In this episode, I’m joined by Karina Seljak—an artist, designer, entrepreneur, and circular economy expert. At the time of our conversation, Karina was running Seljak Brand, working with mills to transform factory offcuts, deadstock yarn, and post-consumer textile waste into beautiful, award-winning blankets.

Karina shares how the Sunshine Coast is increasingly embracing the circular economy, driven by a deep-rooted commitment to environmental preservation. She highlights the future of sustainable textiles, guiding brands to take full responsibility for their products’ life cycles and invest in recycling and remanufacturing infrastructure. With the upcoming Olympics, the rise of innovation hubs and new companies establishing themselves in the region, the Sunshine Coast has a unique opportunity to participate in this space.

Since our chat, Karina and her business partner, Samantha Seljak, decided to close Seljak Brand in mid-2024 to share their learnings more widely. Karina now consults, advises, and teaches on circular economy, sustainable design, and branding and marketing for purpose-driven businesses. She’s also pursuing her art practice, having recently concluded her first solo exhibition, Light Speaks, at CA Gallery in Coolum, which explored the sentience of land through colour and form.

WHERE TO FIND KARINA https://www.instagram.com/karinaseljak

https://coolartgallery.com.au/light-speaks-karina-seljak/

ABOUT MAKING WAVES

This podcast alternates between marketing and brand education and inspiring interviews with female change makers on the Sunshine Coast. As our region evolves from a holiday destination to a thriving business hub, we're excited to bring you stories of local leaders shaping this transformation.