I 'met' Hannah on Instagram and I love following her beautiful feed and stories. Friendly, supportive, and inclusive, Hannah is everything women in small business are and definitely fits with the title of this series!
Your Brand
You own 2 businesses, Salt Trading Co and Salty Hangs; tell us about yourself and them - who are you and what are they about?
Hi! I’m Hannah, mum of two, living on the Sunshine Coast. I started Salty Hangs back in 2016 as a way to fill the creative void I was having after I had my second daughter. It was my outlet and I loved it, and then friends started to love my artwork, and friends of friends and then soon people from all over Australia! I honestly never thought it would become what it is, but it did and I’m so stoked. I’m currently taking a break from knotting but have BIG plans for the future!
Salt Trading Co is also that eco life! Salty, sunny, dreamy, luxe, eco life. I love being able to source handmade ceramics from local ceramists and turn them into luxe eco soy candles. They are the gift that just keeps giving and something I’m so incredibly proud of.
Have you always done this or are they new businesses for you? How did they begin?
Salt Trading Co, formerly known as Wild Gypsea Collective, actually started out as a friend's tiny lil' business. She had her 3rd daughter and moved across the ocean and left her business baby to me. This was in 2018 and I’ve worked my butt off to get where I am today, including a name change to Salt Trading Co and a complete overhaul, it felt more ‘me’ and kind of ties the two businesses together.
When I started Salty Hangs, I had no idea how to macramé, my artworks were honestly so shit, haha. I started from the bottom, and now my designs are copied all over the world.
What is a typical day for you?
Well at the moment due to the current iso sitch, my days are WILD, haha. Trying to ‘iso-school’ my 11yr old and entertain my 4yr old is very mental, throw in our weird-looking cat Jude, and we are basically Cirque du Soleil, without the flexibility and abs. Pretty much I roll out of bed, make a coffee and hope to God I can keep everyone alive, and not be the reason my daughter doesn’t get accepted into high school next year, lol.
Which part of your brands do you enjoy working on the most?
The creative part. I’m always looking for something different to do, something to push it a little further. I often do ‘Limited Edition’ collections as they allow me to unleash the creativity and give me free rein to curate the vision that I’ve got in my mind. I’m a typical creative Pisces, my hands and my brain just need to constantly make alllllllll the things.
You have 2 children – how do you balance motherhood with running 2 businesses?
It’s a bit of a juggle. Usually I can get most things done during the school day, my youngest usually attends bush kindy 2 days per week. I smash out as much work as I can during those two days. I like to keep my afternoons and weekends as family time. I schedule Instagram posts so I am completely offline on weekends.
Can you tell us what you have in mind for Salt Trading Co and Salty Hangs over the next 12 months?
I have SO much planned, most is hush hush, but it's going to be bigger, better, bolder and more amazing! New products, new services, so much newness. I’m literally bursting at the seams trying to keep it all in! I honestly can't wait to share, its all something that’s been in the works for a long time.
Your Everyday life
What do you enjoy doing (outside of your brand!)?
I love going to the beach, it's my life source (apart from coffee). I love to surf, listen to music, play some air guitar and I absolutely love to Netflix and chill.
What are you reading at the moment?
I actually just bought ‘Zen Mama’ and ‘Stay Strong’. I’m halfway through Zen Mama, I’m in two minds haha. I won't give anything away for anyone wanting to read it, but give it a go.
What are you watching at the moment?
I’m almost finished Suits, and I think I might start watching Community, any other suggestions?
You live on the Sunshine Coast and have a day with no responsibilities to do anything you like. What do you do?
Eat all the Mexican and sushi I possibly can, and have a nap on the beach.
Which do you prefer?
Dogs/cats - Dogs (Sorry Jude)
Camping/staying in a hotel - Camping, especially at Double Island.
Home cooking/eating out - Eating out 100%, I hate cooking. It's not my strong point. My strong point is booking tables.
Watching a movie/reading a book - Movie
Summer/winter - Give me a hot sweaty summer day any day.
Waking up early/staying up late - Mmm, neither? Lol.
Tea/Coffee - COFFEE, particularly iced.
Sweet/savoury - Both. Love chocolate, but also love nachos, and that is something I cannot choose between, I need to have both.
Breakfast/no breakfast - Look, I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but who has the time?! Breakfast smoothies taste like goat fur, and I barely have time to have a coffee. So no breakfast haha.
Online shopping/in-store shopping - Online.
What is your happiest memory?
Being a child and visiting my grandparent's farm out west and doing a whole lotta cool, wild, reckless, shit. Haha.
And finally, what is the best gift you have ever received?
My partner got me Elton John tickets for my 30th at the start of this year, that was pretty epic.
Find Salt Trading Co