At Cuddle Trunk, they want to make gift-giving super easy and fun, while also providing people with something truly special to celebrate a new baby in their lives. They personalise adorable baby bundles with soft essentials and playful themes, guaranteeing happiness with every gift. With their curated selection of premium products, you can shop online and create a one-of-a-kind gift as unique as your little one – or the perfect present for a friend or family member. Here, founder Harman Kaur Nagra talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about what inspired her to start Cuddle Trunk, the challenges she has overcome along the way, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
We started Cuddle Trunk because, let’s face it, finding the perfect baby gift can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many generic options out there, and we wanted to offer something truly special. We’re all about bringing a touch of uniqueness to the world of baby gifting.
So, when our first grandchild arrived, it was like a crazy whirlwind of cuteness and chaos. We were totally obsessed and wanted to shower the little one with the best gifts. But when we started looking for gifts, we were kinda disappointed. It was all the same old, same old – boring! We wanted something special, something that really captured the magic of new life. Like, imagine finding a gift that’s as unique as the little human it’s for. That’s when the lightbulb went off. We thought, “Hey, why not create a place where people can find awesome, one-of-a-kind baby gifts?”. And that’s how Cuddle Trunk was born. We wanted to make gift-giving super easy and fun, while also giving people something truly special to celebrate a new baby in their lives. The kind of gifts that makes you go, “Aww, how cute!”.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
So, I had this crazy idea to start a baby gift business. I mean, who wouldn’t want to surround themselves with adorable baby stuff all day, right? Problem was, I knew absolutely nothing about running a business. I was basically winging it the whole time. I figured, “Hey, Instagram is the place to be,” so I jumped in headfirst. I figured if I just posted enough cute baby pics, people would flock to buy my stuff. Yeah, right. Turns out, running a business on Instagram is like trying to herd cats.
I then thought, “Hey, let’s get out there and meet some people!”. So, I packed up my cutest baby goodies and hit the markets. I mean, who doesn’t love a good market, right? But let me tell you, it was a whole different ball game. I quickly realised that running a stall is basically like trying to sell ice to Eskimos, especially with the economy being what it is. People are watching every penny, and it’s tough to convince them to splurge on a baby gift when they’re worried about putting food on the table. To say the least, it’s been a rollercoaster of learning experiences. I’ve made more mistakes than I can count, but hey, at least it’s been an adventure.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
That’s a great question! I mean, it’s definitely something to aim for, right? A big, game-changing breakthrough. But honestly, we’re still pretty early in the game. Think of us as a baby business learning to crawl before we walk.
There haven’t been any mind-blowing breakthroughs just yet, but I’ve had some pretty cool little wins. Launching our website was a huge deal for us. It was like giving birth to a digital baby! It was stressful and overwhelming, but seeing it all come together was super rewarding. So, I guess that’s my mini-breakthrough for now. Small steps, big dreams, you know?
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balancing act, that’s what it’s all about! Juggling a full-time job, a family, and a new business is like trying to keep three plates spinning. It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s also what makes it exciting. I mean, who wants a boring life, right?
The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that it’s okay to not be superhuman. There are days when juggling work, family, and this new business feels like trying to catch jellyfish. It’s overwhelming, for sure. But we’ve realised that it’s totally fine to give one thing a break to focus on another. You know, like taking a time-out from the business to spend quality time with the family, or stepping away from family chaos to buckle down on some work stuff. It’s all about finding that balance. The key is to not burn out too early in the game. It’s like trying to find the perfect yin and yang. I’m still figuring it out, but I’m getting better at it. Baby steps, right? This whole baby gift business is definitely a labor of love, so I’m committed to making it work, even if it means sacrificing some sleep and sanity.
