Kakadu Plum Co.
Q&A WITH TAHLIA MANDIE
Kakadu Plum Co. celebrates Indigenous culture and traditional Australian bush food ingredients. We have the 'oldest foods on earth' and it's time we celebrated and enjoyed them, every day!
Tell us the story of your business – was there a particular moment, person, or need that inspired it?
After seeing so many Australians opt for international superfoods like Matcha and Acai to be healthy, I asked myself, what is Australia's superfood? Knowing instinctively about bush tucker, I discovered the Kakadu Plum – Australia's superfood. It's wild harvested by Aboriginal people and known to have over 100 times more Vitamin C than oranges, and the highest source of natural vitamin C in the world. I knew it was time that Australians (and the world) learnt more about our Australian bush food ingredients. Kakadu Plum Co. was born.
Describe the kind of person who buys your products. Why do you think they love your business? How do they benefit from your products?
Our customer is someone who appreciates wholefood natural ingredients grown from our land. They want to make a social impact and conscious choice when purchasing. They love our product because we don't just share a product range; we share a rich story, deep and full of culture and meaning.
Tell us three things that excite you about doing what you do.
1. Collaborating and learning more from our First Nations People and being able to share part of their story through our brand.
2. Seeing bush foods now becoming mainstream and no longer just seen in 5-star restaurants and premium outlets.
3. Seeing the early stages of a new product come to fruition – from a concept in your mind onto paper and designs.
How do you keep your business fresh and exciting? Do you have any new, upcoming products in the works that you can tell us about?
2020 was the year for product development! We released our new range of infused olive oils with native botanicals and our Vital C+, the first product in our wholefood health range. We are developing this range and excited to see it hit retail shelves soon.
Who is your biggest inspiration, and why?
My grandmother, who is no longer here with me, was a real fighter, go-getter and just a downright good woman. After surviving the Holocaust, she had this innate resilience and feisty, witty attitude to beat the world and conquer all. She inspired me always to be the best person I can, work hard and never just wait for something to happen. She was modest, stylish and forever giving to not only her family but everyone.
What advice would you give to someone who has a creative business idea?
Continue to create and do what you love. Know where to delegate and how to delegate. Don't be scared of competition; see competition as something to make you go harder and stronger. Be honest, share passion and authenticity.
