Six South Australian First Nations businesses to get to know

Ngarrindjeri makeup artist Shahna Smith created Amplified Beauty Australia to offer a cosmetics range that caters for diverse skin tones.

Launched in 2022, her Adelaide-based business sells vegan, cruelty-free lipsticks and lip-care products, with inclusion central to its products and campaigns.

Alongside building her brand, Shahna continues to share her experience with other beauty business owners through The Circle, exploring how they can grow their businesses and work together.

Tyson, Isaiah and Terrel Rigney founded Yapi Services to offer culturally safe support for people navigating youth justice, disability and child protection systems.

Their Aboriginal-owned business in northern Adelaide provides mentoring and other services that help people build confidence and independence while strengthening connections to culture and community. Yapi works with people from all backgrounds, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families.

The founders are passionate about creating positive change and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, with support from The Circle helping them grow the business and its reach.

Karen Briggs is a Yorta Yorta woman and founder of KLB Creative, a business specialising in contemporary First Nations graphic design and illustration.

Her design services include logos, branding and illustrations, with past projects for NAIDOC SA, Reconciliation SA and TAFE SA. She also illustrates children’s books, with her recent title Going Fishing with Nana recognised as a 2026 Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book.

Through a scholarship in the Women in Business Advisory Program, Karen gained business advice and connections that strengthened how she runs her business.

Jason Greatbatch brings his experience in heavy transport to JTG Haulage, an Adelaide-based, 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned business with a focus on safe, reliable service.

The business transports heavy machinery, sand and other materials to and from worksites across South Australia and interstate. It also transports concrete debris and landfill rubble.

As he builds the business, Jason stays connected with The Circle – First Nations Entrepreneur Hub for business support and mentoring.

Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri educator Drew Kilner shares his cultural knowledge through Walking Together with Kaurna, a majority Kaurna-owned business offering workshops and experiences for schools, families and workplaces.

Through stories, language and experiences on Country, Drew helps people learn about Kaurna culture and history, deepening their understanding of the Country where they live and work.

Businesses can book professional development tailored to their team, with experiences on Country or workshops delivered at their workplace.

Trisha Lindgren’s experience of improving her health through trail running on Country inspired her to help other women experience it too.

The Wakamin and Muluridji woman founded Healthy Self Fitness in 2020. Based in Brooklyn Park, the business offers personal training for women and guided hikes for First Nations women through its Walking on Country program.

In 2025, a scholarship through the Women in Business Advisory Program gave Trisha access to mentoring, online courses and networking with other First Nations businesswomen. She’s also a member of The Circle, which has helped her connect with clients and organisations.