Sebastian shares vision for the world

Newport’s Sebastian Onate-Henriquez’s mission to save the world has ramped up, with the nine-year-old the youngest contributor to a book which aims to inspire environmental entrepreneurship.

The youngster founded his business The Earth is my Place, as a six-year-old, with the support of his parents Andrea and Cesar.

He sells sustainable T-shirts and other products, and funds or plants a tree for every item sold.

Sebastian creates designs with an environmental theme, using his own drawings which are then transferred on to eco-friendly T-shirts sourced from the United States. The shirts are made from organic cotton and recycled plastic bottles.

He started selling children’s T-shirts online about three years ago, opening a stall at Redcliffe Markets just a few months after moving to Newport from Sydney late in 2022.

Sebastian donates money from each sale to an organisation called Trees for the Future, which plants trees in Africa and hires locals to help ease poverty in some communities.

He also plants trees himself, closer to home, on National Tree Day and special occasions including his birthday.

His efforts caught the attention of The Jane Goodall Institute and he was invited to share his story for the book, titled Dear World, which features inspiring change-makers from across the world. He was the youngest contributor.

“They interviewed me through Zoom and I just told them what they wanted to know about me and my business,” Sebastian says.

“All the environmental leaders are trying to impact or change the world. Their messages are inside the book for the world.

“What I’m hoping is that people start realising the importance of the world – stop the pollution, stop the littering, start recycling more because that helps reduce things going to landfill.”

As Sebastian grows, his designs are evolving and his business is booming.

He now has a stall at Newport Market on the first Saturday of every month, in addition to his Redcliffe Market stall two Sundays per month.

Not content to just do his bit, he’s hoping he can help other youngsters start their own businesses.

“I’m planning on writing my own book, a guide for young entrepreneurs that want to start a business,” he explains.

To follow Sebastian’s progress and find out more about his business, search theearthismyplace on Instagram.