Hi, my name is Deb Munson, a proud Gomeroi Dhar woman from Coonabarabran, living on the Mid North Coast in Port Macquarie. I have a background in hair and beauty spanning 42 years, during which I owned and operated businesses, creating employment opportunities. I now run my own business, Baagi Milaygiin Grandmothers Spirit, which offers bush beauty and wellness products and services. I create bush beauty products using knowledge handed down to me, incorporating native plants. In 2015, I completed a Certificate III in Bush Tucker Horticulture at TAFE Wollongbar, combining all my knowledge.

I incorporate my products into modern spa treatments, emphasizing their healing properties. Nana Smith said in the 70s that “We must keep our knowledge alive and return to community-based trading like our Old People did.”

Both my grandmothers, Gomeroi Nana Leslie and Darug Nana Smith, passed down their healing knowledge, which has been gifted to my mum, me, and my three daughters. With the guidance of our Elders and permission from the client, I use healing hands, bush essence, and smoke to heal and balance, helping to eliminate toxins.

As a hairdresser, teacher, and mentor, I have extensive experience working with our Sistas in wellbeing. I am frequently called upon by the community to deliver workshops for our youth, focusing on self-esteem, coming into womanhood, and standing in your power as a woman. My products are beautifully created to make you feel nourished, nurtured, and pampered.

My words of gained knowledge are to bring your dreamtime to fruition. You can do this. Map your way like an artist with words, create an inspiration board, and know your product. Do business startup workshops if you are serious about a business.

I have been blessed to say that IBA has been so good to me and our family, providing two business loans in the early 90s for my first hair salon, Deb’s Shearing Shed in Coonabarabran, and Inspirations Hair Studio in Geurie in 2000. These loans were paid back, and the rest is history. My hair business funded my beauty business, and now we are 100% owned and owe nothing. All money goes back into the business.

We currently have 22 assorted native trees on our property, harvesting three for our bush oil. We have native bees, honey, chooks, and fruit trees. We hope to tap into tourism, creating employment at the local level and promoting the wellbeing of others, especially those with deep trauma. We also offer our employees opportunities to venture into the wellness industry with day spa options and healing gifts. Trading Blak and Jarrin Street are our number one stockists at the moment, and the Discovery Centre in Baradine Warrumbungles also stocks us.

We have had many wholesale corporate orders, for which we are thankful, as COVID-19 pushed us to establish an online presence and engage with social media.