Maryann Dooner has created so much more than a beauty salon – instead offering a tonic for our souls, a place to pause, take a breath and be nurtured. Here she shares her story on how she came to be the proud owner of Skin and Tonic, Armidale.

Matt Meehan might be known locally for his financial smarts and friendly smile, but there’s more than meets the eye to this pillar of the Armidale community.

Emily Honess – operator of Tamworth’s newest op shop, Talking Threads – is on a mission to normalise second-hand shopping, revitalise the lost art of mending and protect the environment, one piece of vintage clothing at a time.

Sam Murdoch knows better than anyone that life throws curveballs. Some of hers include diagnoses of anxiety, depression and a chronic health condition. But above it all, Sam’s thirst for knowledge and drive to keep trying new things has led her to a life fuelled by design, family and that ever-calming coastal breeze.

Celeste Kellie is the founder of Merry Little Elderberry a small family run based in Tingha NSW – but that’s not all. she’s also a dedicated foodie, a mum, a gardner and she’s fiercely passionate about finding alternative ways to keep your family healthy.

Sam Kauffmann is a true ray of sunshine – owner of Eve Flowers in Uralla NSW, Sam has a passion for helping you celebrate all the big moments in your life with stunning seasonal and organic florals. Offering styling and events, workshops and even a cozy Airbnb in the heart of Uralla, Eve Flowers is your one-stop shop for all things beautiful. Read her story below.

Teonie Kalinowski is the proud owner of Chandler + Co, a boutique candle business based in Uralla NSW. Selling over 50 beautiful scents of candles and soy wax melts, Chandler + Co has a huge range of candles to choose from.

Jemimah Hiscox is a mother of three based in Armidale NSW. Passionate about increasing health, wellbeing and quality of life through movement, she started Moved Armidale, a studio offering movement classes for people of all ages and all walks of life. Below, Jemimah tells us about Moved, why she started and what she has planned for the future.

Emma Stanley is an artist based in Tamworth NSW. Swapping her paint brush for an Apple pencil after becoming a mum, Emma continues to create beautiful pieces for others to enjoy, all while navigating the new-found busyness of day-to-day life. An artistic force who loves to share what she creates, now Emma can teach you too.

Ben and Meghan Garnock left city-based careers in engineering and project management to raise a family in Dorrigo, NSW. Along the way, they ended up purchasing the local butchery in 2019, added a deli to the mix in 2021, and haven’t looked back since.

With a background as a professional learning designer for universities, Grace Hull decided to turn her skill towards her passion; self-development. Creating workshops, groups and online courses, Grace shares her wisdom with us in the five-minute interview.

A collaboration of cafe owners, locals, family and friends are volunteering their time towards the ambitious goal of phasing out single-use coffee cups in Bellingen, NSW.

Sculpted from the bones of The Oxford Hotel, the revived Oxford on Otho, Invrell NSW has never stood taller thanks to new owners Gary and Wendy Cracknell and Brett and Emilie Tomlinson. Here, the hotel shares her story.

Toppers Mountain Wines, the dreamy, high altitude vineyard nourished by volcanic soils, is counting down the days to this year’s Harvest Feast on Sunday 21 May. Owner Mark Kirkby recently chatted with FOUND Regional about what visitors can expect on the big day.

Spotted at Seasons of New England, Holli and Sybella walk us through what it’s like starting a small business as a mother / daughter team.

Nikki Farthing knows that creating something exceptional takes patience, persistence and confidence in the face of adversity. Thanks to a heady dose of all three, her small business provides custom wedding and business signage, logo design and bespoke cake toppers to people in the New England region and beyond.