Quill Darby is the manager/rascal play facilitator at Junkyard Rascals, a local Illawarra business, based in Wollongong and specialising in creative play for kids with 100% recycled items.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up on the North Coast, moved to the Gong to study a lifetime ago. Travelled abroad, worked in Sydney and found my way back to the ocean under the escarpment. I love having fun and making things fun for other people. I am basically a big kid. I am Mum to a wild-eyed toddler and a furry doggo, passionate about nature, sustainability, play, science and making learning fun.
What do you do?
I have been very lucky to find and create many interesting things to do for work. I am the activity coordinator at Green Connect Farm, I am a freelance producer for the Science Tent at Splendour in the Grass and I also run my own business, Junkyard Rascals, based in Bulli.
Junkyard Rascals creates play spaces from 100% recycled or natural materials as well as the environment in which we play. Our loose-parts "junkyard" is basically just a big pile of random things that I bring to events, creating a fun, creative and unstructured area for play.
Why did you start this business?
After years of working as a science communicator, creating science activities for kids, I saw how little time kids now often get to just be, just do whatever, make a mess and explore without being told how to do it. I really wanted to create a space where kids could play and explore and have fun and learn because it was what they were interested in.
Kids should be allowed to play just because. That is where we find our true spark and our passions. The next generation of out-of-the-box thinkers isn't going to come from being forced to sit and read outdated texts.
I started studying the theory of play and playwork online during the lockdowns and it was like a lightbulb being smashed over my head. I just love it.
What challenges have you run into and how have you overcome these?
I was very lucky to work for a small business doing science outreach before starting my own business. I learned a lot and also learned a lot of what not to do, which has helped me navigate many challenges of small business and create a clear path for myself before I started. Small and simple. Sticking to my goals.
My biggest challenges have been juggling the excitement of running a small business and wanting to give it all my energy with still having a day job and being a Mum. I have gone through a few models in the almost two years of running 'rascals. Some of which almost saw me collapse in a heap. I now run mostly just large events as it reaches the most people and the amount of prep and pack down work is the same, but for much longer events.
Who has helped you?
My daughter, who is almost three, has been a total legend. She comes to most events and plays so hard, road trips to festivals crammed in amongst all the junk and is my inspiration for starting 'rascals. Who would've thought a toddler would be such a great festival buddy? We have so much fun.
My Mum has also been a lifesaver on baby/dog-sitting duty.
And mostly my poor husband has supported my crazy idea from day one. He has encouraged me, reminded me I know what I'm doing when I am about to throw it in and everything in between. From letting me spend a big chunk of our savings on a secondhand set of "big blue blocks" to living in a junkyard whilst I collected enough junk to start the business.
Our carport is still where I store all our materials and it fluctuates between a beautiful ordered wall of resources and a dumping ground where access to our front door is through a tunnel of junk.
What advice would you give to parent who is looking to start their own business?
Becoming a parent puts things in perspective. It's such a cliche but it really does. Life is too short to doubt yourself. Have a clear idea of what you want and why are are doing it and stick to it. It's easy for it to become too hard when life throws you never-ending sicknesses and all the beautiful chaos of being a parent, but if you have a clear why then it makes it so much easier.
And also painting is never a good idea to entertain your toddler while you do a quick email. I am still falling for this one.
Follow Junkyard Rascals on social media @junkyardrascals or check out the website www.junkyardrascals.com.au
