In 2021, our family faced one of the biggest challenges of our lives when our mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

For many years, Mum had been the person who taught us the importance of hard work, independence and always finding a way forward, no matter the circumstances. Her strength and determination became the foundation of many of the values we carry today.

As her treatment journey began, the reality of the diagnosis started to impact daily life. Due to the nature of the illness, Mum was no longer able to work in the way she once had, and the independence she had worked so hard to build was suddenly challenged.

Like many families facing difficult circumstances, we found ourselves asking an important question:

How do we create opportunities for ourselves while supporting the people we love?

That question became the beginning of Forbidden Onyx.

FO was created as a way to generate our own income, create our own opportunities and build something that reflected the values Mum had always instilled in us - resilience, independence, hard work and determination.

What started as a response to a difficult chapter in our lives soon became something much bigger. It became a platform to connect with community, celebrate culture, support local creators and create opportunities not only for ourselves, but for others as well.

Looking back, Breast Cancer was a challenge that changed our family's journey forever. While we would never have chosen that path, it played a significant role in the creation of Forbidden Onyx and the purpose that continues to drive us today.

At its heart, FO is a reminder that even during life's toughest moments, something meaningful can be created from adversity.