At Curious Grace Co, they specialise in crafting bespoke, heartwarming gifts for bump, baby and beyond, that are as unique as your little one. From personalised blankets and gorgeous cloth books to stylish backpacks and gift boxes, they infuse every item with love and care, ensuring it’s not just a present, but a cherished memory. As mums themselves, they understand the importance of thoughtful, high quality products that last a lifetime. Here they share their business journey so far with The Natural Parent Magazine: the passion behind what they do, the challenges they have overcome, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
The inspiration behind starting Curious Grace Co stemmed from a combination of personal passion and a gap in the market. As mums ourselves, we realised the importance of thoughtful, personalised gifts for babies and children that are not only high in quality but are unique and last a lifetime. This led to the vision of a business that specialises in offering one-of-a-kind, personalised gifts and keepsakes tailored for little ones.
As teachers by trade, the idea of stocking a diverse range of quiet books online emerged from recognising the value of nurturing early childhood development through play. Our range of cloth book resources also pass the test of time being made from machine washable materials.
As parents, we also saw the importance of offering gender-neutral clothing. Designed with longevity in mind, our OG range will last from one child to the next.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
In the beginning, launching Curious Grace Co was months of evening walks, or meetings over herbal tea and chocolate, planning and refining our vision for the business. We worked tirelessly to perfect every aspect associated with starting a small business. However, the catalyst for our launch came unexpectedly when a friend urgently needed a personalised gift for a new arrival in the hospital. Impressed by what we had created, she encouraged us to launch our business immediately. So, we took the leap. Our website went live on a Sunday afternoon, celebrated with champagne in hand, surrounded by friends and a few early followers. We initially focused on Instagram, Facebook and local markets to build our brand within our community. Over time, our reach expanded to expos and customers interstate and eventually internationally through online sales and shipping.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for Curious Grace Co came with the introduction of our Cord Bags, especially the Personalised Corduroy Backpacks. It all began with a simple desire for a stylish and practical bag for our own children to use at childcare, kindy and sleepovers. We wanted something that not only aligned with our brand values of high quality, functionality and style, but also offered the personal touch of customisation. These backpacks quickly became a hit among our customers, embodying everything we stand for: quality, functionality, style and longevity. Their popularity not only boosted our sales but also reinforced our brand’s reputation for offering thoughtful, personalised products designed to accompany children on their adventures for years to come.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balancing work and family life at Curious Grace Co is truly a team effort, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have each other. With all three of us being busy mums, navigating the demands of both work and family can sometimes feel like a juggling act, especially since we’ve welcomed our third babies while running the business. However, we’ve found ways to make it work. We’ve swapped some of our evening walks for packing orders and embroidery sessions, and we set specific times for work meetings and order fulfilment to ensure efficiency. We’ve adopted a divide-and-conquer approach, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other as needed. Our families play a vital role in this balance, as they’re incredibly supportive and often get involved in the business. It’s heartwarming to see our older kids eager to help out, even joining us at markets and expressing interest in potentially taking over the business one day. Their enthusiasm and involvement make the balancing act feel more like a shared adventure rather than a challenge.
