Skip to main content
Munchkin Mats Pty Ltd
0
  • Luxe Padded Play Mats
    • Large Luxe Play Mats
    • Medium Luxe Play Mats
    • Round Luxe Play Mats
    • Tiny Adventurer Collection
  • Storage Baskets
    • Gelato Collection
    • Love Knot Baskets and Nest Pods
    • Pom Pom Storage Baskets
  • Gift Vouchers
Munchkin Mats Pty Ltd
0
Cart0
  • Luxe Padded Play Mats
    • Large Luxe Play Mats
    • Medium Luxe Play Mats
    • Round Luxe Play Mats
    • Tiny Adventurer Collection
  • Storage Baskets
    • Gelato Collection
    • Love Knot Baskets and Nest Pods
    • Pom Pom Storage Baskets
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Home
  • Our Blog
  • A Small Business Story: When Alana Met Sophie

A Small Business Story: When Alana Met Sophie

It all started when I saw a removal van outside our flat in Battersea, south-west London. Little did I know then that welcoming our new neighbours with a bottle of wine would lead to a business partnership and the launch of Munchkin & Bear in Europe more than a decade later.

That friendly gesture led to many more get-togethers and, before long, Alana Hands and her husband, Tim became firm friends. This was long before either of us had children and entrepreneurship was the last thing on our minds. Our days were busy with product development and marketing for Rimmel and advising clients on corporate reputation and communication respectively. The idea that one day we'd be partnering to launch a range of luxury children’s playmats would have seemed an improbable fantasy.  

 

Fast forward to spring 2015 and I found myself in New Zealand visiting family. Our trip took us via Brisbane where Alana lived with her family, now made up of two gorgeous children with very different characters reflected in their nicknames Munchkin and Bear. As we watched them run around the park with my eldest daughter, Alana told me about her idea to create the mats. Why was it that the only playmats available were those very practical, not at all beautiful, primary-coloured jigsaw versions? Just because your house is overrun with children, it doesn’t mean that mums and dads don’t want something practical and stylish to augment their home.

 

What a great idea, I thought. And when the business launched in late 2015, the mats themselves were gorgeous – beautiful designs, hard-wearing, easy to clean and a lovely addition to a room when they were cleared of stray toys. For the time, that was that. I cheered on from the sidelines back in the UK, admiring Alana’s inspiration and hard work. But it was when I was on maternity leave having had twins in 2017 that the idea dawned on me. My family had jumped from three to five in an instant and I faced the perennial challenge of how to divide myself amongst them. Was it possible to spend enough quality time with my children – and husband - while still doing something that fed my own identity beyond that of being mum?

Well, Alana had done it. She’d created a successful business while being a busy mum. And now she was followed by a community of parents in Australia who were equally busy, but in search of practical and stylish solutions as they raised their children. So, I asked the question: Do you want a business partner to bring the much-needed product to parents across Europe?

 

To my surprise and pleasure, she said yes. And, so, the partnership to launch Munchkin & Bear UK was born…

 

I hope you enjoy the products as much as we do, 

 

Sophie x

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google+

Leave a Comment?

Comments have to be approved before showing up

Service

Service

  • My Account
  • Track Order
  • Resolution Centre

Our Story

Our Story

  • Our Story
  • Our Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Humanities at Munchkin & Bear

Information

Information

  • FAQs
  • Shipping & Returns Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Security Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Pre-Order Timings

Stay In Touch

Copyright © 2021 Munchkin Mats Pty Ltd
ABN: 23169020080
  • Afterpay
  • PayPal Express
  • Master Card
  • Visa

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Munchkin Mats Pty Ltd’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The term ‘Munchkin Mats Pty Ltd’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is . Our ABN is 23169020080. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

  • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
  • Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
  • This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
  • All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
  • Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
  • From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
  • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of Australia.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how we uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.

We are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

  • name and job title
  • contact information including email address
  • demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
  • other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

What we do with the information we gather

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

  • Internal record keeping.
  • We may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
  • From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.
Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.
You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes
  • if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.