As a mum of two busy little ones, it became apparent to Sian Healy the importance of feeling well, rested and mentally strong in order to be a present, happy and capable parent. She launched Her Keeper with a vision to be a fully inclusive space for women to discover the tools to navigate their new and changing bodies and emotional states through every stage of life. They support, hold and empower women and their loved ones to flourish through the harder moments and to feel their very best at all times, with beautifully curated products, tools and links to information & services to assist their journeys into pregnancy, postpartum, womanhood and sometimes grief. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind Her Keeper, the pros and cons of running her own business, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
After the birth of my first child by emergency caesarean in 2018, I realised I was less than prepared for what it entails to be a mother, and also very under-educated about birth processes and bodily changes that go along with it.
Through trial and error and a lot of self-education, I slowly realised that in this new role as a mum, I needed to be very aware of my mental & physical health and tend to myself and my needs, in order to be the type of mother and partner I wanted to be.
Along my journey I discovered many beautiful tools that I wished I’d had available to me pre- and post-birth, and also soothing self-care practices that allow me to relax and keep a balance in this busy new life.
For my second child I began to plan for a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean). For this birth, I researched many products that would be useful during pregnancy, birth and postpartum and began to collect them to have on hand, not knowing what type of birth it would be and what might give me comfort when the time came.
I purchased bits and pieces from all over and found myself wishing I could get them all from the same place, in a big box or kit tailored specifically for my needs. Also, being a bit of an eco-conscious period product fan, I wanted to expand the Her Keeper range to cater for all women, of all life stages and ages.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
This beautiful and all-consuming idea continued bubbling away during my second pregnancy, and I couldn’t shake it, so I knew it was time. I began researching products and getting in touch with some incredible local makers that I personally know through my creative community as I am also a jeweller. It is important to me that we support small Australian makers, especially women-led businesses, that ensure their products are of the highest quality and are kind to the earth.
I began to build my inventory and hired the wonderful Beth of Media Avenue to create the gorgeous Her Keeper website to showcase them all to you. We opened in June 2022 and are growing organically as more women discover our offerings.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Although a relatively new business, the biggest breakthrough for me personally as the owner of Her Keeper is recognising the power I now hold to educate and support women to make more health-conscious decisions for themselves and our environment.
From more safe, organic menstrual care and self-care to birth support tools and birth education resources, and postpartum support options, I endeavour to teach our community to care for themselves better and more thoroughly through all stages of life.
