Bayley Willcox is the owner and founder of Zen and Zee, a beautiful New Zealand designed and made merino blanket brand located on the Shore. She grew up on the Shore with her two sisters and now lives in Hobsonville Point with her husband and one year old son, Louie Zee. Bayley’s background is in interiors and fashion, having worked at Mildred&Co and Deadly Ponies. She talks to Channel about her brand and the inspiration she finds online.
Channel Magazine: Tell us about your business Zen and Zee and how it came about…
Bayley Willox: When pregnant with my son Louie, I struggled to find the perfect neutral merino wool blanket so once he was here, I decided to make my own. Working in e-commerce for so many years, I had always wanted to start my own side hustle from scratch and see where it would lead. The key focus for the business for me was on a sustainable product, one made from the highest quality materials and being New Zealand made (something I am super passionate about and proud of)!
CM: Is Instagram a source of inspiration for you? Who do you recommend following and why?
BW: Absolutely, I find a lot of inspiration from Instagram, especially in finding other small businesses which would be harder to discover otherwise. I love following my sister’s pages for advice @georgiaellahomeopathy, & @taiyo__space for her yoga and meditation.
@wornforgood for fashion & @bohemehome_ for interiors.
CM: Which other local businesses/brands do social media well?
BW: I love @simonjamesstore for design inspiration, local childrenswear @sunnastudios and @oatskids.
CM: What are your goals/plans for 2022?
BW: I have just launched a series called #zenandzeenurserytours to give other mums and mums-to-be inspiration so I am looking forward to sharing that and building it with our community. Seeing where Zen and Zee can go and spending time with my family and son as much as possible.
Visit @zenandzee_ on Instagram or www.zenandzee.co.nz
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