The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
There have been so many unexpected hurdles – especially when it comes to production. We went back and forth for months on things like bottle samples and barcode placement. It sounds small, but getting those details right took a lot of time, money, and patience. As a small startup, every delay feels big – especially when you’re funding everything yourself. But each challenge has taught me something and brought me one step closer to launching a product I’m truly proud of. It’s all part of building something from the ground up.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The biggest pro is the freedom – being able to create something that aligns with your values, set your own direction, and know that every decision is building your dream. It’s incredibly fulfilling. But the flip side is that it can feel really overwhelming. You wear all the hats, make all the calls, and there’s no one to pass things off to – especially in the beginning. It can be lonely and exhausting at times, but also incredibly rewarding. The growth, the wins, even the setbacks – they all feel deeply personal, because you’ve poured so much of yourself into it.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We’d love to see Happy Bear stocked in a variety of retailers so it’s easily accessible to families everywhere. The goal is to start with smaller, independent pharmacies and specialty stores – and eventually make our way into the bigger names like Chemist Warehouse and Priceline. At the heart of it, we just want to make it easier for parents to find a safer, gentler alternative to traditional sanitisers – wherever they shop.
Visit happybearskincare.com and connect with them on Instagram and Facebook.
