Maternity leave side hustle solving big baby carrier problem: Hackerlily HipSurfer goes global

A Gold Coast entrepreneur who is genuinely solving a daily problem experienced by all parents and carers of young children has revealed how she is building her business Hackerlily into a purpose-driven brand.

Launched in February 2023, Hackerlily started as a self-funded maternity leave side hustle by founder Laura Campbell, who wanted to alleviate the pain she experienced with her chronic rheumatoid arthritis while carrying her two young children.

In just 12 months, Hackerlily HipSurfer, the first Australian-owned hipseat baby carrier of its kind in the country, has turned over more than $250,000 and won three awards.

During the very first year of business, Hackerlily walked away with the ROAR Start-Up of the Year Award 2023, while the HipSurfer won the Ausmumpreneur ‘Product Design of the Year’ Award 2023 and placed highly recommended at the SHE-com Awards for Baby Travel Accessory.

It was also the first Australian brand to be invited to join Baby Bunting’s Online Marketplace and has recently partnered with NovitaTech- Australia’s largest assistive technology retailer.

Campbell told SmartCompany the Hackerlily HipSurfer is basically a pimped-up lumbar stool. 

“It’s a strap-free baby carrier and bum bag that sits snuggly around your waist and absorbs the full weight of your child,” she explains. 

“The ergonomic...