In search of a gentle cuppa during pregnancy, Bulli mum Maika Hehir created a guilt-free brew for mothers but has wound up with a product with broad appeal.
"I'm the founder of Mumma's Beans Coffee, an Australian-grown coffee that's slightly lower in acidity and caffeine for a gentler brew, as well as an organic decaf that actually tastes good," she says.
"We're probably also the only coffee brand with a skincare range, as we use our beans to make all natural coffee skincare using almost exclusively Australian sourced ingredients."
Born and raised in Germany, Maika has drawn on a career in sustainable food and a love of travel to build her new life in the Illawarra.
"I've always loved travelling and lived in four continents before settling in Australia for good – probably – 10 years ago," she says.
"I live with my husband, seven-year-old son, toy poodle Billy Ray and five chickens in Bulli, with two teenage stepchildren floating in and out. Apart from travelling, growing up as a city girl, I now prefer spending time in nature... at the beach, camping, or going on bush walks with the family, but I still enjoy my trips into Sydney every few weeks for work, meeting friends, or seeing a great show."
Thanks to Maika for telling us more.
How did your business begin?
My background is in global food ingredient sourcing, where I travelled to fields and farms all over the world talking about and helping to introduce sustainable growing practices. When I fell pregnant and became a little obsessed with coffee looking for a gentler brew I could enjoy without feeling guilty, I couldn't find anything suitable. With my background I knew I always wanted to start from the source, so I organised a family road trip to all the Australian coffee growers that would have me and set out to create my own.
Turns out not only pregnant and breastfeeding mums were looking for a healthier coffee, as the majority of our customers today come to us because regular coffee doesn't agree with their gut or causes discomfort, where they can enjoy our coffee without any negative side effects. We're actually planning a rebrand because so many of our customers say they love our coffee but are confused why it's so focussed on mums.
Best part of your job?
Receiving feedback from customers telling us how they haven't been able to drink coffee for years because of health issues and with Mumma's Beans they can finally enjoy their favourite brew again. Or a tired mum thanking us for allowing her to enjoy her coffee without feeling guilty that it could harm her baby. This is seriously the BEST part of my job. So if you love a small business – please make sure you tell them, in a review, email or whichever way, you'll literally make their day!
Most challenging?
Switching off. As a business owner, there's always more to do and if you love your job, it's easy to slip into 'just posting something', 'just responding to this email', just a little website update' mode when it's actually time to be present with family, friends or anything else that fills my cup OUTSIDE of work.
Highlight of your career?
Winning Editor's Choice with our Coffee, and Silver with our Coffee Lip Balm in the Clean + Conscious Awards and being interviewed for Mark Bouris' podcast earlier this year
What do you think of the local business community – any tips for meeting fellow entrepreneurs?
I've had such a warm welcome at my first events meeting fellow local business owners when we started five years ago, and received so much support and kindness over the years, it's been incredible. It can be such a lonely and overwhelming journey if you're used to working in a team.
As a starting point, I'd recommend following and signing up to local business communities like the Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce or Illawarra Women in Business, go to one of their local events, and make sure to say hello to three people you don't know. It won't take long until you'll feel part of this supportive community and found a new friend.
What's your favourite local way to relax?
I love the beach. It's the one place where my busy brain quietens down, where I can forget about time and to-do lists and just sit, enjoy, relax and recharge. It makes a bad day better and a good day great – in every season of the year. I sometimes still can't believe that I'm not on holidays, and that this beautiful coastline is actually home.
Maika would like to offer Illawarra Flame readers a discount of 20 per cent off her coffee and coffee skincare range – use the code FLAME20 at mummasbeans.com.au
October is Small Business Month – to celebrate the Illawarra Flame is featuring local small businesses doing great work. Want to share your story? Please get in touch
