Building More Than a Business

One of the things I enjoy most about hosting By Mob For Mob, backed by NRMA Insurance for NITV, is the opportunity to sit down with First Nations business owners whose work is creating meaningful change across Australia. Every conversation offers a different perspective, but they all leave me thinking about what it takes to build something that lasts and what success can look like when it is driven by purpose as much as profit.

Recently, I had the privilege of yarning with Debbie Barwick, founder of Winya Indigenous Furniture. As we walked through the Winya showroom, surrounded by thoughtfully designed furniture and examples of projects delivered across the country, it became clear that Debbie has built much more than a commercial furniture business. She has built a company that reflects her values and demonstrates what is possible when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses are trusted to lead in spaces that have not always been accessible.

Our conversation explored the role Indigenous procurement has played in that journey. Procurement is often discussed through the lens of policy or government targets, but Debbie offered a different perspective. She spoke about procurement as an opportunity to create lasting economic participation for First Nations businesses and to ensure Indigenous expertise is recognised as an essential part of Australia’s supply chains rather than an afterthought.

What also impressed me was the way Winya approaches its work with Aboriginal artists. Rather than treating Indigenous artwork as a finishing touch, Debbie spoke about engaging artists early in the creative process and building partnerships that continue well beyond a single project. By doing so, Winya creates opportunities for artists to share culture in meaningful ways while ensuring the stories represented within workplaces, schools and public buildings are authentic and respectfully delivered. It is an approach that values Indigenous knowledge not simply as something to display, but as something to collaborate with.

As Debbie reflected on the growth of Winya, she also spoke honestly about the realities of building a business. Earning credibility, competing for major contracts and navigating complex procurement processes have all been part of the journey. Yet throughout our conversation there was a quiet confidence that came from knowing the business had been built on quality, consistency and a commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for clients.

What stayed with me most was Debbie’s understanding that business can be a powerful vehicle for change. Every project completed creates opportunities that extend beyond the work itself, supporting employment, strengthening Indigenous enterprise and demonstrating to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that there is space for them to lead, innovate and succeed across every industry.

Hosting By Mob For Mob continues to remind me that there is no single blueprint for Indigenous business success. Each founder brings their own vision, shaped by community, experience and culture. Debbie Barwick’s story is one of those reminders. It shows that when Indigenous businesses are supported with good intention and through genuine opportunity, they don’t just contribute to Australia’s economy, they help redefine what that economy can look like.

Walking away from Winya, I wasn’t only thinking about the business that Debbie has built. I was thinking about the example she is setting for the next generation of First Nations entrepreneurs, and the confidence that comes from seeing Indigenous leadership thriving in places where it has always belonged.