Bec’s Story

“Dream Big”

Meet Bec Malseed, founder and owner of Ziake!

Ziake comes from the combination of Bec's two sons' names Riley (aka Razzle) and Jake.

Working in the agricultural industry for the past 15 years with local sheep producers, livestock veterinarians and agricultural consultants, Bec's passion became to emerge when seeing firsthand crossbred wool that is broadly produced in her local area around Hamilton (South West region of Victoria), being undervalued and underutilised with low returns. Listening to local farmers talk about their own crossbred wool being discarded, price receiving not covering the costs of shearing, surely there is more we can do with this nature fibre. 

Working alongside Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), during her time as the National Program Manager of the Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM) course, gave Bec a deeper understanding of all the amazing properties of wool and all the health and natural benefits for us humans wearing it and using it, but also the environmental benefits when it biodegrades as well! Merino wool has a well-established supply chain into apparel in luxury suits, shoes, underwear, shirts, but what about crossbred wool, surely it can be use for more than just carpets, bedding, insulation?

Driven by a desire to learn, Bec organised a personal tour of New Zealand to study their unique wool industry. Inspired by their innovative government policies, she saw firsthand how local crossbred wool in NZ is being successfully integrated into fashion and accessories - challenging current synthetic products. 

Bec’s mission is to bring her own unique design using Australian crossbred wool into fashion, provide alternative value adding options for crossbred wool and local benefits to the farming community and beyond.

Ziake aims to reduce our reliance on synthetics, spark innovation in our Australian natural fibres, and keep waste out of landfills.