Menu
Menu

Behind The Brand: Cuddlebee's Kumaransi Perera

Behind The Brand Cuddlebees Kumaransi Perera

Splish splashing around at bath time is heaps of fun, but not so for parents with slippery slidey feet and those who like their clothes to be dry! Enter Cuddlebee’s director Kumaransi Perera, who designed and created a simple towel that doubles as an apron and not only keeps mum and dad dry, but frees up their hands for more important things – like bathing baby! Here, Kumaransi explains the buzz…

What a clever design! Can you explain how the Cuddlebee Smart Towel works?

Thankyou! The Cuddlebee Smart Towel has been designed to be worn around the neck, which then leaves both your hands free to safely hold and bath your baby. It doubles as an apron to keep you dry while enjoying baby bath time. When bath time is over you simply bring your baby straight onto your chest and wrap them up in the Cuddlebee Smart towel. Then when you are ready to get them dressed after bath time cuddles, just undo the fastener from behind your neck and place the baby down onto the change table. It’s a simple concept with an equally simple design, but one that is there to make our parenting life just a little easier.  

What was the inspiration behind your business? (Did you design this for your baby after discovering the missing towel/wet clothes phenomenon? Then decide to turn it into a business?)

The inspiration behind this towel actually stemmed from trying to find the most perfect gift for a work colleague of mine who was going to become a mum for the first time, but also venture into it alone as a single mum. I had been gifted a towel similar to the Cuddlebee Smart Towel from family overseas, and knew it was by far the best, most useful gift I was given for my first baby. So with that in mind my hunt began. I went to every baby store, every department store and was greeted with the most confused looks by the sales people. Who is this crazy lady? And a product like that does NOT exist! So I ended up buying my colleague a boring, generic gift, but left with the determination that I could bring this towel to life in Australia. With that I started my research into manufacturing, importing, learning about fabric and sewing techniques as well as what was required to start my very own business. And now here we are! I am proud to say Cuddlebee and the Smart Towel is somevery baby store, every department store and was greeted with the most confused looks by the sales people. Who is this crazy lady? And a product like that does NOT exist! So I ended up buying my colleague a boring, generic gift, but left with the determination that I could bring this towel to life in Australia. With that I started my research into manufacturing, importing, learning about fabric and sewing techniques as well as what was required to start my very own business. And now here we are! I am proud to say Cuddlebee and the Smart Towel is som

Behind The Brand Cuddlebees Kumaransi Perera 2

What did life look like before baby and Cuddlebee arrived? 

My life before babies and the Cuddlebee business was far less chaotic and a lot more streamlined! But as every mum knows 'streamlined' goes out the door when you have mini-mes to take care of. Life before babies and Cuddlebee consisted of work, study gym, travel and dance! That was all. I worked as an MRI Radiographer, while completing my Masters degree in Applied Health Science in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, went to the gym three times a week, travelled whenever I got the chance and did Sri Lankan dance weekly. So routine. So carefree!  

What did life look like when your children entered the world, and Cuddlebee was born?

I had children and then started Cuddlebee, and still continue to work part-time as an MRI Radiographer – it’s definitely not as routine as it used to be! But somehow, with the help of my husband and my parents it all works! It's a juggle, but I find that I use my time more efficiently now. It’s amazing how much Cuddlebee work I can get done in my 30 minute lunch break! I also make lots of lists and prioritise tasks accordingly, but most importantly I make sure to switch on 'mum mode' when I'm with my kids. For without them life is routine and mundane. They are the driving force behind it all. 

How is the Cuddlebee Smart Towel unique?

The number one unique selling point of the Cuddlebee Smart Towel is the shape. There isn't another one like it in the market! The shape allows you to wear it comfortably around your neck and sits neatly across the shoulder in order to keep you dry. The sheer size of the towel gives it its longevity. It drapes down past waist length in height and the generous width from side to side allows you to comfortably wrap and dry your baby. This also means that you will never be limited in use as your child grows taller, because it is designed to wrap and dry from the sides. You can continue to use it from newborn days all the way up until your toddler or young child needs to be carried out of the bath. 

How has the Cuddlebee been received by other parents?

Everyone that has bought the Cuddlebee Smart Towel absolutely love it! They love the simplicity of the design, the softness of the fabric, the generous size and the towel and more so they love that it is a unique that product that is there to make our mum life that little bit easier. It’s like having an extra pair on hands during bath time. 

Website: www.cuddlebee.com.au, Instagram @cuddlebee.au, 

Facebook @cuddlebee


Want to see the products up close? Come to our next 
Sydney baby expo or Melbourne baby expo by visiting our Sydney baby expo page here or our Melbourne baby expo page here.

Your cart
Cart empty