The Road to Brink & Forbes
Sasha and Freddie, the duo behind the jewellery brand Brink & Forbes, have created a lifestyle that combines creativity, adventure, and a love of minimalism. For the past 3.5 years, they’ve been living and working on the road in their self-built van, Pixie, alongside their dog, Frankie. What started as a small jewellery business has now grown into a fully mobile operation, reflecting their nomadic lifestyle.
Chasing Freedom
Initially, van life was simply a practical way for Sasha and Freddie to save money while exploring Australia. Freddie, who grew up in Cudgen, and Sasha, originally from Cairns, met while studying architecture at Griffith University and have been together for over a decade. Their shared love of travel and desire for a better work-life balance led them to leave their architecture jobs in Brisbane. After a four-month road trip from Scotland to Mongolia in late 2019, they returned home to find themselves craving freedom—just as COVID-19 hit and restricted travel.
During this time, Sasha started Brink & Forbes, a jewellery brand she ran part-time while working in the architecture department at Griffith University. Freddie was working at an architecture firm in Burleigh Heads. As the jewellery business grew, so did the idea of van life. They decided to build a van that would allow them to live rent-free, reduce bills, and focus entirely on Brink & Forbes while exploring Australia—a country neither of them had seen much of before.
Building Pixie: A Home and a Workshop
Designing and building a van that would function as both a home and a creative studio wasn’t without its challenges. The biggest hurdle was finding a space to set up a temporary workshop. They built a tarp structure at Freddie’s mum’s place in Cudgen, which allowed them to save money during the 9-month build in 2021. With every dollar going into the van, not paying rent for six months was a huge help.
The result of their hard work? Pixie, their self-built van, has now become both their home and creative workspace. Despite the small space, they find that life on the road has become surprisingly comfortable, with a solid daily routine. Their typical day includes walks with Frankie, gym visits, work sessions, and exploring the local areas, all while managing to stay productive in their mobile studio.
Van Life and Creativity
Living on the road has had a significant influence on Sasha and Freddie’s approach to jewellery design. The landscapes they encounter, whether remote or urban, provide constant inspiration. Feedback from people across Australia, from small towns to large cities, has shaped their design process. The couple’s focus has shifted towards creating wearable, everyday jewellery that is functional, minimalist, and timeless, rather than chasing fleeting trends.
The textures and forms of nature are a recurring theme in their designs. Whether it’s the rugged volcanic cliffs along the coast or the stark, dry landscapes of the outback, these natural elements inspire many of their jewellery pieces. Their designs often feature organic textures, with freshwater pearls and simple metalwork at the forefront. A great example of this is their Traveller’s Pendant—a piece inspired by Sasha’s longing for freedom during the pandemic. The design features a textured world map and compass etching, inspired by a visit to the dramatic cliffs of the South Coast of New South Wales.
Sustainability and Practicality in Design
Living in a van means every possession must serve a purpose, and this practicality extends to their jewellery designs. The pieces are created with versatility in mind—comfortable, adaptable designs that can be worn from casual outings to formal occasions. For Sasha and Freddie, every design must feel effortless, timeless, and functional, reflecting their life on the road.
While the benefits of van life are clear—freedom, exploration, and the ability to run a creative business—there are also challenges. For one, constantly moving leads to decision fatigue. From finding a place to sleep each night to adjusting to weather conditions that can affect productivity, flexibility is key.
Organising stock and maintaining a workspace on the road also requires creativity. The couple is planning to rent a workshop space at the end of the year, offering a dedicated spot for storing stock, photographing jewellery, and keeping everything organised while still allowing them to travel.
The Future of Brink & Forbes
As Brink & Forbes continues to grow, Sasha and Freddie have big plans for the future. They’re currently on a two-month trip around Tasmania, exploring everything the island has to offer. After that, they plan to rent a workshop space to create a dedicated workspace for their jewellery-making process and store inventory.
Looking ahead, the couple is considering upgrading to a larger 4WD van and undertaking another DIY build to suit their growing business needs and lifestyle. They’re also focused on increasing their presence in the van life space, with plans to grow their YouTube channel and share more of their travels and the behind-the-scenes process of running a business on the road.
Advice for Aspiring Nomadic Entrepreneurs
Sasha and Freddie’s advice for anyone wanting to start a creative business while living a nomadic lifestyle is simple: embrace flexibility and start before you feel ready. The journey won’t always go to plan—weather, travel, and unexpected challenges will always be part of the process—but with adaptability, the rewards of independence and working on the road are immense. They suggest keeping your business portable and lightweight, using digital tools, efficient storage, and streamlining workflows. Most importantly, they recommend starting early, experimenting, and refining along the way.
As they continue to navigate life on the road, Brink & Forbes remains a true reflection of Sasha and Freddie’s journey—creativity, practicality, and the freedom of the open road all wrapped into one unique and inspiring brand.
Curious about vanlife and running a business on the road? Follow on Instagram @brinkandforbes or subscribe to their YouTube channel (@brinkandforbes)
for behind-the-scenes content. You can also shop their handmade jewellery at www.brinkandforbes.com.
