What do a sausage sizzle, a farm in rural NSW, a patented phonics kit and a mother-daughter duo have in common? Meet Jess and Ellen, the women behind Bandicute — an Australian-made business turning creativity, a love of Aussie wildlife and a whole lot of “she’ll be right” spirit into something special.

What started with handmade baby rompers sewn around the dining table has grown into a business creating beautifully designed educational toys, sensory play products and personalised gifts that help Aussie kids learn through play.

In this episode, we chat about taking a leap of faith, building a business with family, navigating the challenges of rural life and staying true to your values when cheaper options could mean bigger profits. We also get into the realities behind the online success stories, why opening a physical shop isn't always the answer, and the importance of backing Australian-made products.

Jess and Ellen share their biggest lessons from a decade in business, including why passion matters, knowing your customer is everything, and why sometimes you just have to back yourself and give it a crack.

And, of course, things get a little cheeky with our quick-fire questions and a camping story that takes an unexpected turn into poo territory! 💩😂

If you love hearing the real stories behind Australian businesses, this episode is full of inspiration, laughs and reminders that success doesn't have to mean becoming the biggest — it means building something you believe in.

🛍️ Shop Bandicute: www.bandicute.com.au

Keep supporting local, keep backing small, and keep it Homegrown.

00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter

00:00 The Birth of Bandicoot

07:47 Navigating Business Growth and Family Life

10:47 Innovative Educational Products and Their Impact

12:34 Cultural Relevance in Educational Toys

14:10 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business

16:52 Innovative Educational Products and Their Impact

17:04 Lessons Learned from Challenges

18:50 The Role of Support Systems in Parenting

18:50 The Commitment to Australian Made

22:47 Balancing Quality and Cost in Business

22:47 The Shift from Physical Store to Online Success

26:08 Giving Back Through Creativity

29:39 Innovative Product Development

32:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

37:58 Navigating Challenges in Business