People with Purpose: Flush with success

Posted on 27 May 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

Lane Stockton CEO of Yarnn

Yarn’n founder and CEO Lane Stockton uses his indigenous themed toilet paper as a canvas to share First Nations culture, drive sustainability and give back to the community.

Tell us about your career background.

I started out in the construction industry, building a high-end residential business from the ground up.

I was young, driven, and passionate about creating beautiful spaces — and over time, I had the privilege of building some incredible homes for amazing clients. The business gained real momentum and recognition, even winning awards, which was a huge honour and a testament to the quality we delivered.

Then, everything shifted when my son was born. Becoming a dad changed the way I saw the world — and business.

It made me think more deeply about the kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind, and what kind of future I wanted to help shape for him and for others.

That was the moment I knew I needed to build something with purpose at its core. Something that could make a difference. That’s where the journey to Yarn’n really began.

How did Yarn’n come about?

Yarn’n started with a deep desire to create something powerful — something that would matter, not just today, but for years to come.

I was at a point in life where I started thinking more seriously about legacy. What can we build now that our kids, our communities, and future generations can be proud of?

The idea for Yarn’n came through conversations with my good mate David Croft, as we both spoke about the kind of impact we wanted to have — not just in business, but in life.

Toilet paper might seem like an unusual place to start, but we saw it as an everyday product with the potential to do extraordinary things. It’s in every home, every business — and it gave us a canvas to share culture, drive sustainability, and give back in a meaningful way.

At its core, Yarn’n is about legacy. It’s about creating something we can look back on in 10, 20, 30 years and say: we helped shift the narrative, we supported our mob, and we left something better behind.

Most of all, it's about knowing — deep down — that we genuinely played a part in creating generational change in this country. That’s the kind of impact that matters. That’s what drives us every single day.

IMG 5969
"From our packaging and storytelling to our commitment to sustainability and First Nations education, Yarn’n has shown that doing good and doing business can go hand in hand."

How successful has the company been so far?

Yarn’n has experienced exceptional growth in a very short period, which is a huge credit to how well our brand and mission have been received across the country.

We’re now sold in more than 950 Woolworths stores nationally. Being available in Australia’s largest retailer means our product is available in more places than ever.

We’re in thousands and thousands of homes around the country — and we’re proud to say we’re also stocked in some of Australia’s biggest and best hotels, leading restaurants, and iconic business spaces.

It’s a powerful thing to see a purpose-led product resonate on this scale. From our packaging and storytelling to our commitment to sustainability and First Nations education, Yarn’n has shown that doing good and doing business can go hand in hand.

Why is Yarn'n important in terms of sharing First Nations wisdom and culture?

Storytelling is central to First Nations culture—it's how knowledge, history, and identity are passed down.

Yarn’n provides everyday opportunities for these stories to be seen and felt. From the artwork on our packaging to the voices we amplify through our content, every roll of toilet paper is a small act of cultural recognition and respect.

It's about making culture visible not just during specific weeks but all year round, in homes and businesses across Australia.

Where do you hope Yarn’n will be in five years’ time?

We’re not just building a brand — we’re building something that lasts. In five years, I hope Yarn’n is helping more people make better choices every day, whether that’s at home or through our wholesale partners.

What excites me most though, is seeing how our give-back — supporting Indigenous students through education — will grow over time.

We’re planting seeds now that will create generational change. If we can play even a small role in shaping stronger futures for young mob, then we’re on the right path.

More People with purpose stories

Become a member of ICDA – it's free!