Aussie mum’s invention solves very annoying issue
An Australian mum with a simple idea has created a world-first product that solves one very annoying issue we’ve all experienced.
When Yaz Lindenberg made the decision to leave her career in Defence to focus on her family, she pictured long, relaxed days at the beach with her two young children.
What she hadn’t fantasised about was the annoying and messy aftermath that follows taking two little ones for a good old-fashioned play in the sand - not to mention the resulting skin problems. And she could never have predicted that the universal problem would lead to the most unexpected career shift the NSW mum made since leaving the Navy.
Living in stunning Jervis Bay on the state’s south coast, the 34-year-old told news.com.au a huge part of her life has always revolved around those picturesque beach days, but she would dread dealing with her family’s skin being covered in sand, the fine grains simply no match for any of her usual towels or wipes.
“No matter how much I tried, sand would cling to their skin, leaving it dry, irritated, and uncomfortable, especially in sensitive areas,” she said.
“After swimming, their skin would become even more dehydrated. Saltwater naturally draws moisture from the skin, stripping away its protective oils and leaving it dry, tight, and prone to irritation.
“I’d go through half a packet of wipes trying to remove the sand and grime, but it would only push the sand around rather than remove it. Towels didn’t help either, if anything, they made it worse.
“The sand would scratch the skin, leaving red rashes, and their skin became too sensitive to touch with anything at all. I was also tired of carrying around bottles of creams, packs of wipes, and an overloaded nappy bag to get through a beach day or outing.”
After an especially messy day, Ms Lindenberg had an idea, and rather than lamenting the problem like most parents do, she took the step of taking out a start-up loan and connecting with pharmaceutical scientists to find a fix.
Now she’s invented a world-first solution to the very common, very Aussie problem, and is ready to launch her business in January.
Sandy Baby is a one-of-a-kind wipe that is specifically designed to effectively remove sand, dirt and grit from you and your little one’s skin after even the most hectic of sandy play dates.
The product will finally become a reality in the new year after a long process for Ms Lindenberg that started with a start-up loan from Westpac to fund the custom formulation from pharmaceutical company Formulytica, manufacturing costs, IP protection and product liability insurance.
The NSW mum will join more than half (55 per cent) of Australians who are either already actively earning from a side hustle or are considering starting one as an additional source of income.
According to market research conducted by Westpac in October 2025, just over one in four (27 per cent) Australians are currently earning money via a side hustle, and a similar number (28 per cent) are considering starting one.
While many may be thinking about starting a business, the research revealed the more common barriers to getting ideas off the ground.
Time scarcity (33 per cent) and juggling life responsibilities (28 per cent) were the two key barriers for most, especially for the under 50s and respondents in metro locations. While over a quarter (also 28 per cent) blamed a lack of knowledge or not knowing where to start.
Wetspac managing director for business lending Tamara Bryden told news.com.au the bank was working to remove barriers holding Australians, particularly Australian women, back from making their start-up dreams a reality.
“Yasmin saw a genuine market gap, and had a clear vision, and the determination to
make it work,” Ms Bryden told news.com.au.
“When Australian women are creating world-first products that solve real problems, our job is to remove the financial barriers and back them to succeed.”
On the 26th of January, 2026 (December for those signed up for the pre-sale) Ms Lindenberg will officially launch Sandy Baby, and she can’t wait to share her product with the world.
“When you’re creating something that’s never been done before, the excitement builds quickly, and with that excitement comes the need to move fast,” she said.
“But progress requires funding, and having financial support at the right time can make all the difference.”
She also urges any other Australians wanting to start their own business or to harness their creative ideas to just give it a go.
“Back yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable,” she said.
“Be prepared to be questioned, challenged, and pushed beyond your comfort zone. When things get overwhelming, step away and reset, go for a run, hit the gym, clear your head, and then get back to it with a fresh mindset.
“It is so important to have your own hype team, a supportive partner and people who cheer you on when things get tough, but who also celebrate the small wins.
“Having support from close friends and family makes all the difference, especially during the moments of doubt or exhaustion that come with building something from scratch.
“Surround yourself with people who lift you, keep you grounded, and remind you why you started in the first place.”
This article is part of the Back Australia series, which was supported by Australian Made Campaign, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP
