When mother-daughter duo Karen and Mei discovered how soothing kawakawa was for their family’s skin, they knew they were onto something special. What began as a simple kitchen experiment led to the creation of Tiny Leaf, where they blend traditional, natural healing with modern simplicity. As a family-run business, every balm, soap and butter is handmade in Wellington, New Zealand with love, using wild-harvested kawakawa, grass-fed tallow and carefully chosen natural oils, bringing gentle, effective skincare to babies, children and adults alike. Here, Mei talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Tiny Leaf, their biggest breakthrough, the challenges they have overcome, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
Me and my mum Karen started Tiny Leaf together after seeing how powerful kawakawa was for soothing our whānau’s skin. We both care deeply about natural healing and wanted to create something simple, effective and rooted in Aotearoa’s rongoā. It started with wanting better options for our own families and grew from there.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
It all kicked off in the kitchen with a pot of kawakawa oil and a whole lot of learning along the way. We shared our balms with friends, family, and neighbours, and the response was amazing. People started asking for more, and before we knew it, we were at local markets, online and filling jars together late at night!
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Our biggest breakthrough was combining kawakawa with grass-fed tallow – it made the balm even more nourishing, especially for dry or irritated skin. That, and hearing from people using it for eczema, baby rashes, sore muscles… that’s when it really clicked that we were helping people in a meaningful way.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
It’s definitely a team effort! We juggle business around school drop-offs, sports days and whānau time. Some days we’re making balms with the kids running around, or at markets together while the rest of the family pitches in. It’s busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
