Ali & Kingi Hui – Ngāpuhi
A Message from Ali
“From the humble beginnings to the celebratory 21st birthday of Babu, we extend heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our supportive customers. Your unwavering encouragement and belief in us has been the driving force behind our journey so far. We are immensely grateful for the motivation and strength you’ve provided, enabling us to reach where we stand today. Our mission remains steadfast – to keep crafting quality pieces that you and your loved ones will cherish for years to come. Your continued support is what makes our journey truly fulfilling, and we look forward to the future with excitement and dedication. Thank you for being a part of the Babu family.”
The Original Babu Baby!
The thought of wanting to put her son Jack in sheets that were thick, soft and stretchy was the catalyst of what has been a wonderful journey. Jack, whose nickname was Babu (later changed to Mouse when Babu got a life of its own) went everywhere with Ali. From contract sewers to stores, he would “help” fold and pack in the early days and insist on helping to carry heavy bags of “fagric” around.
Reflecting on 21 Years
Ali is not sure where the last 21 years has gone. Making sheets for friends out of thick and long lasting interlock led her on a journey that is still rewarding and exposing her to many adventures and learnings every day. Babies who grew up in their cot sheets have gone off to university with their King Single sets in tow. Her own children, grown and flown the coup.
Baby Rubie went to the office at just two days old. It was all set up as an extension of home and that small first area saw them and Babu grow. Family was critical. Without the help and support of her husband, parents and sister, Babu would not have kept evolving.
Jack and Rubie tagged along to trade shows in Europe and selling trips around NZ, Australia, America and Europe. Their life has been enriched by the wonderful people they have met along the way from their manufacturing teams, distributors and stores, to staff and individual customers. They understand the possibilities of running their own businesses and what it takes to keep going through the hard times. There has been plenty of those.
Going Organic at a time when purchasing and working with organic cotton was new, tricky, and expensive – was a challenge Ali is so glad she took. The team in India who are now her family, have continued to improve with them, pushing the boundaries for certification, fair trade, and GOTS registration – doing all of this while installing water recycling plants, solar power, and staff wellness programs along with the organic farm that supplies milk to everyone weekly. They are very proud of what they’ve achieved together.
Babu now faces a new time, where marketing, products, choices, and integrity are much different from when they first started out. What will never change is the offering of quality basics that stand the test of time, can be handed down and on through families and friends, and see wee ones from their little to big years alongside all of the wonderful memories created during those precious years.
Poutama is proud to have supported Ali and her Babu dream, to see all the hard work, determination and resilience over 21 years is truly inspiring. Ka mau te wehi! To check out all their amazing products click here.
