Faced with the challenge of warming baby milk on the go, Elysia Krstevski was surprised at the lack of innovation on the market. Alongside her husband, they set out to find a solution that would provide convenience to parents around the world. Their aim was to create a product that was safe, premium, bold, exciting, fresh, and that stood out from the rest. The Mekė Baby milk warmer heats breastmilk or formula in a matter of minutes, while ensuring that your baby receives all the vital nutrients and antibodies with every feed. Here Elysia talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Mekė Baby, their biggest breakthrough, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I was so desperate to find a product that could heat my expressed breastmilk and I simply couldn’t find what I was looking for.
My husband (business partner) and I were in a grocery store during the COVID-19 lockdowns with our first-born, Armani, when we faced a dilemma. I was dealing with mastitis and didn’t have enough milk for the day. Since cafes were closed and there were no feeding rooms available, we were left with a crying baby and no access to hot water. I searched for baby warmers but was surprised to find a lack of innovation in the market. After our second daughter, Giselle, was born, Chris and I faced more challenges warming milk on the go. This led us to question why the baby market was so far behind in comparison to the tech world.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I focused on defining Mekė Baby‘s brand, values and positioning in the baby market before researching manufacturers and prototyping. My mission is to provide convenience to parents around the world, and I remain committed to that. My intentions were to introduce a brand that was safe, premium, bold, exciting, fresh, and that stood out from the rest.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for the business was finding a team and experts who provided a solid foundation. With the recognition of personal skills and seeking additional support where it was required, a group of skilled individuals, including engineers and designers, were discovered, ultimately bringing my vision to life.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I am a mother of two young girls and Co-CEO of Australia’s biggest performing arts company. It may seem crazy to have added Mekė to my workload, but it had been in my mind for some time. I delegated tasks that were too difficult to manage alone and received support from my husband. Balancing work and family is vital, and we prioritise family and just stop when it all gets too much.
