October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the region.
Today we’re celebrating the art of care – from hands that heal and restore movement, to minds designing better tools for health, and craftsmanship that brings beauty and strength to everyday life.
Design to Fab
Metal garden art inspired by nature and country life
14 Herden Rd. Tamworth, NSW 2340
Blending creativity with craftsmanship, Design to Fab creates distinctive metal garden art inspired by the beauty of rural Australia. From native birds and blossoming blooms to beloved pets and farm animals, each design captures the character and charm of country living. The team also specialises in custom projects – from property and business signage to light towers, memorial pieces, trophies and mailboxes – each crafted with precision and built to last.
Founded by Jason and Karen Balsar in 2018, the Tamworth-based business is the perfect fusion of artistic vision and technical expertise. Karen brings a creative eye for design, while Jason’s deep experience in metalwork and manufacturing ensures every piece meets the highest standards. Together they manage the full process in-house, from concept and design to laser cutting and finishing, while collaborating with local stockists and showcasing their work at artisan markets across the New England region.
Proudly using Australian-made steel, including the enduring weathering steel loved for its rustic appeal, Design to Fab stands for quality, longevity and local connection. Their loyal following and repeat customers are a reflection of the care, detail and heart poured into every creation – transforming gardens and homes into spaces of story and soul.
Acacia Medical
Supporting healthcare professionals with trusted equipment and service
212 Barney St. Armidale, NSW 2350
For nearly three decades, Acacia Medical has been helping healthcare professionals deliver the best possible care through reliable equipment and genuine service. Family owned and operated since 1995, the business supplies, hires and supports a wide range of medical equipment – from mobility aids and therapy tools to essential hospital machinery – ensuring practitioners and facilities across the region have what they need to work safely and efficiently.
What makes Acacia Medical stand out is its combination of experience and heart. With decades of industry knowledge, the team takes the time to understand each client’s needs and match them with tailored solutions. Whether it’s a short-term hire, a permanent setup or specialist equipment for a hospital, Acacia Medical’s approach is personal, professional and always focused on making healthcare easier for those who provide it.
More than just a supplier, Acacia Medical is a trusted partner in community health – one that healthcare providers return to again and again for quality, dependability and genuine care.
Katie Dailhou Physiotherapy
Empowering women and seniors to move with confidence
Inverell, NSW
After 13 years serving the New England community, physiotherapist Katie Dailhou has opened her own Inverell clinic with a focus on empathy, results and accessibility. Passionate about helping women and older adults regain strength, capacity and independence, Katie specialises in supporting clients who have struggled to find relief elsewhere – offering practical, personalised treatment that gets real results.
Her clinic provides a calm and welcoming space for everyone, particularly older adults aiming to stay strong and mobile, and children with autism, ADHD or mobility challenges. Katie also works with people managing conditions such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, using evidence-based care and an understanding approach to improve quality of life.
Driven by compassion and lived experience, Katie brings genuine care to her work. Beyond the clinic, she partners with SAS Martial Arts and Boxing Gym to provide affordable taping and injury education for young athletes, and plans to introduce community strength and conditioning classes for all ages. Her mission is simple – to make physiotherapy accessible, affordable and focused on long-term wellbeing.
Throughout October, we’ll run stories highlighting the great local businesses we have right here in our communities. This is a free service – the businesses highlighted have not paid for this story.
Want to highlight your business? Just fill in this form – places are limited.
Please share this story to help support New England businesses! See all our Small Business Month profiles here.