SOUL OFSpring

The secret to wellbeing is creating a lifestyle that serves your soul best. Carlie Wacker meets the team behind a Sunshine Coast business that sells luxe outdoor furniture with a side of self-care.

Ibet you never connected simple things like an outdoor bean bag with mental health. For Bruce and Pip French, health and wellbeing were at the very core of their decision to take on a new business venture. The revelation was that the business would be one that supplies outdoor bean bags.

Bruce and Pip purchased Epona Co Lifestyle Bean Bags several years ago. Bruce, a former Health, Safety & Environment Manager and Pip, a nurse, knew the lifestyle career change they were seeking needed to tick a few boxes. It had to be a business or product that enhanced the wellbeing and mental health of its customers and it had to do the same for them.

“Our fundamental value is looking after yourself. We found in Epona Co Lifestyle Bean Bags we could help others create the space and place to help themselves to recharge and recover in a most relaxing way,” says Bruce.

“In the past we had both experienced and delivered corporate and medical management plans for clients and patients to feel better and with this new chapter we are doing the same in a different and fun way,” he adds.

The beach loving Currimundi family includes four children that all love the outdoors. The eldest daughter studied psychology and works with disadvantaged children and Pip is also studying the same degree as her inspirational firstborn. It appears that compassion runs deep in the veins of the French family and that’s why I love this local business to the core.

So, let’s get down to business – why is a bean bag so beneficial for health and wellbeing? I can answer this from personal experience and to do this I will need to be a bit vulnerable. I have suffered from depression for well over 25 years. I manage it in many ways but most importantly I keep it under control (mostly) by making time to relax in a special environment. Over 12 months ago I purchased a pool bean bag for my ‘quiet time’ to float in the river or pool (a little haven for me to get some still time).

It quickly became my go-to piece of furniture inside and outside the house. A comfortable place to be – a retreat and sometimes a sneaky little spot for an afternoon nap.

Bruce and Pip know that creating a beautiful living environment is essential to good health and happy families.

“The limited time we have available to share moments as a family should be special, comfortable and memorable,” Bruce says. “Epona Co Lifestyle Bean Bags create spaces that people love to share.”

Recently the team received a message from a client that further cemented their belief in the brand and their core values of wellness and health.

The mother of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy uses an Epona Co Lounger to enhance her quality of life. The lounger is the perfect option for those with special needs.

“Her daughter can’t fall out of the bean bag lounger, its lightweight so they can take it from inside to outside in a flash and the cover is machine washable and bleachable to deal with any mishaps,” says Bruce.

This really is the luxe outdoor furnishing brand with a big heart. It’s also the most glam outdoor styling