Robyn’s Eco is a small Aboriginal cleaning business inspired by nature and the desire to create sparkling clean homes with zero chemicals and waste.
Robyn Templeton the founder of Robyn’s Eco Cleaning, with Noongar/Yamatjt Yorga people heritage, has always been inspired by Aboriginals’ knowledge of nature and how this brings healing, well-being and health to the community. After working in Aboriginal education and home cleaning for many years, she decided it was time to start her own small cleaning business.
“Caring for the environment and my family led me to create Robyn’s Eco Cleaning. As an eco-cleaner I wanted a product that works for me every time and give excellent results no matter how hard the task.”
Meet Robyn
Robyn’s Eco has been operating for three years and I do all things eco-cleaning. For example, I’ve developed a method of cleaning cars without water, without water run-off and 100% plant based, so no plastics. I have also developed a range of eco-friendly cleaning products.
The business idea
I started out cleaning homes and it’s grown from there. Before I started cleaning, I was in Aboriginal education. I had a background in keeping kids in schools and engaging parents and so on. I fell out of work because of health issues that were affecting my ability to work in the mainstream, so that’s how I found cleaning.
I could take control of my future and make a difference in my life. Doing it the other way just wasn’t working for me.
Working with Many Rivers
Indigenous Business Australia said to give Many Rivers a call. That was over a year ago.
Basically, in the beginning it was a listening ear. Just listening and understanding and reassuring me. Before working with Colin (Microenterprise Development Manager, Perth WA), I had had a few problems with another company that had been helping me and I felt ready to pull the plug on the whole thing.
It can get very hard; it can be very daunting at times, so that ongoing support, like the ongoing check ups and asking “how’s your business health going?” has been good. At the moment, I am receiving help to redo my website as I had lost the entire thing because of the previous company I had been working with.
Many Rivers has also been helping me with support on where to go if you are trying to work out your finances and how to do social media and marketing.
Marketing is a big one – like how do you do it amongst everything else you have to juggle? They’ve also been helping me network with other people and organisations and getting onto Facebook, which is very important. Even through Covid-19 that has been so important; I lost a lot of work because of Covid-19 and had to reinvent myself.
How does Many Rivers help you?
It’s great that it works remotely and wherever I am in my business. Just knowing I am able to touch base with them from wherever. The knowledge that it is there is encouraging.
Team
I have one employee. They work on Fridays with me at one of my biggest jobs with Lottery West.
Biggest success
Securing the Lottery West tender and other big tenders. I’ve had other tenders come past and one thing I am learning is to pick and choose which tenders I want to take.
Biggest challenge
Moving into bigger jobs and into tender work, so taking my business to the next step.
Biggest change
Being self-sufficient and standing on my own two feet. I am feeling proud about that.
Future goals
My dream is to have lots of employees and to be able to help others the way I have been helped. I am driven by helping my people and our environment. I want to make as little impact on our environment as I can; I am always wanting to learn and up-skill in this area.
I also want to develop my products further and have a full website with an online shop as well.
“In choosing to purchase Robyn’s Eco Cleaning products you are helping a small Aboriginal business grow. I guarantee that my products are of the highest quality and you will enjoy cleaning that is safe for you, your family and the environment.”
Thanks Robyn for sharing your story and for creating cleaning products that have zero chemicals and waste. You can shop Robyn’s Eco Cleaning products here.
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