Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Yiradhu Marang, my name is Tara Croker, and I am a proud Wiradjuri yinaa (woman). I was born in Rockhampton, raised on Yolngu Country in the NT and Meanjin (Brisbane), and I currently live on Gadigal Country in Sydney.

My professional background is in corporate marketing, where I spent over a decade working for global companies like Google, YouTube, and News Corp, as well as in Indigenous affairs with CareerTrackers. Beyond my corporate roles, I am a published co-author, I have studied at Harvard University, and I have dedicated much of my career to reconciliation work, sitting on advisory boards and mentoring young Indigenous students and founders.

Can you tell us about your business?

I am the founder of Yaala Sparkling, an Indigenous-owned, multi-award-winning beverage company.

In my Wiradjuri language, “Yaala” means “the present moment,” and my vision is to bring the ancient knowledge and flavours of our Ancestors into the present for modern people to enjoy.

We create premium, sugar-free, and all-natural sparkling waters infused with native Australian botanicals. Our mission is twofold: to authentically connect people to native Australian plants, and to increase First Nations representation in the native food sector, which currently sits at less than 2% despite being built on our traditional knowledge.

We intentionally embed community at the center of our business by working directly with Indigenous wild harvesters, local farmers, and female Indigenous artists who design the storytelling on every bottle.

What industry do you operate in and for how long?

We operate in the native food and beverage manufacturing industry. I spent a year on product research and development before officially launching Yaala Sparkling to the market in February 2023.

Where is your market?

Our market reach is national, and we are currently exploring international distribution.

Yaala Sparkling is stocked across the country in major retailers like Dan Murphy’s and Amazon Australia, premium hospitality venues through Two Providores, and in corporate environments like CommBank offices.

We also recently exhibited at the World Expo in Japan and received interest from global markets including the UAE, EU, and Singapore.

Is there any other information or encouragement you would like to share with other Indigenous women?

My biggest piece of advice is to just get started, do one thing at a time, and make sure you are building something you are deeply passionate about.

Start before you are ready and do not wait for the perfect plan. Say yes to opportunities even when they scare you, and never be afraid to bring your whole, authentic self to the table.

What do you do at the beginning of the year to set yourself up for a successful year ahead?

To navigate the challenges of running the business, I rely heavily on forward thinking purchasing planning and diversifying my supplier networks to stay agile.

I also constantly anchor myself in my “why”, using our vision, mission, and purpose as the ultimate guiding light for all operational and strategic decision making.

What makes you a Strong Woman?

My strength is deeply rooted in my heritage and the powerful women who walked before me.

I am continually inspired by my paternal grandmother, a staunch and powerful matriarch who taught me the value of resilience, selflessness, and hard work despite facing health issues and having to hide her culture. My maternal grandmother further instilled a sense of curiosity and hustle in me.

Combining my purpose with a problem solving mindset and the tenacity to push through these systemic setbacks gives me strength.

https://www.instagram.com/yaalasparkling