Mary Ann Mesbur says LEO South
Dublin has been hugely helpful with her company
A healthy progression for Bears Little Fish
AFTER giving birth to premature twin boys in 2017, MaryAnn Mesbur was using bamboo-based products for her kids due to their sensitive skin.
When she couldn’t source bamboo products from a local producer in Ireland, MaryAnn decided to start up her own business selling organic bamboo products for babies.
Based in Rathcoole, MaryAnn started Bears Little Fish 2020, and four years later, the start-up has its products stocked in a number of retailers, and a strong online presence both in Ireland and abroad in the US, Canada, France and Germany.
“We just got to Belgium and are looking to launch my products there, which are available in all those countries on Amazon,” said MaryAnn.
It has been healthy progression for the business, which prides itself on providing sustainable and organic essentials such as baby bibs, blankets and rompers.
However, MaryAnn hasn’t had much time to reflect, juggling the business and raising a young family.
“It doesn’t feel like fast growth,” she said.
“As you know in business there is a lot of ups and downs. LEO (South Dublin Local Enterprise Office) have been hugely helpful, especially in the last two years.
Mainly through its network of retailers, the supports that are available, the trading online vouchers helped to develop the website (bearslittlefish.com), e commerce, various grants, leadership course, a trade mission to Brussels, and nominated for awards.”
MaryAnn’s products are 100 per cent bamboo.
“They are what I used on my own kids and that is what I wanted to bring to the Irish market,” said MaryAnn.
“Looking ahead , I’d like to see continued steady growth.
“I’d like to continue to expand with retailers in Ireland and Europe if possible.
“I’m also looking to expand the range.
“The aim is to have two new collections every year.
“This collection is 40-piece, the previous was six-piece.
“Also, I would love to do a Christmas pop up shop.
“We had a LEO stand at a showcase in the RDS in June and that was huge.
“A number of Irish retailers ordered from me at the showcase which was brilliant.”
