Post-Ripple Festival wrap
When the announcement came out for Ripple Festival, I knew I wanted to go and support this shift into a new era. So I saved my bickies and got myself a ticket. November felt like a lifetime away - but between the lead-up events and the hype in the small business community, I was pumped to drive myself the 2.8kms down the road to Grazlelands.
Ripple Festival is the brainchild of my mate Fi from Peach Business and biz bestie, Mia Fileman from Campaign Del Mar. With a vision to bring us all together, throw in some comedy and music along the way. These aunties did exactly that!
Putting on an event is bloody hard work, but putting on a two-day, inside-outside event is even harder. I want them both to know that they did an incredible thing - even if it nearly killed them along the way.
Ripple’s Real Impact by numbers
This is proof that when a community gathers intentionally, the money flows where it matters.
These numbers speak for themselves, and honestly, I haven’t seen this level of transparency from other events that I’ve attended in the past:
$185,000 was reinvested into the hands of 63 small businesses this includes vendors, speakers, and suppliers. Again, I’d expect nothing less from Fi and Mia to walk the talk in this space.
People came from all over Australia for this event, 252 legends that showed up to connect and learn. Many of us had never connected in person previously. Shifting connections from solo work and Zoom screens to in-person energy only forges stronger connections.
I loved that intentional, inclusive spaces were thought about in the design of Ripple Festival. My neurodivergent brain appreciated the outdoor setting (no stuffy rooms), the gentle movement of the cars over the West Gate Bridge and that one pigeon that floated between the two container stacks above the stage. There was also a space for time out and glorious movement breaks baked in.
Almost nothing was single-use! Everything from the set design to the food service items was either reusable, recycled, or composted. Yay for the environment.
Deep in thought with Joanne Manariti. Photo: Stef Hanson Productions
My personal takeaways
Here are a few of my highlights, in no particular order:
The Project Rockit siblings, Lucy Thomas OAM & Rosie Thomas OAM, really hit me in the feels, having school-aged kiddos myself. Their clever use of raffle tickets (boo, no prizes!) to demonstrate how shit life at school can be at times was a great way to kick off their keynote.
The afternoon movement breaks by Fipe Pruess were so beautiful and very well timed within the lineup. There were heaps of smiles when we were doing this, and who doesn’t love a bit of Chapel Rone’s Pink Pony Club in the afternoon?
Rhiannon Tracey’s 'Everything happens for a reason, or does it?' talk was a poignant reminder that you probably are exactly where you need to be right now. Who knows what the future holds for you?
I love, love, loved the marketing panel with lots of my GMC favs telling it like it is. No fluff, just facts, data and solid advice to support running a small business. Special mentions to Nat and Brooke Huckerby for their
A moment for the food, I was properly hungry by the break time and there was so much yumminess on offer each day. A little savoury, a little veg and something sweet to take into the afternoon. Fi and Mia said they were feeders, and I’m sure no one walked away hungry.
I loved the creativity panel because I very much lean into this idea of you can do it your way. Its so great to hear about human creativity in this AI-fueled sameness. I particularly love the points and convo from Mingle Jordyn Evans and Good Day Club Kate Forsyth.
Odette Barry's intentional keynote really hit the mark. I want to start actively working towards working less and enjoying what I do more. I eagerly took down her book recommendations and have added them to my reading lists. Slow down might be the theme for 2026.
It’s a tough gig to rock up and do comedy to a room full of sober folks at 11 am on a Thursday, but Tom Ballard brought the laughs and the nipples to Ripple. His couch chat with Kon from ASCR was fab too.
Photos by: Stef Hanson Productions
Working in a solo business, the thing you need most is connection. Being able to hug and chat with people you usually only see on Zoom was such a gift. There were people from all over, Wagga to Perth, and everywhere where between. Some of us have been working together over screens for such a long time, and now we had the opportunity to be together in person. This was particularly true for my Good Money Club Crew and the Cool Wow Crew in person (we all work together at least twice a week), but most of us never meet in person.
Overall, it was a fab two days for this Inaugural Ripple Festival goer. I cannot wait till next year. Bring it.
