Meet the Maker: The Heart Behind Lil’Bit
Welcome to the very first edition of our “Meet the Maker” series, where we shine a light on the passionate people behind the brands you love. We're kicking things off with someone truly special—the creator of Lil’Bit, a small-batch, eco-conscious business making a big impact.
From humble beginnings on a sunny morning at Phillip Island to building a sustainable brand grounded in love, ethics, and authenticity, this maker’s journey is as inspiring as the products themselves. With a deep commitment to the environment, community, and conscious living, every item is crafted with care and purpose.
Get ready to be inspired by her story, her values, and the honest realities of running a one-woman show—because behind every Lil’Bit product is a whole lot of heart.
Let’s dive in!
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey?
Here's my Lil’ Story...
It was a crisp, sunny morning when my husband and I embarked on our journey as beekeepers. It was a decision that would forever change our lives and open our eyes to the wonders of nature.
Settling in our weekender down on Phillip Island, here in Victoria, we began our first hives—unaware of the profound impact these tiny creatures would have on our lives.
As we delved deeper into the world of beekeeping, we quickly realized the important role bees play in sustaining our food chain and ecosystem. Their tireless efforts to pollinate plants and crops are the very reason we have an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
We felt a sense of responsibility to protect and nurture these incredible little creatures who contribute so much to our world.
Coincidentally, around the same time, I found myself growing disenchanted with my corporate job. The endless cycle of dealing with big egos and the soul-crushing monotony of work that I didn't love had taken its toll on me. It was time for a change—a shift towards something that truly resonated with my passions.
With the unwavering support of my husband, I made the bold decision to leave my job.
Drawing on my lifelong fascination with natural remedies and herbalism, I realized that I had the power to make a positive change while helping the environment.
Boom! Lil’Bit was born!
2. Tell us about the products you make. What makes them unique?
As a one-woman show, I personally handcraft every product from scratch, using raw ingredients and packaging them in sustainable, biodegradable, and compostable materials. In addition to my dedication to creating high-quality, eco-friendly products, I am also proud to be Cruelty-Free Accredited and Palm Oil Free.
I strongly believe in supporting local communities and strive to be the epitome of purity and natural goodness in the cleaning and home product industry. However, Lil’Bit is about more than just products. Through my presence on social media and my actions in the world, I aspire to make an impact.
I aim to spread kindness, educate others about the importance of sustainability, and expose the deceptive tactics employed by greenwashing strategies. My hope is to shatter the myths surrounding what it truly means to be eco-friendly and inspire others to join me in making the world a Lil’Bit Better.
Everyday acts of kindness and compassion hold immense power. Something as simple as picking up litter on your daily walk or sharing a smile with a stranger can ripple through the world, creating a positive wave of change.
3. How do you source your materials?
It takes months to source and vet my materials—so many dishonest suppliers out there these days! I take the time to vet each one and ensure the ingredients and packaging I invest in are who and what they say they are. This takes months of research, cross-referencing certifications, and background checks to ensure the best for myself and my customers.
I try to buy from Australian-owned companies where possible and have very strict criteria for each ingredient and packaging item.
Each part of my business has been carefully thought about—not just the products themselves, but also down to the shipping materials used: recycled boxes from a local store (saving them from the compactor), plant-based home-compostable tape, cornstarch compostable packing fill, and even the ink for my logo stamp is made from the small remnants of inkjet printer cartridges once they have "run out" of ink. All packaging is either 100% post-consumer waste or home-compostable. This adds to my costs, but the more we all use them, the lower the price will become!
4. What does sustainability mean to you and your business?
It means everything!
I want people to understand that it's okay if you can only swap out a few items in your home—not everyone has the means to go completely eco-friendly, as it does cost more to go locally made and organic. The pressure for everyone to be all or nothing is huge and overwhelming for many households. I wanted to create a good quality organic product that's affordable and also let people know that even just swapping out one product can make a difference. (Of course, the more the better, but...)
It's the accumulation of small actions that ultimately make a significant impact. Inspired by this realization, my mission at Lil’Bit is to encourage others to make simple changes in their everyday habits and choices. By swapping out a few products and adopting eco-friendly alternatives, we can collectively create a more sustainable future. If we all did our Lil’Bit, it would have a huge impact!
5. What challenges have you faced in building a sustainable brand?
Where do I start?
So many suppliers are selling raw materials that are anything but. This requires learning the hard way that there are so many dishonest people with fake certification and even selling cheap raw materials as premium products. It takes cross-referencing with each certification body to ensure they are really certified and legitimate. Greenwashing is rampant in all areas of sustainable, eco-friendly businesses and we need to ask the hard questions before we commit to buying.
Also—freight costs. I believe this will be the end of many small businesses, as we don’t have the luxury of economies of scale or subsidised shipping. Freight costs continue to rise, with what seems like a new surcharge being added every day. I even have a courier who will charge for a “This Way Up” or “Fragile” sticker!
Many other small businesses I confer with also have to take a hit when it comes to shipping charges, and many of us cover some of the cost ourselves to keep our customers. It's all very well to say increase product costs, but we are between a rock and a hard place with the amount of competition out there. I am in a great savings band with AusPost and many of the freight/courier companies, yet some parcels in rural areas can cost more than the order itself. After 10 years in business, these costs are becoming increasingly alarming.
There are seriously too many lessons and learnings to list here!
6. What are you most proud of in your journey so far?
Being able to stay in business for 10 years—I made it through COVID! I've seen so many businesses open and fail in this time that I am grateful every day that I am still here and get to do what I love. I have met some incredible people along the way and have created a small community of customers and suppliers whom I find a great support.
I'm proud of the skills I’ve had to learn and that I haven’t been tempted to compromise the quality of my products or customer service.
As mentioned, I'm a one-woman show and literally do it all myself, so I’ve had to become my bookkeeper, website developer, social media manager. I also pack, ship, and negotiate with suppliers—not to mention learning how to make my products. I need a chemistry degree! Haha.
There is a LOT involved.
7. Any tips for customers who want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle?
One step at a time. You don’t need to go from 0–100 straight away! Don’t feel guilty if you can’t live your life 100% eco-friendly—we need to be realistic, and budgets are stretched enough. So do what you can, when you can.
Keep an eye out for sales or promotions, or pool with other family members or friends and approach companies for a bulk discount!
Every change you make has an impact.
8. Where can we find you or learn more about your work?
🌿 www.lilbit.com.au
🌿 Instagram
🌿 Facebook
🌿 YouTube
9. Finally, what does the future hold for your brand?
I get a lot of pressure to scale up, to grow and take on the world—but you know what? Lil’Bit wouldn’t be Lil’Bit if I did that. My whole ethos is small batch and made with love.
Many people judge me for not wanting to expand and grow, and in some cases, I’ve been told that I must not have any drive or ambition. Well, to be here takes a HELL of a lot of drive and ambition, and to cope with all the stress and pressure as one person—let me tell you!
I’m not in this to get rich, but to make money to support my family and to do what I love doing. I’m exactly where I need to be and am 100% okay with that.