Sweet Talk - Rebecca Stern from Mustard Made Lockers Chats Work and Family

Get to know the people behind the brands you love.   

The amazing Becca and Jess from Mustard Made Lockers share their business and family with us.

1 For anyone that doesn’t know, can you tell us about your business?

We are Mustard Made, we create colourful, practical products for homes, kids rooms and workplaces. We have a soft spot for lockers and keeping stuff all neatly tucked away behind a locker door makes us happy!

2 What inspired you to start your business?

We always dreamed of starting a business together and after I had my second son Ellis I knew I wanted to change up my working life. I already worked for myself with a small handmade business but craved a change. Jess was commuting for hours each week working in her job for a large company as a fashion buyer. After nearly a decade of doing that she was also ready for a fresh start too. So, Mustard was born, it’s given us everything we hoped for and more.

3 What inspires you to create the products that you do?

The idea really came from my love of old vintage furniture and I had a particular love of industrial metal pieces. I had some lockers in my home and jewellery studio which I loved the look of (even though they were really old and rusty!) but they were never that practical. I’ve also never had built in wardrobes so was always hunting for pieces that were a little different for my kids wardrobes. Our lockers are pretty much exactly what I always wanted for myself! 

4 What’s your favourite memory from your childhood?

When Jess and I were kids we shared a room and were big fans of DIY decorating shows. I even applied to be on one without telling my parents! We shared a bedroom but divided it into two spaces with her loft bed separating it down the middle. My half was navy and lime green with a classy ‘underwater’ theme. Jess was cuter and went for baby blue with a 101 Dalmatians border. It makes me laugh remembering our room and how awful it must have looked! We used to squabble a lot as we went through our teenage years, we still do sometimes!! But we are totally best friends now.  

5 What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your kids / family?

Oh good question. My mum really imparted on me the idea that we don’t own our children, we are there to love them, guide them and care for them but they are not ours to own. My children as they’ve grown up (Dylan is 11 and Ellis is 3) have helped me see what my mum meant. It was why she never stopped me following my own path and I hope my kids feel free to fly while knowing that there’s always someone (well, lots of people) who love them completely. 

6 What is your favourite activity with your kids / family?

We’ve been really enjoying family bike rides since Dylan has gotten into a lot more, riding always makes me feel alive. But, I’d say my real favourite is just us all having dinner together and snuggling up to watch a movie on the sofa. I’m a big fan of cuddles so I’m pretty much my happiest most grateful self with two armfuls of little people to hug!  

7 What is your favourite place to holiday in Australia?

I usually spend my holidays going back to England to visit my family but Australia has so much to offer! Given international travel is off the table this year we have been dreaming of a road trip to Broken Hill, spending a few weeks on the road to explore the inner heart of this big beautiful country.  

8 Do you have a kids room style tip?

For me a mix of old and new is the way to add character and personality to a space. Whether it’s personal photographs, an old vintage crate for toys or some toys that have survived the years it always adds depth. 

9 From one parent to another - how do you keep it all (ie life) together and on track?

I’m not convinced that I have it all together!! I’ve found that for me personally I find everything works better when I keep working and mothering separate. Getting my lovely little office space and having kids in school and daycare really gives me the space to be a good mum when I’m at home and be focused on work when I’m supposed to be working. It’s the days when I juggle the two at the same time that I feel like I’m not getting anywhere or doing anything well. Valuing my own time and space has been a big part of my journey with Mustard. 

It’s also important to remember that Instagram is a funny place where we share very selectively… no one has it all together and that’s totally ok :)