Peppermint Pitch Winner: Matthew Zaranski
- Words by Peppermint
We spoke with our very first Peppermint Pitch winner Matthew Zaranski recently about his plans for creating more opportunities for women in the construction industry. Matthew pitched the idea for his project at our PepTalks event in May leading to a resounding applause and the winning vote for $300 to put towards his project. Congratulations Matthew!
What aspect of the project are you currently working on?
Since the Peppermint Pitch in May I have been networking with influencers in the construction industry such as Lara Noble of The Tiny House Company and Nicole Cox of The Builder’s Wife to build support, discuss opportunities and generate ideas for this project. From these discussions it is evident that my next priority is to develop a business plan.
I’ve also worked with a couple of my female students to assist them with finding placement for work experience.
How do you hope to see it effect change in the community?
By working at a grass roots level to empower more women to begin a career in the construction industry, breaking down barriers and dispelling myths that the industry doesn’t have a place for women.
Longer term, I’d love to see a more even representation of women in the construction industry.
What are some of the challenges you are currently facing?
Knowing where to start, time to progress and what to call this project! The catalyst for me to take action and share my idea was when I was sitting in the audience during the PepTalks Peppermint Pitch in May, so it’s only at the early stages and I’m slowly building a network of supporters.
If desired, who would you most like to partner with in the development of your project?
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), who champion and empower women in the construction and related industries to reach their full potential. Also, likeminded individuals or businesses that have similar ambitions and are dedicated to supporting more young women to consider a career in the construction industry.
What excites you most about this project?
To engage, empower and connect young women with leaders and mentors in the construction industry.
………
Have you got a budding idea for a project, social enterprise or creative business you’d like to bring into the world? The Peppermint Pitch is an opportunity to pitch your idea to the audience members at our PepTalks events for the chance to win $300 and begin turning your idea into reality. To enter, simply purchase a ticket to our next PepTalks event on Tuesday the 19th of July in Brisbane and place your name down for the Peppermint Pitch upon arrival.
Three entries will be drawn during the event and asked to present a one-minute pitch to the audience of their idea. Audience voting will take place during intermission and the winner will be awarded $300 and an online interview to help support their project, social enterprise or creative business!
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
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8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
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As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
