The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Gosh! Where to start? There have been plenty of bumps along the way. From supplier delays that made us want to pull our hair out, to manufacturing and shipping costs that seem to change with the wind, to the never-ending job of educating people on what’s really in some of the big-name baby products out there.
One of the hardest parts? Cutting through the noise in a market full of greenwashing. So many brands say they’re natural or sustainable, but when you look a little closer… not so much. We’ve always been about honesty – even when it’s the harder path. No gimmicks, no fluff, just real ingredients and real transparency. That’s been our promise at Cuddlies from the very beginning.
And then of course there’s the reality of running a small business – wearing all the hats, all the time, solving problems on the fly, and figuring things out as we go. We’ve had our fair share of untangling random website glitches or deep diving into ad metrics that make your brain melt a little. We’re not tech gurus or marketing agencies – we’re learning as we go and getting better every day. It’s not glamourous – but it is worth it.
It’s taken time (and a lot of coffee), but we’ve stuck to our values – and that’s what’s helped us build real trust with our community. The challenges are part of the ride, and so far, it’s been one heck of a journey.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The best part? Hands down – it’s the freedom. But not just freedom for the sake of it… it’s freedom with a purpose. With Cuddlies, we’re building a brand that aligns with our values, connects with families who care about what goes on their babies’ skin, and (hopefully) makes the world a little better in the process. That part feels really special.
The flipside? There’s no “clocking off” when you’re running the show. No manager to pass the tricky stuff to. It can be chaotic, and sometimes you just want someone else to make a decision for you.
But it’s not just us doing this. We’ve had so much support from family and friends who’ve cheered us on, plus an amazing community of fellow small business owners who just get it. That kind of support really keeps you going.
Even on the tough days, it still feels worth it. We’ve swapped stability for passion, and while it’s not always easy, Cuddlies reminds us why we’re all in, every single day.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We’ve got big dreams for Cuddlies, but we’re keeping our feet on the ground. The goal is to keep expanding thoughtfully and stay true to our values: chemical-free, gentle on skin and kinder to the planet.
We’ll also keep doing what we love – connecting with our community, keeping things honest, and yes, planting trees with every subscription bundle order. Because for us, it’s never just been about nappies and wipes. It’s about creating a future that’s gentler, safer and more conscious for the next generation (and giving parents one less thing to stress about along the way).
At the end of the day, we just want to do something good – Cuddlies is our way of doing that. It’s not perfect, and neither are we, but it’s honest, it’s growing and it’s built with a whole lot of heart.
Visit the Cuddlies website to find out more. You can also connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
