How The West Is #1 Maribyrnong City Council

Peta-Gai, or PG as she is known, is an absolute powerhouse, and she has a huge community of women that absolutely adore her. In this interview, you will find out why. PG talks about why she set up her makeup company, and that she has lived in the inner west for over 20 years. Peta-Gai is very much loved in this area, and beyond, by women who love her warm and friendly manner - and her makeup genius! PG runs her famous 'glamtorials' from her Hyde St studio and works with women of all ages, focusing on their inner beauty, and helping them apply to make-up that suits them. She talks about how Iridis is latin for 'rainbow' and that they are an inclusive company.
She and her wife Kelly run the business, and they not only teach older women how to apply makeup, but they also work with trans women to help them with their feminisation process. She discusses how she has created two online courses - one for makeup artists, and the other (about to be launched) for trans women, as well as starting a two-day in-person course for trans women. PG is fiercely loyal to the inner west community and explains why she loves it so much. She also reveals a little bit about her work with celebrities and, where she hopes to be 5 years from now.

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Duncan and his friend Sam, both winemakers, decided in 2015 to start a craft brewery instead, and chose Footscray because they liked the local area. At the time, neither of them had a business plan or strategy, they decided to learn along the way, and what a success they have made it! After securing a place in Yarraville, they got to work and once they had secured their permits, and a small amount of investment, they were off and running! In this interview, Duncan explains how the business has grown, he talks about his own move to Footscray to live, and how Hop Nation is expanding it's offering to include from late September 2023.
This brewery is now also on the Mornington Peninsula (although the specialty beers are brewed locally), and having survived the pandemic surprisingly well, they are now bracing themselves for the next two years when the economic conditions are predicted to be difficult. It's a great story, and one that will no doubt inspire you.

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Thin (said as Tin) is an amazing guy - he's very inspirational! Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, he, his parents and extended family arrived in Australia when he was a baby, and he had an entrepreneurial streak from a young age. He talks about how his parents funded his first venture, which was to buy a car from overseas for $8000, fix it up and sold it for $14,000 and so his business career started! Thin did well at school and was always learning but it was 12 years ago that he decided to take the plunge and go out on his own. He started Cupcake Central because he saw an opportunity, and had grown it to seven stores before the pandemic and lockdowns hit. In an extraordinary stroke of good luck, he had built an ecommerce store for the business and launched it only just before the lockdowns, so once he recovered from the shock, he set about to build the business online - and it worked a treat! He set up a centralised bakery in West Footscray, an area he absolutely LOVES, and employs almost exclusively from the local area. His biggest problem in the lockdowns was finding enough staff. He now makes about 85% of his turnover online and has lots of plans for growth. Watch this space! I predict great things for Thin and his team.
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​Migrant Coffee is the brainchild of Stacey, and her best friend and co-founder, Melodee. Both are first generation Australians and they built the business to create a home away from home. One that would fit their lifestyles, and showcase their heritage with their innovative bagel fillings. Stacey's story, prior to starting the business is amazing - she (and Melodee) are hip hop enthusiasts from way back, and Stacey is also a flight attendant for private planes. Coming from New Zealand, Stacey and Melodee met in New York at a hip hop event and soon became best friends. Both knew that one day they would set up a business together, but first they wanted to travel, and Stacey ended up working for the royal family in the Middle East for many years before they decided to press go!
Migrant Coffee is a much-loved venue in the heart of Footscray and they use locals for their staff and supplies. Stacey's love of the inner west shines through in this great interview.

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Sonia's story is so compelling and her background is extraordinary, so you will definitely love this episode! Born and raised in Sydney, Sonia started out as a journalist at uni and then worked as a TV producer on Today Tonight and Sunrise before moving to London where she worked for a TV network there, and then Al Jazeera. She met her partner, who is French, back in Australia and then his job took them to Mumbai where she got pregnant and they had their first child. Her partner, Remi then decided he didn't want to be an engineer any more and suggested that they should start a Pizza Truck, and Sonia became pregnant with twins. They started their food van business in St Kilda but eventually moved it to Footscray and had a 'garage' in Braybrook. Then the Pandemic hit and they started offering takeaway pizzas from their 'garage', until tragedy hit, the week we came out of the lockdown, and one of the trucks exploded, destroying the premises. Thus, Campground Kitchen was born!
When their vans were destroyed, Sonia and Remi were devastated, but the wonderful community spirit in the inner west kicked in and someone started a GoFundMe campaign which raised enough for them to buy and refurbish another truck. From there they decided to start a restaurant and fitted out the 'garage' as a really cool venue. Campground Kitchen only opened its doors in early 2023 but is slowly building up a loyal following. You will be so inspired by Sonia's story.

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Pradeep Tiwari is a legend in West Footscray and for good reason! As the president of the West Footscray Traders Association and the founder of The Festival of Lights and other Footscray festivals, Pradeep is really making a difference. He has been living in West Footscray along with his family for over 30 years. His father migrated from India to West Footscray in the 60s and worked in Olex Cables, and Pradeep came over when I was three years old.
Educated locally, he was passed down the family business of Bharat Traders by his parents, who dealt with spices and other Indian products. It started in Barkly Street in 1991 and has since expanded in food supply and various other products.
Pradeep is passionate about connecting the community - and he loves a good party - so he has big plans for the area, and the festivals, to expand. You will absolutely love his passion and his vision for WeFo! An episode not to miss.
https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

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