Rachel McKenzie is proof it’s never too late to find your calling! Both a biomedical scientist and a qualified personal trainer, it wasn’t until she had her two sons that she felt a desire to create.
Starting Babee & Me, Rachel began designing a range of unique products for the modern baby and child, passionate about making quality handmade wares. “I started Babee & Me as I really care about buying locally made products and knowing the whole process of how it’s made. Rather than mass-produced items where not much is known about what they are made from and how ethical they are. I also wanted to create modern and on trend items that give me pleasure to create and in turn give pleasure to my customers who purchase them.”
[contextly_sidebar id=”9QpinvmkfggEgtesInC1g3WKqSDXuGvQ”]Working from her Byron Bay home, Rachel sews, screen prints and hand paints a collection of play mats, cushions, toys and wooden blocks and houses. Designing everything herself, she also enlists the help of illustrators to design some of her graphics. “I always start with an image in my head of how I want the product to look and then either design it myself or pass it on to a designer to bring to life. I then use that for my screen printing, which I do at home. For my wooden blocks and houses everything is designed and created by myself from the original drawing to the finished painted design. I constantly have new products on the go either in my head or partly finished, and am always striving to be unique and original.”
Offering a vast array of unique products, our favourite are her customised play mats (Jen’s son Sebastian is the proud owner of one!). “I’m a big fan of our play mats because most (except the fox) are created from a hand cut stencil and can be custom-made to suit the decor of the customer. Not to mention each and every one is hand printed and so is unique. Plus they look fabulous.”
With many more designs in the pipeline, Rachel hopes to become a recognised name in the kids homewares and toys market. “I would love to become a known name for those seeking unique, fun and ethically produced products right here in Australia. By supporting my business you also support other Australian businesses, as I will continue to source my supplies from here as well.”
