October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the region. Read all the stories here.
Today we’re highlighting three creative and caring mums that keep the New England talking, reading and caring.
Bridget Van der Eyk, Contemporary Romance Author
From maternity leave to five novels — and counting
Armidale, NSW
What started as a creative project during maternity leave has grown into a five-novel writing career for Armidale author Bridget Van der Eyk.
Bridget wrote her first book, 10 Dates, while on maternity leave with her first child — and she hasn’t stopped writing since. Her novels span contemporary romance and romantic comedy, with plenty of strong, smart and sassy female characters along the way.
Her existing books include The Hollywood Socialite three-book series, bringing a “Gossip Girl goes Hollywood” flavour to the romance genre, along with The Husband Wishlist, a Christmas romcom centred around the idea of soulmates. Her latest novel, The Tortured Tourists Department, puts romance into a very different kind of setting, exploring the classic “forced proximity” trope against a backdrop of natural disasters.
Now Bridget is taking her writing in a new direction with her first young adult novel, Jump Then Flop. The Olympic sports romance follows Henrie and Lucas, two elite high jumpers competing for a place at the next Olympic Games while navigating a fake-dating relationship designed to help improve their sponsorship opportunities.
When she isn’t writing, Bridget works full-time as a teacher and lives on a five-acre property in Armidale with her husband, their two children and two dogs. And, naturally, there’s always time for another rewatch of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
For Bridget, writing is a chance to create stories filled with humour, romance and characters readers can connect with — particularly the strong female characters that often carry a little piece of their creator with them.
Harmony Thera Petz & Farm Stay
A family-built space where animals, care and connection come together
Nabiac, NSW
For Crystal and her husband, Harmony Thera Petz & Farm Stay is more than a business — it is a space they have built themselves, with a genuine focus on care, connection and real-life experiences.
The family-owned and operated property has been developed over the past two years, with Crystal and her husband building Harmony themselves using timber sourced from their own property. It is now home to the hand-raised animals they care for, creating a welcoming farm environment for visitors.
Their passion for supporting people comes from more than 20 years of hands-on experience in the aged care and disability support sectors. That experience has given the family a strong understanding of the importance of dignity, independence, patience and personalised care — particularly when working with older people and people living with dementia or disability.
At Harmony Thera Petz & Farm Stay, the aim is to create an inclusive space where people can enjoy genuine experiences at their own pace, while also providing a welcoming environment for carers and families.
For Crystal and her family, it is about continuing to support the local community while bringing together two things they are passionate about: caring for people and caring for animals.
Talk-Tee
Turning everyday clothing into a voice for communication
Port Macquarie, NSW
For Port Macquarie mum Shirley Bungard, Talk-Tee began with a simple idea born from a very real need: what if communication could be available whenever you needed it, without needing a battery, screen or device?
Shirley’s son Ryan, who has Down syndrome, communicates both verbally and non-verbally. An active young man who loves footy and the gym, Ryan found traditional communication cards and electronic AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices weren’t always practical when he was out and about.
After seeing how difficult it could be for Ryan to communicate basic needs in everyday situations, Shirley began looking for a solution that would always be with him. The answer was something he was already wearing every day — clothing.
That idea became Talk-Tee, a local business creating wearable low-tech AAC clothing and accessories using familiar icons, emojis and symbols to help people communicate essential needs. The range includes T-shirts, warm wear, backpacks known as Chat-Packs, and the flagship Chat-Cap Essentials, which discreetly incorporates 21 communication icons beneath the peak.
Talk-Tee has also developed Scan2Connect, which adds a digital element through a custom QR code printed on clothing. The code can link to a personalised profile and interactive AAC board, creating a bridge between physical, always-available communication and digital tools.
The products are designed for real-life environments where carrying or operating a device isn’t always practical — from the footy field and gym to busy or sensory-heavy settings. Talk-Tee also offers sensory-conscious options and can customise designs, including adaptations for existing school and workplace uniforms.
And the clothing isn’t only intended for the person communicating. Teachers, carers and support workers can also wear Talk-Tee products to model communication symbols as part of everyday interactions.
What started as a mother’s determination to make life a little easier and more dignified for her son has grown into a business supporting individuals, families, carers and therapists across Australia.
For Shirley, Talk-Tee is ultimately about making communication more accessible — and helping create communities where everyone has a way to be heard.
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.
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