Behind the Business- Bianca Stawiarski

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13th August 2024

Who Am I?

I’m a strong Badimia and Ukrainian woman, passionate about creating change. As a centred and purpose-driven healer, mental health Indigenous Healing practitioner, facilitator, coach, international co-author, speaker, and change maker, I strive to make a positive impact. I am the founder and Managing Director of Warida Wholistic Wellness and its publishing arm, Burany Press, a First Nations international social enterprise based on Kaurna Country. I have also founded and am a Director of BilaEmpower, a national Aboriginal charity. Additionally, I co-convene the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia’s College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices.

I’m an emerging voice in Indigenous literature and a PhD researcher, showcasing my rich experiences and deep knowledge. I uniquely blend my roles as an author and academic, connecting diverse readers to the wisdom and resilience of Indigenous cultures through my insightful writings. As part of my PhD research, I am exploring whether a local community-led, circular research model positively contributes to the outcomes of women’s empowerment programs for entrepreneurship.

Warida Wholistic Wellness

Warida Wholistic Wellness is an international Indigenous social enterprise based on Kaurna Country (north east Adelaide Hills) operating since 2015. At Warida, we move past Western ‘categorisation’ medical models of dysfunction, facilitating healing on Country. Part of this approach embraces the ethos of gudu-guduwa (coming together) through ngardi Guwanda (thinking, feeling, listening strongly), relationship, and connection. Warida is focused on empowering women to stand in their fire, embrace healing on their own terms, and empower their life through entrepreneurial support because we believe that healed, empowered individuals and families are the basis of healthy community change. This includes the economic empowerment of individuals and community through unique business / entrepreneurial support. As part of this approach, Warida also works to change systems that create this imbalance. More recently, Warida established a publishing arm, Burany Press, to celebrate and uplift the diverse voices of First Nations women across Australia.

Key Industries

My business operates mainly in two key industries: the Mental Health / Wellbeing and entrepreneurial space, although I have been known to dabble in other areas from time to time if I am interested. My services have evolved significantly in the nine years since I opened and are strengthened by my diverse skillset, lived and professional experiences, ancestral knowledges, and qualifications. It’s always worth visiting my website from time to time as my offerings continue to envolve. A reminder of how far I have come is when I hear someone introduce me as a business offering a particular service when I haven’t done that for years. 🙂

My Market?

Although I’m based on Kaurna Country (north-east Adelaide Hills), I offer services across Australia and globally either in person or virtually. I provide services to both B2B and individuals in mental health, coaching, training facilitation / consultancy and have had the opportunity to be contracted by both US and UK companies to create and facilitate either business or personal coaching, and in some situations counselling services for their clients across the globe. From cafe shop owners, opera singers and rockstars in the US, to barristers and small business owners in the UK, to First Nations artists, therapists, organisations, Universities and Government Departments in Australia, Warida’s reach continues to grow exponentially. I also collaborate with other First Nations businesses to offer a wider range of services and have authored and co-authored books internationally.

Thoughts

So often as women and entrepreneurs, we are told that we should “stay in our lane”. My encouragement to each of you is to throw away the lane and not be limited by it.
Embrace opportunities through diversification. If I had of not been diversified, when the fallout from COVID-19 happened, my business would have needed to be wound-up. Thankfully where one part of my business reduced, I saw an opportunity to expand globally.
Understand the power of collaboration. Even if you can undertake that contract or opportunity by yourself, think of another sovereign First Nations business that you could collaborate with. This provides a richness of offerings, supports another First Nations business and also creates further future opportunities.
Understand that NO-ONE is your competition. There will be no-one delivering or providing a service / product quite like you do. Stand in your uniqueness. This abundance mindset frees you from operating from a scarcity approach, and everyone succeeds.
Finally, CELEBRATE the achievements and businesses of your sisters and brothers. Buy their products / services, share their information, promote them to others.

Social Media Links / Website

Warida Wholistic Wellness: