Meet Brad Draper, a Wiradjuri man and the owner of Bunji Beverages, a small business based in Orange, NSW
Brad and his wife Kim, along with their children form the circle of strength and love that inspires their business. They sell organic Kombucha, infused with Indigenous plant extracts, is authentically brewed and fermented on Australian soil, from at least 96% Australian ingredients. The company behind Bunji, Kenjarhy Beverages, was named after the family, and the logo was designed by Aunty Lorraine Jeffries, a Wiradjuri elder from Cowra. The Draper children’s drawings also inspired the Bunji brand.
Bunji is an Aboriginal word for mate (or close friend or kin), from Warlpiri and other languages of the Northern Territory and northern Queensland. Mate is iconically Australian. We like the bridge these words create between the rich history and culture of First Nations People and modern Australian culture.
Read more about Brad’s business journey so far:
Brad’s Business
Our business has been operating for about two and a half years now. We focus on premium, native-inspired kombucha beverages with a unique taste. What sets us apart is how every bottle tells a story about Aboriginal culture and community, connecting people to Country and heritage through our drinks.
Before starting Bunji, I worked in both Commonwealth and State public service. My work focused on storytelling and sharing Aboriginal culture, which naturally led me to want to create a business that celebrates and shares our stories in a different way.
Working with Many Rivers
Working with Many Rivers has been really helpful, particularly with basic business plans, financial planning, and understanding what we can and can’t do as a growing business. Belinda my business coach from Many Rivers, has been a great sounding board, always available for a chat and has helped guide us through financial projections and planning.
The most useful support has been in marketing and financial planning. Belinda made sure we were sending the right message about our product, especially when we re-branded. She helped confirm that we were staying true to our identity as an Aboriginal product on shelves. The financial guidance also helped us forecast our growth and plan for times when we might need extra financial support.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
We didn’t take out a loan, as we wanted to grow organically without incurring debt.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
It’s me and my son Rhys Draper. He is the general manager. I am the founder, but Rhys is the driving force of my business.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge for us has been finding distributors for our product. Competing with multinational companies has been tough and, at times, disappointing. It’s a challenge to get our products into the right spaces while staying true to our brand and values.
Biggest Success
Our biggest success has been our re-branding, which really differentiates us as a truly Aboriginal company in the market. Another huge achievement has been securing our products in major outlets, such as Qantas lounges and Harris Farm. Qantas in Sydney has even welcomed our beverages in their lounges, which is incredibly exciting for us.
Biggest Change
The biggest change for me and my family since starting the business has been the overwhelming support from people on social media. We love seeing how much interest there is in our story and the culture we celebrate. It’s amazing to hear people comment that they didn’t even know about certain places or histories in Australia—it’s really heartening.
Future Goals
Looking ahead, we want Bunji to be available in a range of retail outlets across Australia. We hope to expand our presence with our national carrier, Qantas, and eventually grow internationally. The Qantas partnership has been really positive and supportive, and we’re excited about the potential it brings for the brand.
Thank you Brad for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
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