My business is Memory Box Design. I’m based in Sydney’s Inner West and I make homewares out of organic and natural materials, mainly ceramics, but I’m also a textile designer.

I grew up in Darwin and Indigenous and multicultural culture was very much part of my life. I was a social worker for ten years and community development has always been an interest for me. When I had my children, I took time off work and studied a Bachelor of Design.
13 years later, it was really difficult to get back into the workforce. I had such a big gap in my work history and just couldn’t find a job. I started really doubting myself and my ability to do things that I could do before. I was also juggling appointments for my children, they need quite a bit of support and it was a really disheartening and demoralising time.
Then Covid hit, which made my job search impossible. I had thought about starting a business but I was a bit scared of my ability to do it. I met Global Sisters and started dabbling in what a business would look like and it just became more and more appealing. The more I focused on the business, the less I wanted mainstream employment. Global Sisters held my hand through the initial fear of the unknowns and got me thinking about the possibilities. The community of sisters is a really nice support structure, it’s been fantastic.

Having my own business has absolutely helped to rebuild my sense of self and my identity outside of being a parent. The great thing about having a business is you are responsible for it, you make the decisions, it gives you a sense of pride.
The creative process is still quite exposing. If I’m resisting doing something, I’m aware that’s where my learning is. I still have some fear around taking the next steps and a fear of failure and, sometimes, fear of success, too! But, life’s too short and I’ve learnt to let go. My studies were really hard, but the business has been a really joyful experience – scary but joyful. I no longer see mistakes as failures, they’re just tools for learning.
My short term goals involve starting some textiles. I’d like to have a shop front which doubles as a studio and allows me to provide workshops.
”I love the idea of telling diverse Australian stories, and being able to work with communities to help share their stories.
Heike StephanMemory Box
