Joy Kogias is a woman passionate about making a difference to the world’s environment and decreasing the effects of global warming. From her small bush block 20 minutes north of Kempsey on the Mid North Coast, Joy is edging closer to realising her dream of producing two ingenious soft toilet tissues. ‘Enviro-roll Land Tissues’ are impregnated with region-specific dust-like native seeds aimed to revegetate the land, and ‘Enviro-roll Sea Tissues’ are impregnated with glacial moraine and volcanic rock dusts with up to 100 minerals and trace elements to feed soil micro-organisms on land and feed/nourish the burgeoning phytoplankton at sea improving waterways and soils. Joy first had the idea in 1998 and now holds worldwide patents for both products. She hopes one day soon to see her ‘special’ toilet papers used across the globe.

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

I always loved the outdoors and for a long time have been concerned about global warming and the impact it was having on our environment. I moved to Barraganyatti 13 years ago. On the small property I grow vegetables and have a few fruit trees. The Enviro-roll Land Tissue (for use in Australia) contains Eucalyptus seeds. Seeds native to the land have more chance of growing and linking in with established ecosystems. I will not be introducing species into areas in which they do not naturally occur.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

Once that first roll comes off the assembly line my dream will be realised. It has taken eight years of my life and a lot of energy to get to this stage but I am 99% there. Initially I approached many of the large toilet paper companies to see if they would be interested but in the end I gave up. I needed to make prototype examples as I knew it was important for people to see and feel the paper because when I talked about the idea most people said ‘ouch!’ One day I decided to make product examples myself and that is what I did. I have now amassed hundreds of pre-orders and positive feedback and support from individuals and diverse organisations such as CSIRO, National Geographic, Wilderness Society, Environment Australia, New York Conservation Commission, and Scouts. Even the Prime Minister has sent me a couple of letters.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

As a child I always had a sense that I was destined to do something big and a bit ‘out there’. I’ve always liked inventing things. I can remember when I was about four years old asking mum for flour paste to make ‘diamonds’. She never said ‘no you can’t make diamonds from that’ and instead encouraged my creativity. 

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

I was born in Australia but both my parents are Greek. I have always loved growing things and helped Dad in the garden tending the vegetables and the olive and fruit trees. I come from a large family that includes all sorts of professions such as doctors, solicitors and real estate agents. I could see what stresses they are under so I knew I didn’t want that. When I left home I continued with the gardening and caring for animals.

Who are your role models?

Steve Irwin is a role model. He went right out on a limb to follow his passion and really cared about animals. My Mum is also a strong influence. She is a darling and always saw the best in everyone. My friends would often come and see her if they were in trouble before going to their own parents.

What does success mean to you?

I am not worried about money and I’ve never had much. I’ve been handing out free Enviro-roll prototypes for years. What I’d really like to see are the toilet rolls in full production and on supermarket shelves with people choosing to use them. That would be the best gauge of success. I could die happy the next day and know I actually made a difference.

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

I fell down some stairs a few years ago and fractured two vertebrae in my neck which wasn’t diagnosed correctly at the time so I had complications. I am now on a disability pension. I don’t drive and all my energy and resources have gone into developing this Enviro-roll idea. When I got my accident insurance money I wanted to put it to good use so sunk it all into this project. My local employment agency has helped me a lot and I go in their twice a week to work on the project. Any spare money I have has gone into getting me to this stage. I estimate I have spent about $200,000 over eight years keeping the idea moving forward. As I needed project money I just sold more of my things. I have had continued support from my local Members of Parliament, the Mayor and many others but I am still looking for investors to help make the dream a reality.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

I am the sort of person who won’t stop until the goal is achieved. I have already put in place that a percentage of every Enviro-roll sold will go to the RSPCA and an environmental trust fund. In 10 years I am hoping that the money from the Enviro-rolls will be used to fund hospitals, improve aged care homes and provide more facilities for orphans - as I don’t have children of my own.

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a Daring to Dream journey?

Don’t listen to anyone. I was told I couldn’t play millionaire’s games. I didn’t listen, set my goals and am going with my heart and gut feelings and I am glad I did.