Benjamin Thomson

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Benjamin Thomson is a proud Wiradjuri man and the visionary founder behind both the Take Pride Movement and First Nation Distributors. Raised on Darug Country in Western Sydney and now residing on Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country on the Sunshine Coast, Benjamin's deep connection to his Indigenous heritage has driven his entrepreneurial journey. His lineage traces back to the Bila Galari (Upper Lachlan Rivers) within Wiradjuri Country in far-west New South Wales, and he proudly carries family names such as Wedge, Coe, Ingram, Glass, and Williams.

From an early age, Benjamin was immersed in his culture, attending an Aboriginal preschool run by his family in Mt Druitt. This experience instilled a strong sense of belonging and pride in his heritage. Witnessing the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, he dedicated over seven years as a youth worker, striving to improve outcomes for his people. This work sparked his passion for fostering unity and cultural appreciation, ultimately leading him to create the Take Pride Movement—a clothing company dedicated to promoting pride and understanding of Indigenous culture among all Australians.

Driven by a commitment to culture and a desire to create a lasting legacy, Benjamin finds his greatest motivation in his children. His work with the Take Pride Movement and First Nation Distributors is fuelled by a vision for a future where his children can proudly embrace their culture and experience the freedom that economic empowerment brings. By establishing sustainable, culturally grounded businesses, Benjamin aims to provide his family with opportunities and the security to pursue their dreams. His focus on creating economic drivers not only builds generational wealth but also lays a foundation for his children and future generations to thrive with pride and purpose.

In this episode, Ben shares his journey from youth work to entrepreneurship. He discusses his cultural upbringing, including his involvement in dance groups and his transition to graffiti art, which led to founding Take Pride Movement in 2018. Ben also established First Nation Defibs in 2019, pivoting the business to First Nations Distributors and expanding to 52,000 products in 2024. He emphasises the importance of resilience, self-determination, and cultural pride. Ben highlights the need for Indigenous businesses to thrive, aiming for financial independence and cultural revitalisation. He stresses the significance of mentorship, networking, and staying true to one's cultural roots.

Take Pride Movement: A fashion label that creates timeless clothing and apparel representing First Nation Australian culture, symbolising unity and strength for all races to wear with pride.

First Nation Distributors: A Supply Nation Certified business established in 2019, partnering with industry-leading brands to provide quality products and professional services, aligned with their mission statement.

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.