Founders Q&A Spokesperson Ashleigh Lloyd – Co-Founder of Baby Expo 2024


Founders Q&A Spokesperson Ashleigh Lloyd – Co-Founder of Baby Expo 2024

  1. What inspired you to become the co-founder of Baby Expo, especially considering it's the first event of its kind in the Middle East?

Being a mum of two children, I know how overwhelming it can be to prepare for your baby’s arrival - no two pregnancy journeys are the same and no two babies are the same… but then to prepare for all the various stages of parenthood, whether it be caring for your newborn, feeding, sleep routines, weaning…you can be left feeling like you don’t know where to start.

With this in mind, I wanted to create a one-stop-shop for all things mother, baby and toddler - bringing together everything mums and dads need to support their parenthood journey from leading global brands and the best education to the latest products and innovations, all under one roof. 

  1. Can you share any exciting features or highlights of Baby Expo that attendees can look forward to?

Kicking off at the Dubai World Trade Centre on the 24th and 25th of May, the Baby Expo offers a treasure trove of mother and baby products for visitors to explore, test, and purchase. Featuring thousands of items from over 150 esteemed and much-loved brands like Stokke, Dabdub, Cybex, Babyzen, Nabi, Maxi Cosi, Le Cler, Mercedes Benz Hartan, Ergobaby, and Pigeon, to highlight just a few.

Whether it’s in preparation for a new arrival, the next stage of development or the start of your pregnancy journey, receive hands-on demonstrations on a range of products, try out our stroller testing park, make the most of exclusive promotions and special offers, collect complimentary goodies from our show partners and enjoy entertainment of all the family.

With two days of free education on offer across our Main Stage, Expert Education Stage and Nursery - LIVE, join other new and expectant parents for invaluable life-saving skills from our baby first aid workshops, as well as antenatal courses, sleep training, birth preparation talks and newborn care and feeding support from leading experts including King’s College Hospital.

For those in the trade, The Baby Expo's Business Breakfast presents a concentrated half-day schedule filled with enriching content designed to drive your business forward. This includes strategic insights from C-level executives from top global brands and some of the most influential figures in the Middle East’s mother, baby, and toddler sectors.

  1. How do you envision Baby Expo making a meaningful impact for new parents or expecting parents?

We hope that parents, expecting families, and their loved ones will depart from The Baby Expo feeling better equipped for the parenting journey ahead. Our goal is for them to have explored and gained access to the best brands, receive advice from trusted experts in the mother and baby sector, connect with other families, and feel embraced by a supportive community.

Kris Fade Quote:

Kris Fade, entrepreneur, media personality, Co-founder and host of Baby Expo:

“I’m excited to be hosting Dubai's first Baby Expo. With my wife and I, welcoming our baby boy just over 4 months ago, I know first-hand how overwhelming it can be with so much information out there and so many brands to choose from.

That’s why we’ve created The Baby Expo. Offering a one-stop destination for all things related to pregnancy and early childhood, with more than 150 globally leading brands and access to 1000s of products, expectant parents and families can look forward to free antenatal classes, baby first aid, a stroller testing park and entertainment for all the family.”

Russell and Lindsey Kane Quote:

What inspired you both to participate in the Baby Expo event as a couple?

We are parents ourselves and our journey to creating JOLT was deeply rooted in personal experience when I became a Mum. I was hit by a tidal wave of unexpected emotions—fear of mortality, anxiety, feeling utterly lost. Once my daughter was born, I started to look into living a healthier life so I could be around as long as possible for my family. After speaking with other people, especially new parents I realised this feeling wasn’t uncommon. We see the Baby Expo as an opportunity to connect with fellow parents, share our story, and offer a glimmer of hope to those who may be on a similar journey.

How do you envision your joint efforts transforming the experiences of parents, toddlers, and mothers attending the expo?

Our vision for JOLT goes way beyond just physical health; it's about embracing a holistic approach to well-being. You'd be surprised how much you can do to boost your health span without spending a dirham. Being parents ourselves, we get it—the struggles, the pressures, the overwhelm that comes with raising a tiny human. Our goal is to share our journey, share some wisdom around health-span and JOLT, and welcome fellow parents into our 'JOLTers community. Because let's face it, sometimes we all feel a bit lost or overwhelmed, right? We're all about shaking things up and getting people to take control of their ageing process and overall well-being. We're here to inspire parents to put themselves first and to prioritise their health and happiness. We want to be out there, living our best lives, not stuck in a rocking chair at 70. That's the essence of JOLT—living healthier, happier, and hopefully longer. Because living WELL is a luxury… and who wouldn’t want that?

The Mumpreneur Collective

Set to illuminate the entrepreneurial spirit of mothers, the 2024 Baby Expo introduces the Mumpreneur Collective initiative. This movement is dedicated to supporting moms who navigate the complexities of starting and running businesses while fulfilling family responsibilities. Designed for mothers at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey—whether they're just beginning, planning a return, or seeking to grow their business—the conference offers invaluable insights into business initiation, marketing tactics, achieving financial autonomy, balancing professional and personal life, addressing 'mum guilt', and maintaining overall wellness. Highlighting the expertise of speakers such as Joelle Mardinian, and Kelly Marie Hodgkin, the innovative minds behind the Qidz app, and many more, The Mumpreneur Collective aims to empower mums looking to thrive within the workplace.

Ashleigh Lloyd, Co-Founder Baby Expo:

“As a mum of two young children, I’ve witnessed first-hand the struggles, pressures and guilt that come with striving to achieve my goals and pursuing my career whilst maximising and enjoying every precious moment of raising my children.

 

With my journey in mind, I’m excited to be introducing The Mumpreneur Collective to The Baby Expo - a morning dedicated to empowering & inspiring mums. Bringing together many of the Middle East’s most inspiring mumpreneurs who will be discussing their journeys, providing advice, support & guidance and sharing their stories on balancing motherhood while building a business.”