#GoKindly is an Australian social enterprise founded in 2018 that produces bedding and sleep products. The company is based in Melbourne, Victoria, and was co-founded by Laura McConnell.[1] [2] [3] and David Conti. [4]

The company runs Australia's first pillow recycling program [5] [6], and has won a Good Design Award [7] [8] for the design of the Signature Pillow. The company produces pillows, quilts, and related sleep products, and operates with a model that allocates 50% of profits to initiatives addressing housing stress and homelessness. [9] [10].

History

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#GoKindly was established in 2018 as a for-profit social enterprise integrating retail sales with charitable giving.[1] [4] The company is headquartered in Melbourne, where it manages product development and distribution. [11] In 2023, it was listed in SmartCompany's Smart50 Workplaces. [12] [13]

Products and Operations

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The company manufactures pillows, quilts, and related bedding products. Its Signature Pillow received a Gold Good Design Award in 2024. [7] [8] #GoKindly operates a pillow recycling program, described by the Circular Economy and Business Innovation Centre as an example of circular economy practice. [5] [6]

Social enterprise model

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#GoKindly allocates 50% of its profits to organisations addressing housing insecurity and homelessness in Australia. [9] [10]

Awards and recognition

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  • The Signature Pillow received a Good Design Award. [7] [8]
  • The company was included in the SmartCompany Smart50 Workplaces list in 2023. [12]
  • Co-founder Laura McConnell received the Australia Post Online Retail Industry Awards (ORIAS) in 2020. [13]
  1. 1 2 "Who is Looking After the Baby?". Sydney Morning Herald. Feb 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Acuity CA Magazine June 2019". Acuity CA Professional magazine.
  3. "You're weird. Why two in three workers lie at work". Australian Financial Review, March 2021. March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. 1 2 "Meet the CA Turned #GoKindly Founder, June 2019". Acuity Magazine, Chartered Accountants.
  5. 1 2 "Circular Economy and Business Innovation Centre, November 2022". Circular Economy and Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC).
  6. 1 2 "Ethical Practice at the heart of Australia's First Pillow Recycling Program". Probono Australia News. September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. 1 2 3 "Social Enterprise #GoKindly awarded gold Good Design Award. Sept 26 2024". Inside Small Business.
  8. 1 2 3 "Good Design Award, GoKindly Signature Pillow". Good Design Award. 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Womens Agenda June 2019". Womens Agenda.
  10. 1 2 "Acuity Magazine, CA Laura Conti". Acuity Magazine.
  11. "Small business turns to private delivery service, SmartCompany Oct 2021". SmartCompany, Oct 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. 1 2 "Smart50 Workplaces GoKindly". SmartCompany. April 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Winners from the 2020 ORIAS". Power Retail. November 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)