Established in 2013, Burrow & Be is a family owned and operated business located in New Zealand. Combining her Bachelor of Design, a love of interiors and the inspiration of her two children, Catherine Melo set out to design and screen print bed linen and soft furnishings for kids. Over the years, the direction of Burrow & Be has moved more towards baby and children’s clothing and they have an extensive selection of beautiful gifts such as comforters, baby towels, swaddles, fabric dolls, comforters and cot quilts. Here Catherine talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind her business, how she balances work and family time, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
When I started out nearly 10 years ago, my children were young. I had a passion for interiors, art and design, along with some experience in surface pattern design and screen printing. These interests and skills combined drew me to the idea of designing and creating children’s bedding and décor products.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Like many small businesses, I had very little capital to start with, so my journey was slow. I began by hand screen printing pillowcases and muslin wraps from a home garage. I participated in local markets and gradually built up my business, finding shops and online stores to sell my products.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I would say the biggest breakthrough came when we invested in our Essentials collection. This marked the beginning of a comprehensive range of baby clothing and accessories, including towels, muslin wraps, comforters and quilts. This collection provided stores with a beautiful selection of products that could be merchandised by colour or style. They were basic everyday styles that were great for gifting or personal use.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
The nature of the business is seasonal, with periods of intense activity and quieter times. During busy periods, such as when new season stock arrives or when selling to stores, there are many deadlines to meet, and I work really hard. However, I have learned to appreciate the quieter times and prioritise spending quality time with my family. I rely on lists and have my mum as a sort of self-appointed personal assistant, reminding me about my children’s school activities.
