The Creative Business Summit is coming to Melbourne/Naarm on Friday, the 17th of March, at The Edge, Fed Square. This one-of-a-kind conference has been designed for creative entrepreneurs, mindful makers and small business champions who want to run purpose-driven, ethical businesses and love what they do. You’re invited to join us for a day full of inspiration, insightful conversations, and creative connections with our unmissable lineup of speakers.
Tickets: Your ticket includes a full day of inspiration, catering by Mabu Mabu, which includes lunch, afternoon tea, all-day coffee from the legends at Allpress (there’s tea, too!), networking drinks, a goodie bag, prizes and lots of creative connection!
Early Bird Tickets (Save $70) – $429
General Admission – $499
Meet Our Lineup: We’re so chuffed with our stellar lineup of creative business champions; get to know them below and visit the Summit Info page for a summary of the event program.
2023 Lineup
Kaylene Langford is a Guringay woman and passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer and speaker. She is the founder and owner of StartUp Creative, an online platform, podcast, and print magazine that supports creative entrepreneurs. Kaylene has over a decade of experience coaching, educating and supporting individuals to identify and achieve their goals, genuinely believing that everyone can achieve their potential and take control of their destiny.
startupcreative.com.au
@startupcreative
Former marketers turned crafty co-founders Cat Bloxsom and Morgan Collins are the creative pals behind Cardigang. From lockdown brainchild to full-time gig, the pair turned a hobby into a blooming biz. Cardigang has gone from strength to strength as people return to time-tested ways to practise mindfulness and reduce overwhelm, now selling more than 50 knit and crochet kits made for beginners, by beginners.
cardigang.com.au
@cardigang_knits
Lauren Baxter is the editor of the quarterly Australian publication Peppermint. While overseeing all things across print and digital output, an average day can see her turning her hand to writing, editing, art direction, styling and more. With a keen eye on cultural and social movements, Lauren’s vision for Peppermint is to champion marginalised voices and promote slow, considered articles that readers can sink their teeth into.
peppermintmag.com
@peppermintmagazine
Pete Cromer is a contemporary Australian artist who can’t help but be inspired by the optimistic personalities of people and wildlife. Pete’s work is renowned for his signature bursts of glowing colour and beautiful textures, all reflected in his bold collages, paintings and sculptures. He’s collaborated with brands including Maxwell & Williams, Erstwilder, Disney, Coles and Rollies and is a fountain of knowledge regarding what to do – and not do! – when it comes to brand collaborations.
petecromer.com
@petecromer
Bobbi Lockyer is a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist. Her work blends her love for her community and dreams for a better world with her creative soul and passion for her homeland. Bobbi uses her art, fashion and photography as a force for positive change, creating a platform to raise awareness of social justice issues, including Indigenous rights and women’s rights.
bobbilockyer.com
@bobbilockyer
Laura Thompson is a proud Gunditjmara woman and the co-founder and CEO of Clothing The Gaps, an Aboriginal streetwear brand and social enterprise based on Wurundjeri Country. Established in 2020, the brand creates merch with a message that sparks a conversation – uniting Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people through fashion and cause.
clothingthegaps.com.au
@clothingthegaps
@clothingthegaps_foundation
Dr Marion Piper is a creativity coach and copywriter, supporting multi-passionate creatives to embrace the juggle so they can share their world-changing ideas and art with confidence and passion. Marion believes creativity can save us if we can transmute our pain into purpose. Having travelled the world and completed a swag of degrees (including a PhD), Marion’s goal is to inspire us to stop imitating everyone else and start using our own voice.
marionpipercreative.com
@marionpipercreative
Colin Birney, Square’s Head of Business Development, is passionate about harnessing technology to help businesses do more with less and build new revenue streams to stay financially thriving. Since 2009, Square has been revolutionizing payments by enabling businesses of any size to accept card payments using a smartphone or tablet. Square was designed with the belief that everyone should be able to participate and thrive in the economy.
squareup.com/au/en
@squareau
Esther Sandler is the creative force behind handmade label Togetherness. Known for her colourful and craft-rich designs, Esther has collaborated with brands including Adairs, Mecca Cosmetica, Toyota Sewing Machines. Esther shares her knowledge with the next generation of Aussie creatives, teaching in the Bachelor of Textiles (Design) program at RMIT University.
esthersandler.com
togethernessdesign.com
@esther_sandler
Becca Stern is the co-founder and creative director of Mustard Made, a cult homewares brand known for its colourful range of vintage-inspired metal lockers. Becca is passionate about designing the job she wants within her own business. She has put a lot of energy into knowing her strengths, values and what she enjoys doing – rather than being trapped by what she ‘should’ be doing.
mustardmade.com
@mustardmade
Matt and Lentil Purbrick are the founders and operators of much-loved impact-focused businesses Grown & Gathered and Minimum Wines. They have been co-creating projects for 10-plus years, have published two books and won awards for sustainable communities and the environment. Together, their work focuses on uplifting communities, self-exploration and experiencing the natural world. They live between Berlin, Italy and Melbourne.
grownandgathered.com @grownandgathered
minimumwines.com @minimumwines
Jasmine Mayhead owns three purpose-driven online companies and is no stranger to using business as a force for good. Her digital marketing agency Common Intent is an insight-led boutique agency proving that environmentally and socially responsible business has the power to change the world. She also manages Ethical Made Easy, a platform that helps consumers find socially conscious brands, and leads Worn For Good, a fashion-focused social enterprise that donates all profits to charity.
commonintent.com.au
@commonintent
Shuh Lee is always experimenting with colours, fabric, and everything crafty through her colourful lifestyle and textiles label. With a fashion background, Shuh’s love for hand-stitching techniques, illustrations, and textiles has become the core of her practice. She has created souvenirs for MOMA Museum, designed custom prints for Halycon Nights, collaborated on a jewellery collection with Gorman and has been a stallholder at more than 10 Finders Keepers Markets!
shuhlee.com
@shuhlee
With 20+ years of experience in senior marketing positions, Fiona Killackey has mentored thousands in their pursuit of understanding marketing, branding, and systems that align with their values and beliefs. Fiona’s book Passion. Purpose. Profit. Sidestep the #hustle and build a business you love, has been a bestseller worldwide and is regularly featured on “top business books” lists.
mydailybusinesscoach.com
@mydailybusinesscoach