Tess Robinson From Land Lab
Passionate about real impact, Tess Robinson is co-founder of Land Lab—a supplement brand rooted in Australian native plants, shaped by modern science, ethical sourcing and Indigenous collaboration.
Photos KAROLINA KACZYNSKA
Land Lab director and co-founder, Tess Robinson.
‘Land Lab was born from a shared realisation that no one had truly brought Australian native plants into the clinical, evidence-based wellness space,’ says Tess Robinson.
‘My co-founder and I saw a way to merge her scientific brilliance with my background in brand and storytelling, to bring Indigenous-grown ingredients into global wellness with the respect, rigour, and beauty they deserve.’
“Our vision is to build a legacy brand that redefines the wellness category; one that’s scientifically validated, socially responsible, and proudly and iconically Australian.”
‘The world doesn’t need more noise; it needs clarity and conviction. Build something that genuinely adds value. And remember, the strongest brands are the ones that move with the most meaning.’
When working with Native Australian Plants, responsibility means more than just careful sourcing. To Land Lab, it means honouring the relationships other people and Indigenous culture have with the plants, and upholding equitable benefit-sharing, every step of the way.
Hello Tess—can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Tess: I’m Tess, founder of creative agency Smack Bang and more recently, co-founder of Land Lab, a profit-for-purpose supplement company powered by Australian native plants. At my core, I’m a creator, I love bringing ideas to life that blend purpose, creativity, and collaboration. These days I’m balancing business, motherhood, and trying to stay sane and grounded in what truly matters.
Can you tell us the story behind Land Lab: what sparked the idea for you and your co-founder, and how did you know it was the right time to launch?
Land Lab was born from a shared realisation that no one had truly brought Australian native plants into the clinical, evidence-based wellness space. These ingredients are among the most potent and sustainable on Earth, yet they’d been overlooked in modern supplementation. My co-founder and I saw a way to merge her scientific brilliance with my background in brand and storytelling, to bring Indigenous-grown ingredients into global wellness with the respect, rigour, and beauty they deserve.
What does a workday look like for you now, what are the anchors and non-negotiable rituals?
I start early, before my kids wake, and work from 4:40am until they come wandering into my office. Mornings are busy with the kids and drop-off, then I get another solid 5-6 hours or so of work—always deep in meetings, creative output, marketing or strategy. I try to squeeze in some exercise or self-care and then, of course, evenings are always reserved for my family.
My non-negotiables are time outside, eating dinner together, and closing the laptop once the kids are home. Routine is my anchor, but I try to leave enough room for the spontaneous.
Land Lab stands at the intersection of wellness, native botanicals and ethical sourcing. How do you define impact for your brand?
For us, impact is measured in product, people and planet. It starts with product; creating formulations that are truly effective, evidence-based, and built with uncompromising integrity. We spend months, if not years researching, testing, and refining to ensure every supplement we release actually does what it promises. Beyond that, every product we create supports Indigenous economic empowerment, maternal health equity, and planetary wellbeing. But impact also lives in integrity, in how we choose our partners, what we refuse to compromise on, and the way we tell our story. True impact, for me, is when good science, good ethics, and good business coexist.
Land Lab sits at a rare intersection; ancient plant knowledge held alongside evidence-based science. How do you hold both with equal respect in your formulation and thinking?
By recognising that both are forms of wisdom. We work closely with Indigenous growers and communities who have cultivated these plants for over 65,000 years, while our scientific advisory council ensures every formula meets the highest clinical standards. It’s a collaboration between knowledge systems, one rooted in the land, the other in the lab, and both deserve the same reverence.
Why did Land Lab need to exist—what gap were you determined to fill?
The world didn’t need another wellness brand—but it did need one built on truth, traceability and giving back. No one had approached Australian natives in a clinically backed way, and we wanted to change that: to create supplements that are not only effective, but that elevate these native plants, the ultimate superfoods, to meet the complex needs of modern health.
Land Lab Mother Dose™ Prenatal Multivitamins.
Beyond unparalleled supplements, Land Lab is a systems-level rethink of how health is delivered, who it serves, and what it’s built from.
“Every decision we make is designed to benefit both people and planet. We work within an Indigenous-only supply chain and reinvest profits into our DGR-registered charity, Motherlines, which provides free prenatal supplements to financially disadvantaged women.”
‘For us, impact is measured in product, people and planet. It starts with product; creating formulations that are truly effective, evidence-based, and built with uncompromising integrity.’
Land Lab Mother Dose™ Prenatal Multivitamins.
Mother Dose™ is developed by a team of doctors, dietitians, and naturopaths.
You’ve spoken about Land Lab being ‘profit-for-purpose’ and rooted in traditional knowledge plus modern science. How do those two worlds meet in your brand?
They meet in our purpose. Every decision we make is designed to benefit both people and planet. We work within an Indigenous-only supply chain and reinvest profits into our DGR-registered charity, Motherlines, which provides free prenatal supplements to financially disadvantaged women.
If you were to advise someone launching a brand with purpose and design-led thinking, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give them?
Get crystal clear on your ‘why’ and protect it fiercely. The world doesn’t need more noise; it needs clarity and conviction. Build something that genuinely adds value. And remember, the strongest brands are the ones that move with the most meaning.
What is one small ritual or decision you’ve made that has had an outsized impact on how you show up in your work and life?
It sounds cliche, but protecting my peace. I’ve learned that if I don’t carve out time for myself, everything else starts to unravel. Whether it’s an hour alone in the morning, an evening run, or simply saying no, those small acts of self-preservation have transformed my life. I used to be such a ‘yes’ person and ended up burning out too often.
Looking ahead, how do you see Land Lab evolving?
Our vision is to build a legacy brand that redefines the wellness category; one that’s scientifically validated, socially responsible, and proudly and iconically Australian. We have a growing pipeline of formulas in development, each celebrating native ingredients with proven benefits. We’re growing quickly and it’s exciting, but being my second time business, I’m trying to enjoy the process a little more and ensuring that every step feels authentic and purpose-driven.
What are you most excited about that’s coming up for Land Lab?
We have so many new products in the works. Each one is built with the same scientific rigour and cultural respect as our debut prenatal, Mother Dose. I’m excited to see these come to life, to us, they represent the next chapter of what Australian wellness can be. Also, expanding internationally is on the horizon, so very much looking forward to both the challenges and excitement that will bring.
When you’re not working, where do you go to ground yourself?
Exercise, sauna, my garden, the ocean. For me, a good sweat, space or solitude fixes almost anything. Otherwise, you’ll find me around a table with my family and friends. I recharge through simple things, I guess; connection, nature, love, creativity.
To stay up to date with Land Lab, visit the website or follow @land.lab.co on Instagram.
