by Janine Hill

IT would seem a brave move to take on business with a small babe in arms but for Mel Law, it was a no-brainer.

When her niece, Jade, decided to let the Lillypod Café at Palmwoods go to pursue a life of travel and adventure, Mel jumped in.

“She came to me and said, ‘What are you thoughts?’ and I said, “Yes!”

Mel knew it was a great little business and her niece had put a lot of effort into building it up but she also saw it as a good option for her small family.

Mel had been off work for eight months after the birth of Kaylen, now almost one, and her partner, John Sleeman, was slogging his heart out seven days a week working as a tree lopper to support them.

She did not want to send Kaylen to daycare at such a young age and could see the café offering them the chance to share care of their son and for John to have a better work-life balance.

John now works in the café two to three days a week, lops for the other two, and they juggle care of Kaylen between them, and with the help of a network of other friends with small children.

Café work is not new for Mel, who has been working in hospitality since she was a teenager. John is not quite so experienced, but she said he was doing a fine job behind the till.

“He’s got a great personality. Cheery and happy and gets along with people which is great,” she said.

The young couple are joined by Aaron in the kitchen, gun barista Halle, and on the weekends, juniors Ruby and Airlee.

Mel loves the Palmwoods community, which she said had been very welcoming.

“We’ve got some customers who come two, three, four, five times a week which is beautiful. Just having that community is great.”

Lillypod Café is at Shop 4/7 Margaret Street, Palmwoods. Lillypodcafe@yahoo.com.