From The Jobsite To A Movement For Good

If you’d bumped into me on a building site five years ago and asked what I’d be doing in five years, I would’ve told you — without a doubt — that I’d still be building homes for people across South East Queensland. There’s no way I would’ve said I’d be selling dunny paper to households and businesses all over Australia. And I absolutely never could’ve imagined the impact we’d be making on this country — and on the children of our next generation.

I still find myself reflecting often — in conversations with people, or in my backyard on a Friday arvo with my wife and son. I think about the week that’s gone by, what we’ve achieved, the milestones we’ve hit, the community we’re building, and the young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children whose lives we’re helping to change. It makes me immensely proud — proud of the people who’ve been part of the Yarn’n journey, proud of everyone who’s said, “I want better for our next generation — I can be part of this change,” and who’ve backed us in their own way, big or small. But what I’m most proud of is this: in just two years of Yarn’n, we’ve been able to sponsor the education of four Indigenous children from remote and regional communities across Australia — for the entirety of their high school education — at some of the country’s leading private boarding schools. Through our partnership with Yalari, these kids are gaining the tools, knowledge, and support to become anything they dream of being. The incredible people at Yalari, the schools, and their supporters give their all to build a better future for these children — and we’re honoured to play even a small part in that.

The idea for Yarn’n was a simple one. We saw a gap — not in the dunny paper aisle, but in the way Australia buys everyday goods. We realised that even the most ordinary household item could help drive generational change in this country. All we needed was a great product, a great brand, and a great cause.

We delivered on that. Yalari’s belief in my vision and partnering with us was a testament to the authenticity and passion behind Yarn’n.

Donating 50% of our profits is no small commitment. Early on, people would often ask, “Why half? Why not 10% or 20%?” But I’ve always believed — if you’re going to do something, do it properly.

Truth be told, the longer I’m on this journey and the more I see of Yalari and its students, the 50% doesn’t even cross my mind anymore. What matters most is the number of young people whose futures are being changed. That’s the legacy I want Yarn’n to be known for.

In the early days, Yarn’n was a crash course in brand building and e-commerce for me. I went from swinging a hammer on the jobsite the day we launched to sending truckloads of toilet paper across the country, to partnering with Woolworths and landing in 950 stores within a year.

There were moments along the way that stopped me in my tracks. I still remember watching the first box of Yarn’n come off the production line and feeling that spark — we’re really doing this. Not long after, walking into Woolies and seeing Yarn’n on the shelf for the first time was surreal; I thought back to that very first box and couldn’t help but smile. Then came a milestone that means more than any shelf or sales figure: funding our first Yalari scholarship and meeting the student whose future we were helping to shape. And through it all, the early customer messages landed in my inbox — “Feels good knowing my dunny paper’s doing something good” — simple words that kept me going on the long days.

Honestly, I was just hanging on for the ride — soaking up every bit of knowledge I could from the great people around me to build Yarn’n into the thriving business it is today. Within a few weeks, I knew we were onto something big. The customer feedback and support came flooding in, and it was overwhelming in the best way.

Back then, I wore every hat — I handled customer care myself, talking directly with Aussies every day. The feedback was always so positive. People were genuinely excited to finally support an Aussie-made toilet paper that gave back to a cause so close to their hearts. When I look back at how far we’ve come in just two years, I’m reminded that Yarn’n isn’t really about toilet paper — it’s about people. It’s about the customers who choose us every week, the businesses who believed in us early on, the amazing crew at Yalari, and the kids whose stories are still being written.

We’ve achieved so much in such a short time, but I know we’re only just getting started. The dream is bigger than rolls and boxes — it’s about building something that lasts, that gives, and that shows what’s possible when purpose meets good old Aussie grit.

To everyone who’s been part of our journey so far — our customers, partners, supporters, and the families who’ve backed us every step of the way — thank you.

Wishing you all a deadly Christmas and a new year full of good yarns, good laughs, and good deeds.