Toowoomba born: 10 local start-ups that you can support

The Toowoomba region is bustling with brand new businesses. Here are just some locals giving it a go after launching a start-up.

TOOWOOMBA BUSINESSES: Succeeding in their chosen fields, a bunch of passionate locals have launched their own business start-ups recently.

Start-up businesses are booming in Toowoomba, with plenty of unique, handmade and quirky concepts.

Here are just some of the region’s locals giving it a go after opening up a new business.

1. Hello Dearest Events

Toowoomba’s Therese Bennett and Emma Roach have started their own events and catering business alongside their stunning 1960s caravan Betty.

No strangers to hosting a great event, the mother and daughter duo decided to launch Hello Dearest after receiving compliments over their own parties over the years.

Offering a one-stop-shop for all kinds of personal or corporate functions, the pair offers everything from catering and bar packages to favours, decorations and florals.

Describing Betty as a “wow factor” the mum and daughter said the caravan underwent a major restoration while respectfully preserving her heritage.

The timber van now has a large rosewood serving window and coffee machine installed.

For more information click here.

Mother and daughter duo Therese Bennett (left) and Emma Roach have started their own business Hello Dearest Events alongside their restored 1960s caravan Betty. Picture: Kevin Farmer

2. Calendars Fighting Cancer

After losing a family member to cancer, a Toowoomba resident has found a unique way to raise funds and awareness and launched her own charity.

Darby Brown’s brother’s girlfriend Bridget tragically passed away due to Melanoma cancer in 2019.

In a heartfelt gesture, Ms Brown put her photography skills to great use and released a not-for-profit dog calendar for the cause.

Starting Calendars Fighting Cancer last year, Ms Brown released a 2021 calendar starring Austin – the adorable five-year-old Australian Shepherd – across all 12 months.

Selling almost 300 calendars to just about every state across the country, Ms Brown donated all proceeds to the Melanoma Institute of Australia in memory of Bridget.

Now the Toowoomba resident who is originally from a cattle station in northwest Queensland is in the process of releasing a 2022 calendar to donate the funds raised again.

For more information click here.

Darby Brown with her Calendars Fighting Cancer calendars featuring her brother's dog Austin produced to raise money for the Melanoma Institute Australia in memory of her sister-in-law. Picture: Kevin Farmer

3. Cloth That Bum

It’s a market that has witnessed a boom in recent times and one Toowoomba mum has jumped on-board to show other parents what the fuss is all about.

Research from CSIRO indicates that Australian parents will throw out more than one billion disposable nappies annually – with each one taking approximately 300 years to decompose.

Experiencing the many benefits first-hand, local mum Chloe Gilliland, 30, has now started her own side hustle to pass the knowledge on to other parents.

Offering parents a ‘cloth and sip’ style workshop, Ms Gilliland said it’s an opportunity for local mums and dads to learn about the benefits of using cloth nappies for their kids and meet like-minded people.

The Toowoomba mum said she had spoken to many parents who didn’t understand how to fit or clean cloth nappies.

For more information click here.

Cloth That Bum owner Chloe Gilliland said she wants to pass her knowledge on to other parents who may want to try cloth nappies but don’t know how to use them. Picture: Nev Madsen.

4. Butler Bath Products

Passionate about producing eco-friendly and ethical products, a new Toowoomba business is changing the way we think about skin care.

Toowoomba’s Dani Butler recently launched her own small business Butler Bath Products specialising in natural pamper products.

With a background in beauty therapy, the 29-year-old began investigating ways to make her own chemical-free and affordable range.

Initially Ms Butler focused solely on soap bars and bath salts, but she has since branched out to creating body butters, milk bath soaks, clay masks, hair bars and laundry powder too.

The new business owner said she avoided using nasty chemicals, artificial colouring and synthetic additives that might cause irritations or long-term damage to the skin.

For more information click here.

Toowoomba's Dani Butler recently launched her own small business Butler Bath Products specialising in natural products to pamper the skin.

5. Theo and Co

Whether you have a pet dog, cat or even a lizard, a new start-up business selling handmade pet accessories is creating fashion statements for our animal pals.

Working as a legal administrator by day, Emma Jones decided to combine her creative talents and love of animals by starting her side hustle Theo and Co.

Selling handmade accessories for pets of all shapes and sizes, the new business owner sells her products at the Toowoomba Farmers Market every second Saturday, as well as online.

While Ms Jones said it had been a whirlwind since she first started the small business with more than 300 items made in three months, she’s loved every minute so far.

But the 23-year-old’s love for animals goes far beyond the side hustle.

When Ms Jones adopted her sweet-natured Rhodesian ridgeback and Red Cattle cross Theo from the Toowoomba RSPCA last year, the pair quickly developed a close bond.

For more information click here.

Emma Jones has started her own business Theo and Co and sells her range of handmade pet products at the Toowoomba Farmers Market every second Saturday.

6. Sierra Cottage

Sweet and full of charm, an inner-city cottage that has served as a popular guesthouse for years is set to undergo a major transformation.

When Elizabeth Speed and her husband first laid eyes on the East Toowoomba house, they fell in love with its charm and character.

Purchasing the property in January this year, the couple initially planned to use the home for the purpose of renting it out.

But these plans quickly changed after the home’s new-found owners discovered its full potential.

Formerly known as Emily’s Cottage and Kent St Cottage, the quaint house has been offering guests a home away from home for decades.

The sweet abode now goes by the name Sierra Cottage.

But now the charming cottage is getting a major upgrade with renovations set to start.

For more information click here.

Toowoomba guesthouse Sierra Cottage owner Elizabeth Speed. Picture: Nev Madsen.

7. Quick and Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists

A passion for cooking and desire to showcase traditional Indian flavours to suit even the mildest of palates has led one woman to open an Indian grocery store.

Sejal Patel and her husband Jiten Shah recently moved to Toowoomba after falling in love with the area and opened Quick and Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists.

While the business owner never anticipated opening her own shop, her love for cooking and teaching others about traditional Indian flavours enticed her to give it a go.

Stocking all ingredients required to cook a tasty Indian dish, Ms Patel said she would also be selling Indian sweets, drinks, namkeens and gravy to pair with most meats and cottage cheese.

For more information click here.

Sejal Patel and Jiten Shah. Quick & Easy Indian Grocery Store and Tobacconists open in Ruthven St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

8. Cafe de Velo

Patrons of a new cafe will be treated to more than delicious food, with fresh and healthy ingredients a focus for the new hotspot’s menu.

When Marcel Govers first opened his Toowoomba business Bikeline, he had a dream to create a hub for riders and lovers of fitness and develop an innovative tourism experience.

And now the passionate business owner has done just that and recently opened his new venture – Cafe de Velo.

Knocking down the wall between the two shops on Railway St, the new space which was previously the home of Homegrown Health, has been transformed into an industrial chic styled cafe.

Featuring a full breakfast and lunch menu, the cafe will also be serving coffee, tea, cakes as well as fresh smoothies and juices.

For more information click here.

Marcel Govers recently opened Cafe de Velo next to his Bikeline store. Picture: Nev Madsen.

9. Coco and Blush

While the business isn’t quite new, the mother and daughter duo behind the fashion business Laura and Dianne Paton are embarking on a new adventure.

Renovating and reopening their Ridge Shoppingworld boutique store, the pair also recently launched their own fashion label Coco and Blush which will be available to purchase instore.

“I’m really new at this, but after selling fashion for a few years now I’ve learnt a few tricks of the trade and know what customers want such as pockets, colour, bigger sizes, to not be boring and to have personality,” Laura said.

“It’s the old saying – find something that works and buy it in every colour, so we have different colour options in the same designs.”

For more information click here.

Coco and Blush owners Laura (left) and Dianne Paton as they reopen their revamped and expanded shop in The Ridge shopping centre and launch their own clothing label. Picture: Kevin Farmer

10. The Rowe Team Agency

Connecting clients to their dream homes is the success driver for a mother and daughter duo who recently celebrated their first year in business.

Joanne and Isabel Rowe are the faces behind The Rowe Team Agency – a young yet thriving real estate business with listings from across the Toowoomba region.

Living in Westbrook and working in the industry for more than a decade, Joanne decided to take the plunge and started the venture 12 months ago, with the help of her daughter Isabel.

Now in a better place with her health and looking forward to what the future holds, the business owner said the past year had been full of exciting developments.

While the growth had been gradual, word of mouth and client retention saw the small family business expand its sales listings as well as take on rental property portfolios too.

For more information click here.

Joanne Rowe (left) and Isabel Rowe. Picture: Nev Madsen.