You’ll hear us using the words “memories” and “nostalgia” a lot whilst reading about Nestie. That is because at the very core of our brand are two individuals who, like yourself, are building a life for our family which has been shaped by past experiences. 

 Whilst I had a childhood with a lot of magic and believed anything was possible, Tom’s childhood was usually filled with adventures of his own making and he always seemed to be off causing some kind of playful mischief… boys.

 Now, don’t be fooled, the magic and adventure we both experienced came from our imaginations and the influence of those around us, but we didn’t have acres to run around and explore. We found excitement in the simplest of things and grew to have a solid appreciation for the beauty that can be found in humblest corners of nature and a developed a strong desire to spend time outdoors.

 One thing we chose to invest in outside of Nestie was our Polytunnel, which, you’ll see this featured in the blog a lot! Many of our core business ideas have been shaped around the time we spend outside, together as a family. 

 We would like to invite you into our garden and share our experience with you in the hopes to inspire but also to help you to understand what is at the very heart of the Nestie brand… family time. 

 Why Did We Make the Change?

Life had become a whirlwind of fast-paced schedules, endless to-do lists, and constant distractions. We realised that we were missing out on the simple joys of life and the precious moments spent with our family. So, we took a step back and asked ourselves, "What truly matters?" The answer was clear – quality time and a deeper connection with nature and, more importantly, each other. We both had the desire to step away from the corporate world whilst finding ways to live more sustainably. That’s why the story of Nestie - the brand, and the story of our home life are one and the same. The same core values with each inspiring the

Getting Our Hands Dirty

With our newfound determination, we rolled up our sleeves and embarked on our (semi) self-sufficiency journey. We transformed a rather sizeable piece of land in our garden into a thriving vegetable patch. From planting seeds to nurturing eager seedlings, every step was a learning experience filled with excitement, wonder and…hope!

As we tended to the earth, we discovered the therapeutic benefits of gardening. It became our sanctuary, and a place where we could escape the chaos of the world and find solace in the calming hands of nature. Plus, the joy we found harvesting our own fresh produce while being able to teach our children where food really comes from was

Embracing a Sustainable Lifestyle

Our journey towards a more self-sufficient lifestyle didn't stop at gardening. We explored other sustainable practices to reduce our carbon footprint. We harvested rainwater in four 1,000 litre tanks for irrigation, installed two small solar panels to power the water pump and composted every scrap of kitchen and garden waste that we could get our hands on.

Living sustainably not only benefits the planet but also brings us closer as a family. We work together to find creative solutions, share responsibilities, and celebrate our achievements. These are values you will also see mirrored throughout Nestie as we strive towards creating a brand that is kind to the environment. 

The Joys of Slowing Down

You don’t have to look hard to notice that life is becoming increasingly fast paced. Social media has transformed the way we consume information and is designed to give the reader what they want, exactly when they want it. It’s no wonder we have such a hard time slowing things down. 

At the core of Nestie, though, is the desire to move slowly. A desire to create products that move away from fast fashion, with an appreciation for quality and timelessness. It was our desire to slow down and spend more time with nature, appreciating the small things, that really shaped Nestie into the brand it is

A New Chapter Begins

We found our way of slowing down and it all centered around being present in the moment, being together as a family and spending quality time with each other doing something that we feel really mattered. We still have a long way to go with so much to do and to learn and we’re far from fully self-sustainable. But, that wasn’t really our goal. Not if we’re being really honest. What we did set out to do, however, was make sure the time that we had away from our professional lives was time that was really worth spending with the people we love the most. 

 In growing our own flowers and teaching our kids how to grow their own food (all whilst teaching ourselves!), we brought so much joy into our family’s life and grew closer than ever. We always knew this would be the case and that any cost, time or effort that was involved in making our dream a reality was more than worth the investment. 

 With the launch of our new website, we’re excited to share with you our new chapter as we navigate growing the Nestie brand along side maintaining our new slower way of life. 

 We hope you’ll stick around.