Like many mums in business Amanda Zeirzer started up Baby Presents when she couldn’t find what she was after in traditional stores. Along the way she’s discovered a business mama tribe, unearthed some great local brands, and kid-wrangled two children!
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am mum to two gorgeous and busy kids Amelia 5 who started Prep this year and Liam 3. I also have a very supportive husband Peter who I have been with for 10 years. I balance my time between parenting, after school activities and my business as Peter travels most weeks in his role. Prior to being a mum I had always worked in the hospitality industry and was a Business Development Manager for an international hotel chain.
Where did the idea to create Baby Presents come from?
Before I was a parent I had several friends that were starting to have their first children and I was struggling to find gifts for their baby showers and when they had given birth that were a little different to what other friends and family would purchase. I was time poor as a full time worker and frustrated with the limited gift selection available in traditional stores.
Fast forward a few years and whilst on maternity leave with my first child I decided that the time was now to launch myself into the unknown and solve my frustration by creating Baby Presents.
What makes Baby Presents different to other baby stores?
We stock hard to find, unique and first to market baby products. As the business has grown we have increased our range of brands and products that are more practical, that make parenting easier. These seem to be well received by our customers. I believe this is due to how busy our lives have become—timeless keepsake gifts are no longer as important to our generation as they once were to our parents and grandparents.
I love supporting other mums in business and have found this to be one of the most rewarding parts of the business as I learn about their business journey whilst introducing their brand to my customers—products like Bobo & Boo Bamboo Dinnerware, Kneepal for supporting knees whilst bathing baby, and All4Ella Pram Pegs. I also have a strong desire to support Australian made and am pleased to stock iconic brands like Rhicreative, Four Zero and Harry High Pants.
How long has Baby Presents been around for?
Baby Presents was about a year in the planning and research phase and we officially launched our online store in October 2012. I am proud to say that we have recently celebrated our fourth birthday.
What has been the most challenging part of starting a new business with a young family?
As any parent will know juggling the daily to do list of personal and work life is never easy. I have learnt to adapt over the years and of course it helps that they have grown older and a little more independent. When the kids were younger I would either work around naps or at night and often had my invoices crayoned on whilst they sat next to me pretending to work. I learnt to involve them in my daily activities by getting them to practice counting using products and learning colours through stock whilst packing orders. This allowed me to continue to work with them around whilst they were starting to learn. My daughter has become very knowledgeable on different shades of colours whilst helping to sort pram pegs.
What has been the most rewarding part of owning your own business?
Apart from the obvious of being able to join kinder and school committees and participate in excursions with my children by rescheduling my work around these commitments, the most rewarding part has been the genuine business support I have received and friendships I have made with other mums in business. Being a stay at home mum can be a very isolating experience, especially with a husband who travels. I’ve gained personal growth and professional growth through these connections.
Tell us about your support for PANDA.
I strongly believe in helping to give back to organisations that can make a change especially in relation to parenting. Baby Presents was a proud supporter of the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia PANDA Awareness week and donated 25% of all sales during that week to PANDA.
Where can you find you?