Ransome couple Amanda and Matt McKay proved that “Great things come from hard work and perseverance” when they turned their home-based play mat business into a million-dollar empire while staying home at the height of the pandemic.
Amanda opened Freddy & Co, her online business, soon after giving birth to her son, Freddy in 2016. She had the idea to supply play mats that were fun, safe, and educational (and adult-friendly!) when she noticed a gap in the market. Her husband, a former Socceroo, gave his full support and helped Amanda launch the Freddy Co online site in 2017.
“When Freddy & Co launched there were no safety standards for baby play mats in Australia. Although there were mats that claimed to be non-toxic they didn’t have the testing to back it up,” the couple said on their official site.
“Then there were the baby play mats that were non-toxic but not stylish. Some were educational and others looked pretty – Freddy & Co wanted all these things! This was the problem we hope to solve not just for ourselves, but for other families too.”
After sourcing non-toxic polyurethane, which has been tested for its quality and high standards in the U.S. and Europe, the pair then worked on designs and touch-based with a manufacturer in China.
Their business started slowly as Amanda was still working as a maths/science teacher. While Matt retired from professional football, his focus on Freddy & Co was as a side hustle.
But when the pandemic hit, the couple changed course and worked on their home business full time from their home in Ransome. The side hustle then became full-time work that paid off quite substantially as they experienced an 82 per cent growth for 2020/21.
After more than 17,000 orders across the country, the play mat business is now a staple in many Australian homes with kids. However, Amanda and Matt still maintain their business as a fully online endeavour though they plan to participate in expos by 2023.
The couple said they worked hard to build Freddy & Co’s online marketing and SEO. Running a business from home has been rewarding, as they have more time to be with their kids. After Freddy, the couple also welcomed Patrick and Ruby.
Get connected to Freddy & Co on Instagram.