During the Melbourne lockdowns the past year in 2020, businesswoman Kate Dillon was one of many small business owners who feared for her finances.
However, as she observed the community visiting a lot of local stores, it sparked an idea in her mind that will lead to a whole new range of products, in a whole new sector, and with a whole new mission.
All-Australian Supply Chain
Some 12 months later she introduced a range of sweaters designed, produced and created locally, by 22 small businesses forming an end-to-end, all-Australian supply chain.
Sporting the slogans: ‘Actually, I can’ and ‘Support local’, the sweaters are now for sale at a price point of $179. (Courtesy: Smart Company) From here now, the story has been extracted from Smart Company and paraphrased.
Who Is Kate?
If you do not know about her, Kare Dillon is a former attorney. She is also the founder and CEO of the luxury handbag company named She Lion. She is also a passionate advocate for small local businesses.
Kate knew that there were many Melbourne businesses that were struggling due to COVID closures and she wanted to do something that would help as many of them as possible.
It was about supporting local producers, designers, inventors and advertisers, she explains.
Setting Up The Business
The average consumer does not know all the components that make up a garment, or the type of technology they use. Whether the technology is local or international.
That means the process has not been easy. The project Dillon expected to take three months actually took more than 12 months to kick off.
Kate Dillon admits that she jumped into an unknown industry and broke a steep learning curve.
However, the project was about giving back to the Aussie small business community, opening lines of possibilities and setting an example. And she has accomplished that.
