Using cloth nappies for the past 12 years with her own children and wanting to continue her work from the UK, Kelly-Jo began NappyNeedz. Having a range of cloth nappies and working on expanding options into older children’s night nappies means the NappyNeedz is your one place for nappies from birth to toilet learnt.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I used cloth nappies on all four of my children from birth. Like many parents, I found it quite overwhelming to being with, as there is so much information out there. I wanted to offer parents an option that was both reliable and great value for money.
The Launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I worked as a cloth nappy adviser when my first baby was born twelve years ago in the UK. When we moved to New Zealand, I wanted to continue doing something similar and started to sew nappies and cloth menstrual pads. After lots of testing and trials, I finally launched the first nappies in our range nine years ago, and NappyNeedz was born.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
We have always tried to offer a range that has something a little different. Our dinky nappy was designed by me and used on my children. I wanted a cloth nappy that really would fit from birth. I added extra features that helped the dinky nappy to do this.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Now my children are all at school, it’s much easier to balance work and family life. I try only to work while they are at school or in bed at night. It’s sometimes a bit of a challenge. I do have to bend that a little bit during the holidays. I work in the mornings and then try and do things with them in the afternoon.
