Growing up, my Nana lived just around the corner. She made many of our clothes and taught me to sew. Money was tight, so we stitched what we could ourselves. 

Years later, when I couldn’t find a quick, easy way to change a wet bed in the night—I made my own. That’s where it all began. 

In 2004 whilst Mia (Now Theo) was toilet training, I would hit my head every night on the top bunk when I stripped her bed.   

There had to be a better way to change a wet bed in 2am.  I went off to Spotlight to get fabric, pulled out my sewing machine and Brolly Sheets, was born! 

I built a simple website and made our first logo usingComic Sans font and a free clip art umbrella!

I started going to local markets on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 

The first big shipment of stock arrives. Our garage and spare room are converted to a warehouse. 

We have had fabulous magazine coverage over the years .

Trip to China.  I have been working with James for over 4 years and our working relationship is only getting stronger.

Back to China to visit James.  Trips to see James are always in 3 parts: 

1 – Visit the factory 

2 – talk new product ideas / product development 

3 – Social and tourism.  I love China, the food, the people and the history.  

I buy local business, Snazzipants, after the original founder retires.  I love the name, I love cloth nappies, (I used them on my kids), and I love washable, reusable products.  A win – win. 

We grow our day-time Kids toilet training range from just car seat protectors to training pants, Woxers and more! 

We name them Snazzi Pants  

Brolly sheets General Store opens – later the name changed to Independently You. 

A channel to talk to our customers with additional needs and seniors.  This is a market I am passionate about designing functional products, that look great, it is all about dignity.  

When I started The General Store, we were the first to take photos in cafes, lovely bedrooms etc.  All our competitors were hospital, very sterile looking products and images. 

Billy joined our family in 2006, in the days I was still working from home, he was with me for pretty much 24/7.  A lovely natured, happy wee thing. 

I designed our Billy Beds when I couldn’t find a dog bed with a waterproof, washable cover.  When Billy came in from the beach or the rain, his dog bed would soon start to get manky.  Again, I thought there had to be a better way than just buying a whole new bed and putting the old into landfill.  

I am again up in China visiting our ethical factory.  Unlike many factories based in big cities, our team lives locally and goes home to their families each night—a rare and important difference. 

We also pay by the hour, not by the piece. That means no rushing, just carefully made products—and a workplace where people have time to chat, laugh, and take pride in what they do. 

The largest range of waterproof bibs and bandanas in Australia.  This is my Mum Pam.  She lost most of her sight and loves that our bandanas match her outfits.