The third in our new series, meet Bailey Meredith & Anna Fahey from Baina, a 100% GOTS certified organic cotton toweling brand, made in Portugal. This week we sat down & spoke to the duo about goal setting, the learnings they have taken away from 2020 & what they are most looking forward to in 2021.

Name: Bailey Meredith & Anna Fahey

Occupation: Co-Founders Of Baina  

2021, it’s the start of something new! What are you most looking forward to about the new year? 

For us, 2021 will be our second year in trade, with this comes opportunity to develop upon what we’ve built in 2020. This includes new designs, new colour palettes and new product categories. On a personal note, Anna will be having a baby in February, and BAINA will be taking on new team members, with this comes fresh eyes on the business and new opportunities. Also, both personally and professionally we are hopeful the trans-Tasman bubble will be open to us soon so we can revisit our Australian community.

What learnings will you be taking away from (the crazy year that was) 2020 & into 2021? Have your experiences in 2020 changed your mindset & priorities in any way?

2020 was the strangest year to be in the infancy of business, it challenged us in ways we would never have been challenged otherwise. With the lock downs, both in Auckland and Melbourne, we were stopped dead in our tracks, forcing us to slow momentum, look deeply within BAINA as a brand, and consider who we are and what we want to be. We are eternally grateful for the forced assessment, looking closely at our work habits, and the encouragement we felt from our community. 

What is one personal, professional or financial goal you will be tracking in your 2021 Diary?

We are looking to expand into new international markets in 2021, which will require a lot of in-depth planning. Aligning with new distribution partners and stockists requires plenty of note taking, this will no doubt fill the AOL diary cover to cover. Oh, and we are always running at least 2-3 lengthy ‘To Do’ lists.

How many years have you been using an An Organised Life Diary?

Between the two of us we have owned at least 7. Both initially gifted, then hooked by its simplicity in design, hand feel, and now it is the only diary we use.

What 2021 Diary did you pick & why did you choose that style?

We both selected the A5 day per page diary, we like to use the whole page for the To-Do lists I’d mentioned, without disrupting the space for the following day.

Talk us through that feeling when you first unboxed your new AOL 2021 Diary? What did you notice?

Both of us are obsessed with the feeling associated when opening something new that has been beautifully packaged. AOL meets this feeling, the beautiful box, the stickered tissue, only to be peeled back to reveal the personalised gold embossed BAINA + AOL logo’s. They really are an exciting delivery to receive.

What is your favourite feature in your 2021 diary & how will it help you stay organised?

We both love that at the beginning of each month there is a gridded view of the month, it gives us an opportunity to block out important dates. There is also space to set goals, which we set at the beginning of each month then review at the close of the month, keeping us accountable and on track. 

What's one personal or professional project you have been working on or have upcoming that requires you to be organised 

This time of year means stock deliveries, increased social events, lengthy professional and personal To-Do lists. Having An Organised Life diary keeps all of these details in the one place, scheduling our time and energy accessible with one glance.

What are the top 3 ways you organise your life?

Lists, routine and prioritising.

What are your current desk essentials?

A good diary/note book, a reliable pen, a big jug of water and an empty inbox.

Top organisation hack?

Complete one task at a time, allow yourself breaks, and one day at a time – remember there’s always tomorrow.

Get organised for 2021. Start HERE by exploring our 2021 Collection & shop Anna & Bailey's favourite diary HERE.

Photography by Holly Burgess

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