Lorna Doe from Anchor and Arrow

From motherhood to global markets: How Lorna grew Anchor & Arrow Baby into a thriving e-commerce brand

Lorna shows how starting small, staying close to customers and building authentic connections can grow a successful and sustainable business.

From motherhood to business
Anchor & Arrow Baby began from a deeply personal place. While preparing to become a new mum, Lorna struggled to find baby products that felt both beautiful and practical for everyday life.

“I wanted modern, high-quality essentials that parents actually loved using, not just products that looked cute once,” she says.

The business started as a passion project alongside her corporate career in media. With limited start-up funds, Lorna launched with a small, self-funded product range, packing orders from her living room while teaching herself Shopify, photography, marketing and product development.

Over the past eight years, Anchor & Arrow Baby has grown organically through word of mouth, social media and maintaining close relationships with customers. 

Designed with families in mind
Anchor & Arrow Baby focuses on timeless design, quality materials and functional products created for real families. Rather than chasing trends, Lorna prioritises thoughtful collections designed to last and simplify everyday parenting.

Being a founder-led business allows her to stay closely connected to customers, with feedback playing an important role in shaping new products and ideas.

“Customers know there’s a real person behind Anchor & Arrow Baby. That connection helps build trust and loyalty,” she says.

Growing through connection
Most customers discover Anchor & Arrow Baby through the brand’s online store, social media and referrals from other parents. Instagram has played a major role in building awareness and fostering a loyal community.

Sharing real-life parenting moments, product launches and behind-the-scenes insights helps create meaningful engagement. Email and SMS marketing have also become valuable tools for nurturing customer relationships and encouraging repeat purchases.

Paid digital advertising, particularly Meta advertising, has supported the brand’s growth. Testing creative content, analysing campaign performance and refining messaging has allowed the business to scale while maintaining authentic customer connection.

Balancing business and family
Like many small business owners, managing multiple roles has been one of the biggest challenges. Lorna balances product design, marketing, operations and logistics while raising children, requiring resilience and adaptability.

Her experience has given her insight into the realities many women face when building businesses alongside family responsibilities and financial pressures.

“Women don’t lack capability - they often lack support structures and visibility,” she says.

Managing cash flow, stock levels and avoiding burnout remain ongoing challenges. Lorna credits continuous learning, building support networks and remaining flexible as key strategies in navigating business growth.

Looking back, she says she would trust her instincts sooner and ask for help earlier in her business journey.

She is passionate about supporting other women in business and believes women-led businesses play a significant role in local economies and communities.

“Women-led businesses aren’t hobbies - they’re serious enterprises driving real economic impact,” she says.

Life on the Northern Beaches
Running a business on the Northern Beaches offers lifestyle balance, creative inspiration and strong community connection. The local entrepreneurial spirit and proximity to nature help provide perspective in the fast-paced world of e-commerce.

Outside of work, Lorna enjoys spending time with her children, beach walks, coffee catch-ups with friends and Pilates.

She also highlights the importance of supporting local businesses, noting they reinvest in the community, create employment opportunities and contribute to vibrant neighbourhoods.

“Supporting local keeps money circulating where you live and strengthen connections between businesses and residents,” she says.

Looking ahead
Anchor & Arrow Baby is entering an exciting new phase of growth. After launching into global markets last year and receiving strong customer response, the business is now focused on expanding further into the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

While international growth presents new opportunities, the brand remains committed to its core values of quality, connection and thoughtful product design.

Lorna’s top tips

  • Start before you feel ready
  • Listen closely to your customers
  • Build systems early to support growth
  • Keep a close eye on your numbers
  • Ask for help and build your support network
  • Trust your instincts 
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