CHINWAG: with Baby Berry Collective
CHINWAG: with Baby Berry Collective
Melbourne Lifestyle Photographer | Leah Ladson
When I think of how to describe Lucy Green (aka Mrs Baby Berry)… The first words that come to mind are beautiful (inside & out), generous, thoughtful & sweet. This lady right here? One of the loveliest human beings I’ve ever met. Not even joking.
Lucy and I have been Insty-friends for a couple of years, but in August this year I got to meet her IRL (in real life) and I left feeling… just so happy. It was like we’d been friends for years. She showered me in french pastries and gifts and I got to learn about her wonderful business, Baby Berry Collective. Her business basically sums her up as a person. Lucy runs a directory for to help people (us!) buy thoughtful gifts while supporting small business. She helps us find the perfect gifts without having to scour the internet. She serves them up on a silver platter, and then gives us exclusive discount codes if that wasn’t enough! She has the most beautiful labels listing with her, and I have seen first hand how much love and dedication Lucy shows to her vendors.
So… here ’tis, my chinwag with my beautiful friend Lucy. I guarantee you’ll leave loving her just as much as I do.
- Let’s start with the deep questions… You are a new addition in a crayon box, which colour would you be?
Electric blue. Purely because I adore blue and the brighter the better – also, I love that it represents trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence and intelligence.
- Why did you start your business?
I started Baby Berry Collective because I wanted a place where mums could come to find the best stores in town. A directory that showcased all the stuff the cool kids wear and use. The best products, the most helpful products. All in one spot. I wanted to save mums time. I was a new mum myself when I started my biz and I honestly had no idea where to shop. I didn’t want the same old same old kind of stuff. Plus I was sick of constantly trawling the entire internet trying to find uber cool baby/kids and mama products. So I decided to create a directory. Full of stores that I knew mums would love to hear about.
- What was your biggest business hurdle to overcome?
I think probably having limited time to invest in the business when I started. It was a slow burn for sure. I was at home with a baby full time and trying to get my biz off the ground. Then I had my second baby and I was certain that I could run a business and be a SAHM as well. I wanted both. For me it all came down to time management. Once I got on top of that, everything fell into place. Every part of my business has an allocated chunk of time. And now, I make the time I have available work well for the business and for me.
- What is your biggest achievement to date?
I would have to say having an amazing network of companies that I work with and who I have genuine relationships with. I started with only a handful of businesses in the directory and now I’ve got 60+.
- What is your favourite 90’s jam?
Oooooh that’s a tough one. So many good old 90’s tunes! Probably Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith or maybe Better Sweet Symphony by The Verve
- Tell us something that your customers might not know about you.
I’m a New Zealander living over here in Melbourne and have been here for 6 years. While I utterly adore all that this incredible city has to offer, I’m often very homesick and miss my family dreadfully. If I could just teleport myself across there to see them on a daily basis, that would be great. Fingers crossed there’s an app for that soon.
- What is your favourite part of running your own business?
That I get to choose my own hours. The fact that I can work on certain days, or in the evenings or weekends or swap it all up when I need to and make it work around my kids is brilliant. I love the flexibility of it all.
- What do you think about when you are alone in the car?
On the very rare occasion that I get to be alone in the car, well it’s like a mini vacation – so the music is loud and I try not to think about anything. Except the traffic and trying not to drive in front of trams.
- What are you excited for?
Definitely the future and all the plans I have for Baby Berry Collective… so much more to come! Shhhhhhh secret squirrel 😉
- Who are you business idols? Who inspires you?
Oh this is a hard one. I actually really admire all the women out there who are running their own business as well as bringing up kids. It’s a tough gig. It really is. So anyone who can do that, I have real respect for.
- How would you describe your job to a child?
I help other mums find cool toys and clothes for their kids!
- Tell us 5 fun facts about yourself (personal or business
- I met my husband on a blind date that a colleague set up for me in NZ
- I taught English in South Korea for a year.
- I won the Gilmore Trophy for good manners when I was at school and was mortified at the time (but now looking back, quite proud).
- I lived in England for 5 years and saw the Queen on a few occasions because I lived in Windsor just up the road from her.
- I am an organised nut. I have lists for my lists. Total geek right here.
- Who should we follow on social media?
Oh gosh, if I were to rattle off who I love, we’d be here all day!
So instead of playing favourites, I’m just going to say, follow people or businesses that you are genuinely interested in. Life is too short to follow just for the sake of it – instead, find people that show you things you’re keen to see! Anything that teaches you, inspires you, helps you!
So there you go… an insight into the legend, Lucy Green and her brilliant (and bloody handy!) business… Baby Berry Collective.
And on that note, Lucy has so kindly put together some ‘Christmas Bliss Lists‘ – Where she has done all of the hard work for us, and you can shop lists such as Babies (under 12 months), Toddlers (1-2 years), Under $20, Clothing/Shoes for girls etc etc (soooo many more!)… you get the point. You can basically scroll down a list, and click on the child you need to buy for, and a thoughtful curated list will appear magically and BOOM, your Christmas shopping is done!!!
I’ll be the first to say it, THANK YOU LUCY!!
Big Love, Leah
~ xoxo ~
add comment