Spreading edible happiness across Canberra
Former public servant Jorja Wallace bought The Bunched Co, home of the original donut bouquets in Canberra, during the pandemic restrictions as a deliberate lifestyle choice and a way to spread joy and kindness around town.
Tell us about your journey in business.
In October 2021, I went on medical leave from the Australian Public Service after developing a heart condition following a COVID vaccination. I had also been juggling working from home and looking after our toddler during the ACT lockdown – I was completely exhausted and terrified I was going to have a heart attack. The opportunity to buy The Bunched Co. popped up while I was on leave evaluating what I wanted to do next. It presented a delicious opportunity to rediscover my creativity, confidence and love for spreading kindness. I took over as the new owner in January 2022, leaving behind my public service career. I actually completed the handover from isolation with COVID, and also pregnant with a baby that we subsequently lost a few weeks later. It’s been a steep learning curve and really tough couple of years filled with both joy and adversity, but each day I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide a product and service that spreads happiness and connection across the Canberra region.
What tactics have you found most effective for networking?
Putting myself out there and being 100 per cent authentic! Showing up as someone else in your personal life or in your business won’t connect you with the right people for your journey. Everyone in the room has something to offer, and that includes you as your authentic self.
Integrity and authenticity are values I hold dear, so attending events and opportunities exuding these characteristics has drawn me to others with similar values. This has in turn fostered genuine and reciprocal connection, collaboration and support, and has led to relationships, opportunities, advice and ideas that I didn’t think were possible 12 months ago.
How does your business contribute to your local community?
The foundation of The Bunched Co. is gifting, so I strongly believe it is important to give back to the community who supports our small business. We are a business first, and providing quality products and exceptional customer service will always be paramount, but I believe we can still make a positive impact (even as a very small business).
Over the past 21 months, I have made it a priority to build donations into the scope of business operations, using a portion of profits to run initiatives or fulfil donation requests from the community. Whilst I can’t meet every request received, I carefully consider each request against the capacity to donate and the values of the business. I’m proud to report that for the period January 2022 to mid-October 2023, The Bunched Co. has donated over $5,800 in funds, vouchers or products to various charitable or community associations, events and initiatives.
To see The Bunched Co.’s range of delicious products and place an order, visit thebunchedco.com.au, email [email protected] or call 0432 114 566.
Instagram: @thebunchedco
Facebook: @thebunchedco
