It's International Womens Day!
And to celebrate, we're getting behind the minds of Mindful Merch's female founders.
Interview with Nell + Nicki:
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Nicki wanted to be a primary school teacher and I wanted to be a hairdresser.
2. Is it true you are joined at the hip? Give us the history of you two.
Absolutely! We’ve been inseparable since we were 16. We worked the same jobs—flipping chips at the local fish and chip shop at night and joining Green Corps after school to save up for an adventure. In 2005, we packed our bags and headed to Canada, living and working in Lake Louise on the ski fields for a year.
When we came back, we figured it was time to do something with our lives. Nicki studied remedial massage, and I (Janelle) did my master’s in personal training. Life took us in different directions—Nicki traveled overseas to Bulgaria to work with A21, an organization helping trafficked women, while I started a family with my husband, Shane (who we actually met in Canada!). At the time, I was working as a PT and wilderness medic on the Kokoda Trail when I launched The Travelling Kimono, setting up my own production team in Vietnam.
Nicki eventually came on board, and we opened a boutique in Noosa—which then evolved into TTK Collective, our ethical manufacturing house. Fast forward to today, and we’re running Mindful Merch, helping brands create ethical, sustainable apparel.
Safe to say, we’ve been on a journey together!
When we came back, we figured it was time to do something with our lives. Nicki studied remedial massage, and I (Janelle) did my master’s in personal training. Life took us in different directions—Nicki traveled overseas to Bulgaria to work with A21, an organization helping trafficked women, while I started a family with my husband, Shane (who we actually met in Canada!). At the time, I was working as a PT and wilderness medic on the Kokoda Trail when I launched The Travelling Kimono, setting up my own production team in Vietnam.
Nicki eventually came on board, and we opened a boutique in Noosa—which then evolved into TTK Collective, our ethical manufacturing house. Fast forward to today, and we’re running Mindful Merch, helping brands create ethical, sustainable apparel.
Safe to say, we’ve been on a journey together!
3. If you could chooseone song to play when you walk into a room, what would it be?
Cute without the E, By Taking Back Sunday
4. We know you love people and the planet, but what are your thoughts on garden gnomes?
Demonic!
5. In all seriousness, why blanks?
Because we saw a real gap in the market for ethical and sustainable blanks. And after 12 years in fashion, we thought, how hard could a tee be?
Turns out—very. Perfecting the fit of a good tee? Absolute nightmare. But we stuck with it, and now we’re creating high-quality, responsibly made blanks that brands can trust.
Turns out—very. Perfecting the fit of a good tee? Absolute nightmare. But we stuck with it, and now we’re creating high-quality, responsibly made blanks that brands can trust.
6. What MM style are you wearing today?
Nell: Unisex Slouch Tee in Black—paired with denim, of course!
Nicki: Women’s Regular Crew in Deep Red—also with denim.
Absolute staples!
Nell: Unisex Slouch Tee in Black—paired with denim, of course!
Nicki: Women’s Regular Crew in Deep Red—also with denim.
Absolute staples!
7. What is the best thing about being a woman?
Honestly? Multitasking like a boss. We can answer emails, cook dinner, wrangle kids, and plan world domination—all before our coffee goes cold (okay, lukewarm).
8. What was the last gift you gave someone?
I brought home some amazing skincare for Nicki from Japan—like, the best we have EVER used. Then we found out it’s only available in Japan… so I guess we have to go back for a top-up.
9. What's the plans for 2025 for Mindful Merch?
Getting our blanks out there in a big way! We want people to know that we own our manufacturing house and make everything from scratch—no ready-made garments from China, no shortcuts. We walk the walk when it comes to ethical and sustainable production, not just talk about it.
