When Julia Leeming became a mother, she quickly discovered the value of having everyday baby essentials close at hand. What began as a practical solution for life with a newborn soon sparked a business idea. Recognising a gap in the market for thoughtfully curated nappy caddies filled with practical necessities, she launched Tiny Togs and Gift Caddies from home while caring for her young daughter. Combining her passion for supporting new families with a love for sustainable parenting through pre-loved baby clothing, Julia has created a business that reflects the realities of motherhood. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind her work, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My daughter inspired me to start my business. I wanted to find a way to be my own boss and work from home so I could have the flexibility to spend time with her while she is young.
When my daughter was a newborn, I purchased an empty nappy caddy and filled it with all the essentials I needed each day around the house. I noticed there was a gap in the market. Other companies were selling caddies with a blanket and a toy, but not with practical essentials such as nappies, wipes, bath products and nappy cream.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I started by listing my products on Facebook Marketplace to see if there would be any interest. I soon added pre-loved baby clothes, as sustainable and second-hand clothing is becoming increasingly popular. I purchased many second-hand clothes before my daughter was born and wanted to offer the same affordable option to other families.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Having a website set up and selling my first caddy was my biggest breakthrough. It inspired me to keep going and showed me that all the effort was worthwhile.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
My main priority is my daughter, as she is still breastfed and only eight months old. When she is having a nap or enjoying some playtime, I use those moments to work on small tasks for the business.
Using Shopify has been fantastic throughout the process, making it easy to build my website and list products while fitting work around family life.
