The Latest of our First Nations Businesses
Leah is a proud Wudjari Noongar woman and her love for her culture and country drives her aspirations as a First Nations Designer. Leah believes that architecture and interior design should be an immersive experience that invokes an emotional and spiritual reaction inspired by culture and country. But it goes further than the design stage, Leah is adamant that having culture influencing projects from the start, community and environmental considerations are at the fore when planning new structures. Having studied Interior Design and worked in the industry for five years, Leah appreciates that it’s in the early stages of planning where First Nations Culture should be considered, not after the building is completed.
Having her own business Leah has found that her approach is bringing success. Leah works with big brand companies such as Business Interior where her and Artist Buffie Corunna designed the Sevens Boomerang Lounge, that includes the artwork created by Buffie and the design inspired by the shape of one of the many boomerang designs found across Australia. Leah draws inspiration from her mentors who are vocal in supporting her aspirations to focus in Culture and Design, and her practice is guided by designers from across the world including First Nations Designer Alison Page.
eah’s story is a compelling one. Leah describes how as a First Nations person her true identity was revealed to her at a young age, and now her journey of discovery has brought her strength in identity and purpose. As a 14 year old student, soon after her Grandfathers death, she was told that they are First Nations and that it was kept a secret for many years. It was common practice to force First Nations people to renounce their true identity to live freely in Australia. After finding out, Leah is now embracing her true identity and is reconnected to culture, community and country and this experience has given her a voice not only in the design arena but in community as well.
Not only has Leah studied design she also studied performance art and takes this experience into her work. She explains that interior design is just like a performance where it’s like directing a movie where the artist is creating an emotional presence in that space. And she takes this approach with promoting her business as well. Leah uses story telling to connect with her audience by sharing her journey as a First Nations Business Owner in the design field, focusing on bringing culture to contemporary design. This approach to her on-line presence ensures she has plenty of content with a powerful message.
Imposter Syndrome is something Leah wrestled with when first starting her business. But with some defining actions, Leah was able to shake off this doubt and forge a clear pathway for her career and her business. Taking on mentor Perth Based Design Kerrie Allen whom celebrated her culture and applauded her business decisions was a great support for Leah and strengthened her resolve. When starting her business Leah self invested for a period of twelve months before finding her feet as a business, and she is grateful for the decisions that she’s made and also grateful for the support and generosity of other First Nations businesses. Leah celebrates the sharing and loving culture that Black Businesses has created and she’s proud to be a First Nations Business Owner.
https://www.leahpaigedesigns.com
