With the cost of raising a child reaching at an all-time high, equipment rental business Merry Go Round is attempting to remove some of the strain on parents with their new business venture.
Femke Harris started Merry Go Round in March after having the concept for years, and since then has been delivering second-hand baby equipment to parents across the country.
The south west London based mother of two explained that the business intends to reduce costs and hassle for parents with the tagline, ‘Babies don’t have to cost the earth.’
Harris said: “We are just trying to make it easier for parents by removing confusion, hassle, cost, and ultimately sustainability.”
She explained that for new mums, they stock a bundle of seven, high-quality items that you can rent for six months, that will be delivered to and from your door.
Harris added: “Products are really expensive for something that you ultimately don’t have for that long.
“And at the end of that time, it is still very workable and serviceable.”
Parents can also rent specific items to supplement the equipment that they already have.
Merry Go Round not only offers a cheaper alternative for buying baby gear, but also a more sustainable one.
Harris said: “We rent so much in our lives from cars to homes but also, if you go skiing you rent your ski gear because we grow out of it and don’t use it for very long.”
She explained that the same logic should be applied to baby equipment.
Instead of old prams and cots that have little-to-no wear and tear being stored in the attic or thrown away, they can be cleaned up and reused.
Harris added: “A little one in their first six months of life is really low wear and tear on items.”
Merry Go Round also has a strong stance on giving back to the community with their Kind Initiative and switch to zero.
The Kind Initiative ensures that with every subscription purchase, you can choose to ‘pay it forward’, which allows the business to provide free rentals to the families that need it the most.
The switch to zero also means that with every rental that goes out, five trees are planted.
Femke’s plans for the new year include the expansion of Merry Go Round, reaching out to more soon-to-be parents so they know that rental is an option, and working with more charities.
She concluded: “Working with different charities is definitely a focus in the new year.
“I just think we need to give back to the community.”
To learn more about Merry Go Round and rent their equipment go to: https://merrygoround.club
Featured Image Credit: Femke Harris
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