How I Run Nappie Cakes While Living with a Disability
By Minnie, Founder of Nappie Cakes
Running a business is challenging enough. But what happens when the way you've always worked is no longer physically possible?
When I started Nappie Cakes in 2018, I could walk, drive and manage every aspect of my business independently. From sourcing baby essentials and developing new designs to assembling each creation, I loved being involved in every detail.
Fast forward eight years, and my life looks very different.
I now live with a progressive neurological condition that has significantly changed my physical abilities. Tasks I once completed without a second thought now require assistance.
But here's what hasn't changed: I'm still the person behind Nappie Cakes. The ideas, creativity, business decisions and passion are still mine.
What has changed is how I turn those ideas into reality.
And that has been one of the biggest lessons I've learned as a business owner.
From One Baby Shower Gift to an Australian Baby Gift Business
Nappie Cakes began with a friend's baby shower.
I wanted to create something different from the usual baby gifts. Something practical, thoughtful and memorable that would be just as beautiful to receive as it was useful for new parents.
That's how my first Elephant Bike nappy cake came to life.
I enjoyed the entire creative process, from choosing the baby essentials and experimenting with the design to seeing the finished product come together.
That first creation sparked an idea. What if I could turn my love of creating thoughtful gifts into a business?
And so, in 2018, Nappie Cakes was born.
I began developing my own range of creative baby gifts, combining everyday essentials with unique designs and beautiful presentation.
For me, it was never simply about putting products together. I wanted each creation to have personality and attention to detail.
As a small Australian business owner, I enjoyed having the freedom to explore new ideas, experiment with different products and make decisions about how I wanted my brand to grow.
At the time, I had no idea just how much I would eventually need to rethink the way I worked.
When Life Changed, My Business Had to Change Too
In 2020, I was diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia, a progressive neurological condition that affects balance, coordination and movement.
Although I had experienced symptoms before my diagnosis, I was still able to manage most everyday activities independently when I first started Nappie Cakes.
As my condition progressed, my mobility and fine motor skills became increasingly limited.
Running a business that involves physically creating products became more challenging.
Activities such as preparing materials, handling products and assembling my designs were no longer as straightforward as they once had been.
And when you're someone who enjoys being involved in every detail, adjusting to those changes isn't always easy.
There have been frustrating moments. Sometimes I know exactly how I want something to look, but physically bringing that idea to life is no longer something I can manage independently.
Living with a progressive condition also means that adapting isn't necessarily a one-time adjustment.
You find a way to do something, become comfortable with it, and then circumstances may change again.
But I never wanted my physical limitations to determine whether I could continue running Nappie Cakes.
I still had ideas. I still loved developing products. And I still wanted to be involved in the business I'd worked so hard to build.
I didn't need to give up my business. I needed to change how I operated it.
Learning to Run My Business Differently
One of the biggest changes I've made has been learning to separate the creative and decision-making side of my business from the physical tasks involved in producing my creations.
Today, I continue to oversee the creative direction of Nappie Cakes.
I'm responsible for developing new product ideas, selecting baby essentials, sourcing materials, choosing designs and making decisions about how each creation should come together.
I remain particular about the details.
From the products I select to the colours, presentation and finishing touches, I want every Nappie Cakes creation to reflect the standards I've established for my business.
What has changed is the way those ideas become finished products.
I'm fortunate to have a wonderful team of people who support me in bringing my creative ideas to life.
They assist with preparing materials, organising my workspace and assembling my creations.
I also have a virtual assistant who helps with website updates, content creation and other digital tasks that keep the business running smoothly.
Their contributions have made an enormous difference.
Instead of spending my energy trying to manage every physical task, I can concentrate on the areas where I contribute most.
That includes creative direction, product development, sourcing and customer relationships.
Having support doesn't mean I've stepped away from running Nappie Cakes. It means I've found a different way to continue leading it.
And I've come to realise that this is something many business owners can relate to, regardless of whether they live with a disability.
As a business grows or circumstances change, there comes a point when doing everything yourself is no longer practical.
Learning to delegate doesn't mean losing ownership of your ideas.
It means recognising where your strengths lie and building the right support around them.
For me, that lesson has been particularly important.
Maintaining the Quality and Personal Touch Behind Nappie Cakes
One thing I've never wanted to compromise is the quality and personal service behind Nappie Cakes.
When customers purchase baby shower gifts or newborn baby gifts, they're often celebrating an important milestone in someone's life.
I understand that choosing a gift is about more than purchasing a product.
It's about finding something thoughtful, beautifully presented and suitable for the occasion.
That's why I continue to take an active role in developing my designs and selecting the products used in my creations.
I want Nappie Cakes to offer gifts that are both practical and memorable.
Running an online baby gift business also means that customers place their trust in you before they have the opportunity to see the finished product in person.
That trust matters to me.
Customer satisfaction has always been one of my priorities. I believe in providing personalised service, listening to feedback and doing my best to ensure customers have a positive experience.
Although the way I operate Nappie Cakes has changed, my commitment to the business and its customers remains the same.
My physical involvement may be different, but I'm still responsible for the decisions that shape the products and customer experience.
And that's something I'm proud of.
Redefining What Independence Means
Before my condition progressed, I associated independence with being able to do things myself.
I could manage my daily activities, move around independently and physically carry out the tasks involved in running Nappie Cakes.
As those abilities changed, I had to reconsider what independence meant to me.
Over time, I've learned that independence doesn't necessarily mean doing everything yourself.
It can also mean making your own decisions, staying involved and finding the right support to help you achieve your goals.
That shift in mindset hasn't always been easy, but it has allowed me to keep doing what I love.
Why This Matters to Me and to My Customers
Nappie Cakes is more than a business to me. It's my creative outlet, my passion and something I've built over years.
When people purchase from Nappie Cakes, they're supporting a small Australian business owned and creatively led by someone living with a disability.
That support allows me to continue doing something I care deeply about.
It also helps demonstrate that disability doesn't mean stepping away from business or creativity.
It may mean doing things differently, but the ideas, the decisions and the leadership remain yours.
For me, continuing to run Nappie Cakes has been about adapting rather than giving up.
My abilities may change over time, but my creativity, determination and passion for my business remain.
With love,
Minnie
Founder, Nappie Cakes
www.nappiecakes.com.au