New baby, new business

Lyla Tuwhangai knows better than most what it’s like to juggle children and business – she launched a new company in April, when her youngest child was just two months old.

The Redcliffe mum of three daughters is a finalist in the Hair and Beauty and Product Innovation categories of the AusMumpreneur Awards, presented by The Women’s Business School after launching haircare range Mamako.

Lyla says that for her, when it comes to having a business and children, it’s not about trying to balance everything.

The right blend

“There’s no balance,” she says. “We can’t do it all, children outweigh all that. For me it’s been about blending things.

“I work in the loungeroom with them, it’s just normal for them.”

Natural solution

Having worked in the hair industry for more than 20 years, Lyla had long wanted to create natural hair products that helped women with hormonal hair loss.

“It came together because I am a mum and lost quite a lot of hair after each baby,” Lyla says.

The result was Mamako, manufactured in Queensland.

“It’s vegan, cruelty-free and has a lot of Australian ingredients, including quinoa for protein, dragonfruit and Tasmanian bluegum.”

Just for kids

Lyla also created a children’s range, to fill a gap in the professional haircare market.

“Salons traditionally just use a gentle adults’ shampoo for children,” Lyla explains.

“This is designed for kids and contains a lice preventative and the range includes a two-in-one to make life easier.”

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