Having a baby is one of the single biggest challenges you will face in your lifetime. It also brings the most rewards. For some Kiwi mums the births of their children creates an opportunity for them to combine their pre-baby skills and knowledge with their new family commitments, for others starting a home business is a way to bring in a much-needed second income without sacrificing time with their children.
OHbaby! was founded by one such Mum, Angela Pedersen, in 2000. Although her first child, Ella, wasn't born until 2005, Angela wanted to create a business that she could run from home whilst still being a stay at home Mum. The success of OHbaby! is a testament to the many hours that Angela, and her husband Royce, put into developing the site in those early days, and that they have continued to put in over the ensuing years.
OHbaby! is still staffed entirely by parents, many of whom work from home, and we know how much time and energy goes into running a home business, especially when you are also running a busy household!
Our Mums In Business directory profiles some homegrown success stories, women who have taken the plunge and established their own home businesses offering a huge variety of products and services.
We hope you'll help us support them!
If you're a Mum In Business and you'd like to see your profile in our directory, email website@ohbaby.co.nz for more information!
Meet Lisa Ebbing and Ange Crosbie, the women behind the glamorous HOTmilk brand of pregnancy and maternity lingerie. When you picture maternity lingerie, what comes to mind? Uncomfortable bras in boring colours, nana knickers, and oversized …
Beyond Mary Poppins From a caravan in Hawke's Bay, Jenny Yule established PORSE In-Home Childcare and Educator Training - a service that would not only benefit her own family's livelihood and lifestyle, but would also help families across the …
In business, naturally When Georgia Faull had her first child in 1998, she was frustrated with the available range of baby products. Refusing to dress her children in polyester, Georgia set about establishing a business providing quality, …
GO-GO GIRL Merino Kids is a homegrown success story - from humble beginnings in Auckland's Herne Bay, they have grown into a hugely successful multinational company with offices in New Zealand and the UK, but for founder Amie Nilsson, the focus …
www.babu.co.nz OHbaby!: Why did you start Babu? Ali: When I had my son Jack, I couldn't find any sheets I liked that were soft and functional, so I bought some fabric and made some myself. After that, we specified some fabric and had it made for …
Frances McInnes, Founder and Owner of Breastmates OHbaby!: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?Franny: I always had the entrepreneurial streak. Even as a pre-teen, I would organise fundraising and family garage sales. When I was …
Liza Shieff, Managing Director of bebabo OHbaby!: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Liza: A teacher. OHbaby!: Do you ever feel "mummy guilt" about spending time working instead of with your children? Liza: All the time! When …
Carrie Felton, CEO of Stuck On You OHbaby!: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Carrie: I've been an entrepreneur from an early age. Remembering cleaning out my mother's attic and selling off some of her …
Emma Smith, owner/director of Mocka OHbaby!: What did you want to be when you grew up? Emma: I wanted to be a vet for years, but ended up being not particularly goodat biology! OHbaby!: Do you ever feel "mummy guilt" …
Mary Hampton, Mum of three adult children and two young grandsons (Jacob 10, Harry, six), founded Merino Mana in 2008. Mary, when asked about her role, says "I have many roles with no specific title, generally I do the ordering of fabrics, …
Jo Burrell, Allium Interiors www.alliuminteriors.co.nz Jo Burrell is interior designer, buyer and co-owner of Allium, along with business partner Suzanne Barker. They set up Allium Interiors in May 2000 after the opportunity arose to open a …
Chaos control Marketing manager Christine LeMaitre's home truths. Things can go a little crazy when you're juggling a job, managing a home and keeping three little boys happy all at the same time. Sometimes, something falls off, despite your …
Fashion stakes From banking to baby fashions, Naomi Seabrooke crossed more than one great divide to take on Kiddy Couture As a new mum and (fairly) new arrival to beautiful Queenstown, Australian Naomi took over the high fashion online store …
Dunedin mums Kitty Brown and Kirsten Parkinson have combined their talents to create a business inspired by their children. The two Ngāi Tahu cousins worked together to create a series of beautiful children’s books featuring Kirsten’s hand-drawn …
Kim Snel set up Snugbags – Merino For Kids, in 2010, when she couldn't find a merino sleeping bag that was warm enough for her new baby. Based in Piha, West Auckland, Kim manages looking after her 5-year old daughter Neeva Rose, with running her …
Cara Davies set up her fledgling merino baby blanket business as a creative outlet that allowed her to work from home. Based in Te Awamutu, the qualified florist tells OHbaby! about juggling life with her two boy Rylan (8) and Noah (5), the …
New LoveLoops owner/operator Maree Harper lives in Taneatua, Bay of Plenty and has two children aged 13 and 9. She chats with OHbaby! about managing work and motherhood.OB Why did you set up your business? MH I am the very delighted new owner of …
OHbaby! chats with 2 Little Rascals founder and director, Tara Lowe about taking care of business, and the kids, from Invercargill. Tara has twin boys and a baby on the way. She set up 2 Little Rascals wanting to do something from home while her …
OHbaby! chats with bebabo founding director, Elizaveta Shieff, about taking care of business and the kids. Originally from Irkutsk, Siberia, Elizaveta has two children, aged 10 and 18 years old. She set up bebabo after struggling to find good …
OHbaby! chats with Melanie Vaughan, owner of Little Society, and mum of two girls aged four and 19 months. What is your role or job title? Director + master of everything (website designer, marketer, graphic designer, buyer, accountant, warehouse, …
From humble beginnings to global success, OHbaby! shares the stories of four homegrown Kiwi ventures whose hard work and ingenuity are providing products and services that support parents everywhere. Ten years we’ve been in this business! There’s …
Auckland-based Little Fern founder and mother of four Hannah Berg shares her tips on managing motherhood and being creative with running a business – and having a day job! OB: Why did you set up your business? HB: I didn’t want to spend my …