Flinders Island, Tasmania — where Kunzea grows wild

Founder · Speaker · Advisor

I grew up behind a market stall in Tasmania. Now I'm building Australia's leading natural health brand.

I'm Hayden Brass — CEO & Founder of Zea. I talk about the founder journey, use AI to run a lean team, and help other e-commerce operators figure it out.

Get in touch My story

Featured in

BNADMCH9WINFOUNDRANTHILL

The back story

My parents sold essential oils at Tasmanian markets. I was literally raised in the stall.

That's me in the playpen, at a market in Tasmania. My mum and dad built a small natural products business from nothing — hand-made soaps, essential oils, candles. I learned to count change before I could read. Decades later, I took that instinct and built Zea.

Read the full story

Young Hayden at a Tasmanian market stall

The original family market stall selling essential oils

2,000+

Retail locations nationally

From a family market stall to Woolworths, 300+ pharmacies, Amazon (AU, UK, Canada), and growing. The world's first Kunzea-based product range.

B Corp

Australia's only pain relief B Corp

Not a marketing play — it changes how you operate, how you hire, and what you say no to. 1% for the Planet member.

$940K

Raised in 1 hour via equity crowdfunding

643 investors backed us on Birchal. Hit minimum target in 60 minutes. People believed because they'd used the product.

Kunzea ambigua — the native Australian plant at the heart of Zea

“Most people have never heard of Kunzea. We're changing that.”

May 30, 2026 · South Melbourne

TEDxCecilStreet

Joining an incredible lineup of 12 speakers including Dr Nikki Stamp and Simi Rayat. I'll be sharing a story that starts in Tasmania and ends somewhere I never expected.

More about speaking