Mahshid Babzartabi: A Journey of Resilience, Food, and Storytelling

The name Mahshid Babzartabi is synonymous with Iranian cuisine. Through her various culinary ventures, including her first book, she’s already introduced us to the rich history and flavours of Persian cooking. However, Mahshid’s latest release, Stop, Next Chapter, takes an autobiographical turn, inviting her readers into a deeply personal narrative: her own extraordinary journey.  The … Continue reading Mahshid Babzartabi: A Journey of Resilience, Food, and Storytelling

Liew Ceramics Pop-Up Shop

Rue Liew who goes by they/them pronouns is formerly from Malaysia and is still seeking asylum. They currently reside in Melbourne where they tend to their ceramics pop-up shop in Footscray. The pop-up shop, Liew Ceramics, hosts workshops & private events and offers an opportunity to shop for handmade ceramics. They have previously sold their … Continue reading Liew Ceramics Pop-Up Shop

Meaningful Gifts That Give Back This Christmas

The countdown to Christmas is on and if you’re still searching for meaningful gifts, Welcome Merchant has you covered. Our curated gift guides are filled with options that will not only been cherished by your friends and family, but also support refugees and people seeking asylum. With something for everyone, from the avid readers to … Continue reading Meaningful Gifts That Give Back This Christmas

The Perfect Presents for Your Loved Ones

Once again it is that time of the year to start gift shopping for your friends and family. The festive season comes around far too quickly. This is the time to spoil the ones you love and admire with a gift they will cherish. The small businesses featured have a passion for the products and … Continue reading The Perfect Presents for Your Loved Ones

Lida Mangal on Ghan Fashion and The Taliban Regime

Lida Mangal the founder of Ghan Fashion has been supporting women in Afghanistan through her online traditional clothing business. Her clothing pieces help the women, and their families gain some financial means with the Taliban regime taking away their agency and freedom. We spoke to Lida over a year ago discussing the topic of Afghan … Continue reading Lida Mangal on Ghan Fashion and The Taliban Regime

Finding The Confidence To Start Your Own Business In Australia

Starting your own business in a new country is an exciting opportunity, but it can also feel overwhelming. Whether you're just starting out with a brand new idea or looking to grow your existing business, confidence is a key ingredient to success. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources and support systems available to help you … Continue reading Finding The Confidence To Start Your Own Business In Australia

Cooking Classes and Resilience

Aheda Amro is originally from a small village called Halhul, in Palestine. She comes from a large family of five brothers and three sisters. She is a mother to four children and her husband sadly passed away 14 years ago. She came to Australia in 2018 but could not work as a chef due to … Continue reading Cooking Classes and Resilience

Sudan in Crisis

A humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale has been unfolding in Sudan. Since April 2023, violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have displaced over 10.2 million people, exacerbating existing issues of conflict, disease outbreaks, economic instability and climate related natural disasters. The numbers are staggering. Half of … Continue reading Sudan in Crisis

Authentic Malaysian Cuisine at Little Lagos Pop-Up Event

Sydney food enthusiasts, we have a treat in store for you on Sunday, August 18th, 2024. Welcome Merchant is hosting a Malaysian pop-up event at Little Lagos in Enmore. The star of the show is Malar Sathasivam, the talented chef behind Sangee's Kitchen. This event promises to bring authentic Malaysian street food flavours to the … Continue reading Authentic Malaysian Cuisine at Little Lagos Pop-Up Event

Overcoming mental health challenges in the world of business

Launching a business is a daunting task for anybody, but for refugees and people seeking asylum, the venture comes with an additional set of mental health challenges. We spoke with two entrepreneurs, Sparrow Uganda, a multi-talented creative, and Rawan Abdin, founder of One of a Kind Skincare, about their experiences starting and managing a business … Continue reading Overcoming mental health challenges in the world of business