The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Starting a business as a first-time mum came with plenty of challenges. From finding the right manufacturers and navigating international shipping, to learning the ins and outs of running a business while chasing after a toddler, there were definitely moments of doubt.
One of the biggest hurdles was trusting myself. I wasn’t a product designer or a business expert when I started. I was simply a mum who wanted something better for her child. But each obstacle, from prototypes that didn’t quite work to the complexities of importing, taught me resilience and pushed me to keep going.
Now, as I prepare to welcome my second baby, I look back and see that every challenge has shaped 1 little cub into what it is today: a business built on determination, problem-solving and a whole lot of love.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The biggest pro is the flexibility: being able to work around my family, set my own pace and build something that aligns with my values as a mum. There’s also an incredible sense of pride in seeing an idea that started at my kitchen table become a product that helps other families.
The flip side is that the work never really ends. When you run your own business, you wear every hat, from product design to customer service, and it can be overwhelming at times. There’s also the financial pressure and uncertainty that comes with being a small business owner.
But for me, the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Every message from a happy parent or photo of a little one enjoying their meal makes it all worthwhile.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Right now, my focus is on welcoming our second baby in October and embracing this next chapter of motherhood. At the same time, I’m excited to keep growing 1 little cub, expanding our range with new designs and colours, and making our dinnerware more accessible by being stocked in beautiful boutiques and stores across the country. Hopefully reaching more families who are looking for safe, practical and beautiful alternatives to plastic at mealtimes
I’d also love to see our sets become a go-to gift for baby showers and first birthdays, something both thoughtful and practical that parents will truly use every day.
Long term, my dream is for 1 little cub to become a trusted name for parents, not just in New Zealand but around the world. Most of all, I hope our products continue to bring peace of mind to parents and joy to little ones, because mealtimes should be about connection, not stress.
Visit the 1 little cub website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
