Tired of endlessly scrolling through Facebook groups trying to find something to do with her toddler that didn’t cost a fortune or require a one-hour drive, Mary knew something had to change. As a paediatric occupational therapist and a mum of two, with a busy one-year-old and a new baby arriving in 2026, Mary understood firsthand how overwhelming those early years can be. She wasn’t just craving connection and fresh air, she was craving clarity, ease and places that actually worked for families. Not just soft plays and shopping centre cafes. Something more. So she built it. Grove App is the digital village modern mums didn’t know they needed. A curated guide to child-friendly places, events and activities across Australia – created by mums, for mums. Designed with local life, nap schedules, and real-world motherhood in mind. Because we’re not just raising kids. We’re trying to feel like ourselves again too.
The Passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
It came from lived experience, and professional insight.
As a paediatric OT, I’m constantly thinking about child development, sensory needs and environments that support learning through play. As a mum, I’m thinking about how to get through the day without losing my mind.
I remember pacing my lounge room trying to entertain a baby who’d already outgrown tummy time. I was exhausted, lonely and desperate to find something nearby that didn’t cost a week’s pay or require four hours of prep.
Big parenting platforms were overwhelming or outdated. Facebook groups were helpful, but not when you needed an answer fast.
That’s where Grove started. In the tired scrolls. The nap time searches. The quiet hope that somewhere out there was a park with a clean toilet, good coffee and zero judgment.
The Launch: How did you start?
Honestly? It started in the car during nap time.
I mapped out the idea in a notebook with a half cold coffee resting on the dashboard. Then I started asking other mums if this was something they’d use.
Spoiler: it was.
We launched a simple version of the app, focused on quality over quantity. No overwhelming directories. Just genuinely good places mums would actually want to go.
It was scrappy. It was small. But it worked. And we’ve been growing ever since.
The Innovation: What changed everything?
The biggest breakthrough was realising Grove isn’t just about places. It’s about people.
We stopped trying to be a directory and started being a community. We introduced bite-sized content. We shared local secrets. We made everything super searchable, because mums don’t have time to scroll for hours.
Once we started building with mums, not just for them, everything changed.
The Juggle: How do you balance work and family?
It’s a juggle, always.
Most of my work happens in the margins. Early mornings. Nap time windows. Late nights with a bump under my hoodie and a laptop on my knees.
Some days flow easily. Others feel like chaos. But I’ve stopped chasing perfect balance.
We keep things simple at home, meals together, screens off (mostly) and lots of time outside. I’ve learned to ride the waves of motherhood and business ownership. The Grove was built to support mums like me. So if I’m not living that, what’s the point?
