Real people. Real enterprise. Real confidence.

RED Founder stories

Enterprise looks different for everyone. Meet RED Founders turning interests, strengths and lived experience into something customers value.

Melissa's Story

Kirkman

Melissa turned a love of playful, eye-catching design into t-shirts featuring robots, Bart Simpson and her own original artwork. It began with designing and producing unique t-shirts, each piece reflecting Melissa’s imagination and love for playful design. Managing sales and finding the right audience could feel overwhelming, and that’s where RED became essential. Through RED, Melissa found more than guidance on selling, a supportive community that valued her as a person first. Together, they explored new ways to grow the business: selling online through her own website, attending smaller local markets, and pacing her creative energy in ways that actually worked. Melissa stayed in control of her journey throughout, developing a growing range of designs while balancing artistic passion with business goals.
  • My dream was to spread positivity, now my business lifts others up.

T-shirt design and original artwork

Own website and local markets

Balances creative passion with business goals

Jacky's Story

Unique Jacky

Jacky turned lived experience of sensory needs into “Thingies,” a range of sensory toys, playdough, keyrings and storybooks that calm and comfort. It began with creating “Thingies,” sensory toys designed to calm and comfort, alongside playdough, keyrings and storybooks, each reflecting Jacky’s own insight into sensory needs. Navigating markets and managing energy levels could be overwhelming, and that’s where RED became essential. Through RED, Jacky found more than guidance on selling, a supportive community that valued the person first. Together, they explored new ways to run the business: selling online, attending smaller local markets, and pacing things in a way that actually worked. Jacky stayed in control of the journey throughout, developing a growing product range while balancing social energy with business goals.
  • "What I love doing has grown into my business, and it's deeply meaningful."

Sensory toys and storybooks

Stocked in online shops and local markets

Grew the business at their own rhythm

Fran's Story

Support Worker, SA

A young Founder turned a love of scent and memory into a gentle microenterprise, one candle and diffuser at a time.

Fran started small, making scented diffusers and candles, each one chosen for a special memory. Busy markets quickly became overwhelming, even with family and mentors alongside. That’s where RED made the difference. Support worker Fran describes it as a “professional hug”, a safe, welcoming place surrounded by people who saw the person first, not the disability. When face-to-face markets became too much, RED listened and adapted the plan together: selling online, running small local stalls, and choosing when and how to show up. The Founder stayed in control of their own pace, supported by family and the RED community throughout.

  • I wanted to spread hope — now my business does that for me.

Handmade goods

First online sale

Increased confidence

Charlie's Story

Lycanco

Charlie turned a search for meaningful work into a boutique range of natural soaps, skincare and pet products, crafted with intention from the ground up.

It started with an idea for boutique dog soaps, born from a personal search for meaningful work. Charlie loved crafting from scratch, experimenting with soaps, skincare, beard oils, shower steamers and tattoo balms, each one made with intention, sustainability and quality in mind. Regulations and the ups and downs of market events weren’t easy to navigate alone. That’s where RED made the difference, offering practical guidance, hands-on support and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Together, they worked through product development, branding and marketing, and found the right mix of local markets, retail stores and an online shop. Charlie also brought in advisors to help with social media, processes and quality control.

  • Now my business lets me create the meaningful work I dreamed of.

Natural soap and skincare

Stocked in local markets and retail stores

Built confidence balancing creativity and real business skills

Success can start small

A first idea. A first market. A first customer. A new skill. The confidence to introduce yourself as a Founder.



Every enterprise grows differently and every useful step is worth recognising.

You do not need to see the whole journey. RED can help you find the first useful step.

Grow with RED

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