What do you do? I run Bravery Co., an
online shop selling headscarves to people
who hate cancer – whether they have it
or not. I source headscarves from around
the world, and we’ll soon launch our first
collection exclusive to Bravery Co. Ten
per cent of profits go towards finding
a cure and ending this stupid disease.
Why did you choose that path? In a way
it chose me. I got sick and found a niche
in the market. But I also got to combine
my design skills; a passion for being my
own boss; and my background in health
and wellbeing. Do you have a day job?
When I’m not running Bravery, I’m a
freelance art director/designer. I work in
agencies in Melbourne and London and
also have clients I work for privately. And
occasionally I work at a medical centre. So
a bit of a mixed bag! What are you working
on right now? Designing my own scarves
and figuring out the world of textile
printing. Getting better at public speaking.
And getting my head around working
between Melbourne and London. Greatest
creative achievement so far? I won an
award for creative writing when I was
about seven. The competition was in the
local paper. I won a giant garden gnome
named David – he sits in my parents’
garden to this day. And your biggest
challenges? Going back into the cancer
world the second time. That shattered
me. What did your high school counsellor
suggest you should do? I was told since
I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do,
I should do arts at uni, because it was so
broad. I did it for a year and hated it. I still
can’t decide on one direction, but turns
out that’s not a bad thing. Running Bravery
means I’m a business owner, designer,
buyer, project manager, writer, social
media wiz, photographer, accountant
(which is terrifying) and occasional
headscarf model. What’s your next goal?
To turn headscarves and turbans into
a fashion trend so no woman feels like
a cancer patient when she wears one.
And to give every cancer-kicker at Peter
Mac Cancer Centre a Bravery headscarf,
by teaming up with other businesses.
Best lesson so far? That you need to be
adaptable. Everything can change in a
second. Think fast and find that silver
lining. What does winning two Good Stuff
awards mean to you? It has confirmed
Bravery Co. has great potential, and made
it possible to print the first collection of
scarves exclusive to Bravery Co. It’s given
me motivation, inspiration, confidence and
support galore. I promise to do something
great with the prizes. Thank you! Where
can we see your work? braveryco.com.auSmall business judge Tess McCabe
says: Emily’s bringing considered design;
an eye for aesthetics; and an authentic
and relatable voice to a product that can
brighten the lives of cancer patients.
Her mission to offer an altruistic arm
to the business while exploring other
collaborations with likeminded minority
groups is also commendable.PRESENTED BY
MOOSMALLB USINESS
- PEOP L E
,
S CHOIC EEMILY
SOMERS
Photo
Andy Donohoe