“More Than Storage: Our Story, Our Mission, and Why It Matters”
🛠️ It Started With Chaos (and a Cup of Tea)
Smart Storage AU wasn’t born in a boardroom or a slick warehouse. It started right here at home — amongst school bags on the floor, overflowing toy boxes, cluttered kitchen drawers and a garage that doubled as a storage graveyard.
We were living the real Aussie family life — busy, messy, slightly overwhelmed — and we knew something had to give.
So, over one too many beverages and indeed "let's do a reno" moments, a family conversation at the dinner table, we decided to stop waiting for the perfect solution and build one of our own. So, l left my job Louise stayed being a nurse) in pursuit of building an online experience to fit what we were after without the reno and allow it to be structured our way.
💡 From No Brand to Big Purpose
Starting Smart Storage AU wasn’t glamorous. We had:
- No brand recognition
- No flashy funding
- No business management experience
- No idea how hard it would actually be
But what we did have was a will to give it a go and to be honest a fair amount of heart to throw at it. And of course a purpose. And a stubborn belief that Aussie families like ours deserved better storage solutions that didn’t cost the earth and not having to spend weekends driving around from store to store finding the right product. Weekends to us a precious and we have been wasting them for years searching for things when they should be spent unwinding from work and time with the kids.
We searched high and low for products that:
✔️ Solved real, everyday problems
✔️ Were affordable for working families
✔️ Could suit small spaces, rentals, or renovations
✔️ Looked good enough to leave out (because, let’s be honest, they usually do)
And slowly, we started building a little corner of the internet where that mission could live. Having worked for retailers for years and seeing what happens behind the scenes, we want to do it better.... we also know this is the hard way, but we want to do it right... and by ourselves.
🤝 Our Suppliers Didn’t Know Our Name
In the early days, most suppliers didn’t even want to work with us. Some didn’t reply at all. We had to prove ourselves — one product at a time.
We began with having suppliers hold the stock so we could avoid warehouse costs and other overheads that small businesses simply can't survive on. It meant lower margins, little bit lacking in control of the end-to-end process, and lots of crossed fingers.
But as we grow, we are making the big leap: investing in our own inventory. That way we can:
- Speed up shipping
- Improve quality control
- Keep prices lower for customers like you
Whilst we are still very much in a hybrid phase as we learn what customer want we are taking more control and have recently started to look at building our own products as well (watch this space).
👨👩👧👦 Our Business is Built by a Family—for Families
Every product we sell has been discussed, reviewed, and debated around our kitchen table (well these days, the shed, the bedroom, on walks... you name it!).
- Our kids help pick out new product ideas
- We test items at home (what we can and can afford at the moment) to see if they actually help
- We research pricing, read reviews, and take feedback personally
- We design the website ourselves (yep, the whole thing)
- We manage the books so we can afford to keep growing
- We still work in our shed to keep reminding ourselves where it all started and to remain front and centre for what we are trying to do.
- And when orders come in? Honestly — we still get excited every time.
We’re not a faceless warehouse. We’re a family working to support yours.
🧠 Why Storage Means More Than You Think
This business isn't just about stackable tubs and wall shelves. It's about:
- Helping families breathe easier in their homes
- Giving back control in a world that often feels messy
- Making small, everyday moments feel less stressful
- Proving that affordable, quality storage shouldn’t be a luxury
Because when your home feels calm, your mind follows. And that’s something every family deserves. For us, both of us working full-time to make ends meet and then being too tired to do anything with the kids or about keeping a tidy / organised house really did drive us nuts.
💛 Why Shopping With Us Is a Win for the Good Guys
We are not competing with the big retailers and to be honest we are not even trying to look at products like they do - we always and always will start with the problem it solved (and to be honest if it looks good!!!). You don't have to purchase with us, we just want to try to help as many families in similar situations to us and if you share this with soemone that can use the help then you're helping:
- A small Aussie family put a smile on some ones face.
- A growing business trying to keep prices manageable in a tough market
- A brand that cares deeply about solving real problems.
We’re not perfect. But we’re real. And we promise to always show up for you. Our online chat is us... that's it, we are just trying to be as real as we can be. We know we will make some mistakes and have to make some tough choices sometimes in order to make this a "business", but we will always first and foremost try to make it about you...
🛒 Want to See What We’ve Built So Far?
Here are some of our most-loved, problem-solving faves (some from us and a few from what customers have continually purchased):
- Double Layer Bamboo Bread Box – For fresh bread during the winter
- White Bathroom Cabinet with Hidden Laundry Basket – Stylish and fits most bathrooms.
- Velvet Ottoman Storage Foot Stool – this one we can barely keep in stock
- 490L Outdoor Storage Box– Hide clutter without losing access
💬 From Our Family to Yours
We’re so thankful you’re here. Whether you’re just browsing or you’ve already bought something from us, we see you — and we’re doing everything we can to keep showing up with better solutions, better service, and better heart.
– The Brown Family
Founders, Smart Storage AU 💛