What are your ages and where are you located?
Gillian Corban, 75; Amanda Blair, 62. We live and work in Sydney, Australia.
How long have you been working together, and how did your partnership begin?
We have been working together as cousins since 1988. When we identified our mutual interest in stationery, creativity, and having our own business where we could define the culture, we just decided to give it a go. Attended courses — book binding in Sydney, a semester course in marketing at NYU, and a business planning course at UTS Sydney — to prepare ourselves. Then dived in. That was 36 years ago.
What have you learned relationally from working with each other for so long?
We are different but have complementary knowledge, expertise and skills that work well together even when there is tension to come up with the best solution. We have similar values around money, fairness, respect, and protecting family. I guess we understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses — this, after so many years, is intuitive.
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“We believe that the items we design need to be relevant, valued, and used.”
When you say you support what you believe in, what does that mean?
We believe that the items we design need to be relevant, valued, and used. The materials need to be of a quality to last and, where possible, be recycled. We created an A5 journal we call a Carton Book. It is made from pre-used beverage and fruit & vegetable carton and filled with recycled paper. They look very cute and are all different. The purpose being to draw people’s attention to the graphics that are taken for granted and how pre-used materials can be repurposed. It has a first sheet with an environmental message.
Our objective is to design & create product solutions for companies and individuals that are sustainable: made from recycled materials, recyclable, made locally where possible, collaborating with Indigenous artists and providing a narrative of the provenance and the inspiration behind items and product collections.
With a new Labrador puppy, my day starts at 6am with a walk down to the harbor, back for 20 mins of yoga, then I am ready for the day
What does your day-to-day work life look like?
We both work four days in the office and one from home. We have always done this as we both had young sons (now grown up). Gillian starts at 7:00 – 4:00pm, Amanda 8:30 – 6:00. Our staff have flexible hours that work for them.
Amanda: With a new Labrador puppy, my day starts at 6am with a walk down to the harbor, back for 20 mins of yoga, then I am ready for the day which consists of managing production flow, designing products for clients — lots of problem solving & meetings, more often than not, sharp deadlines, quoting jobs, researching materials/finishes, ordering materials.
Gillian: Starts early; this works for her as she is an early morning person. The day consists of managing the CRM, taking web orders to the PO, strategic planning, meeting with clients, working with the graphic/marketing team, getting the morning tea, and spending time reading and researching. She leaves early to exercise at the gym. The evening often includes meetings with the IWFA (International Women’s Forum Australia iwfaustralia.org or the Environment Group www.professionalsforclimate.com.au, dinner with friends, binge TV (sometimes).
Could you give an example of how you work with a client?
The University of Melbourne (UOM) — post-COVID, UOM were looking to update & expand their gifting merchandise to better reflect the core values of the university. We designed a collection of products that can be sold to students or given as gifts from the various departments as thank you, speaker or conference gifts.
They collaborated with 3 Indigenous artists — which we printed & framed in our carbon-neutral slim box frames — each telling the artist’s story. Other products we made were recycled leather refillable journals, luggage tags, bookmarks, keyrings (all made in Australia) & travel wallets, tech pouches & laptop bags all with bespoke printed lining. We are in Sydney; they are in Melbourne. I visited them at the university, but most was done over the phone, Zoom and email. When you have met with clients face-to-face at least once, this is much easier.
“18 years ago, we set up a business book club with 10 other business owners where we met once a month and discussed the latest information from books.”
How have you adapted digital and technology in general over the years?
When we started, it was a big deal to have a fax — there was no Facebook or other social media or even mobile phones. We got our first website in 2000 and have continued to upgrade and adapt as technology offers more possibilities. 18 years ago, we set up a business book club with 10 other business owners where we met once a month and discussed the latest information from books; this quickly changed to podcasts, interviews, reviews, etc. It was a way to navigate the changes that affected how we all needed to operate. It was a terrific support and much valued by the group. We continue to keep monitoring changes to technology and the changes it provides.
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Are you utilizing AI in your work?
Yes, we find ChatGPT useful when writing copy as well as enhancing images, for research as well as being aware of its implications to knowledge sharing and accuracy. Like all new untested technologies, generative AI has a downside. We follow the work of Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin via their podcast Your Undivided Attention.
Running a business is time intensive. What are some of the things you do to take control of your personal health and wellness?
Amanda: Yoga & a brisk walk every morning, tennis twice a week, early morning swims at Bondi on the weekend, a shop at the local organic market every Saturday, a clean diet.
“I am about to become a grandmother, which is a role I am going to have to learn.”
Gillian: Yoga once a week. Gym 3-4 times a week. I eat very little meat; manage my diet, as I am lactose intolerant, eating mainly vegetables and fruit. Drink very little alcohol. Belong to leadership networks, eg IWFA, I am a mentor for Mentor Walks Australia, have long-term relationships. Ensure I get enough sleep. Have a positive attitude to work and life, listen to the meditation app Calm — mainly Jay Shetty. I am about to become a grandmother, which is a role I am going to have to learn.
What are your ambitions for the next 5 years?
Amanda: To work a little less to explore other activities & learnings — Indigenous history, kayaking, bush walks, gardening. To read a book during the day rather than at 10pm!
Gillian: Work a little less but keep learning and keep up with environmental issues and doing what I can. I listen to and am interested in the implications of technology (especially AI and the environment). I am a fan of Yuval Harari and Tristan Harris. I’m also a big podcast listener to a wide range of areas — usually on the way to and at the gym.
Connect with Corban & Blair:
Website
Instagram
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