First Nations Foundation is excited to invite to all Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs throughout Victoria to our attend our annual business Fireside Yarn in Djilang, Unapologetically Blak, Powerful and Deadly.

The theme "Unapologetically Powerful, Blak and Deadly" honors Indigenous entrepreneurs who have consciously used their platform to amplify First Nations' voices, challenge false-narratives imposed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, engage in radical truth-telling, provide positive and authentic portrayals of the Blak community, and celebrate cultural unity.

Join us for a yarn about how to build a successful business and learn from the inspiring stories of our panellists, then pose your own questions during the Q&A, as they share their journeys as Blak business owners.
Exploring their highs, lows, triumphs and challenges, and the profound success and opportunities that arise from being unapologetically Blak, powerful and deadly within the business world.

On The Night:

Prepare to step into the Murran First Nations Hub and be captivated by Blak excellence, products, artwork, and entrepreneurs throughout the venue.

Meet the FNF team for check in and to receive your special event goodie bag.

5:30 PM: Arrive, take some time to explore the space and have a yarn!

6:00 PM: Welcome to Country, followed by the start of the panel discussion.

7:30 PM: Enjoy catering and drinks. Take the opportunity to network and engage one-on-one with our panelists! Connect with like-minded Mob, build your community!

Catering this event: TBA

Parents and Bubs welcome!

This Community Event is hosted in collaboration with Ngarrimili and First Australians Capital. It is welcome for all LGBTQIASB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to attend, our Rainbow Mob.

We have chosen three panelists, all Indigenous business owners, each who bring a unique perspective on business development and intentional growth through active engagement in the circular economy.

The panel will share practical advice on how to set up a financially resilient business and unapologetically showcase Blak excellence as an Indigenous business owner – a how-to when tapping into various networks, and uncovering unique opportunities. As well as discussing how to create opportunities for yourself, striving for an informative and inspiring discussion.

Meet Your Panellists

Kaylene Langford is a proud Guringai woman, passionate entrepreneur, coach, writer and speaker, and the founder and owner of StartUp Creative, a hugely popular online platform, podcast, and print magazine that educates, inspires and supports creative entrepreneurs and future innovators.

Kaylene has over a decade of experience coaching, educating and supporting individuals to identify and achieve their goals. Working with aspiring and established entrepreneurs, she genuinely believes that everyone has the ability to achieve their potential and take control of their destiny. 

Blending her knowledge with grit, determination and a truly authentic approach, she's successfully helped countless individuals across every sector establish, work towards and reach their goals. She's a highly respected business coach, podcaster, educator and author (How to Start a Side Hustle) whose work has given her unique insight into human behaviour. 

Kaylene joins the panel to share her extensive business knowledge and offer invaluable guidance on launching your business successfully and the actions to pursue in order to achieve long-term sustainability.

Sinead Singh is a proud Wiradjuri woman and the proud founder of First Nation Start Up, specialising in business growth, social media management, marketing, and cultural safety training. Collaborating with a diverse range of high-level clients, offering a comprehensive array and highly sought business support, advice and services.

She is passionate about creating lasting impact for her community, she puts this into practice by actively participating in the circular economy.

Sinead joins the panel to share her expertise in growth, social media management, marketing, and how to maintain cultural integrity within business world. Sinead continues to make significant contributions through her diverse enterprises, to both the business world and her people.

Samala Thakialee (Cronin) is a proud Butchulla and Woppaburra woman and the visionary founder of MumRed, a groundbreaking First Nations fashion label.

As a First Nations business owner, Samala combines her passion for culture and fashion, creating haute couture that blends traditional resources with Western silhouettes, celebrating sovereignty, femininity, and cultural expression. Since MumRed's inception in October 2023, Samala's leadership has earned her label national recognition, including nominations at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards and features in prestigious publications such as Vogue Australia.

Beyond her fashion endeavours, Samala is currently an Ambassador for the Rich Blak Women with the First Nations Foundation, where she amplifies Indigenous women's voices and experiences in the business world.

Samala’s influence spans cultural revival and maintenance, arts, fashion, and activism, representing Australia on international stages and contributing to critical social issues through the amplification of First Nations voices and the vision of sovereignty through creative expression.

Emma Stenhouse is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman and a contemporary Indigenous artist on a journey of self discovery, deepening her connection with her family, exploring her heritage, and inspired by her love of Country. Emma encapsulates her knowledge in her story-works formed by her deep relationship to land and guided by strong female role models in her community.

Growing up in Broken Hill, Outback New South Wales, Emma intrinsically draws on her connection to the arid lands of the bush. This is often evident in her use of colours inspired by the red dirt, and the simple concepts of nurturing nature and to continue its growth and sustainability. She now resides by the beach and explores the shades of green & blue reflected in the region. The lush green fields, hills and the blues of the many waterways and the Southern Ocean.

Emma is an Educator and is passionate about sharing her experience and culture through her art practice within her classrooms and in workshops. As a multifaceted creative, she explores diverse art practices influenced by her journey. Each art piece is braided with learning, an enriching exchange between artist and viewer, a continuation of culture - a platform for cross cultural exchange.

FNF’s Fireside Yarn events serve as a gathering space for Indigenous entrepreneurs with ambitious business ideas, dreams, and aspirations.

We chose to host our business finance fireside yarn, Unapologetically Powerful, Blak and Deadly at the Murran First Nations Hub to create a meaningful environment for Mob.
This space is dedicated to storytelling, sharing knowledge, and encouraging the ongoing celebration of Blak excellence within the business world.

Our panelists understand first-hand that to start a business as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, is to share with the world - an extension of yourself. With this, our panelists aim to share valuable cultural and industry knowledge, offering a unique space where culture and business fuse together to ignite the spark within you, to take the steps to make your business dreams a reality.

Meet Your Host and Panel Moderator

Lateisha Vincent

Lateisha is a proud Wiradjuri woman, and the Indigenous Business Training Facilitator at First Nations Foundation.

Bringing her vision to life, Lateisha proudly hosts our Unapologetically Blak, Powerful and Deadly Fireside Yarn.
Intentionally and carefully selecting panelists that represent, and embody the theme of the event, curating a panel and space where Blak excellence echoes throughout the room, inspiring you to make your business dream, a reality.

She hosts fortnightly webinars with Indigenous business owners and entrepreneurs, joining to speak to their experience as an Indigenous business owner, and to share their industry expertise.

These webinars offer cultural insights, expert advice, and a platform for guests to participate in meaningful conversations and connections with her and guest speakers, creating a space for engaging discussions and meaningful connection.

She facilitates, My Business Dream workshops on a monthly basis throughout Victoria.
My Business Dream, aims to equip Mob with business aspirations by providing essential skills for starting and managing a sustainable business, the program aims to empower those with a business dream to go for it and offers sustainable approaches to building wealth creation through Indigenous businesses across Australia for future generations.

Learn more on, Lateisha Vincent: On her personal journey and community empowerment.

Meet the FNF team

Connect with us!

Instagram @firstnationsfoundation

Website: First Nations Foundation

My Money Dream | First Nations Foundation

On Country | First Nations Foundation

Tomorrow Money | First Nations Foundation

Indigenous Women's Financial Wellness initiative | First Nations Foundation

More About Murran Hub

'Murran', meaning Eucalypt Leaf in Wadawurrung language was chosen as the name for this Business, Retail and Arts Hub in Geelong.

Murran, led by Ngarrimili, is a hub for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals to access and thrive within.

Consisting of:

Retail store (selling Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned products
Gallery (selling and showcasing the amazing art of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists and creatives)
Cafe
Co-working space (with hot desking opportunities)
Meeting rooms
Conference rooms (that can be accessed by non-Indigenous partners, individuals and organisations)
Events space & Workshops space

Eucalypt leaves, a welcome gift, smoked to cleanse, crushed, and boiled to heal. Wadawurrung people would wear Eucalypt on their bodies and men would place them on their spears as a sign of peace to come together with no harm, to gather in peace on Country. Eucalypt trees grow and prosper from the waters of Country, the nourishment that our Mother Country gives. Eucalypt are a connection to all Peoples living on or off Country.

Murran lies in the heart of Geelong and is a place for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community to access and thrive within. The objectives of Murran are:

To provide employment and training opportunities for mob
Nurture an environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander business owners (aspiring or established) to access and learn
Inject many back into the Blak economy
Host a number of workshops and events for the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community
Provide the wider community with the opportunity to buy from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander businesses

Connect with Ngarrimili and the Murran Hub!

Instagram: @Ngarrimili

Website: Ngarrimili.org.au

Instagram: @Murranhub

Website: Murran.com.au

All FNF training is created By Mob, For Mob to ensure it is culturally appropriate and allows Indigenous Australians to succeed now, and into the future.

This workshop is an initiative supported through the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy, funded by the Victorian Government, through the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions.

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