THE STORY OF OLIVIA HERMS AND BADA&BOU

The founder of Bada&Bou shares with us how she became inspired to create her playful brand of furniture for children and how motherhood gave her the courage to get started.

BY SHIRLEY ERSKINE-SCHREYER

I was introduced to Olivia via email through a mutual friend, she was interested in featuring her product at Wunderhaus. I of course instantly fell in love with the animal shaped furniture, it was completely on par with the aesthetic of Wunderhaus. Unfortunately at the start of the pandemic Wunderhaus found itself in the difficult position of closing and the partnership was put on hold. Olivia and her brand had always remained on my mind and I knew without a doubt that I wanted the rest of the world to know about her beautiful brand. That is why I am happy to share her story with you!

Wunder Stories You started off designing furniture for grown ups. How was the transition to designing playful objects for children?

Olivia Herms It was fun because it was my reality. Observing my little toddler made me start this project which grew into my brand later on. Observing & understanding this little wonderful being and at the same time being frustrated about the limited choice of long-lasting and beautifully designed pieces for our little ones.

Once I had the idea I started building my first prototypes by hand at home from scratch. I started with cardboard, wood and fabric to make it look and feel cute and cozy. My daughter and her friends were amazed every time just playing with it and by their immediate and intuitive action, reaction and play I could improve my designs and continue step by step. This “hands on” development continued until the moment when I decided to do the first real prototypes in collaboration with a manufacturer which was just a wonderful adventure.

It was a long and very rewarding process that kept me going until I decided to quit my job as an industrial designer ( although working for the crème de la crème of the design scene at Konstantin Grcic in Munich) and make it become “really real” by launching my label bada&bou. It took 4 years  from first idea to the launch of my label.

WS What does your typical work day look like?

OH My working day starts right after I bring my 4 year old daughter Manon to kindergarten while my older daughter Lou is already in school and goes with her friends. My office is 2 minutes away from home and from school/kindergarten so it is a very small radius that my everyday life moves in.

When I get to my office around 8:45 I start with my daily list, it is quite old school but for me it works, as my mind is so full of ideas and things I have vs want to do that this is my way to focus and structure myself.

I mostly start my office days with an Instagram post every second day. I prepare all but write the final text often just before sending it because it feels more authentic. After that I answer emails and prepare my orders to be picked up the next day.  Being a one woman business I have to do everything myself – from new collaborations, press contact, to my producers and my clients, accounting, organizing shootings etc. It is a big firework of thoughts & to do’s.

Lunch at the moment is mostly at home with my husband who works from home. I take a 5 minutes nap before starting the second part of my day where I continue to finish things up and then pick the kids from kita/school around 15:30/16:00.

If the weather is nice I love to go to the Isar – it makes me somehow calm down after a quite intense day but sometimes my kids prefer the Spielplatz which is ok but of course not as calming.

Raised in a french-style family I always cook in the evening, we are not the typical Bavarian “Brotzeit” family which would indeed be easier sometimes. We eat around 18:30 and the kids are in bed around 20h. Sometimes I continue to work a little in the evening but on things that I can do from my I Phone without too much effort.

WS What is the greatest challenge of being a working mom?

OH Probably combining all roles in one, being a caring mum, sexy wife, strong entrepreneur & a great friend plus living in these sometimes crazy days and staying really cool and relaxed all the time. Also being grateful and aware of all these wonderful things that surround us, staying flexible and open hearted in this very structured and sometimes quite tough world. Once the kids are finally in bed having an inspiring conversations with your husband is a struggle as we both appreciate the silence and calm after a full day. 

WS Do you have a support system to help you juggle motherhood and career?

 OH Having part of our families in the south of France makes things quite difficult for us especially now. At the same time I don’t want to have a nanny as I want to spend as much time with them as I can. My husband is employed and has quite flexible hours (especially now being in home office) so we share quite a lot as well.

WS How has motherhood changed you?

OH It has definitely changed my priorities and made me more courageous – taking steps I wouldn’t have dared to take before, such as starting my own business. I am more grateful and live in the present. I am more reflective about the world and about myself, and sometimes just more exhausted.

WS What is your greatest joy of motherhood?

OH Having something so real & sweet to take care of, that makes me also see all other things in life in a new and more grounded perspective. Whatever you have to deal with during your working day – kids ground you again and show you how to live every moment just as it is with its ups and downs. Feeling this deep love and accompanying them on their journey to become their own little beings feels like a little miracle in life.

WS What do you love most about raising kids in Munich?

 OH I am originally from Berlin but living in Munich I enjoy the city and at the same time it feels like living in a little hood in the countryside. The Isar is 5 minutes away from our home and we can reach the mountains in 45 minutes by car.

My kids would say the “Brezen & Kaiserschmarrn”.

I sometimes miss my family and friends in Berlin, but I really love Munich for the kids and our weekend escapes.

QUICKIES

1) Favourite place to go in Munich with kids?

The Isar, there are so many places along this river every time we visit it is a real adventure!

The Englischer Garten with its elegant and defined landscape and small rivers and Rosengarten with its wonderful botanical garden.

2) Favourite Book you are reading?

“Das Café am Rande der Welt” by John Strelecky but I also have a weakness for all sorts of cook books.

3) Favorite Kids Book?

I love the Books from Hervé Tullet – a french artist who has written (or better said drawn) books for children that are very different from a typical book as they are interactive but in a very creative or let’s say “old school” way. “Das Superhelden Buch 1-4” Elias und Agnes Våhlund. Swedish authors doing a fantastic comics for younger children based on the theme of mobbing and superheroes – this time a girl of course. 😊

4) Favourite local restaurant?

We live in the Glockenbach Viertel and have various restaurants just in front of our apartment they are unfortunately closed due to the current lockdown at the moment.

I love the Süßmund Restaurant, a tiny place in our neighbourhood that offers Bavarian/Austrian food in a cozy atmosphere, or ChiThu a vietnamese street food place – as the whole family loves Asian food.

5) On repeat on your playlist?

Solo piano Chili Gonzales

6) Favourite local shop?

Difficult decision, I mostly like to shop when I am abroad – so not so much at the moment.

7) Favourite shop for kids?

I like stores that have nice pieces for kids and adults such as Auryn or Arket.