From the heart of Zenadth Kes, Lola Digital is rewriting what is possible for remote Indigenous businesses.

Founded six years ago, the Torres Strait-based creative agency has experienced remarkable growth over the past twelve months, expanding its team, refining systems, and building the confidence to deliver digital services far beyond the islands.

That growth, grounded in collaboration and cultural responsibility, was nationally recognised when Lola Digital was named the 2025 Regional Indigenous Business Award winner during Indigenous Business Month.

For founder Kantesha Ward (née Takai), the recognition carries deep meaning that aligns with this year's theme, "Strength Through Collaboration."

"In our remote Indigenous community, the only way to really have success in business is to collaborate and work with each other to strengthen our economy and back blak businesses," Ms Ward said.

"That includes supporting Blak creatives in our supply chain, providing opportunities to network, gain exposure and share resources."

That commitment to community collaboration has shaped Lola Digital's entire business model.

"Most recently, we had identified the need for a bus to help a local blak business transport their youth dance team. Without hesitation, we partnered with Luger Indigenous Finance Education to acquire a second-hand bus and donate it to that business. We also support our local Indigenous businesses with ad-hoc marketing support, advice and services wherever possible," she said.

These acts of generosity are not one-off gestures. They reflect a belief in the power of authentic, community-led collaboration. Every partnership Lola Digital forms is built on shared purpose, transparency, and mutual respect.

Since its inception, the company has focused on digital inclusion and local capacity building. In 2024, Lola Digital provided free internet access to almost 100 First Nations households across the Torres Strait through the SSBI nbn project. That same year, its leadership in closing the digital divide was recognised nationally when Takai received the Innovate with nbn Indigenous Business Award.

"Recognition like this validates our delivery and reinforces to funders and clients that we are a trusted regional partner," Ms Ward said.

True to its values, Lola Digital prioritises Indigenous supply chains. It works with First Nations creatives, photographers, merch suppliers and printers across the mainland. "We build Indigenous supply chains," she explained. "From photographers and merch suppliers to tradespeople for fit-outs, every dollar we spend locally models the commercial respect we want others to show our region."

The business also gives back through pro-bono projects, helping community members design culturally important materials for funerals, weddings and tombstone openings. When youth engagement emerged as a community concern, the team organised a disco to bring young people together, because as Kantesha says, "thriving economies are built on thriving young people."

Beyond creativity and commerce, Lola Digital is shaping pathways for the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs.

"Keep dreaming and you'll start to see how you can bring value to the Indigenous business space," Ms Ward said.

"I like to share that I first verbalised my dream of starting my own business when I was fresh out of university in 2011. It took me eight years of refining my dream, gaining real-life knowledge, and professional experience before I started, and along that journey I freelanced, dipped my toes in new projects and failed at so many things that helped me become the person I needed to be to enter the business space."

Her journey reflects perseverance and purpose.

"Our business model and ideal future structure is completely remote," she explained.

"Once ready, our team can work from literally anywhere. This is important to provide opportunities for Torres Strait Islanders to remain lor ples (at home), on Country, and in their communities, working on marketing solutions for companies from around the world. This helps in keeping our people living and thriving in culture."

Looking ahead, Kantesha believes the next phase of Indigenous business growth will be powered by grassroots collaboration.

"I think we've proven that collaborations can happen outside of government reliance," she said.

"It just takes transparent communication, mutual benefit and shared values to align. Once this happens and community outcomes are achieved, then government and corporates will want to get on board."

Lola Digital's story is one of persistence, innovation and collective strength. It stands as a reminder that when communities collaborate, they do more than build businesses; they build legacies.