How small businesses made a big difference this year
This year, Victorian businesses have shown that heart matters just as much as hustle. From pay-it-forward coffee to tradespeople helping those doing it tough, small business owners are quietly making a big difference.
It’s not about celebrity status or grand gestures. It’s about the everyday acts that bring hope, joy, and connection to their communities. At the heart of these businesses is a simple truth: kindness is good for the soul, and it’s good for business.
Building a Business with Heart
Tatiane Ribeiro’s New Black Cleaning doesn’t just tidy homes, it restores balance, happiness and hope.
Tatiana strongly believes that it’s the simple things, done well and consistently, that make the biggest difference in people’s lives. It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated. What matters is that it’s given with heart.
'I founded The New Black Cleaning in 2016 with a very clear vision: to contribute positively to society by supporting people in their everyday lives.'
Through her business, Tatiana gets an intimate glimpse into people’s lives, ensuring that discretion and confidentiality are a priority. Often, the only thing the team witnesses is a quiet smile as someone enters a sparkling space, a tenant receives their bond back, or a business owner starts the week feeling calm and organised.
At the heart of that mission is the "Happy Parent is the New Black" initiative, which provides free cleaning to families in need, bringing calm and relief to those who need it most.
Young families, particularly first-time parents, can quickly feel overwhelmed by sleep loss, hormonal changes, and endless chores. When the home feels out of control, anxiety can creep in.
‘We help parents breathe easier so they can focus on what counts; happy, calm kids. That’s the idea behind Happy Parent is the New Black.’
Just like a free haircut or a coffee offered at just the right moment, Tatiana’s services can make someone feel seen, supported and cared for. That human connection gives a renewed sense of purpose and shows the care at the core of her business.
Sometimes, three hours of free cleaning might not seem like much from a business perspective, but for the person receiving it, it can be life-changing.
Tatiana always notices a shift during the festive season. A clean home during this busy and emotional period can be grounding, allowing families to truly enjoy their time together.
Looking back over the year Tatiana marvels at how much her business has grown. Not just in size, but in maturity, structure and the impact in the community.
‘Building a business while raising a family is not easy, but it is deeply fulfilling. The New Black Cleaning is proof that professional excellence, compassion and strong female leadership can and should exist together.’
Wellness to wholeness
Tired of tossing and turning at night, nutritionist and hobbyist farmer Clementine Boshevski turned her search for true wellbeing into Salt Lab. Today, the brand’s hero product, Salt Lab Magnesium Spray Oil, is a global cult favourite among wellness enthusiasts, athletes and health professionals.
Yet Salt Lab’s story is about more than relieving aching muscles; it’s about helping people and the planet find their perfect “formula” for balance.
Magnesium is a part of our everyday diet, but soil health and lifestyle factors mean it’s not always easy to get enough naturally. For Clementine and the Salt Lab team, the solution starts at the source. Their goal is to regenerate the land so future generations can get essential nutrients naturally, with supplements used only when truly needed.
‘Tis the season for giving but Salt Lab gives all year round. A percentage of sales from their Regenerate Bundles is donated to Carbon8, supporting soil restoration at a time of year when impact matters most.
Through their partnership with Carbon8, the business helps farmers learn how to restore soil health using regenerative practices, improving the nutrient content of the food we eat.
For us, this is at the heart of what Salt Lab stands for. It’s incredibly rewarding to know we are making a meaningful difference for both people and the planet.
This December, Salt Lab is giving back through Letters to Salt Lab, a four-week Christmas giveaway campaign designed to support people who could use a little rest.
A defining moment for the team this year was watching Salt Lab grow while staying true to its small-business roots. “Opening two warehouses in the US and launching in Nordstrom were huge milestones for a team our size,” says Clementine. “Watching our vision come to life and our tight-knit team expand has been incredibly rewarding.”