Meet Our Founders — Lisa Varley & Tahlia Bavadra
At EQWELLIBRIYUM, balance isn’t just part of our name, it’s at the heart of everything we do — where we believe in bringing together compliance, compassion, and commercial growth to foster a sustainable and ethical Australian medicinal cannabis industry.
Today, we’re sharing a bit more about our story and vision, directly from our co-founders, Lisa Varley and Tahlia Bavadra.
After successful careers within the wholesale, supplier and clinic space, what specific gaps or challenges in the Australian market led to the launch of a consulting company like EQWELLIBRIYUM?
Tahlia
As part of our role within the wholesale space, we found many brands were asking for assistance with both go to market and market expansion strategy. With many of the same questions popping up, and with our birdseye view of the space from a brand, clinic and patient side it gave us a unique perspective to assist not only brands but also pharmacies and clinics in bridging this gap to help businesses increase their reach while also maximizing patient outcomes in ways that are compliant but individual to the businesses unique selling proposition.
Lisa
As both a patient and a business woman, the medicinal cannabis industry changed my life drastically. Having had decades of experience in both pharmaceuticals and alternative medicines particularly within sales and executive roles, it became clear to me early on that this space was changing lives for the better.
Over the past few years especially, it became extremely important to me to redefine how companies entered and scaled within Australia’s market to ensure business success and improved patient outcomes — whilst also ensuring compliance and regulatory standards are continuously met.
What’s the biggest misconception about medicinal cannabis that you’d love to change?
Tahlia
I’d say the stigma around it, which even in our time in the space is slowly shifting which is phenomenal to see but we still have quite some way to go.
Lisa
One of the biggest misconceptions about medicinal cannabis is that it’s somehow fringe or unsafe. In reality, when prescribed appropriately and overseen by qualified medical professionals, it can be life-changing for patients. I think people often overlook the science and the regulation behind it — this is a highly controlled, compliant industry with rigorous standards in place.
Where does the name EQWELLIBRIYUM come from, and how does it reflect your core mission for the businesses you work with?
Tahlia
Pronounced equilibrium, meaning a state of balance within the bodies internal systems also referred to as homeostasis — the name came about from us trying to find a word that would encapsulate both our mission but overall main value particularly within our health.
Both Lisa and I have experienced health conditions that placed a significant strain on our lives, which was drastically improved through the use of medicinal cannabis treatment under the care of medical professionals.
In our business, and those we work with — the name comes back to the most important impact we and the companies we work with are looking to impart, being improved patient outcomes and access whilst also reducing the stigma for both patients and practitioners.
Lisa
EQWELLIBRIYUM was born with a clear mission — to equip new and current companies in the medicinal cannabis space with the tools to build not only compliant and ethical brands, but ones that will stand the test of time & support patient needs.
Building balance in an emerging industry is no simple task and this is achieved by great leadership and developing great teams. We do this by helping our clients navigate a very complex regulatory environment and using our experience so that our clients do not experience common and expensive pitfalls.
If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about the current Australian medicinal cannabis industry tomorrow, what would it be, and why?
Tahlia
Lack of regulatory clarity and inability for brands to be able to educate patients. From a marketing and education perspective, the current Therapeutic Goods Administration advertising guidelines means that businesses are not allowed to educate patients on much of anything related to medicinal cannabis and whilst I respect how this gives the industry a level playing field of sorts, it also limits patients ability to learn and advocate for themselves.
As it relates to this treatment modality, open education around the endocannabinoid system, terpenes, cannabinoids and so on could make a significant difference in patients feeling empowered in their potential choice of provider, prescribed medications and treatment experience.
Lisa —
As Tahlia mentioned, it would be demystifying the somewhat challenging and ever-changing regulatory environment that governs medicinal cannabis in Australia given that it is in the “unregistered” product category.
Our vision for the future is to ensure a robust system exists for patients to get the medical care they need and deserve, while helping companies grow the right way — ethically, compliantly, and with purpose.
Looking ahead three years, what do you hope EQWELLIBRIYUM will be most known for?
Tahlia
Connecting brands with patients around the nation, and advocating for greater access whilst helping businesses maximize their results and most importantly patient outcomes.
We are so lucky to work with phenomenal clients who like us are immensely passionate about patient care and that’s really what’s most important to both of us as both business owners but patients ourselves.
Lisa
Our aim is to shape a market and an industry that prioritises patient safety and welfare above all else, while also prioritising education, brand authenticity, and sustainable practices. We like to say EQWELLIBRIYUM exists to guide businesses that want to make a difference and help people and that’s what I hope we will be best known for.
And on a fun and final note, what’s one wellness practice you can’t live without?
Tahlia
I’m about three months postpartum with my first so much of my wellness practices have been on the bench until recently, so aside from calling Lisa for a chinwag multiple times a day I like to get a quick workout in before bed each night that really does keep me grounded and frankly sane, ha!
Lisa
For me, it’s mindfulness and movement — they’re absolutely non-negotiable. Whether it’s dancing around to get blood flowing before the day starts, or taking a few minutes between meetings to reset, it’s those moments of stillness that keep me grounded. Running a business can be fast-paced and intense, but I’ve learned that balance doesn’t just apply to work — it has to exist within ourselves too.
At EQWELLIBRIYUM, our goal is to help medicinal cannabis businesses grow ethically, whilst navigating regulatory complexity, and most importantly, improve patient outcomes.
Whether you’re a new entrant to the Australian medicinal cannabis market or an established operator seeking growth, we’re here to help you build the right way — with compliance, integrity, and purpose at the core. Contact us today to see how we can help you achieve your business goals.
Learn More
EQWELLIBRIYUM offers end-to-end consulting for organisations navigating the medicinal cannabis market in Australia. With strategic insights and operational frameworks are designed to help you thrive, we’re here to help you. Learn more by contacting us today at hello@eqwellibriyum.com.
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Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your circumstances, you should seek professional legal advice and / or contact the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and AHPRA.
Reference List
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Advertising medicinal cannabis products (2024). Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/publications/advertising-medicinal-cannabis-products
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code 2021. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/guidance/therapeutic-goods-advertising-code-2021-guidance
Ahpra. Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service (2024). Available at: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Publications/Advertising-resources/Legislation-guidelines.aspx
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Prescription medicine advertising rules. Available at: https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/guidance/prescription-medicine-advertising