The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Owning a business was completely new to both of us, so in many ways the entire process has been a challenge in itself. From our very first (and very rough) sketches, through to sourcing manufacturers, refining shapes and sizes, building our website and learning the safety requirements involved in launching a baby product, there was a lot to learn.
Building Nestrite while caring for a young family added another layer. We were often juggling employment and family life, fitting work into small pockets of time and learning as we went. One of the biggest challenges was finding the confidence to believe that we were capable of building and running a business successfully.
Baby products come with a high level of responsibility, and rightly so. Meeting all required criteria while ensuring we didn’t compromise on the qualities that mattered most to us was challenging, but something we were determined to get right. Each step pushed us to learn, adapt and grow, and overcoming those challenges has helped shape Nestrite into what it is today.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The number one pro, without a doubt, is getting to spend more time with our daughter. Being there when she wakes each morning, spending the day together, and being able to put her to bed every night is something we’re incredibly grateful for. We’re also working towards getting Justin home full-time soon so we can both enjoy this together. It does mean early mornings and late nights for now, but they’re sacrifices we’re happy to make for our end goal: being present and home with our daughter.
Another huge positive is hearing from other parents. The feedback, messages and reviews we receive make it all worth it. Knowing that Nestrite is supporting families during some of their most demanding and vulnerable moments is incredibly rewarding. Being able to create with purpose, shaped by real experience, is deeply fulfilling.
As for the cons, social media has definitely been a learning curve. Creating content and building ads is all very new to us, and filming ourselves – then watching it back – can feel quite uncomfortable. Knowing it’s going out there for everyone to see can be nerve-racking, but we’re slowly getting more comfortable with it.
There’s also the responsibility that comes with running your own business, especially when your product is designed for babies. But the trust parents place in us makes every challenge worthwhile.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Looking ahead, our hope is to continue growing Nestrite in a thoughtful and intentional way. Staying closely connected with our customers is incredibly important to us, as it helps guide our growth and ensures we’re creating products that genuinely support families, shaped by real-life parenting experiences.
Whatever comes next, we want it to be shaped by real families and the experiences that inspired Nestrite in the first place. Ultimately, we want Nestrite to be a brand families turn to when they’re seeking comfort, reassurance and support during the early stages of parenthood and in the months beyond.
Visit the Nestrite website to find out more, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
