Kellie is a mum of two and the founder of Fig&Bloom. After studying at FlowerSchool New York, where she was taught by leading international floral designer Shane Connelly (the wedding floral designer to Prince William and Princess Kate and the principal florist to Queen Elizabeth) Kellie returned to Australia and founded Fig&Bloom in 2015.
What is one thing you wish you had known before having a baby?
I wish someone had sat me down and said: ‘Congratulations, you’re about to birth a tiny dictator who demands endless cuddles and runs a 24/7 laundry side hustle you never signed up for.
Did you feel prepared for postpartum?
Nope, not with the first baby - not even close! I had spreadsheets for baby milestones but zero game plan for my own survival. Bub was a little underweight — cue me Googling at 2 a.m. — but in reality, bub was on an even growth trajectory and my own health was waving a white flag from the sidelines!
Did you do anything differently the second-time around based on your first experience?
Oh, absolutely — second time around, I treated my recovery like a priority instead of an optional side quest.
As a business owner, I also played it safer.
First time, I hired externally to cover my maternity leave… and let’s just say, it didn’t go to plan. The person didn’t support the team the way I’d hoped, and somehow made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough — while I was, you know, growing a human and recovering from birth! Guilt and hormones make a powerful combo, and I found myself taking back responsibilities I had no business handling at that time.
Second time, I hired from within — and what a difference! She came off a high base of knowledge & the team already trusted her. We experienced the expected highs and lows but overall it was a success.
What are 3 things every mum should receive in those early months of postpartum?
Chats with other mums! Honestly, I’m not just saying that because I’m chatting to you, FDO — promise! There’s nothing like bouncing around random thoughts about bub’s development, weird postpartum symptoms, or whether it’s normal to be hot and clammy all the time. Talking to other mums makes you feel human again (and slightly less like a sleep-deprived space alien).
Exercise… if and when you can! I’m not talking about a regular Pilates class — some days, just dragging myself around the block like a very determined zombie felt like a major win. Having a winter baby meant fresh air was rare and precious, so even five minutes outside made a difference. Plus, I had no idea how much time I spent hunched over — feeding, cuddling, rocking. Just standing up straight and moving my body, even for a short walk, felt like a huge achievement for the day.
A push present… bought by YOU, if necessary! Look, I’m not the kind of girl who drops hints or waits around hoping someone else will read my mind. I simply bought my own push present. It wasn’t anything extravagant — just a few things that made those long cold winter days a little more joyful. I still use them all 9 months later. Highly recommend the ‘treat yourself’ strategy — you’ve earned it.
What is the best thing you can do for a new mum you know?
Help her get set up before the chaos hits.
My sister did this for me and it was priceless. She whisked me off on a “new-mum essentials” shopping mission and made sure I had all the tiny things I didn’t know I’d need—think endless white cloths, a change table caddy for wipes etc, a bottle-sanitising corner in the kitchen, the works.
We were not as prepared as we could have been in the nursery and she helped rearrange so the nappies, wipes, and baby clothes were all within arm’s reach of the change table.
It sounds simple, but those little practical tweaks saved a mountain of mental load (and midnight gymnastics) once bub arrived.
Did running a business prepare you at all for postpartum?
Absolutely! After ten years of 3 a.m. flower-market wake-ups, I was already fluent in the language of sleep deprivation. Midnight feeds? Early-morning nappy explosions? My body clock just shrugged and said, “We’ve been training for this.”
Or inversely, has motherhood changed how you are as a businesswoman?
I’ve always been the person who’ll re-tie a ribbon even if it’s slightly crooked. That fastidious streak is why our arrangements arrive looking ready for their own Vogue shoot or Instagram moment: every stem intentional, every fragrance note deliberate.
But motherhood gifted me a new super-power: prioritising. When nappies and nap schedules set the tempo, you quickly learn which finishing touches are must-haves and which are just pretty extras. Now I focus on the details that elevate the whole experience—immaculate blooms, flawless presentation, impeccable timing—and let anything less than essential take a graceful back seat. I’ve trained the team to understand how to give the “wow, this feels exclusive” moment, but it lands faster, fresher, and with zero fuss.
My Top 5 Post-Partum Essentials (a mix of products, people, and sanity-savers)
- FDO
My go-to for routine and community. Each week got me out of the house, kept me social, and reminded me there are other adults in the world who are going through similar struggles.
- A genuinely supportive partner
Dan handled every hospital visit and follow-up for our two-year-old while I juggled a newborn. Knowing he had that covered lifted a huge mental load—and let me focus on healing and bonding.
- Silverettes
These little sterling-silver covers are like tiny suits of armour during any intense breastfeeding struggles.
- A wind-down ritual
A few quiet pages of a (non-baby) book before sleep resets my brain along with Insight Timer, my meditation app. A good way to reset before the next feed.
- One-hand-friendly power snacks
Lactation/protein balls I can pop while breastfeeding at night (or day!) —no crumbs, no fuss and a tiny dopamine hit. Have with a cuppa tea for extra points!
How do you find balance as a mum and a business owner?
Zoom-out mindset I remind myself that long work stretches aren’t forever. Dan and I are deliberately shaping the business so we can both slide into shorter, part-time hours—slow progress, but worth it for future family time.
Guilt-proofing the kids’ routine When we’re happy with the children’s day-to-day schedules—who’s picking up, who’s cooking, who’s on bedtime duty—the “working-parent guilt” quiets down. Clear plans = calmer brains.
Monthly family resets Every four - six weeks (especially after a busy period) we block out a long weekend—or a full week if we can swing it—to unplug together. Think time in the bush, at a farm, the pool, beach picnics.
My advice for other mums juggling multiple kids and work:
• Keep the big picture in view: this season of extra hustle is temporary.
• Schedule family time the same way you schedule your day; if it’s in the diary, it happens.
Perfect balance? Probably a myth. But a rhythm that feels good most days? Absolutely doable.
