Introducing Lauren, Founder of BubbaDesk & Wombee

Like many first-time mothers, I didn’t give much thought to childcare during pregnancy. I was consumed by what felt most urgent at the time – navigating the pivotal stages of pregnancy, preparing for birth, and immersing myself in the newborn bubble once my son, Charles, arrived. Childcare felt like something I could figure out later.

When I eventually began exploring options, I quickly felt torn. I visited a few traditional daycare centres, but something didn’t sit right. The idea of leaving my baby in a setting that felt distant from me, both emotionally and physically, pulled at my maternal instincts. I started to gravitate toward hiring a nanny, someone who could care for Charles in a more intimate and personal way. But like many families, we simply couldn’t afford it. Nanny rates often exceed $320 a day, and with no rebates or tax deductions, it just wasn’t a viable long-term solution.

Adding to this challenge was my experience with postnatal anxiety. The thought of handing my baby over to strangers in a conventional setting felt overwhelming. And as a new parent trying to make sense of working from home in a post-pandemic world, I found myself asking a question that many modern mothers ask – why isn’t there a better way?

So, I decided to build one.

BubbaDesk. A New Model for Modern Parenting

BubbaDesk was born from my personal need to stay close to my baby, to keep that emotional and physical connection, while still being able to show up for meaningful work. Our coworking and childcare model is designed with modern parents in mind. It offers the best of both worlds – trusted, professional care for your little one right onsite, and the flexibility for parents to work just a few steps away.

At BubbaDesk, you’re not dropping your baby off and walking away. You’re nearby for feeds, cuddles, and those tiny, beautiful moments that mean the world. But more than just being convenient, BubbaDesk is grounded in research. It supports secure attachment, bonding, and emotional development during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. These early years lay the foundation for lifelong mental health and wellbeing.

And while BubbaDesk was born from my experience as a mother, it’s built for all parents – mums, dads, and carers alike. It’s a space where modern families can thrive.

Wombee. The App for Mothers Groups.

And this September, I’m also launching Wombee, the app for Mothers Groups. Because while sorting out childcare is one part of the puzzle, the emotional journey of motherhood is something else entirely.

Wombee helps you find a Mothers Group in your local area. It doesn’t just match mums one-to-one. It forms and connects groups, so you can build a real support network. Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or deep in the toddler years, Wombee is like a digital extension of the village we all need.

Already got a group? Amazing. Wombee is also built for existing Mothers Groups – purposefully designed to make the day-to-day of running your group easier.

Now here’s how to make it easier:

✔ Schedule meetups without the message marathon
✔ Keep all your group info in one place
✔ Chat. Organise. Actually meet up.

Motherhood can feel incredibly isolating, especially in those early months. Finding your group, your people, can change everything. Wombee is designed to make that connection simple, meaningful, and lasting.

A Mission to Support Parents in a Real Way

Together, BubbaDesk and Wombee are part of something bigger. A mission to build solutions that truly reflect what modern families need. Not outdated systems. Not one-size-fits-all fixes. Real support for real life.

I know there’ll come a time for preschool and growing independence. But right now, BubbaDesk gives me (and thousands of other parents) the chance to be present during these early years, without walking away from our work.

And that changes everything.

— Lauren Perrett, Founder of BubbaDesk & Wombee