Kosha & Lane was founded by Shannen, a mum of two living in Perth. After being diagnosed with endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, she began a journey to better manage her condition. This led her to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, swapping conventional food, beauty and cleaning products for more sustainable, natural alternatives. In doing so, she reduced her exposure to harmful ingredients and toxins that were impacting her wellbeing. Following a redundancy after a 12-year career in banking, Shannen decided to channel her business knowledge into something more meaningful. Kosha & Lane was born from this turning point and is a brand designed to help customers make simple, everyday swaps to eco-friendly, non-toxic alternatives that promote healthier living while reducing household waste.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
In 2018, I was reaching the end of my tether with endometriosis and PCOS flare-ups. My body was suffering from severe inflammation and, almost by fate, I came across Dr.Jolene Brighten and her book, ‘Beyond the pill’. Reading this really opened my eyes to the fact that there was never going to be a one-and-done solution for my conditions. Instead, it was going to have to be something I managed through various methods, as discussed in her book.
I started by focusing on reducing inflammation and toxin overload in my system, partially caused by various chemical-laden products I was putting in and on my body daily. From deodorants and cosmetics to cutting out plastics, I began making small but meaningful changes.Within a couple of months, I noticed a real difference in how my body responded, and these practices quickly became part of my lifestyle.
It wasn’t until around 2024, in the depths of motherhood, that I found myself frustrated having to shop in four or five different places just to restock my favourite everyday essentials. Then, as fate would have it, in April 2025, I was made redundant after a 12-year banking career. That moment brought clarity, that this was what I was meant to do. Everything aligned in a way that birthed the inspiration to start Kosha & Lane. I haven’t looked back since.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
We are still very much in our infancy at seven months in, so we’re operating much the same as we were on day one – entirely online.
I used Shopify to build the store, which I found to be a more intuitive experience than I expected. I highly recommend their AI chatbot – perhaps the best AI bot I have ever used.
I aimed to start off with a range of good tried and tested products so I began reaching out to brands I used myself to enquire about wholesaling.
It was essential for me to begin with offering a thoughtful range of items. We had approximately 21 different products from day one. This was key to showcasing to our first customers what we wanted them to think of Kosha & Lane: a one-stop shop for homeware, personal care and everywhere in between that focuses on providing alternatives that reduce toxin overload and plastic ending up in landfill.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My biggest breakthrough was understanding my weaknesses in business and engaging with professionals that focus on those specific areas. For me, this was social media and marketing. Since engaging a marketing team, they are producing a higher quality of work that is helping the business grow, and I have more time to spend with my kids. I am a big believer in delegation.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balance is something I am continuously working on. Outside of running Kosha & Lane, I work nine-hour days four days a week in a financial planning firm in Perth. I’m also a mum to two kids under two. It’s full on but it does make me really try to tap in and be present in the moments with my kids and husband.
Fortunately, my employers are really understanding of my situation, so if the morning is going off track and my toddler is throwing a tantrum, I don’t have the added pressure of having to arrive at work at a set time every day, which helps me be able to tackle the unexpected more calmly.
I also have learned to utilise my time efficiently, finding pockets of opportunity throughout the day to do my business duties, such as post runs on the way to work or on my lunch break. I respond to business emails on my train commutes to and from work and pack any orders at night once the kids are asleep.
