What an unforgettable weekend it was as we swapped Tambo for the bright lights of Sydney to attend the 4th Annual Australian Ladies in Business Initiative (ALIBI) Awards!

It was a trip filled with laughter, a few travel hiccups, and a whole lot of pride as we joined some incredible women from across Australia to celebrate the power of small business.

Our journey to Sydney started on Thursday of course, as we left Tambo and headed to Toowoomba. Friday started bright and early.  Finding the Park & Fly proved trickier than expected, and there were quite a few wrong turns before we finally parked the car. We were sure we were running late, only to discover a couple of missed emails letting us know that the plane was, in fact, leaving an hour later than planned. Phew!

After landing in Sydney, our travel adventures continued! We soon discovered that our accommodation was a full two hours from the airport, not exactly ideal when you’ve got a 6:00am flight home on Sunday. With a bit of quick thinking (and plenty of laughs), we decided to change our Saturday night plans, relocate closer to the airport, and finally kick back for a breather before getting glammed up for the Friday night awards.

The Australian Ladies in Business Initiative (ALIBI) is much more than just an awards program,  it’s a beautiful community built to support, inspire, and celebrate Australian women in business.

Founded by Kylie King, an award-winning hypnotherapist, past life regressionist, bestselling author, and small business advocate, ALIBI brings together women from every corner of the country. Kylie’s vision was to create a safe, uplifting space where women could connect, learn, and grow together.

Through the 2025 ALIBI Awards, women are recognised across 24 categories, celebrating everything from innovation to resilience, creativity, and community spirit. At its heart, ALIBI reminds us that every woman in business deserves to be seen and celebrated.

We were so proud (and excited) to be named winners in the Regional Superstars category. With eighteen amazing finalists in our group, it was truly an honour to stand among so many inspiring women who are making a difference in their local communities.

In the hustle and bustle of business life, it’s easy to forget to stop and celebrate your wins. The ALIBI Awards were a wonderful reminder to pause, reflect, and feel grateful for how far we’ve come, from our small beginnings in outback Queensland to being recognised on a national stage.

At Tambo Teddies, we’ve always believed that community and connection are at the heart of every great business. Being part of ALIBI reminded us just how powerful women can be when we lift each other up.

Saturday was all about a little retail therapy and some market research! We enjoyed exploring Sydney’s shops before visiting one of our wonderful stockists, Sydney Duty Free, to see our beloved Tambo Teddies on display. Of course, Bunji came along for the adventure, joining us for a bit of sightseeing and plenty of photo opportunities around the city.

The weekend was about so much more than an award, it was about shared stories, laughter, late-night chats, and the inspiration that comes from being surrounded by passionate, purposeful Australian businesswomen. After a few adventures, a couple of challenges, and plenty of celebration, we returned home to Tambo with full hearts and a renewed sense of motivation.

Winning at the ALIBI Awards was the cherry on top of an incredible experience, a beautiful reminder that hard work, heart, and community spirit always shine through.