Month: July 2020

Meet the Maker: Surf Aid Kits

Posted on by sxsmarkets_admin

Meet the Maker: Surf Aid Kits

Meet the awesome founders and salty legends Garret and Nick from Surf Aid Kits. These two mates started their business after encountering a couple of mishaps and injuries on their surf and travel adventures. Read on to find out more and be inspired about their frothy fun motto to every aspect of life!

1. When did you start your business and how did you come up with the idea?

We started our business in December of 2019 but the idea came from all the surf trips we have been on leading up to this. Places like Gnaraloo, Indonesia, the South West, South Africa, Mexico, Central America, Morocco… the list goes on. All the countless times we had infected feet, urchins in toes, bali belly… all of this helped contribute to the kits that we ended up designing.

2. What does your daily life look like and where do you find the time to create?

Daily life is a mixed bag. Gaz is a Science teacher, while Nick is a lifeguard and photographer/podcaster. Both of us are activity driven and love getting outdoors after work so usually we just created at night and on weekends, sometimes mid surf trip.

“Both of us are activity driven and love getting outdoors after work so usually we just create at night and on weekends, sometimes mid surf trip.”

3. What keeps you going when things get tough or you have a lack of motivation?

Sharing the load and bouncing/venting off each other helps, quite often we feel motivated at different times which is also handy.

Laughing about shitty things that happen always helps, sometimes things are so annoying that you just have to laugh it off, go for a hectic run/surf/whatever or have a beer and keep going.

4. Tell us one of the most important things you have learnt since running your business.

Just jump in and have a go, roll with the punches, again and again, and if it’s not fun overall then probably don’t do it.

5. What do you enjoy the most?

When someone gets a kit and froths out, or leaves us a review or gets in contact and says they love the idea… It’s nice to get some validation for our idea every now and again!

6. And what does the future look like?

We don’t know really care at this point, it’s too early to tell but as long as it’s fun, we are learning and people keep enjoying our product, we will keep getting them out there!

Follow their journey here :

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Meet the Maker: Dune Coastal

Posted on by sxsmarkets_admin

Meet the Maker: Dune Coastal

Meet the awesome Dune Coastal Wear. Based in Dunsborough these guys design stunning beach and coastal wear using all-natural materials with earthy colours taken from the coastal vegetation, the beach and the horizon. Now let’s dive deep into the makers and creators themselves …

1. When did you start your business and how did you come up with the idea?

We met 2016 in Sri Lanka where we both got stranded to do some soul searching. After getting to know each other better we realised that we had very similar passions and interests. Whilst sipping on a cocktail at a bar next to the ocean and talking about our dream job we came to the conclusion that running a clothing label that can make a positive impact sounded pretty epic. It’s one thing to talk about it and another to make it happen. We are still learning every day and enjoying it more than ever.

2. What does your daily life look like and where do you find the time to create?

We are joyfully woken each morning at 5.30am by our beautiful 9month old daughter. After some cuddles and then tending to her needs, we do some stretches, cook breakfast and get ready for work. During the day we alternate looking after the baby, cooking and preparing cups of tea. It took a bit of practice but we now have a great routine where we work from 8am to 4pm from Monday to Friday at home. There is nothing like a good routine for productivity and we are highly creative during these hours.

“Everything is designed by us with materials that are hard-wearing for long life. We manufactured in Sri Lanka with the Eastern Garment Traders. The garments are designed for everyday use, our range is produced in small quantities.”

3. What keeps you going when things get tough or you have a lack of motivation?

After working together as a couple for the last few years we have observed a quirky rhythm where when one of us is lacking in motivation then the other one is on fire.

We always support one another and even though working as a couple presents its own challenges we wouldn’t have it any other way.

4. Tell us one of the most important things you have learnt since running your business.

  1. Keep persisting, don’t be afraid of asking again and again and again.
  2. Clearly seperate business from private life (if you work with your partner).
  3. You have to understand every aspect of your business to then be able to give away tasks to professionals.

Wait did you say ONE important thing?

5. What do you enjoy the most?

Learning and growing. We love that we are in a challenging and creative environment every day. Every seed we plant is there for us to be grown and harvested. It makes us so proud.

6. And what does the future look like?

Organic, Natural and Ethical. Dune believes in the slow fashion model. Dune uses only natural and raw fabrics, every piece is made in Australia. Dune produces enough to satisfy the demand but never too much to overproduce. Dune is for conscious people with a pinch of trend.