I’ve long been a fan of Incy Interiors for their super cute range of colourful beds and cots, the beautiful styling and heavenly kids interiors they’re known for. But they caught my eye a little while ago and since having Cleo, I’m even more excited about this fabulous brand. I stumbled across the gorgeous cots online and instantly knew this was a brand I needed to keep in the memory bank. I’m now in major design mode with ideas buzzing through my head for Cleo’s new room and our little bubs nursery so this is definitely a brand on my radar.
I’m also hugely inspired by Mother’s who see a gap in the market after having their own kids to then set out and launch their own businesses. This is one of those inspiring stories where a simple idea has lead to a thriving business. Combining my love of kids interiors and all things related to our little friends, I couldn’t wait to catch up with Kristy to find out all about her exciting business.
Grab your coffee and get to know the lovely Kristy Withers of Incy Interiors.
– How did Incy Interiors come about?
Incy began when my son was 2 and was ready to move into a big boy bed. At the time I was working at eBay Australia managing their marketing team and I was travelling regularly to the US/Europe and seeing all the amazing products available there. I had an image in my mind of a dark brown iron bed. I searched high and low for it. I tried to get one made, I tried to buy old ones off eBay but they had lead paint and I tried to import one but I just kept coming up with barriers. I harped on and on at anyone who would listen about my quest for this bed. Finally my husband said to me one day ‘for god sake stop talking about it and you just doing it’. This was the push I needed and from then Incy was born!
– Tell us about Incy Interiors?
Incy Interiors specialises in beautiful designer furniture for babies and children and more recently adults.
– Describe a typical day in the life of Incy Interiors?
There is no typical day for me but the day generally starts at 5.30/6.00am when my husband’s alarm goes off. The kids generally come in for a snuggle before starting the day and then we start the crazy rush of getting dressed, breakfast, bags packed, etc before getting out the door at 7.45am. We have a 30 minute travel and then two school drops offs on either side of town and I try to be in the office by 9am. The day then varies wildly. I may be doing anything from marketing plans through to financial forecasts, entering orders or talking to customers. We have no egos at Incy so everyone pitches in and does what needs to be done. I leave the office 5.30ish and either pick the kids up from my sister’s (who is our nanny and lifesaver) or head home where the kids will already be. Then the crazy rush of baths, dinner, homework, stories etc begin. Our kids have a bedtime of7.30pm so by the time I have cleaned up and put washing on it is generally around 8.30ish. I then either flop on the lounge and watch tv, have a bath (and glass of wine) or open up my laptop. Bedtime for me is generally 10ish and then it all starts again!
Once a fortnight I am in Sydney for two days doing meetings, WIPs with the two teams down there, helping out in the store, etc. I feel like I have the perfect balance. I get to spend two days in Sydney being corporate Kristy doing meetings, having dinners, seeing friends and rushing around. I then return home to my little town of 600 people where life is easy, there are no looking for parks/traffic, etc.
– What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard and stay humble.
– What inspires you?
The main thing that inspires me is my family and my team. I really want to make them proud so I am constantly looking at things we can do differently/better so that we are all the best we can be. With regards to product design, I really find it anywhere. Our original coloured beds were inspired by the Smeg coloured fridges whilst our copper range was way ahead of the times and it was based on my watch. I actually sent it over to our manufacturer so he could get the finish exactly right!
– 3 things you can’t leave home without?
My iphone, mascara and a statement piece of jewellery
– What would be your top tips for styling a kids room/ or nursery?
My main tip is to spend as much as you can afford on a quality piece of furniture that will last the test of time. You can then go for cheaper options to accessorise the room. This way you won’t feel bad when in 2 years time you are ready for an update!
– What exciting things do you have in store for the remainder of 2015?
We have some big plans for the remainder of the year. We have a different mix of products launching later in the year as well as our expansion into the US.
Thank you Kristy.
Images supplied by Incy Interiors
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