Billycart Kids: Mandy Smolders’ Gatton business nominated for 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards

Launched in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, a ‘serial entrepreneur’ has shipped thousands of shoes to customers across Australia from her home-based business.

After struggling to find good quality shoes at a reasonable price for her young daughter, a Lockyer Valley businesswoman has built a successful brand which is shipping products around Australia to thousands of “frustrated” parents in the same boat.

Mandy Smolders officially launched Billycart Kids in September last year after 12 months of work behind the scenes.

Based from her home in Gatton, Mrs Smolders is also selling her shoes to customers in New Zealand with plans to expand to other countries as the business continues to grow.

Billycart Kids founder and director Mandy Smolders with daughter Sasha.

“I couldn’t find a good quality podiatrist-recommended shoe that was in a price range that I was comfortable with; anything under $90 really,” she said.

“It seemed there wasn’t a lot in the middle market.

There were very cost effective shoes that aren’t necessarily the best for the feet in the department shoes. I just wanted to fill that hole in the market.

“Early on kids are growing out of shoes every four or six months.

“I style the shoes myself and then they’re manufactured and the orders are fulfilled from our warehouse in Melbourne.”

Mrs Smolders describes herself as a “serial entrepreneur” and previously ran a hot chip truck in Brisbane, was a partner in Australia’s largest Harry Potter merchandiser and is a qualified marriage celebrant.

She enjoyed the flexibility of working from home and not having to miss a moment with daughter Sasha while still being busy on the phone and laptop.

Mrs Smolders said she couldn’t find any good-quality footwear for her daughter that was reasonably priced.

Launched in the middle of a pandemic, Mrs Smodlers has watched her latest venture grow month on month and has now been named as a finalist for two national small business awards.

She moved to the Lockyer Valley from Brisbane with her paramedic husband Tim in 2018.

Mrs Smolders said her shoes are made from lightweight, quality material with a wide toe, anti-slip rubber soles and ergonomic foot pads.

They sell for under $50.

“Our success is growing and growing with each passing month,” she said.

“Children’s products, particularly shoes, can be so hard to find good ones that they become a word of mouth product.

“As more parents discover us and leaves us wonderful five star reviews on our website and tell their friends, that word of mouth grows every mouth.

Billycart Kids is based in Gatton in the Lockyer Valley.

“We live on a property and a billycart kid is someone who is a little bit rough and tumble who likes to get paint on their clothes and is banging on the door at 7am waiting to go outside and play.

“It’s a little shoe for big adventures.”

Mrs Smolders is a finalist in the 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards for the best fashion business and one to watch categories.

Winners will be announced at an event on the Sunshine Coast in November.

“It’s lovely to be recognised for the effort that it takes to set up a small business from scratch and build it from the ground up,” she said.

“Often we walk alone or we’re in very small teams or family teams and you don’t really get any outside recognition.

“If you have the dream, chase it. Don’t get to the end of your life wondering what if.”

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.