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

What does it take to turn a family farm into one of Australia’s most recognised country clothing brands — and then start thinking about what comes after the clothes have been worn?In this episode of Homegrown, we’re joined by Harry Coulton from Goondiwindi Cotton, part of the fifth generation of a farming family that has spent decades adapting, innovating and finding new ways to keep both their business and their regional community moving forward.We talk about everything from growing cotton and managing water to the technology changing Australian agriculture, the realities of working in a multigenerational family business and how Goondiwindi Cotton went from the paddock to the wardrobe.But some of the biggest ideas are about what comes next.Harry takes us inside Goondiwindi Cotton’s Circular Cotton project, which is exploring whether unwanted 100% cotton garments can be shredded and returned to agricultural soil rather than ending up in landfill.We also talk about the brand’s ambitions for Brisbane 2032, including its bid to help supply garments for the Games — and why, for the Coulton family, the opportunity is about much more than clothing. It’s a chance to put Goondiwindi, regional Queensland and Australian agriculture on a global stage.In this conversation: How cotton is actually grown — including water use, crop rotation and soil health The Circular Cotton project and turning textile waste into “farm fill” How Goondiwindi Cotton grew from agriculture into fashion The technology transforming modern farming How social media and influencers changed the way the brand sells The plans to grow Goondiwindi Cotton beyond Australia The Brisbane 2032 bid and the possibility of completely traceable Australian cotton garments What Harry has learnt from joining a multigenerational family business Why creating opportunities in Goondiwindi matters just as much as growing the brandAnd yes… we also find out whether Harry was ever tempted to appear on Farmer Wants a Wife, what happens when he and Sam disagree, and why sometimes the best business strategy really is simply to pivot.This is a story about cotton, but it’s also about family, innovation, resilience, sustainability and the future of regional Australia.Don't forget to sign the gundygoesforgold petition to show your support: https://petition.goondiwindicotton.com.au/

If you enjoy hearing the stories behind Australian businesses, make sure you subscribe, leave us a comment and share the episode with someone who loves supporting Australian-grown businesses. Keep supporting local. Keep backing small. Keep it Homegrown.#GoondiwindiCotton #Homegrown #AustralianBusiness #AustralianCotton #Goondiwindi #AustralianAgriculture #RegionalAustralia #CircularCotton #SustainableFashion #FarmToFashion #Brisbane2032 #FamilyBusiness

What does it take to launch a Tasmanian wine label when you don’t own a vineyard, a winery or even a cellar door?In this episode of Homegrown, Moira and Emma sit down with Paige, co-founder of Town Wine, to discover how an idea shared with her partner, Justin, grew into a small-batch Tasmanian wine brand producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and an exciting sparkling wine currently in the works.Paige’s journey into the Tasmanian wine industry began at just 17, working in a cellar door and restaurant before gaining hands-on experience pruning vines, picking fruit and learning how great wine begins in the vineyard.Years later, an unexpected phone call gave Paige and Justin the opportunity they had been waiting for and Town Wine was born.Paige shares how they built the brand without following the traditional path, working with local growers and winemakers to source exceptional Tasmanian fruit and create wines they genuinely love to drink.We discuss:• How Town Wine started with three barrels of Pinot Noir• Why you don’t need to own a vineyard to create a wine label• The process behind making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine• How climate, soil, fruit quality and vineyard location affect wine• The logistical challenges of running a wine business from Tasmania• Town Wine’s unconventional approach to social media and marketing• The importance of relationships, mentors and community in business• Why the most expensive bottle isn’t necessarily the best• What makes Tasmanian wine so unique• Paige’s advice for anyone waiting to start their own businessTown Wine’s story is a reminder that you don’t always need every resource, qualification or piece of equipment before beginning. Sometimes you simply need to use what is available, trust the people around you and have a crack.As Paige says, there are no rules—it’s all made up.Whether you’re interested in Tasmanian wine, Australian small business, entrepreneurship, winemaking or the realities of building a brand from the ground up, this conversation offers an honest and entertaining look behind the bottle.🍷 DISCOVER TOWN WINEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/townwinetas/ Shop Town Wine: https://spiltdrinks.com/🎙️ FOLLOW WHAT SHE SAIDInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshesaidau/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whatshesaidau

Enjoyed the conversation? Please like the episode, leave us a comment and subscribe for more Homegrown interviews celebrating Australian founders, creators and small businesses.Let us know in the comments: are you choosing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or sparkling?Please enjoy alcohol responsibly. LISTEN UP! Listen to us over on; YouTube - https://youtu.be/cVOA2ohw2Ec?si=_Wl8lEeBQWlIpNyWApple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-she-said-and-more/id1795267907 Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3fe5a70e-452b-498a-ae8c-e0d98500dda5/what-she-said-and-more#TasmanianWine #AustralianSmallBusiness #Homegrown #Wine #AustralianWine #WhatSheSaidPodcast #SpiltDrinks #TownWine