Mini eco; safe, green goods for the next generation
Having a baby is undoubtedly a daunting task. So once you are in the know about what is good (and not so good) for baby and the environment, it can seem as if merely finding the safe and green products you need could take you more than the full 9.5 months of gestation. That is why I love Mini Eco (www.minieco.com.au). You can find everything eco-friendly and safe for babies and children including nappies, bowls, sippy cups, pajamas, clothes, party supplies and a whole lot more. We caught up with founder Catherine Groppoli to find out a little more about her and this wonderful company.
Catherine with two of her three children
Tell us a little about yourself and why you started Mini eco.
I am a lawyer by training and while i enjoyed the job I had in 2007, my employer wanted me to move from 2 days a week to full time. I knew i needed to find a job where i had the flexibility to work my own hours and so setting up my own business seemd to be the answer. I had always had an interest in eco-friendly products for children and so the 2 things collided and mini eco was born.
There is a myriad of ‘safe’, ‘natural’ and ‘eco-friendly’ products entering the market at the moment, how do you choose which products you will stock at Mini eco?
With clothing, I really try to find things that break the stereotypical hippy cliché of organic as being beige or murky, “natural” colours. We always go for fashionable items in gorgeous colours, just like conventional kids clothing. With our BPA free plastics etc, we basically stock everything we can find as the demand for those products is huge!
Many new parents are on a tight budget. For those only able to purchase a few eco friendly baby products, what would you recommend?
I think organic products for sleep are essential – baby spends so much time sleeping! I would recommend organic cotton sheets and wraps and sleepwear as a starting point, as well as organic toiletries. Basically anything next to the skin go organic.
A mixture of both I find.
Have you always been into natural and sustainable living, or was there something that triggered this evolution?
I have been allergic to dairy products all my life, as well as having a gluten intolerance. So I have always been interested in what I put into my body as I know first hand the effects it can have. When I had my kids I was conscious of what they were exposed to chemical wise as well as that was something I had always been interested in. For example, I have always used organic tampons and been wary of sunscreen and other products that are absorbed by the skin.
If you were going away and could take only three products in a nappy bag with you, what would they be?
Disposables – eco friendly, of course. Organic cotton flannels to clean up baby (top and tail) and a BPA free dummy. I know dummies aren’t for everyone but sometimes you just need that extra 10 minutes they can give you.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The fact that it gives me the flexibility to have time to do things at my children’s schools. I can go to sports days or concerts without having to ask any one for time off. That is very important to me. It’s also great to be able to more easily organise my life generally – how do you get the electrician in when you have to be at the office 5 days a week? When I feel unmotivated or bored with it I always think – well, it’s better than being an employee!
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Getting the kids off to school without any dramas, a nice big coffee, 20 orders all with no hiccups and a casserole for dinner bubbling away in the slow cooker!
What is your guilty indulgence?
Chocolate, champagne and facials – not together though!
Visit www.minieco.com.au
Gina's note:
Sometimes Dads can feel a little left out during pregnancy and soon after, so our product pick for them is the Sara Bloom bamboo undies. CleanLife Daddy Tony wears these and they get the big thumbs up for comfort and endurance!
Catherine with two of her three children
Tell us a little about yourself and why you started Mini eco.
I am a lawyer by training and while i enjoyed the job I had in 2007, my employer wanted me to move from 2 days a week to full time. I knew i needed to find a job where i had the flexibility to work my own hours and so setting up my own business seemd to be the answer. I had always had an interest in eco-friendly products for children and so the 2 things collided and mini eco was born.
There is a myriad of ‘safe’, ‘natural’ and ‘eco-friendly’ products entering the market at the moment, how do you choose which products you will stock at Mini eco?
With clothing, I really try to find things that break the stereotypical hippy cliché of organic as being beige or murky, “natural” colours. We always go for fashionable items in gorgeous colours, just like conventional kids clothing. With our BPA free plastics etc, we basically stock everything we can find as the demand for those products is huge!
Many new parents are on a tight budget. For those only able to purchase a few eco friendly baby products, what would you recommend?
I think organic products for sleep are essential – baby spends so much time sleeping! I would recommend organic cotton sheets and wraps and sleepwear as a starting point, as well as organic toiletries. Basically anything next to the skin go organic.
Beautiful girls in the Scout organic clothing range
(Gina's note: CleanLife toddler Lilian, loves the Scout range and I love how durable it is and how well it washes!)
You have a huge range of organic baby clothing at Mini eco, do you find customers buy this more for the environmental benefits or the health benefits?(Gina's note: CleanLife toddler Lilian, loves the Scout range and I love how durable it is and how well it washes!)
A mixture of both I find.
Have you always been into natural and sustainable living, or was there something that triggered this evolution?
I have been allergic to dairy products all my life, as well as having a gluten intolerance. So I have always been interested in what I put into my body as I know first hand the effects it can have. When I had my kids I was conscious of what they were exposed to chemical wise as well as that was something I had always been interested in. For example, I have always used organic tampons and been wary of sunscreen and other products that are absorbed by the skin.
If you were going away and could take only three products in a nappy bag with you, what would they be?
Disposables – eco friendly, of course. Organic cotton flannels to clean up baby (top and tail) and a BPA free dummy. I know dummies aren’t for everyone but sometimes you just need that extra 10 minutes they can give you.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The fact that it gives me the flexibility to have time to do things at my children’s schools. I can go to sports days or concerts without having to ask any one for time off. That is very important to me. It’s also great to be able to more easily organise my life generally – how do you get the electrician in when you have to be at the office 5 days a week? When I feel unmotivated or bored with it I always think – well, it’s better than being an employee!
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Getting the kids off to school without any dramas, a nice big coffee, 20 orders all with no hiccups and a casserole for dinner bubbling away in the slow cooker!
What is your guilty indulgence?
Chocolate, champagne and facials – not together though!
Visit www.minieco.com.au
Gina's note:
Sometimes Dads can feel a little left out during pregnancy and soon after, so our product pick for them is the Sara Bloom bamboo undies. CleanLife Daddy Tony wears these and they get the big thumbs up for comfort and endurance!
posted by Gina Cacho | 11:30 PM
1 Comments:
Mini eco is one of my favourite websites. Catherine is so fantastic, very helpful. Plus orders arrive so quickly!
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