During one of the worst drought in history, generous & hardworking Steph Shibble decided to launch Salubrious Living, A collection of artisan wares & stunning pieces for you & your home. And to Steph, each piece must be beautiful, functional, timeless & practical & ignite joy every day.
Tell us about Salubrious Living.
Salubrious Living is a collection of homewares and beautiful goods showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of small Australian businesses. Each item is chosen for its timeless artistry and superb quality, from recycled woollen throws and hand-loomed towels to handcrafted ceramics and homespun baskets. With the vision to inspire you to live well and love the home you live in, we source items and timeless goods to bring beauty into everyday spaces.
How was Salubrious Living born?
I have always had a passion for interiors and beautiful wares. While on maternity leave from Primary Teaching in 2019, during one of the worst droughts in history, I launched Salubrious Living online. Giving a gift to people during a difficult time and receiving lovely messages from customers expressing they loved my style and found inspiration for their home gave me the drive to build and grow our collections. Showcasing quality craftsmanship, celebrating the hand of the maker and supporting other small businesses are really important to me.
What do you enjoy most about owning your own business?
Helping people choose gifts for loved ones or special pieces for their homes always brings me joy. I enjoy the curating and styling side of the business. I love our photoshoot days, where I work alongside local photographer Nat Salloum, who is incredibly talented. We have a lot of fun creating magic behind the scenes, and it’s nice to support a fellow local business.
I enjoy the flexibility of owning my own business and the time to pursue something I love doing. It’s exciting that the possibilities are endless, and when our daughters are both in school, I aim to take SL to the next level. I’m mindful that the girls are only little once, and I try only to manage as much as I can while still being there for them while they need me. I love seeing the satisfaction customers get when they receive their orders in the mail. The kind words and photos they share with us are so lovely. Every single item that I stock is something I love and that we would have in our own home. It’s essential to me that each piece is beautiful, functional, timeless, and practical and ignites joy every day.
What strategies did you first use to market your business?
I relied heavily on organic growth in the beginning. Being invited to local events and meeting people is such a fantastic way to build brand awareness, make connections and develop friendships. If you build a community of supporters, the growth is effortless, and you attract a lovely support group which gives you confidence and drive. Instagram is also a fabulous tool to market your business, and it has been a big part of my reach.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female business owners?
Work hard, be authentic and do what makes you genuinely happy. When you do something every day that makes you feel good, life is just that little bit easier. When we’re all happy, I find our home is also happy; It’s a lovely flow-on effect.
Do you have a woman leader as a mentor, or are there specific women who inspired you and why?
My grandmother. She is 91 and the wisest and most genuine person I know. She is the longest-serving member of the CWA in Goodooga and is well known for her generosity and time. When I had my firstborn Dolly, she told me, “If you make your bed and do your hair every day, it’ll be a good day”. That always stuck with me, especially when the girls were little. Born and raised in the bush, she’s an extremely hard-working, admirable & inspirational woman.
My children. Their ability to find joy in the simple things. They have an incredible amount of resilience, and they always seem to find happiness in everyday tasks. My friends and family. There’s an abundance of creatives and young mothers doing incredible things out here. It’s uplifting, encouraging and motivating.
What’s on the horizon for Salubrious Living 2023?
We are adding to our collections of home goods with new arrivals, divine artisan wares and beautiful pieces for the home. Collaborations, giveaways and a few exciting photo shoots are in the pipeline too.
Location: Narromine | NSW
Website: salubriousliving.com.au
Instagram: salubrious__living
Facebook: salubrious living
Photography: Clancy Pane & Nat Salloum