Three locally-based First Nations businesses are primed for further success after receiving state government grants through a $3 million program.
Geelong’s Troy and Cerisa Benjamin have seen their tea and coffee business Blak Brews go from strength to strength since launching in 2023.
Last year Blak Brews, which focuses on quality tea crafted from ethically sourced native ingredients, was co-winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars Australia, winning $250,000 and receiving a year’s mentorship from the celebrity chef.
Blak Brews has grown quickly since launch, with the company needing to expand to take advantage of its growing popularity.
“Cash is king when you’re talking startups, to be able to expand and to have more buying power” Mr Benjamin said.
“Instead of buying 500 of something you can potentially buy 5000, which pulls your price point down and returns profits back into your business.
“Since we won Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars we’ve been thrust into a different level of demand.
“There are some things that are really urgent and obvious and other things that can wait, but the urgent and obvious is sometimes on hold because of cash flow. You have to spend money to make money.”
Victorian Minister for Small Business and Employment Natalie Suleyman recently announced Blak Brews, along with fellow Geelong businesses Wanyaari Aboriginal Consultancy Services and AH Plumbing Services, would receive grants through the Victorian Aboriginal Business Investment Program.
Blak Brews and Wanyaari will receive up to $10,000 for training, mentorship, marketing and expert advisory services, while AH Plumbing were one of 20 businesses statewide to receive up to $100,000.
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship would be a future where Aboriginal communities could thrive.
“Investing in Aboriginal businesses is not just an economic opportunity, it’s a pathway to empowering communities, creating sustainable jobs, and driving us toward achieving economic equality within a generation,” Ms Couzens said.
“These grants help successful, innovative First Nations businesses to grow and provide even more jobs in regional Victoria.”
