When she turned 60, Tina Nettlefold started T-House - an online
homewares platform, which would earn her absolutely nothing. Yes,
you read that sentence correctly.
Little wonder that many thought she was crazy.
At 60, life is supposed to become cushy. Surely, it’s not the time to
throw yourself into a not-for-profit start up? Who needs that kind of
responsibility and a daily grind?
“People said to me, `if you want to give money away, why not just
write a cheque?” she recalls.
But Nettlefold, who has a background in advertising, interior design
and as a mum (“I call being a stay-at-home mum a career”), had a
vision.
She was excited about what the future would hold for her and for
others she wanted to help.
“I had three goals in setting up T-House,” she explains. I wanted to
support Australian artisans including ceramicists, artists and glass
blowers by collaborating with them to make beautiful, ethical local
products.
“I also wanted to give back to the Australian economy with a
homegrown business and finally, I wanted to channel the proceeds
from all sales to three important charities to me: The Lighthouse
Foundation, Eat Up and the Robert Dawes Foundation.
Consider this venture a new way of doing philanthropy.
It’s certainly paying for its founder by nourishing her at every level.
According to a Forbes’ 2017 article on the science of giving back,
having a purpose is good for the body and the brain.
It found that most philosophies and religions include a strong belief in
giving back to the world and it’s one of the most therapeutic things we
can do for ourselves.
Some in the medical profession believe that it may help us to live
longer as philanthropists are actively involved in the world, which
helps to keep the brain more agile.
Mahatma Gandhi is also quoted in Forbes. The revered
global leader said that “the best way to find yourself is to
lose yourself is in the service of others.”
At T-House, Nettlefold has discovered much joy in
working with Aussie creatives to curate everything from
cake plates to travel organisers, as well as filling the air
with revitalising home scents, delicious smelling candles
and room sprays.
One of her favourite products is the luminous green Palin
Carafe & Cup Set, which is actually hand-crafted from up
cycled San Pellegrino glass water bottles. It was created
in collaboration with Small Impact Studio and is designed
to rest on a bedside table. The cup sits on top, keeping
the dust out.
“Everything we do also has a meaning behind it,”
Nettlefold says. “The Palin Carafe was inspired by my
Greek heritage. Palin in Ancient Greek, refers to renewal,
rebirth and recreation.”
“I don’t think people really understand what we do,” Nettlefold admits.
“We’re basically a homewares range who give 100% of our sales back to
those three charities we support. We are very proud of what we do,” she
says.
University of Western Sydney chancellor and the new chair of the $460
million ASX-listed philanthropic vehicle, Future Generation Global, Jennifer
Westacott, is hoping that initiatives like Tina Nettlefold’s will be the way of
the future.
Westacott, the former head of the Business Council of Australia, will lead the
push for a special tax-free allowance for people to donate to charities in this
country. This should enhance the Australian Government’s goal of doubling
philanthropy by 2030.
Tina Nettlefold says that she and her family had a lot of success early on in
life, which enables her to give back.
Now at 63, she relishes this opportunity to excel for others. “You’re never too
old to start something new,” she says.
“T-House is here to stay.”
Nettlefold will continue to reap the many spiritual and humanitarian benefits
of her work.
Well, as the late writer, poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou put it,
“giving liberates the soul.”
