This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, celebrates five decades of First Nations voices, leadership and community strength. To mark this celebration, VistaPrint is proud to spotlight First Nations entrepreneurs behind Yaala Sparkling, Deadly Dot Pots, Figjam & Co and Deadly Skincare, whose work embodies the creativity and innovation that have always defined Indigenous excellence in business.
We asked these four First Nations entrepreneurs to share where they started, what this milestone means to them, and how Australians can show up as genuine supporters all year round.
Tara Croker, Yaala Sparkling
Can you tell us how your business began and what sparked the idea?
From the beginning, my goal wasn’t just to create another beverage brand. It was to build a legacy Australian brand that celebrates our native ingredients, creates opportunities throughout the supply chain, and gives all Australians something they can proudly share with the world.
As a proud Wiradjuri woman, I grew up knowing that Australia has one of the world’s oldest food cultures, yet many people have never tasted native ingredients like Davidson Plum, Quandong, Lemon Myrtle or Desert Lime. I saw an opportunity to create something that made those flavours accessible in an everyday way.
At the same time, I was looking for healthier beverage options that weren’t loaded with sugar or artificial ingredients. So I combined those two passions and created Yaala Sparkling, a range of sugar-free sparkling drinks that celebrate real Australian flavours.
The name ‘Yaala’ means ‘the present moment’ in Wiradjuri language, and that’s exactly what we hope our drinks encourage people to do: slow down, connect, and enjoy the moment.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrating five decades of First Nations voices, leadership, and community strength. What does that milestone mean to you and your business?
This milestone is incredibly significant because it recognises the generations of First Nations people who have worked tirelessly to create opportunities, advocate for our communities, and ensure our voices are heard.
As an Indigenous business owner, I know that the path I’m walking today has been made possible by those who came before me. Their leadership, resilience, and determination have opened doors that didn’t exist for previous generations.
’50 Years of Deadly’ is a reminder that Indigenous excellence isn’t new, it’s something that has always existed. Today we’re seeing more First Nations entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and innovators stepping into the spotlight, and that’s something worth celebrating.
It’s also a reminder that representation matters. Every Indigenous-owned business that succeeds helps challenge perceptions, creates opportunities for others, and demonstrates the strength, innovation, and capability that exists within our communities.
What’s something you’re really proud of in your business journey so far?
One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing Yaala Sparkling create opportunities for people to connect with native Australian ingredients and the stories behind them.
When customers tell us they’ve discovered a native flavour for the first time through our drinks, or that they’ve learned something new about Indigenous culture, that’s incredibly rewarding.
I’m also proud that we’ve built a business that proves you don’t have to choose between commercial success and social impact. We’ve been fortunate to receive industry recognition and awards, but what matters most is knowing that we’re helping create a stronger, more inclusive native food and beverage industry.
What opportunities are you most excited about for the future of your business and for First Nations entrepreneurs more broadly?
I’m excited by the growing appetite Australians have to learn more about native foods and the businesses that are leading innovation in this space.
For Yaala Sparkling, that means introducing more people to native ingredients and continuing to grow our reach across Australia and internationally. I believe there’s enormous potential for Australian native foods to become globally recognised in the same way other countries celebrate their unique local ingredients.
More broadly, I’m excited to see the rise of First Nations entrepreneurship across every industry. We’re seeing Indigenous founders building businesses in technology, health, education, tourism, food, fashion, and professional services. That diversity is incredibly powerful.
What’s one way customers and other businesses can meaningfully support First Nations businesses all year round?
The simplest and most powerful thing people can do is choose to buy from First Nations businesses regularly, not just during NAIDOC Week or Indigenous Business Month.
Support can be as simple as purchasing products, recommending Indigenous businesses to friends and colleagues, following and sharing their stories online, or including First Nations suppliers in procurement processes.
For businesses, it’s about moving beyond symbolic support and creating genuine commercial opportunities. Include Indigenous businesses in your supply chain, invite them to tender for work, and build long-term partnerships.
Every purchase and every contract helps create jobs, strengthen communities, and support Indigenous economic participation. Consistent support throughout the year has a far greater impact than one-off gestures, and it helps build sustainable businesses that can continue creating opportunities for generations to come.
Mandy Draper, Deadly Dot Pots: The Journey
Can you tell us how your business began and what sparked the idea?
The Journey began during one of the most difficult periods of my life. My father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and while supporting him through his journey, I was also navigating my own health challenges after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
At that time, my mental health was not in a good place. As a mother, a community member, and an Aboriginal Health Practitioner, I was used to supporting everyone else around me, but I realised I needed support and healing too.
Through that journey, I was reconnected with painting. What started as painting pots became a form of healing, reflection, and cultural connection. It gave me a safe space to process grief, uncertainty, and the challenges I was facing. Every dot, symbol, and story became part of my own healing journey.
As a proud Cabrogal Woman from the Dharug Nation, reconnecting with culture during this time was incredibly important. Culture grounded me, strengthened me, and reminded me who I was. What began as a personal healing practice soon grew into Deadly Dot Pots: The Journey — a business built on storytelling, culture, connection, and wellbeing.
Today, I share my story through my artwork and cultural workshops, helping others understand the important role that culture plays in healing and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through creativity, storytelling, and connection, I hope to create spaces where people can learn, reflect, heal, and strengthen their own connection to culture and community.
The Journey is more than a business name — it reflects my own journey of healing and resilience, and the many journeys we all walk throughout our lives.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrating five decades of First Nations voices, leadership, and community strength. What does that milestone mean to you and your business?
’50 Years of Deadly’ is a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength, leadership, and achievements of First Nations people. For me, it honours those who came before us and fought to ensure our voices, cultures, and stories continue to be celebrated and heard.
As a First Nations business owner, this milestone reinforces the importance of creating spaces where culture is shared proudly and authentically. Through my artwork and workshops, I hope to contribute to that legacy by helping people connect with culture, learn from our stories, and celebrate the world’s oldest continuing living culture.
What’s something you’re really proud of in your business journey so far?
What I am most proud of is seeing the impact that art and culture can have on people. Whether it’s a child painting their first story on a pot, a workplace engaging in a cultural workshop, or someone finding healing and connection through creativity, those moments are incredibly special.
I’m also proud that Deadly Dot Pots has grown from a small creative outlet into a business that works with schools, community organisations, government agencies, and health services across Australia, while always staying grounded in culture and community.
What opportunities are you most excited about for the future of your business and for First Nations entrepreneurs more broadly?
I am excited about the growing recognition of First Nations businesses, knowledge, and leadership. There are more opportunities than ever for authentic partnerships, cultural learning, and Indigenous entrepreneurship.
For my business, I look forward to expanding cultural workshops, creating more opportunities for community connection, and continuing to combine my passion for Aboriginal health, education, and art. More broadly, I hope to see First Nations entrepreneurs supported not just during NAIDOC Week, but throughout the year, with meaningful opportunities to grow, lead, and thrive.
What’s one way customers and other businesses can meaningfully support First Nations businesses all year round?
Support starts with genuine relationships. Seek out First Nations businesses throughout the year, not just during significant dates or events. Purchase from us, collaborate with us, engage us as consultants and facilitators, and share our work within your networks.
Most importantly, value the knowledge, lived experience, and cultural expertise that First Nations businesses bring. Meaningful support is about creating long-term opportunities and partnerships that allow our businesses and communities to flourish.
Jason Davidson, Figjam & Co
Can you tell us how your business began and what sparked the idea?
Figjam & Co began as a second-generation First Nations business built on a continuation of cultural knowledge, family influence and a deep connection to native Australian ingredients. The idea was sparked by a desire to share bushfoods in a contemporary, accessible way — bringing them into everyday settings through catering and food experiences that tell a deeper story about Country, culture, and community. From those beginnings, Figjam & Co has grown into a business that bridges tradition and modern corporate catering.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrating five decades of First Nations voices, leadership, and community strength. What does that milestone mean to you and your business?
The theme ’50 Years of Deadly’ is a powerful recognition of the strength, resilience, and leadership of First Nations peoples over generations. For Figjam & Co, it reflects the journey of cultural continuity and the importance of carrying forward knowledge while creating new opportunities. As a second-generation business, we honour our heritage while working to make First Nations businesses visible, valued, and thriving across all industries.
What’s something you’re really proud of in your business journey so far?
We are proud of how Figjam & Co has grown while staying grounded in authenticity, culture, and purpose. A key highlight has been bringing native ingredients and First Nations storytelling into corporate catering environments in Brisbane and beyond. Seeing clients engage with bushfoods in meaningful ways — often for the first time — is incredibly rewarding. We are also proud of the strong relationships we’ve built with suppliers and communities who share our commitment to ethical sourcing and cultural integrity.
What opportunities are you most excited about for the future of your business and for First Nations entrepreneurs more broadly?
We are excited by the growing recognition of native ingredients and the increasing demand for culturally led food experiences in corporate and event spaces. For Figjam & Co, this creates opportunities to expand our catering reach, strengthen our sourcing networks, and continue innovating with seasonal and native Australian flavours. More broadly, we see a strong future for First Nations entrepreneurs as procurement pathways open up and more organisations commit to long-term, meaningful engagement with Indigenous businesses.
What’s one way customers and other businesses can meaningfully support First Nations businesses all year round?
The most meaningful support is consistent engagement — choosing First Nations businesses as part of everyday procurement, not just during NAIDOC Week or National Reconciliation Week. For Figjam & Co, this means embedding Indigenous catering and products into regular corporate operations, events, and gifting. This ongoing commitment helps build sustainable businesses, strengthens community outcomes, and ensures First Nations businesses continue to grow on their own terms.
Erika Ferrier, Deadly Skincare
Can you tell us how your business began and what sparked the idea?
Deadly Skincare started from an idea I had in 2020 while working in Mount Isa. I was browsing premium beauty brands and noticed there were no First Nations-owned skincare brands represented in major beauty retailers such as Mecca and Sephora. At the same time, I could see native Australian ingredients becoming increasingly popular across the beauty industry, but I rarely saw First Nations businesses leading those conversations.
I felt there was an opportunity to create something different — a premium skincare brand that not only showcased the power of native Australian botanicals, but also celebrated the stories behind them.
Today, Deadly Skincare is a 100% First Nations female-owned skincare brand that combines native Australian botanicals with modern science while proudly celebrating culture through every product we create.
Our first product, K&K Glow Moisturiser, features powerful native ingredients including Kakadu Plum and Kangaroo Paw, combined with high-quality active ingredients designed to deeply hydrate, support the skin barrier and promote a healthy, radiant complexion.
Every jar is more than skincare — it’s an opportunity to celebrate native Australian ingredients, share our story and support a First Nations-owned business.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrating five decades of First Nations voices, leadership, and community strength. What does that milestone mean to you and your business?
To me, this year’s theme is about honouring the generations who came before us. As First Nations peoples, we carry the strength, resilience and determination of our Elders and communities. The opportunities available to First Nations business owners today exist because of decades of advocacy, leadership and hard work by those who fought for our voices to be heard.
As a First Nations entrepreneur, I feel incredibly proud to contribute to that legacy in my own way. Every milestone Deadly Skincare achieves is not just a win for me, but another example of First Nations excellence and what’s possible when culture and business come together.
What’s something you’re really proud of in your business journey so far?
Honestly, I’m proud that I backed myself. Starting a skincare company with no experience or business knowledge in the beauty industry was intimidating. There were plenty of moments where I questioned whether I could actually pull it off.
I’m proud that I kept going through the challenges and brought Deadly Skincare to life. I’m proud that we’ve launched our first product, been recognised through industry awards — including receiving a Bronze Award for Indigenous Business Excellence at the Australian Mumpreneur Awards — and had K&K Glow Moisturiser featured in Professional Beauty Magazine’s Summer Essentials Edit alongside globally recognised skincare brands.
What makes these milestones even more meaningful is that they were achieved within the first eight months of launching Deadly Skincare.
Most importantly, I’m proud that our customers aren’t just buying skincare. They’re embracing the story behind the brand, supporting a First Nations business and showing that there is strong demand for products that celebrate native Australian ingredients and authentic storytelling.
What opportunities are you most excited about for the future of your business and for First Nations entrepreneurs more broadly?
I’m excited about seeing more First Nations businesses become household names. For Deadly Skincare, my goal is to continue growing our range, expand into retail and introduce more people to the power of native Australian ingredients and the stories behind them.
For First Nations entrepreneurs more broadly, I’m excited by the growing recognition that First Nations businesses bring unique perspectives, innovation and value. I’m hopeful we’ll continue to see more opportunities through procurement, partnerships, investment and retail spaces.
I also want my son to grow up seeing First Nations-owned brands on the shelves of major retailers — not as a special initiative or a once-a-year feature, but as a normal part of Australian business. That’s the future I’m excited about.
What’s one way customers and other businesses can meaningfully support First Nations businesses all year round?
Support First Nations businesses consistently, not just during NAIDOC Week. Whether it’s making a purchase, sharing a business on social media, leaving a review or including First Nations suppliers in procurement opportunities, those actions have a real impact.
For small businesses, visibility matters. Every recommendation and every purchase helps us continue creating opportunities, creating economic empowerment and investing back into our communities. When people choose to support First Nations businesses year-round, they’re helping create stronger futures for the next generation.
Support First Nations businesses beyond NAIDOC Week
This NAIDOC Week, the message from every founder we spoke to was the same: show up consistently. Buy from First Nations businesses. Share their stories. Show your support for Yaala Sparkling at instagram.com/yaalasparkling, for Deadly Dot Pots at instagram.com/_mandydraper, for Figjam & Co at instagram.com/figjamandco, and for Deadly Skincare at instagram.com/deadlyskincare.
For more inspiring small business content, follow us on social @vistaprintaustralia and visit our Ideas & Advice blog.
