Mum entreprenuer PacaPod come abstract artist
As the mother of two daughters and a former outdoor clothing designer, the idea for PacaPod came to me in a true "Eureka" moment—though it wasn’t quite as glamorous as it sounds. Picture this: me, reduced to a heap of tears, desperately searching for an emergency baby wipe, only to pull out… well, nothing remotely useful! That’s when I vowed no parent would ever be brought to tears over a missing baby wipe again. And so, the 3-in-1 PacaPod was born.
Parenting has taught me a lot, and one of the key lessons? When you need something, you need to get to it fast—with minimal risk of being confronted by a half-eaten sandwich or a handful of raisins. (Come on, we’ve all been there, right?) Life with kids is busy enough without the added chaos of rummaging through a black hole of a bag. After my girls were born, I felt post-birth trauma wasn’t just a one-time thing—it still sneaks up on me, even years later!
Even a simple trip to the park can feel like preparing for a military operation, and don’t even get me started on bigger adventures like, say, traveling to the other side of the world. But honestly, knowing I’m organized and have everything in its place is one less thing to worry about. And let’s face it—worrying about things we can’t change is time wasted, and who has time to waste with kids running around? (Spoiler: nobody.)
The idea for PacaPod actually began forming after I cycled around the world with all my possessions stored in two panniers. (Yep, pre-kids, I was that adventurous!) Traveling light and staying organized was not just essential for happiness but also for survival—especially on those uphill climbs! When I became a mum, I realized I was essentially doing the same thing, except with nappies, bottles, and snacks. After chatting with fellow mums, it hit me: we were all carrying three bags instead of one. And voilà, the 3-in-1 baby bag was born.
Launching PacaPod at the Harrogate Nursery Trade Show in 2008? Now that was an experience. Terrified doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I was breastfeeding my 6-month-old while trying to manage my 2-year-old, all while hoping my creation didn’t flop. But guess what? It didn’t! John Lewis and Mothercare picked us up, and we were even pursued to go on Dragons’ Den (no dragons were harmed in the making of this bag, I promise). Since then, PacaPod has found its way into the hands of parents and even celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Zara Phillips—talk about a superdad endorsement!
For 16 years, PacaPod has been the go-to baby changing bag in the UK. We run the business from a cozy workshop in Devon, where we make samples and keep things ticking over. Each design stays true to the original formula: a parent bag, feeder pod, changer pod & mat, pram clips, and a mini pod. We’ve got something for everyone, whether it’s a twin changing bag or a sleek leather design. Plus, the backpack option is perfect for dads—because dads deserve cool bags too, right?
Our award cabinet’s pretty full these days, and I couldn’t be prouder. I’ve learned so much over the past 16 years, and I love helping other parents. So if you ever have a genius idea during one of those 3 a.m. night feeds, don’t dismiss it! Trust me, parents know exactly what other parents need to survive this wild ride.
