Beyond its beautifully packaged, botanically scented products, Jalbi Australia represents something far deeper. Founded by lifelong friends Mandy Gadsdon and Kym Hawkins, Jalbi is grounded in connection, community and a shared determination to create meaningful change through business.

Mandy and Kym met more than 40 years ago at boarding school, a place where friendships often become family. Today, they describe each other as sisters rather than friends, bound by a common purpose and a deep belief in respect, trust and integrity. Those same values now form the foundations of Jalbi Australia, a business that blends culture, storytelling and care into every product they create.

As the founders explain: "Stories, relationships and connection are important to everything we do at Jalbi Australia. Our products are inspired, created, and manufactured by us, and use Australian essential oils and extracts. We strive to deliver a premium product at an affordable price that we hope will exceed our customer's expectations and keep them coming back for more. Again, reinforcing the importance of relationships."

For Mandy, Jalbi is also a deeply personal expression of culture and memory. A proud Yawuru woman from the Broome region of Western Australia, her passion lies in creating scents from the bush that reconnect her to childhood experiences and Country. Jalbi's products are rich with sensory storytelling. Rumarra | Sun evokes early morning walks, "crunching the leaves of gums and other leaf litter underfoot", while Birra | Wood reignites memories of "sitting around the campfire with that special piece of Cypress Pine thrown on just as the fire gets going".

The name Jalbi itself, which means "mother's, mother's, mother" or great grandmother in Yawuru language, speaks to the strength of matriarchal lines and the intergenerational knowledge carried by women. What began as an artwork by Mandy's youngest daughter Ayesha has grown into a business ethos centred on women supporting women and community-led change.

"Jalbi Australia provides a unique way to share the richness Aboriginal culture through products that celebrate connection, Country, and care," the founders say.

"Community has always valued storytelling and relationships, and that philosophy is woven into everything we create. Using Australian essential oils and extracts, we craft products that reflect our heritage and respect for the land, while delivering premium quality at an affordable price."

The business is proudly women led, working with a local chemist and manufacturer in Perth to handcraft products with care. While Jalbi currently uses commercially available essential oils, Mandy and Kym are clear about their long-term vision to help redefine supply chains. Their goal is to enable Aboriginal communities to become direct suppliers of native ingredients, creating social enterprises and economic opportunity at the source.

That commitment to giving back is already embedded in their business model. Jalbi supports the Polly Farmer Foundation through a yearly bursary for alumni pursuing post-school study in related fields. For Mandy and Kym, business is not just about profit, but responsibility.

"Every purchase is more than a transaction; it's an investment in Indigenous creativity and economic empowerment," they said. "Your support helps us grow as a family business, create opportunities within our community, and ensure that our culture continues to thrive for future generations. It allows us to keep telling our stories through our products and strengthen the relationships that matter most. It also helps us give back to community through our relationship with the Polly Farmer Foundation by way of a yearly bursary to their Alumni who are studying in a related area post school."

In a market crowded with mass-produced goods, Jalbi stands apart through authenticity and intention.

"Our products are handcrafted by us in Perth and made with care, inspired by Country, and infused with Australian essential oils and botanicals. Unlike mass-produced items, each piece carries story and connection. We don't just make products; we create experiences that feel authentic and meaningful."

As Australians consider how and where they spend this festive season, Mandy and Kym hope Jalbi invites people to pause and choose with intention. "We want customers to feel a sense of pride, connection, and joy. When you choose Blak, you're choosing to celebrate culture, support community, and share something truly special with your loved ones. It's about gifting more than a product; it's gifting a story, a relationship, and an insight into our sensory connections with this beautiful country we belong to as Australia's First Peoples."

Their message to Australians is clear and timely.

"Supporting Blak businesses is about more than buying a product; it's about creating change. Every purchase helps close the gap, fosters economic independence, and amplifies Indigenous voices. This festive season, we invite Australians to choose consciously, celebrate diversity, and help build a future where Indigenous creativity and enterprise are valued and thriving."

This Christmas and beyond, choosing Jalbi Australia is an invitation to support a purpose-led, women-driven business that honours Country, centres community and proves that when stories, relationships and integrity lead the way, business can be a powerful force for good.