From Birth to Business

About From Birth to Business

A series of real conversations with mums and first time founders about new product development and small business success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Brit Anderson

Category

business · education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Nov 2023

Latest episode

17 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Feb 2026

   16 | Lingo the Flamingo with Deanna | Natural rubber teether, no-hole design innovation, lowering MOQs, landing major retailers, building momentum with one hero product

   Deanna is the founder of Lingo the Flamingo, a natural rubber teether thoughtfully designed without holes to prevent mould and bacteria build-up. She began developing Lingo while on maternity leave with her son, during a period of deep grief following the sudden loss of her mother and her stillborn daughter. What started as a way to channel that heartbreak into something meaningful has grown into a nationally recognised brand, stocked by some of Australia’s leading retailers and trusted by thousands of families. In this episode, Deanna shares how a 1am lightbulb moment turned into a two-year product development journey, including sketching designs herself, studying flamingo anatomy to create a more realistic silhouette and working closely with a manufacturer via Alibaba to perfect the mould, firmness and signature peach tone. We talk about negotiating a lower minimum order quantity from 3,000 down to 1,000 units, investing over $20,000 to bring her first production run to life and securing The Memo as a wholesale partner before the product had even officially launched. Deanna walks us through the early hustle of sending samples directly to buyers, connecting with retailers via LinkedIn and landing national stockists including David Jones and Seed Heritage. We also explore her grassroots marketing approach, personally gifting product to influencers, hand-delivering teethers to mums at local cafés, launching with a small Instagram following and reinvesting quickly after selling out. Deanna shares why she chose to focus on one hero SKU rather than rushing into product expansion, how she introduced complementary pieces like a puzzle and animated brand song to keep momentum, and the digital tools she uses to run the business including Shopify, Klaviyo and Starshipit. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, creativity and building something meaningful alongside motherhood. Discover Lingo the Flamingo online (https://lingotheflamingo.com.au/) and join the community (https://www.instagram.com/lingotheflamingo_/) growing around this beautiful brand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   29 Jan 2026

   15 | jeanie baby with Imogen | Stainless steel baby tableware, product idea validation strategy, pre-launch share to 1.2M followers, founder-led TikTok content, manufacturer sourcing via Alibaba

   Imogen is the founder of jeanie baby, a premium stainless steel baby tableware brand created after she started solids with her first born. With so much noise in the feeding space and growing concerns around silicone, plastic and bamboo alternatives, Imogen set out to design a safer, more durable option for everyday mealtimes. In this episode, Imogen takes us through the journey of bringing jeanie baby to life while working part time and navigating early motherhood. We talk about validating the idea through surveys and search data, researching materials and why stainless steel stood out as the safest option for babies starting solids. Imogen shares how she approached finding a manufacturer through Alibaba, narrowing suppliers based on quality, communication and trust, and navigating multiple sampling rounds to get the materials, silicone grade and finishes right. We also explore the realities of launching lean. Imogen breaks down her initial investment of $30k, the trademarking learning curve and how she balanced perfectionism with moving quickly when unexpected demand hit. She shares how founder-led content on TikTok and Instagram helped build early awareness, the organic moment that led to a major influencer sharing jeanie baby before launch and why she chose to open pre orders earlier than planned. We chat about Meta ads, email waitlists, influencer gifting, reviews and the tools she relies on to run the business, including Shopify, Klaviyo and Judge.me. You can explore jeanie baby online (https://jeaniebaby.com.au/) or follow (https://www.instagram.com/jeaniebabyau/) as Imogen continues to grow the brand alongside motherhood. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   22 Jan 2026

   14 | Little SOHLS with Victoria | Vogue-featured toddler shoes, multiple viral sell outs, bootstrapped success, Loox tiered review system, trade expos, brand collabs

   After more than a decade in agency life, Victoria found herself facing a very different kind of brief once she became a mother. Her toddler refused to wear shoes, despite her investing in well known brands, and that daily battle led her to question how children’s footwear was being designed in the first place. That question became Little SOHLS, a children’s shoe brand built around healthy foot development, comfort and design that parents can trust. In this episode, Victoria walks through the realities of building a footwear brand from scratch without prior industry experience. We talk about educating herself alongside paediatric podiatrists, cold emailing manufacturers, navigating multiple sampling rounds and knowing when to walk away from a factory that couldn’t meet quality standards. She shares how the business was initially bootstrapped with a modest budget, why she launched using existing moulds and how reinvesting early revenue allowed her to later create custom designs. The conversation also explores what growth actually looked like in the early stages. Victoria reflects on launching without a formal marketing plan while caring for a newborn, building community through direct conversations with customers and personally collecting reviews to strengthen trust. We discuss the role of Shopify, review incentives, Meta advertising, brand collaborations and trade shows in scaling the business, alongside the unexpected moment Vogue reached out just months after launch. You can explore Little SOHLS online (https://www.littlesohls.com.au/) or follow along as the brand continues to grow here (https://www.instagram.com/littlesohls). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   16 Jan 2026

   13 | Hackerlily with Laura Campbell | HipSurfer baby carrier, PR launch strategy, national TV coverage, expert endorsements, community driven content, Amazon, 3PL

   Living with chronic pain while carrying her children led Laura Campbell to question why baby carriers were so often uncomfortable, impractical and short lived. What started as a personal frustration became Hackerlily, a thoughtfully designed, doctor approved baby carrier and bag created to support parents properly through everyday use. In this episode, Laura shares what it really took to bring the HipSurfer to market. We talk through validating the problem, navigating a long and detailed prototyping phase and finding manufacturing partners who could meet both functional and quality standards. Laura also explains how she focused on building credibility before launch through PR, awards and expert endorsement, and how Amazon has played a role in helping the brand reach a global audience. The conversation offers a grounded look at building momentum without rushing growth. Laura reflects on the value of timing, making clear decisions around risk and staying focused as the business evolves. We also explore how community support helped shape her content and why founder led storytelling continues to sit at the heart of the Hackerlily strategy. You can discover more about Hackerlily by joining the community here (https://www.instagram.com/_hackerlily/) or exploring their range online (https://hackerlily.com/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   6 Jan 2026

   12 | Earthlings United with Anna Babidge | Ethical kids clothing brand, sustainable manufacturer, trade show tips, Shopify apps, influencer marketing

   Anna Babidge is the founder of Earthlings United, a kids clothing brand created from a desire to reduce waste and design clothes that truly fit for longer. Inspired by watching her children quickly outgrow their wardrobe, Anna set out to create timeless essentials that adapt across multiple growth stages. What began as a single pair of well-loved shorts becoming the prototype for her first product evolved into a clear mission to rethink how often parents need to purchase new clothes. In this episode, we explore the early development of Earthlings United, from sketching her initial concepts to navigating a long sampling process. Anna shares how she built her tech packs, met sustainable manufacturers through trade shows, and eventually partnered with a factory that uses natural mineral dyes for long lasting colour. She talks about the realities of securing her first production run with higher minimum order quantities than ideal, funding the business alongside her brother, and learning the importance of starting with smaller runs wherever possible. We also discuss her gentle approach to influencer gifting, the introduction of an affiliate program, and how she balances organic community building with paid advertising. Anna walks us through the digital tools she relies on, including Shopify, Hotjar, Judge.me and Tolstoy, and how each helps strengthen her online customer experience. Anna’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of thoughtful design, sustainable choices and backing an idea that won’t leave you alone. You can join the Earthlings United community here (https://www.instagram.com/earthlings__united/) or explore their fit-for-longer collection online (https://earthlingsunited.com.au/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   24 Nov 2024

   11 | WriggleBum with Beck | Nappy change harness, innovation patent process, researching online mother’s groups, micro-influencers

   Entrepreneur Beck shares her journey from validating a nappy change problem to launching WriggleBum, a patented harness for parents, while juggling motherhood and business growth.

7. 

   5 Nov 2024

   10 | Lacevo with Sally Grice | Hands-free breast pump, strategic growth, retail partners, baby expos, trademarks, global business, manufacturing in China

   Sally Grice is the visionary founder of Lacevo, a brand dedicated to transforming the breastfeeding experience for modern mothers. With nearly two decades of product development and manufacturing experience, Sally is a seasoned business owner who faced a significant challenge when she returned to work just two weeks after giving birth to her second child. Frustrated by inadequate pumping options, she was determined to create a solution that truly meets the needs of mothers. In this episode, Sally shares the extensive journey of Lacevo’s development, from finding the right manufacturer to ensuring that women’s voices are at the heart of the design process. We discuss the importance of thorough testing and genuine feedback, ensuring that Lacevo products are comfortable and accessible straight out of the box, and the brand’s commitment to offering multiple sizes to cater to all mothers. Sally also highlights Lacevo’s strategic growth, including a sell-out launch at major baby expos in Australia and the US. She shares her exciting and aligned retail partnership with The Memo (https://thememo.com.au/), and how she's using #gifted (https://www.hashgifted.com/) to get started with influencer marketing. Discover more about this award-winning product-based business by joining the Lacevo community here (https://www.instagram.com/lacevoofficial) and shop their products online (https://www.lacevo.com/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   2 Jun 2024

   09 | Hello Samah with Samantha Waterhouse | Inflatable pools, organic growth, influencer collaborations, fulfilment centre, shipping expenses

   Samantha Waterhouse's journey as the founder of Hello Samah, a hub for summer essentials, commenced with a longing for the freedom of self-employment. The inspiration for her business struck during lockdown's peak, prompted by her friend's disappointing encounters with inflatable pools. Sam saw an opportunity to create something better – a smaller, sleeker, and higher-quality version. This idea propelled her into product development, supplier sourcing, collection design, and ultimately, taking a leap of faith. In this episode, Sam shares key insights from her business journey, including her hindsight wish to launch with a smaller product due to shipping challenges and a lower minimum order quantity. She discusses the financial impact of using a fulfilment centre, her preference for organic influencer collaborations, and the unexpected success of wholesale partnerships. She also delves into the process of transitioning her website from Wix to Shopify, utilising Klaviyo to nurture her customer base, and simplifying accounting with Xero. Sam's story is a candid portrayal of the multiple roles we juggle as mothers, entrepreneurs, and partners. She emphasises the importance of avoiding self-imposed pressure, steering clear of comparisons, and staying focused on your own journey. Join the Hello Samah community here (https://www.instagram.com/hello_samah/) and explore Sam's latest products online (https://www.hello-samah.com/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   23 May 2024

   08 | Buggalugs with Jasmine | Universal pacifier case, manufactured in Australia, sustainability, baby and retail expos

   Jasmine created her product-based business Buggalugs to solve a problem she was very familiar with, constantly losing her baby's dummy to the unhygienic depths of her nappy bag. After extensive research she failed to find an eco-friendly, sustainable and non toxic universal pacifier case that met her needs—so she created her own. After a long two year development journey, Jasmine successfully launched a beautiful product that is made and manufactured in Australia with the planet and our bubs in mind. In this episode Jasmine shares how she partnered with an engineering group to help her with 3D designs, samples and finding a sustainable manufacturer. How baby and retail expos are a huge part of her marketing strategy and have allowed her to move her first purchase order of 2500 units. We talk about the Buggalugs TikTok content to showcase purposefully designed features, how Shopify integrates with so many useful apps and why Jasmine uses giveaways on Instagram to increase brand awareness. Jasmine's story touches on so many facets of thoughtful development, launch and growth when it comes to starting your own product-based business. You can join the Buggalugs community here (https://www.instagram.com/buggalugs_official/), purchase a colourful pacifier case online (https://www.buggalugs.com/) or via one of Jasmine's 20 stockists! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    8 May 2024

    07 | Charlie Helena Collection with Renata Cruice | Bohemian-inspired baby outfits/accessories, crazy low MOQ of 30 units, market research strategy, customer engagement

    Renata Cruice founded her bohemian-inspired baby brand, Charlie Helena Collection, based on a solid understanding of her ideal customer and their needs. Committed to creating a product-based business that was not only beautiful and low tox but one that was kind on the wallets of every family. In this episode Renata details how she used market research to inform her first five products, her savvy determination to find a manufacturer with a low minimum order quantity and the value she places on the constant feedback of her customers. Renata reflects on the decisions she made early in her business and how in hindsight she wishes she called on the expertise of others rather than tackling many aspects as a (in her words) rookie. We talk about Shopify and Instagram as her main digital channels, how she opts for lifestyle photography in her product listings and the future of this beloved brand, now also featured in Vogue! The CHC story advocates for finding your own way, ignoring the oversaturated industry remarks of others and doing it all (so incredibly well) with two kids under two. You can join the CHC community here (https://www.instagram.com/charliehelenacollection) and check out Renata’s timeless products online (https://charliehelenacollection.com.au/). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

11. 

    16 Jan 2024

    06 | Bundl with Belinda Appleby | Organic infant sleep wrap, Australian wool, India manufacturing, first hire, organic growth

    Belinda Appleby has built a wildly successful business off the back of her signature product—an organic infant sleep wrap made from Australian wool. She is the founder of Bundl, a mother of three and a true testament to the power of perseverance. In this episode Belinda shares the exact moment with her firstborn that she discovered a gap in the market and how the product idea swirled in her head for many years before taking any action. We cover the steps she took after her third child to turn her sketches into a real life product she could sell, her first sample disaster and the lessons she learned. Belinda reflects on the long weeks between orders in her first year of business and how that now compares to her outgrowing countless packing spaces, officially leasing her first warehouse, hiring a staff member and securing 30 wholesale clients worldwide. We talk about launching an ecommerce store on Wix and transitioning to Shopify, the benefits of using Seller Dash (an Australia Post MyPost Business app), the super useful flows in Klaviyo and how paying an expensive agency pushed Belinda to learn how to run Facebook ads herself. Belinda's story will both inspire you to finally find the confidence you need to get started and equip you with the practical steps required to grow a successful product based business. You can join the Bundl community here - https://www.instagram.com/bundl.baby (https://www.instagram.com/bundl.baby) - and shop their beautiful organic products online - https://bundlaustralia.com.au/pages/our-story (https://bundlaustralia.com.au/pages/our-story). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

12. 

    13 Dec 2023

    05 | Little Human Linens with Kellee Eriksson | Waterproof fitted sheets, Etsy, China, TikTok, Pinterest

    Kellee Eriksson is the founder of Little Human® Linens and epitomises the phrase ''a wealth of knowledge'' when it comes to marketing a product based business. In this episode we hear how her story actually begins as an Emergency Nurse for 10 years before starting her ecommerce brand by accident. How she initially sewed and sold her waterproof fitted sheets all over the world via Etsy, tapping into a ridiculous demand but making no money at all. The journey Kellee went on to find a partner to custom make her product overseas and how she navigated her first giant manufacturing stuff up. She shares valuable advice on negotiating minimum order quantities and understanding how business is done in China. We talk a lot about paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram, the untapped potential of Pinterest and the longevity you can see when sharing good quality content. Why Kellee has now allocated some of her budget towards Google Search and how she's seeing huge growth on TikTok by sharing sound bites about solving problems. The importance of investing in email marketing as it's the only audience you truly own and also how Shopify and Klaviyo are the perfect ecommerce partners. There's so much gold that I'm unable to squeeze into this brief episode summary so whether you're already in business or a mum sitting on a product idea, I strongly encourage you to listen to this conversation, take notes and enjoy the incredible learning voyage that Kellee takes us on. You can join the Little Human® Linens community here - https://www.instagram.com/littlehumanlinens/ - and purchase Kellee's market-leading all-in-one waterproof mattress protectors and fitted sheets on her website - https://www.littlehumanlinens.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

13. 

    5 Dec 2023

    04 | Mère Botanicals with Kate Murray | naturopath, birth and postpartum support

    Kate Murray wears many hats. She's a mother of three, practicing naturopath and founder of Mère Botanicals—a destination for all natural and organic birth products. In episode 04 we hear how Kate's second pregnancy led her to create a birth kit prototype that was met with an overwhelming demand from her naturopath community. Completely blown away by the appetite and the realisation she'd discovered a gap in the market, she then spent her maternity leave hashing out the Mère Botanicals brand. We talk about finding packaging suppliers via Alibaba and the importance of sampling every component, no matter the expense. How Kate used Instagram to share sneak peeks during the product development phase to build a highly engaged community and what happened when she handed over the reins (temporarily) to a social media agency. Kate dives into how she's currently using the software #gifted to source user generated content from influencers and the benefits of Klaviyo's advanced targeting parameters to ensure her contacts only receive emails that are applicable to them. Lastly, if you're looking for a story that will put an end to your procrastination and inspire you to go all in on your business idea, then this is the one is for you. Like more than 14,000 others, you can follow Mère Botanicals on Instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/mere.botanicals - and check out Kate's wonderful range of natural birth and postpartum products on her ecommerce store - https://merebotanicals.com.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

14. 

    1 Dec 2023

    03 | Little Myrtle with Hayley & Dana | Scandi bedding with an Aussie twist, design-first process

    Dana and Hayley are co-founders of Little Myrtle and very dear friends who finish each other's sentences. In this episode we hear about how their beautiful business is a creative outlet amongst the craziness of being a mum. Their desire to create a luxurious, organic, low tox product that really meant something to the both of them. And how they found a gap in the market for high quality scandi-inspired bedding and accessories with an Aussie twist. We cover validating your product idea and navigating the sampling process with relationship building top of mind. Why approaching your pricing strategy with a 'sell more for less attitude' can increase brand awareness and decrease the total cost you need to pass onto your customers. And also how Dana and Hayley built their stunning website themselves using Shopify and have adopted product review platform Judge.me, because verifications are important to them. You can view their gorgeous products here - https://littlemyrtle.com.au/ - and follow the Little Myrtle journey on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/littlemyrtle.au/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

15. 

    26 Nov 2023

    02 | mumamoo with Charlotte Chambers | infant formula, 200 retail stores before launch, starting a business with friends

    Charlotte Chambers is a mother of two boys and the co-founder of mumamoo, an Australian made infant formula and toddler milk. In today's episode we chat about Charlotte's experience starting a brand with three other friends, how they secured 200 retail stores before launch and ways they're leaning into the ecommerce side of the business with subscriptions, a model often used for toilet paper and coffee. Charlotte shares how she and her co-founders have figured out marketing tools like Facebook ads, Klaviyo and Canva but also outsource a lot of other areas that they're not proficient in to keep wages low and maximise their precious startup budget. Mumamoo has revolutionised the formula market, turning a once stale category into something fresh, authentic and 100% Australian. You can support this incredible mum-founded brand by joining their community here - https://www.instagram.com/mumamoo.au/ - purchasing a tin via - https://mumamoo.com.au/ - or popping into your nearest Chemist Warehouse - their first national retailer - congratulations ladies! If you have a brand to suggest for the podcast, please submit your recommendation via https://www.frombirthtobusiness.com/ - I would love to hear from you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

16. 

    23 Nov 2023

    01 | What is From Birth to Business?

    Like many other soon-to-be mums, I have spent the last 8 months bingeing birth stories, completely consumed by the experiences of other women as I look down the barrel of my own. But as my due date gets closer and closer, I have started to wonder—where to from birth stories? From nesting and buying products for my own baby, I have stumbled across many brands that were started by Australian women either during pregnancy or in motherhood. Their stories all carry a similar essence; they identified a gap in the market and they decided to take on the challenge of filling it. Since this discovery, I've been on a mission to create a platform where female founders can share their unique business stories to both inspire other mums to pursue ideas and also help more women find Australian designed brands to support. So this very short episode is a summary of the why behind From Birth to Business—a podcast about new product development and small business success with Australian mums and first-time founders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact From Birth to Business

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.