Natalie Alkire’s idea for an eco-friendly underwear business has earned her this year’s Young Business Hustler award.
The 25-year-old Seddon entrepreneur shared the title earlier this month, gaining an opportunity to turn her business visions into reality.
Ms Alkire’s winning concept was to create sustainable underwear, under the brand name Hail, designed to blend activewear with intimates using fabric made from light-weight bamboo and recycled beetroot.
Hail was born from Ms Alkire’s passion for social change tied in with one of her favourite habits.
“I just like to hang out in my underwear at home” she said.
“That’s when I’m most comfortable and when I can be most honest with myself. This is when I can best meditate on life and centre myself.”
She said the business was “a good starting point” she hoped would develop so that a portion of profits would go towards mentoring programs for at-risk young people.
The Young Business Hustler competition is a joint initiative of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and “business booster” BIGthink!
Duke of Edinburgh Victoria chief executive Anoushka Gungadin said that the determination, passion and persistence shown by the winners were some of the key traits of successful entrepreneurs.
Ms Alkire has started an intensive, 12-month growth program for early stage businesses. The program, valued at almost $13,000, was part of her prize package.
