Meet Justin and Gabby, the Toowoomba couple who have combined their talents to create a brand new business that’s already hitting home runs with locals.
In addition to working full time jobs and renovating their house, Justin and Gabby also turn their crafty skills to making furniture (the rustic) and sugar scrubs (the raw).
They say Rustic and Raw is all about quality, simple, handmade products that take inspiration from nature.
“We live a sustainable lifestyle as much as we can,” Justin says. “We love to be outdoors, love camping and we’re always taking inspiration from nature.
“Our style is minimalistic and simple – we like clean lines and modern furniture that doesn’t add clutter to your home.”
It’s all about quality, simple, handmade products that take inspiration from nature.
In addition to handcrafting furniture to order they offer a small range of reclaimed timber furniture and accessories, from photo frames to shelving. They’ve also supplied local businesses with shop counters and timber A-frames. Basically, if you can dream it up, they will make it, and it’s a process they take seriously to make sure their customers are getting something they’ll love for a lifetime.
“It’s essential for us to have a lot of conversation with our clients to make sure they’re happy before they order,” Justin says. “They’ll show us photos of what they want and we might talk for a week or two before getting started. We want our customers to be confident in our products.”
Since starting Rustic and Raw in January this year the couple have already been invited to several markets, including The Original Mix, and just recently have announced their industrial furniture range is now available in Toowoomba’s Loot homewares store.
It’s obvious their dedication to craft and quality are striking a chord with locals.
“We honestly love what we do,” Justin says. “Being a small business and local people really identify with that, and can see you’re genuine and you’re doing it because you love it not just to make money.”
They say an added bonus of their business is being able to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
“Our sugar scrubs are all natural, made from every day ingredients,” Gabby says. “People are saying it’s helping with their eczema and psoriasis. They’ve said they’ve tried everything and our scrubs work. It puts a smile on your face that it helps people.”
The Rustic and Raw sugar scrub range is made on coconut oil, sweet almond oil and essential oils to create intense scents like choc brownie, coffee and lemongrass. They’re packaged in a recyclable glass jar, with refill pouches available for when you run out.
The busy couple plan to grow Rustic and Raw into an iconic Toowoomba family business.
“We started the business because we wanted to work for ourselves and build a family business that in time we could pass on to kids, when we have them. And it’s something we can do together. We’re busy, but we are able to spend our time on Rustic and Raw together.”
“Our scrubs work. It puts a smile on your face that it helps people.”
You can order all their products online and they’re happy to spend time quoting for custom furniture with no obligations.
You can find more Rustic and Raw on Facebook or Instagram. If you’d like to contact them Justin and Gabby say a Facebook message is the best way to get in touch.
