As devoted parents, we’ve always wished for more meaningful moments with our children. The dream of starting a business that would facilitate these cherished moments and create lasting memories had been on our minds for some time.

As avid coffee and tea drinkers, we often found comfort in our own reusable takeaway cups. Our daughter, Willow, developed a keen interest in these cups as she approached her second year of life. It was during this time that inspiration struck Stacey, “Why not find a ‘fluffy’ cup for her that perfectly matches ours?”

The quest for such a cup in New Zealand turned out to be fruitless. This realisation sparked the opportunity we had been searching for – a chance to create a product that children would adore, simultaneously allowing parents to instil the values of reusability in their little ones, whilst crafting cherished memories.

And thus, the design process began. Stacey, our creative force, dedicated months to curating six delightful designs, catering to both parents and children alike. With the final designs expertly crafted by a family member, we placed our order.

Two months later, our cups arrived, and the response was overwhelming. The heartwarming feedback affirmed that we had succeeded in creating a product that would foster special moments for families. The next question was, “How can we get these cups into more little hands?” The answer was clear: retail.

Michael took on the task of approaching retailers with our innovative product, and once again, the response was nothing short of amazing. Chai Baby began to flourish, and we realised that we were onto something truly special.