100% Indigenous owned and women-led: the story of Ali and Mitch Torres and their business ‘Mijinalii’
Ali and Mitch Torress are sisters and draw their heritage from the Saltwater to the River and Desert Country of the West Kimberley.
Ali and Mitch are also proud owners of the 100% Indigenous owned business Mijinalii and are featured in the latest edition of the Kimberley Jiyigas’ Sheros magazine, a stunning publication showcasing Indigenous business women and entrepreneurs.
This is their business journey:
5 years ago, Ali and Mitch started making candle, soap and body products for their family. The products used native ingredients and centred around the 6 seasons of the Kimberley. It wasn’t long before the popularity and unique commercial potential of these products, which aspired to ‘promote the values of [their] country, culture and the Kimberley region’, became immediately clear.
However, making the decision to formally sell these products on the market ‘meant stepping into gear and beginning to do [our] research and development on making crafts’ says Ali and Mitch. There were many business aspects to consider. For example, because they live in remote Broome, Ali and Mitch had to learn how to be both clever with attracting wholesalers and taking advantage of suppliers close to them. Throughout their business journey they also found that there was a clear gap in finding finance to support Indigenous women. Both banks and organisational grants often overlook Indigenous women-led entrepreneurship.
At this stage their business journey, Ali and Mitch connected with the Maganda Makers Business Club - a community for aspiring, emerging and established Kimberley Indigenous women in business. Through the MMBC they sourced capital opportunities to grow the next stage of their established business. As a result, the sisters connected to a capital partner and received a grant to build their own candle/soap studio.
The impacts of their home grown and inspired Kimberley business have now gone beyond just commercial success. Ali and Mitch explained that: ‘Being commercially successful frees us up to inspire changes around us and it can have an immediate effect on others through employment, self-empowerment and building pride and feeling worthy’.
Ali and Mitch’s story is one of many featured in the beautiful Kimberley Jiyigas’ Sheros magazine on sale now : https://kimberleybirds.com.au/product/kimberley-birds-magazine-digital/.
The Maganda Makers Business Club was established in 2021 through collaboration between Kimberley Jiyigas, Good Return and the Menzies Foundation. Proceeds from the magazine go towards supporting Indigenous women to build business.