Mums Haley Grace, Lauren Fitch behind six-figure business Sunee Dayz

A pair of mums with a thriving six-figure side hustle have revealed how they have grown their business while juggling busy family lives.

(Left to right) Sunshine Coast mums Haley Grace and Lauren Fitch from Sunee Dayz. Photo: contributed

Two Sunshine Coast mums have revealed how they turned their small side gig into a six-figure business while balancing busy parenting schedule.

Haley Grace, 41 and Lauren Fitch, 33, launched Sunee Dayz in 2022, offering aesthetic, durable beach bags which are easy to clean and would stand the “test of the tide”.

Ms Grace and Ms Fitch met when their sons became best friends at a small kindy in Mudjimba, with beach play dates quickly evolving into family surf days and camping trips.

“With five kids between us, we’re always on some kind of adventure and I think that’s really how Sunee Dayz was born,” she said.

After much research and trialing products, the pair launched their “lifeproof” beach tub, ideal for mums with young families.

The Sunee Dayz beach tub was created with busy mums and family beach outings in mind. Photo: contributed

“We’ve all been there, whether it’s a fresh coffee spill or a toddler requesting you bring home their special crab leg they found at the rockpools,” Ms Fitch said.

“We see ourselves in all of our families out there adventuring and really living life, we’re one big tribe.

“It lights us up and really drives our creative brains to design products that are functional, sustainable and stylish.”

Their brand has since launched the roomy, durable and waterproof crossbody bag “The Wanderer” after two years of perfecting the design.

Ms Fitch said the business remained a side hustle while she remains home with her youngest daughter Lola, and Ms Grace works one day a week as a lash and brow technician.

Haley Grace, Lauren Fitch and their children Jarlie, Koa, Olly, Kai and Lola. Photo: contributed

Sharing the business workload has helped Sunee Dayz grow, with one being able to step in when the other’s family commitments take precedence.

Social media and word-of-mouth have been the biggest contributions to their growth, and the pair have worked hard to create a “Sunee Dayz tribe community” in order to make their customers feel like family, Ms Fitch said.

“Collaborating together to come up with solutions for our Sunee Dayz tribe is and will always be what fuels us,” she said.

“Our family holidays now come with a side of business chats and product brainstorming sessions. It’s our unique recipe for success.”

Ms Fitch noted having each other as a “right-hand man” and communicating each other’s priorities had helped juggle their business and parenting.

Sunee Dayz released their new crossbody bag "The Wanderer", sporting an easy-clean material and durability. Photo: contributed

“Starting a business as a mum can be both rewarding and challenging – our advice would be to choose a business idea that aligns with your interests and skills,” she said.

“We are also big believers in starting small and growing alongside your family responsibilities.”

The estimated value of their business exceeds $100,000, but Ms Fitch said the true worth lay in their “tribe” and empowering women to uplift each other.

“Being a mother is a demanding role, and while our kids may see us as superheroes, we know our limits,” Ms Fitch said.

“We envision creating a village within Sunee Dayz where we inspire one another to cherish memories and enjoy the simple pleasures that the beautiful backyard of Australia has to offer.”

Originally published as Mums Haley Grace, Lauren Fitch behind six-figure business Sunee Dayz