Starting up her own business has given Tamara Lane a huge confidence boost, and she’s now “living her best life”, her carer says.

Tamara, who with her siblings, went to live with foster carer Debbie when she was less than a year old, set up Inspired Lane – a business selling heat bags and candles – during the Covid-19 pandemic about two years ago.

It’s an endeavour that’s been backed by the Dame Roma Mitchell Trust, which recently provided a $2500 grant so Tamara, now 20, could buy equipment to sell her wares at market stalls.

“It’s just been the making of her,” Debbie says of the business.

“It’s given her the confidence to feel that she’s a worthwhile person, and she’s achieving something. She’s really excited about it all.”

Tamara and Debbie, who also cares for two other girls, aged 12 and 13, came up with the idea for the business together. The young woman, who lives in the Adelaide Hills, has an intellectual disability and finds it difficult to speak with unfamiliar people.

“It’s got her out of the house again and with different people – it’s been a huge growth,” Debbie says.

The Dame Roma Mitchell Trust provides grants to young people who have spent time in care, to help them achieve personal goals, to contribute to their health and wellbeing and provide developmental opportunities.

The grants are also used to help young people as they reach independence, covering the cost of things such as whitegoods to set up a home, or a computer, to help with studies.

Tamara says Inspired Lane has helped her feel more confident to share her ideas, and improved her time-management and decision-making skills – and she finds it “really exciting to start with an idea and end with a finished product”.

“Inspired Lane started because I’ve always been really creative and I enjoy crafting, researching and learning. I also wanted to make something that was mine,” she says.

“It started when my mum taught me to sew during lockdown – she has helped me design and make my heat bags.”

Tamara’s Dame Roma Mitchell Grant will go towards buying items such as a marquee, signs, banners and stickers for her market stall.

“My main focus has been making enough products to be ready for markets,” Tamara says.

“Having my business has helped me grow a lot as a person. I’ve also learned how to budget, finished an online marketing course, and even built my own website. All of that has helped me believe in my abilities and I am proud of what I have achieved.”

This year, Tamara also hopes to release new products, such as bath bombs, and new scented candles.

The grants program features two rounds each year – and the first for 2026 is open from 2 February until March 13.

More information about the grants is available on our 'Apply for a grant' page.