A local mum who started a business with her sister in a Woonona lounge room has won national recognition for producing sustainable hats for children made from regenerated nylon.
'coast kids' recently won a silver prize in the kids accessories category at the 2025 Clean + Conscious Awards, an annual celebration of Australian and New Zealand products that are good for the planet and its people. The recognition comes at a good time, with concerns about US tariffs affecting overseas sales.
After the awards were announced in August, coast kids co-founder Morgan Clark said, "I feel like it authenticates what we have worked hard to achieve …
“We are honoured that an idea that started in our lounge room floor has grown into something far beyond what we imagined.
"To have our products recognised on a national stage shows that small, local businesses can still make a big impact.”
Her beach and outdoor lifestyle brand was also a finalist in the activities category for their kites, which are made from the fibres of recycled plastic bottles.
'coast kids' has met a wave of consumer demand for sustainability and social responsibility in small business. In less than five years, the business has grown to have its products stocked in 130 stores in nine countries.
Morgan says they're known for a "playful yet practical range of beach and poolside essentials". As well as their award-winning hats, the sisters also produce castle buckets, dive toys and all-cotton hooded towels. “We are quiet achievers and in four short years have continued to grow without celebrating our success more broadly."
Thanks to Morgan for taking the time to share the story of their journey from local start-up to national brand.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I have lived in Woonona since 2019 with my husband and two boys. We love the beach, playing a range of sports and are forever thankful that we get to call this region home.
I started coast kids with my sister, Mallory, in 2021 and it’s been a rollercoaster ever since.
Where did you study?
My formal qualification is journalism and I am also in the process of completing my Diploma in Auslan. For coast kids, we rely on our personal experiences – as mums who spend a lot of time at the beach with our kids – and invest in product engineers to get our products right.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Honestly, where we live, our kids and how much time we spend outdoors.
When we first started, no Australian-owned business had released silicone beach products and things have just grown for us from there.
Best part of your job?
Coming up with new ideas and seeing those ideas come to fruition after many, many, months or years of work with our manufacturers.
Most challenging?
Retail in general is a rollercoaster ride. Our biggest market has always been the US – but now with the new tariffs we aren’t too sure what our future sales will look like there.
Who has helped you along the way?
Our entire family. From running market stalls, moving us from storage units to a shared warehouse, to acting as our couriers when mail delivery services fail. We wouldn’t have been able to survive without their help.
Highlight of your career?
Coming across our products in person while holidaying in New York a few years ago. We knew we had a stockist there and to see our kites that we designed in the window of a store, in the heart of the city, was surreal.
And finally, what's your favourite local way to relax?
Taking a quiet walk around and exploring the rock pools of Sandon Point, near the boat sheds. There is a calm about that place like no other and we always manage to find sea life that we can safely observe while being in awe of its beauty.
For more information, visit www.coastkids.shop
