Wearable device manufacturer, Moochies has doubled its net sales every financial year since launch in 2015, achieving turnover of $3.9 million in 2020, with an expected turnover of $8 million in 2021.

Moochies offers the capabilities of a watch and basic phone for children aged 5 to 12.

But co-founders, Adrian Lisle and Ryan O’Neill, almost gave up on their business dream after visiting Silicon Valley to chase success based on investor promises, reporting a toxic culture that put investor money ahead of profits.

Shortly after leaving Silicon Valley, an Australian financier contacted the founders as he saw potential for Moochies to become the market leader in kids’ wearables.

“One secret to our success was rejecting the Silicon Valley buzz word ‘start up’. Forget being a ‘start up’ we wanted to be a profitable business,” the co-founders said.

The business idea was inspired by O’Neill’s eight-year-old niece Tallulah who had a habit of running out of sight as soon as she could walk.

The two-way communication tool puts parents at ease knowing they can get in touch with their child and vice versa if needed. Connecting to an app on the parents’ phone via a Telstra SIM, they can pre-set numbers to make and receive calls from, as well as check on their child’s location. Other features include 4G, GPS tracking and safe zones, SOS alerts, class mode, pedometer, and camera with gallery.

Moochies, which was once sold direct and exclusive to online, is now available via major retailers including Target, Big W, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi and Dick Smith Electronics.

Moochies is currently sold in Australia, the UK, the US with plans to expand to New Zealand and Brazil in May, as well as the EU market in October.