The Helensburgh mother of two was searching for Australian-made products for her children that promoted independent play and learning.

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Not finding anything on offer that matched what she was after, Ms Locke turned to a local joiner Wayne Battishall, who had also seen work dry up, having previously worked in the exhibition industry.

"There are a few other companies but I didn't love the design," said Ms Locke.

"Jess showed me the pictures, and I said, 'I can do it better than that,'" said Mr Battishall.

From there the two set out to produce locally made, sustainable play equipment and with Ms Locke's husband Mick, the trio founded Fox Wood Co.

The 2020 lockdown was also the starting point for Maika Schumann to begin her coffee business focused on pregnant people and parents.

Ms Schumann, whose day job is in supply chain procurement, knew a bit about where our food comes from and had seen how the coffee supply chain is tied up with issues of child labour, deforestation and a large carbon footprint from extensive freight.

"In early 2020 when we really turned inward and looked at sourcing everything locally, I was like, 'How come I can't find Australian grown coffee?'" she said.

After doing further research, Ms Schumann came across Australian growers whose coffee was naturally lower in caffeine.

"I wish I had known that when I was pregnant and breastfeeding," she said.

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While one to two cups a day of coffee is not harmful for a mother or child while pregnant or breastfeeding, many mothers choose not to consume coffee during pregnancy or while breastfeeding due to the potential for moderate levels of caffeine to lead to babies being smaller during pregnancy and weighing less at birth.

Ms Schumann saw in the naturally lower caffeine Australian grown beans and decaffeinated coffee to enable mothers to enjoy their regular cup of coffee while also supporting local producers and providing a sustainable product.

This led her to launch Mummas Beans. Based in Bulli, Ms Schumann began selling low-caffeine, Australian grown coffee online, as well as through a number of Illawarra bricks and mortar stores.

Mummas Beans and Fox Wood Co are not the only small businesses that have begun during the pandemic and that cater to the maternity and baby market through locally made, sustainable products.

A growing network of similar businesses have sprung up throughout the Illawarra, and are part of a wider trend towards sustainable, local purchasing.

According to Australian Made customers are actively seeking, requesting or buying Australian made or grown products, with increased interest from the COVID pandemic.

For Ms Schumann, who says she has always been eco-conscious, having a child made her question purchasing decisions more.

"Once you have a baby, you think twice about, for example, what perfumes you use, what chemicals you have in the house."

Mr Battishall said the products from Fox Wood Co are made from sustainably sourced timber from Queensland and Tasmania and the company was committed to being and buying local.

"We figured if we believe that it's important then so too do a lot of other people."

Ms Schumann said the growth of other local businesses similar to hers created a positive feedback loop, where purchases made locally lead to funds going back into the community.

One per cent from each Mummas Beans order is donated to domestic violence prevention charity The Eve Project and Ms Schumann said that part of what motivates her at Mummas Beans is the community support that she has benefited from and can give back to.

"Now with my business I can support other local, ethical businesses and create a community that is going to have a positive impact."

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