The Mini Society
www.theminisociety.com.au
The Mini Society is a collection of super-practical, timeless backpacks and lunch bags for kids, designed to last from the first day at childcare through to kindy, primary school and beyond. Sister to the wildly successful brand The Nappy Society, The Mini Society range of backpacks, lunch bags and organisational accessories are chic yet functional and definitely won’t go out of fashion.
At Minty, we are firm believers in the ‘buy once and buy well’ mentality and there’s plenty to love about these backpacks, particularly if you are not fond of a bag covered in superheroes, rainbows or cartoon characters. These classic pieces are designed with longevity and functionality in mind. Plus they are super handy to grab and go on weekends when heading to the park or playground.
With a strong focus on quality materials that last and timeless designs that are suitable for kids and parents alike, The Mini Society is all about making modern parenting-life a little bit easier and a whole lot more stylish. Today we chat to the founder Gemma, about The Mini Society range of products, her go-to Mummy tote and her business plans for the future.
Tell us about The Nappy Society and how your new range came about?
‘The idea for came about whilst I was pregnant with my first child, searching for the perfect baby bag. I found myself disappointed and uninspired by the selection of baby bags and accessories that were available on the market. However, I’d noticed that many modern mammas were using their designer totes as baby bags. After trying this out for myself, I soon realised the complete lack of functionality and practicality when searching for my keys or wallet amongst a collection of nappies, wipes, toys and all the other baby gear! That’s when I knew there had to be a better way for Mums to stay organised (whilst continuing to use their favourite tote bag) and so, the Original Baby Bag Insert was born.
Since then, our range has grown to include stylish, fashion-forward and highly functional lifestyle accessories such as Wet Wipes Pouches, Stroller Clips, Tote Bags, Reusable Wet Bags and Pacifier Bags as well as the launch of The Mini Society featuring Kids Lunch Bags and Backpacks.’
What are you most passionate about when designing your collection and what is your inspiration?
‘There are so many things about becoming a Mum that are messy, unfashionable and often not functional. The Nappy Society is on a mission to inspire modern mammas to reclaim their personal style so they can feel confident and empowered in their day to day lives. We aim to create products that are needed on a daily basis to stay organised when the go, whilst ensuring they’re high quality, stylish and luxe at the same time. The Mini Society is a continuation of this philosophy, to create products for children aged 2 to 12 that are durable, timeless and can be used for years to come.’
Talk us through the features of The Mini Society backpack and lunch bag!
‘These have been tried and tested by our own little ones and passed all the tests! It was important to design a Kids Backpack that is just the right size! Large enough to fit everything they need, and compact enough for them to carry. Crafted from waterproof and lightweight Nylon, the backpack features adjustable shoulder straps, chunky tonal Nylon zippers and a top grab handle.
The Lunch Bag is thoughtfully made with thick, aluminium lined walls for maximum insulation, keeping contents cooler and fresher for longer. There’s plenty of room for packing lunches and inner pockets for extra snacks. Let’s not forget the mesh bottle pocket, so there’s no leaving behind the water bottle!’
Tell us about any new products or upcoming releases?
‘Our latest product for The Mini Society is the new Blush Pink Kids Backpack and Lunch Bag, which were just released! We are currently working on so many new and exciting products for both The Mini Society and The Nappy Society and have big plans to expand internationally, so watch this space!’
“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything”
What is the most rewarding part of owning your business?
‘The flexibility, I have two young girls (2.5 years old and 3 months!) so I can work on the business from home and still be around for dinners, baths and park dates which I absolutely love. I also enjoy the general day-to-day of running the business, being involved in the different areas such as buying, design and marketing. It keeps me on my toes, but I love it! And lastly, the feedback we get from customers, that really gives me the motivation to keep going.’
How important is it to you to produce ethically and sustainably, and how are you managing this within your business?
‘This is a big focus for us heading into 2022 and something we are currently working on with our suppliers. One of our first steps this year has been to reduce the amount of soft plastics that are used in our shipments, which has been reduced by at least 50% so far, but it’s a work in progress.’
Quick Fire Q’s
(Tote) Go-To Mummy Bag: fav go-to tote at the moment is the Chloe Woody Tote (with our Original Insert in Black)
(Instagram) Fave scroll stopper: At the moment, it’s every time I see street-style shots from Parisian bloggers…
(Design Style) Less is more or more is more: Less is more!
(Netflix) Can’t switch off: I haven’t had any time to watch TV since having my second baby and growing the business!
(Motherhood) Defining parenting moment: I think the first time my eldest daughter went to childcare, she was about 18months, and I was so nervous she would get upset going or that something would happen. But the first day I dropped her off she basically ran into the room without looking back! Now it’s the highlight of her week, she’s so social and absolutely loves it. I think I realised then that she was turning into a little girl and no longer a baby that was with me 24/7.
(Mindfulness) Quote that best sums you up: “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything”
Check out the Best Bag Bling for Back To School