Bikini influencer doubles down on ‘offensive’ kid comment

An Aussie bikini designer who compared running a business to raising a child, has hit back at critics after copping fierce backlash.

Aussie influencer Karina Irby recently caused a stir when she revealed the “selfish” reason she and partner Ryan Jones didn’t plan on having kids.

In July, Kirby, who runs Moana Bikini swimwear, told her 1.2 million followers she and Ryan

were “genuinely not interested” in having children.

And the Gold Coast designer has since doubled down on her decision after receiving “offensive and misguided” comments.

She previously explained that while she and Ryan “love kids”, they loved their lifestyle as it currently was, as well as each other’s company.

“We’re selfish. We LOVE our lives together and having the freedom to do whatever we want, when we want,” she wrote in the post from July.

Bikini influencer Karina Irby and her fiance Ryan Jones recently revealed they don’t plan on having children. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

Karina also said the couple were “busy and obsessed with our work”, saying that “running a company is like having a child”.

“You never rest, you’re always on and your love for it continues to grow every day,” she continued.

However, her comments struck a chord with some of her followers who argued that running a business was not in any way the same as parenthood.

“You can sleep when you want to. You are totally in control of where it goes and what it does. Your company doesn’t have to be safe in the world … the list is endless,” one person wrote.

“I respect your thoughts but please don’t compare your company to parenthood. Ever,” a second person wrote, while a third agreed, “Each to their own but please never compare running your own company to having a child.

Karina, who owns swimwear label Moana Bikini, doubled down on her decision after she shared a post on Tuesday explaining she received ‘offensive and misguided’ comments. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

Karina has since addressed critics explaining what she meant in a lengthy Instagram post shared on Tuesday.

“Firstly, children and business are not the same thing. I’d like to address that I do have a deeper understanding of this,” she began.

“My original post about @ryanjonestown and I not wanting to have children was not a comparing competition.

“I was simply expressing that running a busy company (along with a lot of other factors) fulfils us. Honestly, I find some of these statements a little offensive and misguided.” 



She said her business “is my 10 year old child”.

Karina said she is ‘genuinely not interested in having kids’ and said ‘running a company is like having a child’ – which struck a chord with some followers. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

“And, no disrespect to any parents out there, but she has been an absolute handful to say the very least. Sleep? Don’t even get me started. Safety? Absolutely your company needs to be safe in the world. Incredibly important! Even more-so when you have employees relying on their jobs and you.

“Weekends? Holidays? Down time? Non-existent as well. You’re non-stop working, planning or just thinking and worrying 24/7. You cannot replace a business if it fails. You literally start over … from the beginning.”

Karina went on to say parenthood looks different for everyone.

“Humans. Pets. Companies. All involve huge responsibilities and commitments.”

She explained she has all of the “love and respect for parents”, adding they have one of the hardest, yet most fulfilling jobs on the planet.

The Gold Coast influencer shared some of the messages she had received. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

Some followers argued that running a business was not in any way the same as parenthood. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

“A few of my closest friends have all just become Mumma’s and I’m on awe of them every single day. But I never diminished your journey,” she continued.

“I merely expressed my feelings and desires. So don’t diminish mine.”

Her post, which has been ‘liked’ more than 43,000 times, has been met with mixed reviews.

“I agree with a lot you say! But you can neglect and let your company die and you’ll be fine,” one follower wrote.

“It’s deff not apples to apples comparison but just like people call animals their children yours is your company. I love the way you love it. But whether it’s your kid or not don’t compare it to parenthood itself.”

However, Karina explained she was ‘simply expressing that running a busy company (along with a lot of other factors) fulfils us’ and it was not a ‘comparing competition’. Picture: Instagram/karinairby

Others backed the business owner saying she doesn’t need to explain herself.

“You started an INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS that promotes body positivity and makes so many people feel good about themselves so F**K YEAH KARINA,” another follower added.

In July, Karina told news.com.au that it was a decision she had already discussed “privately” with her friends and decided to share on Instagram because she never saw the topic raised online.

“I typically only see posts glorifying and celebrating parenthood on social media … and very few speaking about the choice to not have children,” she said at the time.

“But all of my friends with children support my outlook and understand it – some of them are the biggest supporters of this decision – so I was always curious as to why I didn’t see more of this discussion online.”