibilities towards the environment and don’t forget the team, which you are working with — give them incentive and a creative environment. Business is about problem solving each day; don’t loose your patience and your vision. You get to know, becoming successful and making a living out of your own business can take up to several years, your intellectual property but also your financial funding is the best capital you can get. Good luck!

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have some questions:

1. What is your favourite food?
There is no favourite food, but I prefer the Italian kitchen. I go shopping for certified organic food, preferably at markets and small shops, but I am happy, if I can nurture myself with herbs, salads and vegetables from our garden. I love all sorts of vegetables fried in olive oil with garlic or onions and parsley, etc — fish comes prior to meat and this is only certified organic.

2. What is the perfect welcoming gift you would give to a new neighbour?
I invite the neighbour over and provide something special to eat and drink; this is always a good starter.

3. Do you have a favourite book and why?
Hard to say — I am not able to go into a bookshop without coming out with a few new books. I don’t like science fiction or trivial literature, but I like poems, poetry, contemporary and historical novels such as authors Paul Coehlo, Isabel Allende, Mario Vargas Llosa, George Sand. Art and design books or specialised topics can fill out my evenings too. Reading educates, brings satisfaction and can let you forget the world around, which is just wonderful.

4. Who do you look up to or admire?
I admire Tricia Guild (Designer’s Guild) — she is the Goddess of textile design. I have a fondest admiration for the genius of the painter, sculpture, architect and poet Michelangelo Buonarotti since I was a teenager. The painter Frida Kahlo and what she had achieved with her amazing life. And there are many more….

5. What single issue would you change to make the world a better place?
Where should I start — there are so many issues?! Using more car pooling – even in the country, where I live.

Marina Cavalieri Textile Design & Decor
123 Keen Street, Lismore, NSW 2480 Australia
T: +61 (02) 6622 2646
F: +61 (02) 6622 3395
E: contact@cavalieridesign.com
W: www.cavalieritextiledesign.com
W: www.ecogoesdeco.com

1. What inspired you to start Heartweave?
Wanting to make a difference in the way consumers perceive fashion as a whole. Heartweave allowed me to bring together my love of fashion, the arts, and design – with ethical production values. Having worked as an individual crafting my designs by hand I appreciate the labour involved. My intention is to help change public opinion where sweat shops and pesticide laden clothing is concerned – and that’s how Heartweave came into being.

2. What were you doing before this?
Working as a textile artist creating individual pieces of wearable art for specific customers, galleries, and boutiques. Market trader at Spitafields, London, around Australia, and California. Working in retail. Studying graphic design. Overseas travel.

3. What is your long-term vision for Heartweave?
Global recognition as a modern classic streetwear label that supports the fairtrade movement and the environment. I see Heartweave continuing with stylised graphics and its ‘no logo’ mentality. I’d like the collection to retail in regular fashion stores as well as eco shops and online. To offer consumers an alternative to non-ethical big label clothing.

4. Tell us a little about your product range. Do you intend to expand the range?
Heartweave is surf to streetwear for women. The designs include fitted or easy Tees with short sleeves. A sport Tee to wear on its own or for layering. Fitted tops with long sleeves. Yoga tops. And Hoodies with fully lined hoods. The collection is 100% organic cotton with non toxic dyed graphics. Heartweave’s accent is on excellent cut and stylised illustration rather than high fashion trends. Our range will expand with hemp and bamboo for upcoming designs.

5. It is wonderful that Heartweave designs and manufactures fair trade and organic clothing, how do you ensure that these garments “really” are ethically made?
Heartweave clothing is manufactured in Tamil Nadu, South India. The factory is FLO certified fairtrade and the cotton sourced from organic farmers who are SKAL certified. Aseo free dyes are used for the graphics. I personally set up camp in India for three months to oversee the production process from start to finish! The factory has high standards and provides a beautiful environment to work in — it is clean, large and airy with regular breaks for the employees. Wages are well above the standard rate. There is no child labour involved at any stage.

6. What have been your greatest challenges in setting up Heartweave?
In Australia – as a small business entrepreneur – my greatest challenge is pioneering a fair-trade organic clothing label in a market dominated by sweatshop produced clothing.

7. What have been your successes to date?
Creating a fashion label that is both environmentally sound and ethically produced.
Achieving a first collection that surpassed my expectation. Getting great feedback from buyers and customers.

8. Tell us a little about the communities that you support through your fairtrade, organic purchases.
The Sisters (nuns) who head up the factory operate a women project that integrates handicapped and/or disadvantaged women into the workforce. The Sisters run schools for the dumb, the blind, the deaf and the socially provoked all over India. They conduct rehabilitation programs for the lepers, support old age homes and orphanages all over the country, and their latest endeavour is the Cancer Institution that offers nursing courses. Groups of farmers are financially supported by the Sisters to grow organic cotton with the help of advance payment.

9. What advice would you give to others keen to start their own responsible businesses?
Go for it – but be prepared for the need to educate the public as to why your product is a ‘conscious consumer’ purchase – and that it is in everyone’s interest to insist on ethically produced goods as opposed to non-ethical.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have some questions:

1. What is your favourite food?
A good yellow Dahl with roti. Organic mixed roast vegies.

2. Who would be your dream next door neighbour?
Chris Lilley. Because he makes me laugh and keeps me sane in a world gone mad.

3. Why do you think it is so important to purchase ethically?
To make planet Earth a better and healthier place for EVERYONE to live on. To have a clear conscience about what you buy – its effect on the environment – and on human relations.

4. What are you reading at the moment?
Tumble Turns — Shane Gould’s autobiography. Australian Yoga Life magazine.

5. Where is your favourite place in Australia?
Tough one – there’s a few! Blue Mountains, Byron Bay & hinterland area. Kings Canyon in NT. South west region of WA.

Heartweave Clothing
13 Pilgrim Street
Seddon Victoria 3011 Australia
T: +61 (03) 9689 2032
M: +61 (0) 415 639 776
E: sales@heartweaveclothing.com
W: www.heartweaveclothing.com

1. What inspired you to start The Dharma Door? What were you doing before this?
In 2003 my husband Mick and I spent the year travelling and volunteering throughout South East Asia, Nepal and India. We spent several months living in a Tibetan refugee community where we met a disabled man who was in the process of establishing a tailoring workshop to create employment for young women. When we were due to return to Australia we bought some of his products and sold them at weekend markets. We had a great response and so I utilised my earlier sales training to approach retail stores about stocking the products. I previously worked as a sales rep in the wine industry and this was the catalyst for seeking a more meaningful career.

2. How long ago was The Dharma Door established? What is your vision for the company?
The Dharma Door was established in early 2004. My vision for the company is to build on our reputation for sourcing high quality Fair Trade products and to see them readily accepted by mainstream retail stores and consumers.

3. Tell us about the product range. Where can we buy your wonderful products?
Our new buying policy is to source products that are made from either sustainable or recycled materials in addition to being Fair Trade. These include bowls made of posters that have been rejected from printing factories in Vietnam, hotmats and coasters made of recycled newspaper by a women’s cop-op in the Philippines; gorgeous handcrafted journals made of jute fibres or recycled cotton waste in Bangladesh and much more. There is a stockists list on our website and if customers can’t find the product they want at their local stockist, they can purchase it online.

4. The Dharma Door has recently taken a new direction in the products sourced and aim to focus mainly on eco-friendly items, what is the reason for this?
There are several reasons for this — both health and environmental. Each time I visit a developing country I’m always disheartened by the amount of rubbish and pollution. Sadly, non-biodegradable packaging and products have been introduced into these countries without adequate rubbish removal systems or more importantly, recycling. It is normal in India to see shop owners sweeping rubbish onto the streets and street sweepers collecting the rubbish (inc. plastic, rubber etc) and burning it, sending toxic fumes into the atmosphere for anyone in the vicinity to inhale. I wouldn’t expect the creators of our products expose themselves to hazardous substances or working practices when producing our orders and in fact, our policy states that this is as important as the wage the person earns.

5. It is wonderful that you support products that are fairtrade and sustainable, how do ensure that your products really are socially and environmentally responsible?
Many of the producers that we currently buy from are IFAT members. IFAT (International Federation of Alternative Trading) is a global network of Fair Trade organisations which developed 10 standards of Fair Trade for many producer groups and buyers to adhere to http://www.ifat.org. The non-IFAT producers that we work with are either families or very small community workshops and there is great deal of trust in our business arrangements. I travel to visit producers once a year to discuss product development and to ensure the standards of Fair Trade are being met. I have never encountered any problems.

6. What have been your greatest challenges in setting up The Dharma Door?
The greatest challenge that I’ve encountered is in obtaining consistent high-quality products. I have been disappointed several times after spending days with a producer group working on products and then receiving a shipment of something completely different a few months later. Thankfully, most of our producers welcome the feedback to better their products and to make them more marketable to Australian consumers. The differences in language, communication styles and social/cultural expectations can sometimes be very challenging. Learning to work alone and feel confident in the decisions that I make every day has been a huge learning curve. I don’t have any formal business training so I’ve learnt a lot as the business has evolved.

7. What have been your greatest successes?
I count every new customer as a success as they are the reason why The Dharma Door exists and continues to grow. Personally, my greatest success has been establishing an ethical business that I’m passionate about and resisting the temptation of secure paid employment when times are challenging.

8. It would be great if you would share some of the good news stories about the communities that are being helped by purchasing The Dharma Door range?
There are so many great stories for both individuals and producer groups as a whole. Our Tibetan refugee producer group in India is a wonderful success story. As mentioned earlier, this is where our business began. We have continued to provide employment opportunities through the sale of our Book bags and other Tibetan products for this disabled man and six women ever since. As the sole exporter of their goods, The Dharma Door is very proud of this accomplishment. The group that we work with in Cambodia assists women who have been trafficked or sold into prostitution at a young age. The women are assisted through a rehabilitation and counselling program, then skills training and eventually full-time employment (in hospitality or sewing).

9. What advice would you give to others keen on starting their own responsible businesses?
Regardless of the type of business you are starting, you will require passion, persistence and stamina. In starting a responsible business, my advice would be to stick to your business ideals staunchly. You need a great deal of strength to run the day to day aspects of the business in addition to not faltering on your social and environmental principles.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have 5 quick questions:

1. What are you reading at the moment?
Very little unfortunately. I have A New Earth by Eckart Tolle & Bitter Chocolate by Carol Off on my bedside table but often fall asleep before I can finish one page.

2. Who would be your dream real-life neighbour?
The Dalai Lama

3. If you could live on any street, what would that street be named and why?
‘Compassion Street’ – because I believe if we were all more compassionate and stopped living solely for our own benefit or judging others according to our own expectations, then the world would be a better place.

4. Name your top 3 favourite movies of all time?
I have a terrible habit of never retaining movies after I’ve seen them — it drives Mick mad! Those that have stuck with me because I’ve enjoyed the messages behind the are: ‘I am Sam’, ‘What the Bleep Do We Know?’ and ‘Baraka’ (stunning!)

5. Do you have someone you look up to or admire?
So many people have influenced and shaped who I am today. I don’t look up to any particular person over another as I believe all beings have something positive to offer. Having said that, I greatly admire the philosophy of my boxer dog Maya — stretch regularly, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, walk daily, be even tempered and don’t hold grudges, show appreciation regularly, greet everyone with same non-judgmental enthusiasm and live joyously in the moment. This is what I aspire to.

The Dharma Door
PO Box 7007
Holland Park East, Queensland, 4121 Australia
T: +61 (07) 3420 6011
F: +61 (07) 3420 6022
M: +61 423 730 273
E: enquiries@thedharmadoor.com.au
W: www.thedharmadoor.com.au

The Beginnings….
After studying at the Glasgow School of Art, followed by event director roles at Saatchi Group and The Princes Trust, Rachel followed her passion for the environment and combined this with her design training to start Slingfings and Bird Textiles.

Rachel’s objective was to challenge the fashion industry – an eternally producing and consuming industry – to show designers that it is possible to create beautiful things in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, without compromising on quality.

“In this age of mass production and mass merchandising, our customers really appreciate our sustainability ethos”

“What it comes down to is corporate responsibility. The buying public is becoming more discerning. People are seeing sense in ethical and sustainable consumerism, and will buy with this in mind if we give them the choice.”

Rachel Bending

The Brands: Promoting Environmental Responsibility & Social Harmony
Rachel’s work started in 2002 with Slingfings, a brand widely recognised for its environmental consciousness. Bird Textiles launched in March 2006 and continues this brand ethos, exposing its products and message to a global marketplace.

Slingfings garments are made from reclaimed vintage fabrics, Bird garments are made from fabrics designed in-house and hand printed using water based dyes.

Gift wrap is printed on recycled paper stock using soy inks.

Products in the homewares and lifestyle fashion ranges are manufactured using 100% renewable solar power.

Rachel: Designer and Educator
Rachel sees her role as both designer and educator. Her role as educator currently encompasses the following:

• ongoing consumer education around sustainability through brand marketing materials and editorial exposure
• undertaking seminars, lectures and studio visits for school children, high school teachers and university undergraduates (specialising in design)
• offering two month long work placements a year to undergraduate fashion or textile design students

The Magical Journey

2002
Rachel starts Slingfings, whilst based in a sustainable grassroots community in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, using two small solar panels and a couple of old car batteries.

2003
Slingfings is nominated as a Lovemark, an initiative started by Kevin Roberts CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi International, and then featured in ‘The Lovemarks Effect’ book published 2004.

2004
Slingfings is recognised as Australia’s first climate neutral business. Rachel did a life cycle analysis of the carbon costs for the entire business. The carbon impact through from freight of raw
materials, manufacture, operations and delivery of finished goods was calculated so that they could green their carbon emissions by funding projects that slow global warming. This was done by purchasing renewable energy in wind farms and UV solar plants.

2006

• Bird Textiles launches, and writes 20 new accounts within 6 months.
• Glynis Nash from the Powerhouse Museum interviews Rachel and initiates procurement of garments from both Slingfings and Bird Textiles for the permanent collections at the Museum.

2007

• Bird Textiles selected by Austrade to represent Australia in New York at G’Day USA.
• Time Magazine feature Bird Textiles as one of three significant sustainable fashion brands in Australasia.
• Bird Textiles awarded a stand at the new ‘green’ section of Designers and Agents fashion tradefair in Los Angeles and launches Bird in the U.S.
• Bird Textiles featured in ‘Cool Hunting Green’ book, published internationally.
• Curators at the Powerhouse Museum nominate Rachel for a Powerhouse Wizard Award, recognising emerging leaders in Australian innovation and achievement.
• Fashion Group International (a global, non-profit organisation for professionals in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries, with an advisory board in New York including executives from Burberry, Vogue, Diane Von Furstenberg and Estee Lauder to name a few) select Bird as a finalist in the Sustainable Product category of the FGI Sydney Awards for Excellence 2007.

2008

• Rachel invited to exhibit at the renowned Artisan Gallery (formerly Craft QLD) as part of their ‘Unleashed’ group exhibition of exceptional craft and design.
• Bird Textiles commissions a mill in India to weave fabrics to their spec in SKAL certified organic cottons, and moves the entire range across to organics. This completes their three fold sustainable vision of using organic or renewable materials, 100% renewable energy in production and 100% climate neutral business practice.
• Bird Textiles Emporium flagship store opens in Surry Hills, Sydney.

The Future
In addition to ongoing strategic international growth, Rachel is committed to further lowering the environmental impact of her businesses. She is currently sourcing ethically produced base fabrics like bamboo, ingeo, hemp and soy from India and Europe so she can introduce a further level of sustainable practice in her work.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so we asked Rachel a few more questions:

1. What are you reading at the moment?
Dumbo Feather Pass It On.

2. Who would be your dream real-life neighbour?
Tenzin Palmo

3. What do you do to relax?
Get my hands dirty in my garden

4. What is your favourite spot in Byron Bay and why?
The natural waterpark, hidden somewhere in the hills on the edge of the rainforest. Need I say more?

Bird Textiles
Emporium: 380 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
Showroom: 13 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia
T: +61 (02) 6680 8633
E: info@birdtextiles.com
W: www.birdtextile.com

1. What inspired you to start Pure Pod? What were you doing before this?
I have always been environmentally aware and loved nature. I studied Fashion design in Canberra in the late 80’s and have always wanted to make an eco range but the time was not right back then. I always had an inner struggle between fashion and nature. The industry did not have the quality of textiles there are available today. With consumer demand and designers, like ourselves questioning the way products are made and how they are manufactured , we have increased the different kinds of textiles we can purchase. The industry is still new and evolving, so consumer demand and knowledge will make it grow even more and give us all a better understanding of where our garments are made and how the fibres are grown. Manufacturers are still developing better ways to grow and make their products, it does not happen over night and will not change unless people want it and want to pay for it.

I have worked in the clothing industry for nearly 20 years, makes me sound old but wiser. I worked in the mass production side of the industry designing for the big department stores in OZ and NZ. I designed mostly kids wear through my career. I then started my own design studio which I ran for about 6 – 7 years in Melbourne. In this studio we designed whole ranges for clients from the initial product through to a finished garment for production. We designed textile art, embroidery designs, story boards etc all with computer aided design packages. In our studio we were able to design for every area of the industry from women’s, to sports, mens, babies, kids etc. It was a fast and very demanding job. I became very burnt out and started looking for a new way of expressing myself creatively and for my health. I found yoga.

My partner and I moved to the Northern Rivers area near Byron Bay and lived on a macadamia farm. I studied to become a yoga and pilates teacher. It was fantastic and I un-knotted my tired fashion body Living up here gave me room to breath and inspire my creative passions again. I taught yoga and started to think of what I could do with the rest of my time. I needed other work and got a job at the local hospital as a tea lady. This gave me a realisation that I had to return to my roots and where my passion lay. I was awakened with a new lease on life by watching very sick people in hospital and I realised I did not want to regret not doing what I had always wanted to do.

I found a fabric company who sold ethical and organic fabrics – bamboo, soya bean, organic cotton, hemp etc. They sounded so good you could eat them. I spent almost the last of my savings on the fabric and started to design. I was so petrified when I first picked up a pencil to draw I couldn’t think of anything. I had designed so easily and under such a huge demand for people in Melbourne, it seemed ridiculous that I could not design for myself. It meant so much to me that I just froze.

So Pure Pod began. We have been growing ever since with a fantastic response to our collection. It is still a huge learning curve for us and for any manufacturer involved in this new part of the industry.

2. What is the philosophy behind the company? Tell us about the Pure Pod product range.
Pure Pod collection is a Life Style range. We do not follow fast fashion as this causes more wastage and pollution. We design our ranges to minimise the amount of clothing a person needs by being able to buy another product to go with their existing products they have in their wardrobe and they do not have to change their whole wardrobe each season. We also encourage people to buy retro and second hand clothing to be worn with our gear. This stops more pollution caused from our industry.

We manufacture our products with a very high quality using Aussie factories. Some of our fabrics – organic cotton is made in Australia. The rest of our fabrics are either organic or sustainable.

Our range is relaxing to wear, soft, comfortable and easy. No fuss! Pieces are designed to be worn in lots of layers. We don’t design big ranges for each season.

3. What have been your greatest challenges in setting up Pure Pod?
Our greatest challenges have been sourcing the fabric, cash flow and making sure our products are as eco friendly as we can commercially do. We can always do better with this and we are always looking for other suppliers and manufacturers who are on the same path as us. We have placed ourselves in a middle market, not too extreme eco organic but not fast fashion either. We try to minimise as much wastage as we can in our whole process – from the fabrics we use, to recycling our fabric scraps, green power, paper and packaging, printing, to riding our bikes to work or walking, to constantly finding companies who are striving for less pollution in manufacturing and growing their fibres.

We constantly have questions from people about how our products are made, grown and produced. We can only use what is available in the industry and what is commercially viable. If we were doing a normal range without sustainable textiles it would be much easier as we would not be as scrutinised as we are now. We are proud to say we are part of the small amount of pioneers in OZ starting to create a demand by educating the consumer about our industry. We can say we have helped change the way we run our business and manufacturing by at least 60% to be more ethical and eco friendly, more than you can say about normal main stream fashion. The most important thing for us is not the bottom dollar but the earth. Of course we have to run our business and make it viable which is hard in a small market but we are dedicated and passionate about what we are doing and there is no regrets. We can only keep questioning our manufacturers too.

We are just about to get our Sweat Shop free label. We like happy manufacturers, makes our clothing even better.

4. What have been your greatest successes?
Our greatest successes are starting Pure Pod, putting all the fear behind us and just doing it. There has been many a baked beans and home grown veggie night for dinner. We have sacrificed a lot for Pure Pod in our personal life but it is all worth it. We love it. When we receive word back from our stockists or the public of encouragement and thanks it makes all the hard work feel fantastic and that we are not alone in this idea to create a healthier life and earth. It is not an easy road to manufacture in Australia or to make an eco range, there is always something we can do better, greener and more ethical.

5. It is great that you offer ethical clothing for the design loving conscious consumer, how do you ensure that the fabrics you select are “really” eco-friendly and sustainable?
We only use certified fabrics or sustainable fabrics which have less of a foot print on the earth. This is such a new industry in textile manufacturing. With education to the public and demand the manufacturers will put more money into developing greener textiles and production. We could use non-dyed fabric but chose to use they dyed fabrics as it is more economically viable and we attract a bigger audience. Pure Pod is worn by people who are very eco conscious and people who normally wouldn’t even consider the environment when they purchase goods. In this way we are helping to create an awareness and education of buying products in any area.

We are always looking at new fabric suppliers and the quality is getting more green and better. If people choose to be greener they can wear second hand clothing or garments which haven’t been dyed. The choice is now available for all kinds of consumers.

We try to minimise our trims on the garments. Most trims are made from plastics. This is an area I have tried to get more info but it has not impacted the manufacturers yet. I’m sure my trims supplier thinks I’m crazy but every part of a garment causes pollution with wastage, dying etc. We have a lot of coconut and rubber on our products.

6. Where can your clothing range be purchased?
Our clothing range can be purchased for stockists all around the country. Please visit our web site. We will send details of your closet stockist. Some sell on line or you can visit our studio in 38 Gordon St Mullumbimby NSW.

Now we here at Soul Economy like to get to know our soulful entrepreneurs a little better, so on a more personal note we have 5 quick questions:

1. What is your favourite food?
My favourite food would have to be vegetables and fruit. Watermelon was my latest favourite. I also change my favourite foods. Another one of my favourite at the moment would be this great seeded gluten free bread with honey. Can’t get enough!

2. Who would be your dream real-life neighbour?
My dream neighbour would be David Suzuki. He would be amazing to live next door to.

3. If you customised your own license plate, what would it say and why?
I’m not into license plates but if I had to it would be Pure Pod maybe??

4. What do you do to relax?
To relax I lie in the sun on the back porch and read, go bush walking or on the beach, yoga and hanging out with my partner and friends.

5. What single issue would you change to make the world a better place?
Less plastic manufacturing on packaging, no plastic bags, anything to do with plastic really. Make people more aware of what they are buying with plastic and packaging and what happens to it when it leaves your homes and work. It is a huge issue for marine life and polluting our environment. We need to change our ways of purchasing too much STUFF that we just don’t need !!!!!

Our earth is not ours to keep but it is borrowed from the next generation. I want to know my kids will have a clean world to live in without the fear of pollution and loss of habitat and species.

Pure Pod
38 Gordon Street
Mullumbimby NSW 2482 Australia
P: (02) 6684 4450
M: +61 (0)410 407 458
E: kellie@podproductions.com.au
W: www.purepod.com.au