Shopping with Hannah, owner of Slow Trading
INTERVIEW BY IMO
Q&A
WITH Hannah SULTANA - slow trading
geelong . VIC
Recently I was looking to get my hands on a beautiful recycled merino wool blanket very last minute for a photoshoot, my web browsing led to me Slow Trading. I contacted Hannah over Instagram and we collaborated on our most recent shoot featuring our Ledge Bed. As soon as I walked into Hannah’s shop - which is discreet and tucked away in a little back street I knew I’d struck gold. An open and airy space filled to the brim with all of my favourite Australian designers - Al had to hold me back before I shouted I’LL HAVE ONE OF EVERYTHING PLEASE!
Hannah and I got chatting about all sorts of things, business, life, community… I thought to myself; how did I not know about this place earlier?
As Christmas is just around the corner I wanted to highlight how important it is to back small businesses, they are the engine room of our economy and you will almost always find extra special products that have been created and curated with more care. Not only will your gift recipients love that you made the effort, but you'll make some independent designers, makers, sellers (and their loved ones) very happy as well.
x IMO
Let’s band together and support small businesses by shopping local this holiday season!
The blanket that brought us together.
The blanket that brought us together.
The blanket that brought us together.
Hannah can you please give our readers a little insight into how you came to be where you are today, opening and running Slow Trading.
I grew up on 5,500 acres in Northern Victoria. A farmers daughter but really as I'm finding out more these days, I kind of feel like a clone of my mum. Our lives revolved around the farm and honestly what a great childhood. The youngest of four girls, we all loved helping dad with the cows and sheep. I started working in the shearing shed by ten and was driving tractors and headers by the time I was in high school. We saw the effort that went into producing a good crop; the many elements that needed to go right, in order to eventually end up on someone's table or in someone's wardrobe. Early on, we would kill our own sheep for meat and mum would take the wool to a local business to be spun and made into jumpers. We were exposed to the many ways of making the most out of a product. Mum was a collector. She would restore old furniture found in old farm houses and at clearing sales. She had a pottery wheel, enjoyed patchwork and of course would mend clothes on the regular. She invested in good quality clothes and they were passed down through all four girls. Three of us ‘shared’ our first car, a 1986 Corona. So without realising it, we were very much bought up with circular values. I moved to Bendigo to complete my Bachelor of Education. My graduate year was spent teaching at a Primary School in Coburg, Melbourne before I decided to pack up and travel overseas for just shy of two years. I'd always felt called to see the world, to experience how other cultures live, and I guess as much as I resonate with growing up on the land, I always felt a bit trapped in a small town. Being on the road, literally just me and my backpack, in some of the poorest countries in the world was really eye opening. But everywhere I went, I felt this overwhelming sense of community. Everyone was helping everyone else and that’s something I wanted to create. I don’t know if I’ve hit the nail on the head but it is still very much the end goal. The Slow Trading community we’ve created in such a short time is really something special and at the end of day what it’s highlighted is the fact that nothing can beat good old fashioned human connection. My travels took me from working and living in the back country in Alberta, Canada, to road tripping through the states before beginning my seven month solo trip through Central and South America. The ingenuity of the locals I met was inspiring. There was always a business opportunity and reflecting on that trip, it's then the fire started burning. I made my way to London and did the fairly typical Aussie thing. I was paid well in relief teaching roles and lucky enough to travel some of Europe to visit friends I'd made when I was backpacking, but I never felt finished. I came home and worked for a year to save money before setting off again, this time to Nepal and India for seven months. This trip was incredible. One of the most eye opening solo trips I’d completed. The Nepalese people are so kind and really generous with their time and the very little they have. India was overwhelming in every way imaginable, an attack of the senses, but this is truly where the business side of me started to stir. I collected business cards and made contacts in Deli and Kashmir, with the intention of importing artisan made goods back to Australia and selling at markets. It wasn’t until I landed in Perth, browsing the Fremantle market and seeing a stall set up with the exact products I’d planned on bringing over that I realised it probably wasn’t that original. You can say after this trip that this idea of starting my own business just wasn’t going to go away until I gave it a shot. Five years later, after returning to teaching in special needs back home in Swan Hill and then in Northcote, Melbourne, meeting and marrying my husband Paul, moving to Geelong and having my daughter Frankie, I bit the bullet and started my very first, real life business! Kind of a big deal as I sit and reflect almost fifteen months later. We started our online store almost 12 months ago, had a little mini pop up December last year above Archive Bar and then opened our store here in Belmont in April this year. It feels so nice to reflect on the journey; from concept to the Slow Trading you see now. It has required a hell of a lot of self-belief and fighting the fear of failure but it’s something I’m really proud of. I’m proud of backing myself, the little girl from the country with big ideals and ambitions and to be sitting here as Owner Operator of a small business. I’m not sure what the future holds for Slow Trading. I’ve always said to customers and followers on Instagram that it’s a fluid business, so watch this space.“Mum was a collector. She would restore old furniture found in old farm houses and at clearing sales. She had a pottery wheel, enjoyed patchwork and of course would mend clothes on the regular. She invested in good quality clothes and they were passed down through all four girls.”
Three of us ‘shared’ our first car, a 1986 Corona. Circularity of a product was something I never really thought about until I got into this industry, maybe because it was just the way we were brought up. I moved to Bendigo to complete my Bachelor of Education. My graduate year was spent working at a Primary School in Coburg, Melbourne before I decided to pack up and travel overseas for just shy of two years. I'd always felt called to see the world, to experience how other cultures live, and I guess as much as I resonate with growing up on the land, I always felt a bit trapped in a small town. Being on the road, literally just me and my backpack, in some of the poorest countries in the world was really eye opening. But everywhere I went, I felt this overwhelming sense of community. Everyone was helping everyone else and that’s something I wanted to create, like it was and is still very much the end goal. I still don’t know if I’ve hit the nail on the head but I’m getting there. The Slow Trading community we’ve created in such a short time is really something special. So I went from working and living in the back country in Alberta, Canada, to road tripping through the states before beginning my seven month solo trip through Central and South America. The ingenuity of the locals I met was inspiring. There was always a business opportunity and reflecting on that trip, it's then the fire started burning. I made my way to London and did the fairly typical Aussie thing. I was paid well in relief teaching roles and lucky enough to travel some of Europe to visit friends I'd made when I was backpacking, but I never felt finished. I came home and worked for a year to save money before setting off again, this time to Nepal and India for seven months. This trip was incredible. One of the most eye opening solo trips I’d completed. The Nepalese people are so kind and really generous with their time and the very little they have; always offering a hearty meal, a warm drink. What I learned on this trip was that there really was no need for items of materialistic nature, just family and friends and the willingness of others to give opportunity to those less fortunate. India was overwhelming in every way imaginable, an attack of the senses, but this is truly where the business side of me started to stir. There was a business opportunity everywhere you looked. I collected business cards and made contacts in Deli and Kashmir, with the intention of importing artisan made goods back to Australia and selling at markets. It wasn’t until I landed in Perth, browsing the Fremantle market and seeing a stall set up with the exact products I’d planned on bringing over that I realised it probably wasn’t that original. You can say after this trip that this idea of starting my own business just wasn’t going to go away until I gave it a shot. Five years later, after returning to teaching in special needs back home in Swan Hill and then in Northcote, Melbourne, meeting and marrying my husband, moving to Geelong and having my daughter Frankie, I bit the bullet and started my very first, real life business! Kind of a big deal and here we are almost fifteen months later. We started our online store almost 12 months ago, had a little mini pop up December last year above Archive Bar and then opened our store here in Belmont in April this year. It feels so nice to reflect on the journey; from concept to the Slow Trading you see now. It has required a hell of a lot of self-belief and fighting the fear of failure but it’s something I’m really proud of. I’m proud of backing myself, the little girl from the country with big ideals and ambitions and to be sitting here as Owner Operator of a small business. I’m not sure what the future holds for Slow Trading. I’ve always said to customers and followers on Instagram that it’s a fluid business, so watch this space.
“I’m proud of backing myself, the little girl from the country with big ideals and ambitions and to be sitting here as Owner Operator of a small business. I’m not sure what the future holds for Slow Trading. I’ve always said to customers and followers on Instagram that it’s a fluid business, so watch this space.”
What inspired you to start Slow Trading and what are you hoping to achieve?
To be honest, it was a choice between going back to teaching, which I wasn’t enjoying anymore, or taking one of the biggest risks of my life and following the dream I’d had for about five years. Motherhood changed me, it made me more vulnerable but at the same time more confident to make big changes and take risks. It was a now or never kind of scenario, and with the support of my husband, I got planning and made it happen. Having moved from Melbourne to Geelong, there was always a desire to start my own business. There was/are so many gaps for an ever changing audience down here on the coast. I saw a gap and thought I’d try and fill it. Also my very long winded answer above gives a fair but of insight into my inspiration.
We'd love a tour of your store, are there any local brands you'd like to shoutout?
Our store is filled with beautiful Australian made apparel and wares, sourced mostly from brands I already knew- I was either a keen social media follower, or had pieces of theirs in my cart for many years, waiting until I’d saved enough money. If I was lucky enough I was a proud owner of a special piece or two.
You will find mostly natural fibres; linen, hemp, organic cotton and deadstock fabric in Slow Trading. We only stock brands that have a real emphasis on the fabrications of their pieces, and show real care in how and who makes them. Most of our brands have Ethical Clothing Australia certification which ensures their workers are paid super and work in fair conditions.
“You will find mostly natural fibres; linen, hemp, organic cotton and dead stock fabric in Slow Trading. We only stock brands that have a real emphasis on the fabrications of their pieces, and show real care in how and who makes them. Most of our brands have Ethical Clothing Australia certification which ensures their workers are paid super and work in fair conditions.”
The racks in which these beautiful clothes hang and one terribly made mirror are the only new things purchased for the store fit out. The shop came together thanks to my collection of vintage and second hand furniture. There’s quite a few pieces from my childhood too, like mum and dad’s purpose built veneer speakers. Who needs to buy a new plinth when you can recycle and repurpose record player speakers? The hero piece would have to be my beloved two piece green velvet cane couch, passed on to me from a good family friend. People are drawn to it and it’s a real conversation starter.
When I decided to branch out into homewares, or rather anything that wasn’t women’s apparel, I knew I wanted to keep it as local as possible. Enter my three favourite Geelong brands.
A big shout out to Shani from Happy Society, the creator of beautiful natural soy candles. I met her for the first time when commenting on her Tangerine Mimi Holvast pants in our local café. I couldn’t quite believe I was seeing Mimi’s pants in Geelong and I didn’t know who this gorgeous woman was (we had been communicating via email) but I just had to start a conversation and when she turned around we worked out that we should know each other. See, quality Australian made apparel made by small brands with stories- bringing people together since, forever! Shani has been a great support of ours from the beginning and it was because of her that I found the beautiful Kate; creator of the incredible hand built clay works of art- Ikigai. Her handmade vases and vessels for women are exquisite as are the beautiful large platters.
Laura from Apotheke- the beautiful children’s’ wear label is another talented local. Using beautifully textured Greek cotton to create unisex staple pieces for kids to play in and then pass on to a sibling or friend.
I like to think of Melbourne as local too, so big shout out to our Melbourne made brands; Lois Hazel, HB Archive, Vege Threads, Uimi, Studio Tinta and the talented Catie Gett, author of Notes To My Future Daughter (and Notes To My Future Son in store in November).
Why do you think it's important to shop local?
There is a pretty good chance that the shops in your local town are independently owned. Small businesses run by families and ambitious young people going against the curve and bringing your town or city something new. They are people trying to put food on the table for their families, not multibillion dollar companies watching the dollars tick over. It is also highly likely the business owners know their stockists personally or can tell you a little bit more about the product you’re buying, that’s if they don’t make it themselves. You might also get some pretty good recommendations for places to eat, upcoming events, other retail stores to visit or tradie recommendations. The personal experience you get when you walk into your local store is sure to surpass that of a major retailer/fast fashion chain. But don’t rely on my opinion, give it a go and get back to me.
“The personal experience you get when you walk into your local store is sure to surpass that of a major retailer/fast fashion chain. But don’t rely on my opinion, give it a go and get back to me.”
Like us, you moved down to the coast from Melbourne, what do you love most about your new community?
We moved over two and a half years ago in search of our own backyard in a community that allowed us to continue to live our lifestyle. Being walking distance to café’s, shops and a body of water were of high priority. Unfortunately we weren’t able to afford that in Melbourne. I also grew up on a big property so for me that real sense of space was important.
We have received nothing but warm welcomes and an abundance of joy since moving here. We have the best neighbours, the best local cafés in That Place Patisserie and Woodhouse Café, the best whole-foods store in Valerie’s Pantry and our local watering hole Archive Bar. We actually wouldn’t have believed you if you told us we would have all of this within walking distance from home.
What daily steps do you take to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle?
We have a vegetable garden and compost bin. It’s almost been twelve months on the compost journey and we’re almost ready to use that broken down gold on our veggie patch. Don’t ask me if we’re doing it ‘right’ though. Last week we cooked a stir fry with three different vegetables and herbs from the garden, which Frankie picked, and the whole process was so enjoyable for all of us. Frankie also enjoys taking the scraps out to the compost and looking for worms.
We are so lucky that those fabulous neighbours I was telling you about often give us goodies from their garden; lemons, spinach, herbs, eggs, figs. I believe that the trading of goods will play a big part in our ability to be sustainable. It is the way of the future, when actually it is the way past generations did it? See, full circle.
We are fortunate enough to live extremely close to our favourite café, so we take our own cups with us each morning for coffee. We also take containers if we’re getting treats for guests. There’s a 50c discount as an incentive, which I think is exactly how it should be
We also write a shopping list each Sunday with set meals for the week and then do a big grocery shop with our reusable bags; we hit up Fruit Shack for veggies and fruit, Aldi for canned goods and Valeries Pantry for all of our bulk wholefoods; pasta, rice, cereals, bread. This year we switched to bulk laundry and kitchen detergent, hand wash, olive oil and Frankie and I now use a shampoo bar. I’ve been using deodorant paste for a year and I’m about to get Paul to do the switch. Oh and of course my reliable Lunette period cup. I won’t use another tampon for as long as I live.
So many small switches are made possible because of access to our local wholefoods store. We are far from perfect and still use single use plastics; snacks for Frankie are notoriously bad. But every small switch helps. My next goal is kitchen/cleaning sponges and bin liners.
For Slow Trading I did a lot of research on the brands I wanted to stock. They all had really strong sustainable practices. Vege Threads don't use any plastic packaging when they deliver stock. Seljak Brand make their blankets from recycled wool off cuts from the factory floor of a wool mill in Tasmania and are leading the way in circular design. Most brands courier with Sendle the first Australian carbon neutral delivery service. Brands like Mimi Holvast use their fabric scraps to make scrunchies and thread off cuts to make the swing tags. We send all of our parcels with recycled tissue paper and in compostable satchels. We have also chosen not to get branded stickers made up as we believe that while aesthetically pleasing it is usually thrown straight in the bin. Honestly, there's always more ways in which to be sustainable and we like to think we're constantly evolving on our journey.
How do you slow down?
I used to be much better at this than I am now. But I’m making time, to make time you know. I’m having to verbalise my intentions and put them in my calendar to make sure I follow through. Slowing down for me goes hand in hand with some good old fashioned ‘me time’. I enjoy walking, so I’m aiming for one solo walk a week (not as easy as you think with a toddler) I’ve also recently enjoyed returning to yoga classes at the fabulous Yo-T Yoga studio in Belmont, but that requires some serious organisation with the husband, and is dependent on the traffic on the Princess Fwy.
What are your hopes for our next generation?
Everything comes full circle. The conversations that are happening everywhere right now are innovative, they are progressive and they are hopeful, regardless of what the media makes it out to be. There are conversations around collaboration rather than competition. A real sense of communities coming together. We know that good things happen when groups of people have a strong vision and a united one at that. There are young people all over Australia who are striving for change in all aspects of their lives. I know that with continued education around our Australian history, in particular the history of our Indigenous people, with a unified voice and unified goals, our children are going to grow up in a fabulous time. We can only hope right? There’s no point focusing on the negatives. .
Frankie & Hannah
Anything extra you'd like to add?
Thank you for reaching out so we could connect. Long live social media connections.
We’ve started this journal in hope that through us sharing stories like Hannah’s it encourages others to -
Be creative & follow your passion project.
Do a little more to help the earth.
Support local artists and makers.
Our hope is that through us showcasing small, local and ethical artists/ makers/ businesses it encourages others to support locally, handmade.