As a breastfeeding mum, Aja Perez had had enough of leaking through her bra, and the discomfort of breast pads that wouldn’t stay in place. She was frustrated by the lack of practical, stylish options for breastfeeding mums, so, wanting better, she set out to design a bra herself and have it made. The result is the amazing Milkie Bra. Made from super soft bamboo, cotton and a little spandex, it is so comfortable that it can be worn day and night. The Milkie Drop layer is built into the bra, with two layers inside: one to absorb and one to prevent leaks, so you can just wash it and wear it again. Mums can confidently wear their Milkie Bra knowing that they won’t leak, while having easy access for breastfeeding anytime, anywhere.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I’m a breastfeeding mum and I wanted a Milkie Bra but couldn’t find it. So, I designed it and had it made. Now it’s all I wear, and I knew I couldn’t be the only mum wanting and needing a bra like this.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I designed the bra and made the pattern myself. Then I found a local dressmaker to have the bra made and I sourced the material that I wanted. There was trial and error and it took a few tries to get the prototype that I was 100% happy with. Then I needed to find a production house to make the bra in bulk for me.
I happened to meet a lovely lady at a 1st birthday party, and she had connections in her homeland Bali. I downloaded WhatsApp and connected with one in particular – she is a mum herself and totally gets and loves the bra. Now we work together to get the bra made and sent to me here in Australia
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Setting up my own website and actually starting to sell my bras was my biggest breakthrough. 1.2.22 at 12:22pm my website went live. My husband, myself and my mother in-law had a lovely lunch and a glass of bubbles to celebrate. It could have just been an idea and I could have done nothing with it. There were a few times I could have given up. But I didn’t, I did something, and I kept going. I don’t 100% know what I’m doing but I’m going with the flow and trusting the process. I’m setting new goals and reaching them. I find that the right people enter my life at just the right time to help me progress in my business. Opportunities come up and I welcome them.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
First and foremost, I’m a mum, a breastfeeding mum. I breastfeed on demand and exclusively. I have done with both my boys and it has been 4.5 years now. I tandem fed when Joey was a newborn nearly 2 years ago.
Like a lot of working, stay-at-home mums, I get work done during nap time and when the kids have gone to sleep at night. I do what I can when I can.
The whole idea came to me in a late-night feed with Joey. A lot of Instagram reel ideas come to me while I’m driving. In the quiet time of feeding my son to sleep at night in the glider, when he’s closed his eyes, I’ll read email marketing strategies or money mindset books on my phone. I’ll do post office runs after preschool drop off.
My husband is an amazing support – he’ll take the kids out on the weekends and give me a little time to reply to emails, work on my socials or website. We just make it work.
