Michael Grundon, founder of Indigenous workwear company Gawun, joins Queensland Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb to share how family, culture, and purpose laid the foundations for his business journey. From a powerful moment at a school assembly to building one of Australia’s leading First Nations suppliers of custom high-vis apparel, Michael discusses how Gawun is creating space for cultural connection in the corporate and construction sectors. He also reflects on the importance of community, integrity in business, and the role of face-to-face networking in building a sustainable and values-driven enterprise.

• Michael’s motivation to launch Gawun and reconnect with culture.
• The impact of storytelling and cultural education.
• Why aligning with the right people and values is non-negotiable.
• The importance of building strong business foundations over fast scaling.
• Navigating business as an introvert and learning to network with purpose.
• Tips for connecting with and supporting First Nations businesses.
• What the “Murray grapevine” means for First Nations entrepreneurship.
• Michael’s mantra: family, community and remembering your purpose.

• 00:30 – Dominique introduces Michael Grundon and the story of Gawun

• 01:00 – Michael explains the meaning behind Gawun and his cultural roots

• 02:15 – How a daughter’s school presentation sparked a deeper cultural reconnection

• 04:55 – Michael discusses his journey to create a purposeful business

• 06:45 – From workwear to cultural tours: how Gawun evolved its offerings

• 08:00 – The confronting history of Cherbourg and its lasting impact

• 09:25 – Connecting corporates to country: the power of immersive education

• 11:11 – The challenges of networking as an introvert—and how to push through

• 13:00 – Why family and values matter more than flashy business growth

• 15:11 – Michael’s advice: prioritise connection and in-person engagement

• 16:56 – How corporates can find and work with First Nations businesses

• 20:00 – Closing the gap through economic participation and wealth building

• 21:45 – Social enterprise in action: giving back through business

• 22:16 – A heartfelt wrap-up: gratitude, connection, and community uplift

Michael Grundon is the proud founder of Gawun, a 100% Indigenous-owned company delivering custom workwear and cultural education programs. A proud Kabi Kabi, Wakka Wakka and Coa man, Michael’s work bridges business and culture—offering corporate wear adorned with Indigenous art, and leading cultural immersion tours and yarning circles that connect people to Country and truth. Gawun means “caring for,” and Michael lives this ethos daily through his work, family, and advocacy.

🔗 Gawun Supplies Website 🔗 Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

• Culture is purpose: Michael's journey reminds us that identity and tradition can inspire and sustain business success.

• Authenticity matters: Gawun doesn't compromise on values—even if that means walking away from profit.

• Support networks are everything: Michael's family and mentors helped shape his path and kept him going during challenging times.

• Small connections lead to big impact: From networking events to introductions, building a network is vital.

• There's a First Nations business for everything: Corporates need to look, listen, and be genuine in their procurement.

• Gawun Supplies

• Queensland Small Business Commissioner

• Michael Grundon on LinkedIn

• Dominique Lamb on LinkedIn

We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments and business questions to mailbag@qsbc.qld.gov.au

Small Business Big Stories is produced by Queensland Small Business Commissioner and The Podcast Boss.

Ash Ivory, founder of Ivory Common and self-described “fractional CPO,” shares their unique journey from scaling and maximising product offerings to founding a business that helps others do the same. In this episode, Ash and Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, dive into the art of product strategy, the psychology of business decisions, and the hard realities of running your own consultancy. Ash’s passion for neurodiversity, real-talk about cash flow pressures, and her approach to business coaching through radical honesty shine through. With deep insights into startup culture, customer discovery, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, Ash offers listeners a fresh perspective on building meaningful and resilient businesses—plus a surprising crossover with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Covered in this episode: · Ash’s journey from startup product lead to founder of Ivory Common. · What it means to be a "fractional CPO" and how Ash supports founders. · How to define success in unexpected moments. · The emotional cost of entrepreneurship, including impacts on personal life. · Using outcomes over features when designing products or services. · Why customer feedback is essential—and how to gather it. · The importance of coachability and knowing when to “sack your clients.” · Getting started with AI tools like ChatGPT for business efficiency. · Ash’s business mantra: “Words Matter”—the interplay between language and action. · A shared love for Taylor Swift (and a debate about best tracks).

Check out Ivory Common.

We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments and business questions to mailbag@qsbc.qld.gov.au

Small Business Big Stories is produced by Queensland Small Business Commissioner and The Podcast Boss.

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