Earlier this month, I had the privilege of being invited to speak as a panellist at the 2026 Sunshine Coast First Nations Business Showcase, held on 6 October at Venue 114 in Bokarina, on Kabi Kabi Country.
The event brought together more than 60 First Nations businesses, alongside industry representatives, government organisations and community members, to celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship and create opportunities for meaningful connections.
As the founder of Riley Callie Resources, it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on my own business journey, share experiences and celebrate the incredible work being done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses across our region.
And while public speaking certainly isn't my favourite thing to do, it was an opportunity I was grateful to be part of!
Sharing My Journey with Riley Callie Resources
I was invited to join the Local and Connected panel, alongside three other First Nations business leaders:
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Ramone Close, Founder of PLANZZ
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Paul Graham, CEO of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network
Together, we explored our experiences of running Indigenous businesses, the challenges and opportunities we've encountered, and the importance of creating stronger connections between First Nations businesses and the wider business community.
You can read more about the panellists in the official Sunshine Coast First Nations Business Showcase program.
For me, it was also an opportunity to reflect on just how far Riley Callie Resources has come.
Almost 10 years ago, when my children were still in kindergarten, I started a small business with a passion for making authentic Aboriginal educational resources more accessible to educators and families.
What began as a small idea has grown into a business supporting early learning services, schools and educators right across Australia.
While our product range and services have continued to grow, our purpose has always remained the same.
We want to see the rich depth of knowledge held by Indigenous Australia embraced, shared and celebrated with all children in Australian classrooms.
Why Supporting Indigenous Businesses Matters
One of the important conversations throughout the showcase was about why supporting Indigenous businesses matters beyond simply purchasing a product or service.
For me, this is something I'm incredibly passionate about.
When you choose to purchase from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business, you're contributing to something much bigger.
You're helping support families, create employment opportunities, strengthen communities and contribute to greater economic independence for First Nations people.
Indigenous businesses also bring different perspectives, knowledge and ways of working to their industries.
At Riley Callie Resources, our business is grounded in cultural integrity, relationships and a genuine desire to make a difference in education.
We don't simply want to sell resources. We want to help educators feel more confident about embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in meaningful, everyday ways.
And importantly, we want to ensure First Nations voices, stories and knowledge remain central to that learning.
More Than a Showcase: Creating Genuine Opportunities
One of the things I appreciated most about the event was its focus on creating real opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
It wasn't simply about bringing businesses together for one evening. It was about strengthening relationships, building networks and encouraging organisations to think about how they can meaningfully engage with First Nations suppliers.
This was also highlighted in a recent National Indigenous Times article, Indigenous businesses seek lasting opportunities beyond Sunshine Coast showcase.
The article featured our Local and Connected panel and explored the importance of ensuring that events like these lead to genuine, long-term business opportunities.
It's encouraging to see these conversations receiving broader media attention.
Sunshine Coast Council also highlighted the event and its participating business leaders in an OurSC article about connecting with local First Nations suppliers.
For me, these conversations are particularly important because supporting Indigenous businesses should extend beyond Indigenous Business Month.
It's about building ongoing relationships, recognising the capabilities of First Nations businesses and ensuring we're included in opportunities throughout the year.
The Importance of Community and Connection
One of the highlights of the evening was being surrounded by so many passionate First Nations business owners.
Running a small business comes with its challenges. There are plenty of long days, late nights and moments when you're trying to juggle everything at once.
As a mum of two and a business owner, I know that experience well!
But being in a room filled with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs was a reminder of just how much talent, determination and innovation exists within our communities.
From construction and professional services to creative industries, education, native foods and cultural services, the diversity of Indigenous businesses represented was incredible.
These are businesses creating employment, sharing knowledge, supporting families and contributing to their local communities.
And that deserves to be celebrated.