A Spark of Inspiration
How did it all begin? The inspiration came from my niece. When she was born, I searched for baby gifts in Hong Kong and quickly realized how limited the options were in 2010. Growing up in Sydney, I was used to an abundance of choices, from big-name baby brands to unique indie labels—there was never a shortage of thoughtful gifts!
At the same time, I noticed a common issue with baby gifts, especially clothing. Babies grow so quickly in their first year that many outfits are outgrown before they’re even worn. The same went for other baby gifts—they were often short-lived and quickly forgotten.
I wanted to change that. My goal was to create a gift that wouldn’t just be adorable at the moment but would continue to be meaningful and practical as the baby grew.
My niece came up with the idea of using the blanket as a cape! I flipped the blanket, ran out of the frame and our photographer captured this amazing shot!
The Birth of the Growing Kit
This inspired the Growing Kit, a thoughtfully designed set of three onesies in different sizes, ensuring babies have outfits that fit as they grow through their first year. Each set is tailored to the season they’re born in, making it a practical yet heartfelt gift that lasts beyond the newborn stage.
But I wanted it to be more than just practical - I wanted it to feel personal. Each kit was thoughtfully curated to match the baby’s growth and the seasons ahead. A winter baby’s first onesie featured long sleeves, followed by a short-sleeved piece for summer, and a final outfit suited for the cooler months, ensuring comfort throughout their first year.
We did 3 separate photoshoots over the period of one year and we were so lucky to witness our baby model Lucas' growth spurts!
A lot of thought went into our signature gift packaging, designed to reflect our branding with circles and dots. Each Growing Kit was carefully assembled - every onesie rolled by hand and neatly tucked inside. I wanted the unboxing to feel just as special, crafting the packaging and messaging to make each kit a heartfelt, thoughtful gift and not just another set of baby clothes.
The OG gift packaging of TinyBitz was a cylindrical box, each ribbon was sew by hand and glued on.
Aiobhin was one of our very first baby models of the Growing Kit!
TinyBitz launched in 2013 with the Growing Kit as its signature product, and it was an exciting time. Parents loved the concept, and we saw a great response from customers who appreciated the longevity and thoughtfulness behind the gift. It felt like we were solving a real problem in the baby gifting space.
The Growth
As the business grew, we reached new customers and started to build a loyal community through joining many markets and weekend events.
Swire Properties Christmas Market
Pop-up event at Editecture’s Studio
We joined international tradeshows and found new stockists in Australia, USA, Japan and Taiwan. TinyBitz gained traction, and soon we were shipping Growing Kits to parents all over the world.
Playtime New York Tradeshow
Our stockist in Tokyo, Japan
We were voted by Australia’s reputable baby blog as their best pick at the Playtime New York tradeshow in 2015. We won a Gold Award at the Hong Kong Smart Gifts Designs Awards in the Occasional Gifts category in 2016.
After winning the award, our Growing Kit was displayed at a roving exhibition in Germany in 2017.
Proud to be a Gold winner at the Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards!
We introduced new collections with the Growing Kit as our hero product, gradually expanding the range to include blankets, sleeping bags, and other adorable outfits.
Twinkly Nights: sleeping bags and blankets were introduced
Pitta Patta: matching outfits were added to the collection
The Challenges
But growth brought new challenges. The Growing Kit had its limitations - one of the biggest being that it didn’t immediately stand out on retail shelves. Without someone there to explain the concept, it often appeared to be just another baby onesie set. We experimented with better packaging by adding a display window and included sizing stickers, but capturing a customer’s attention quickly enough to communicate its uniqueness, remained a struggle.
We worked hard to improve the retail display of our Growing Kit, every little detail was considered!
We also discovered that customers preferred buying gifts after the baby was born, which made the newborn set less popular. Inventory management became tricky as we had to stock multiple sizes for each set and we did not sell the onesies individually. Our signature gift packaging was also costing us extra storage fees because they were not stackable.
While I loved the concept of the Growing Kit, I started to notice that our business had hit a plateau. I knew we needed to evolve.
The Opportunity for a New Chapter
While navigating what’s next, in 2018 an exciting opportunity came our way - Eslite Lifestyle Bookshop invited us to open a physical store in their kids' section! With only seven weeks to design and build, I was incredibly fortunate to have the support of my contractors and friends, who helped bring everything together just in time. On April 1, 2018, our store officially opened - marking a huge milestone for TinyBitz!
Our first brick and mortar store at Eslite Lifestyle Bookshop.
Reflecting on past challenges, I knew we couldn’t rely solely on our existing stock. Customers were looking for more bespoke options beyond baby wear. Regular gifters wanted unique presents for different occasions, and longtime supporters - especially moms who had followed TinyBitz’s journey, were eager to keep coming back. The need for something more personal led to an unexpected yet natural evolution—our Personalized Baby Gifts!
The Pivot to Personalized Baby Gifts
Through customer conversations, one thing stood out - personalized baby gifts were in demand. Adding a baby’s name made a gift feel extra special, something parents would treasure forever. Since we already had a range of high-quality baby products, I tested an idea: what if we embroidered names onto our existing items? It was the perfect way to repurpose inventory while gauging interest.
I started with a Mother’s Day campaign called ‘Baby Mumbles.’ I asked moms what they thought their babies' coos and aahs meant, then embroidered those adorable phrases onto our organic onesies. Customers could choose the embroidery colour to match their onesie, and just like that, personalization at TinyBitz was born!
The wittiest ‘baby mumbles’!
This was my personal favourite.
Following this success, I introduced name embroidery as an add-on service. The response was incredible! Customers loved the ability to personalize their gifts, and it quickly became clear—personalization was the future of TinyBitz. That’s when the idea of personalized blankets started to take shape in my mind.
Embroidering names on our sleeping bags.
Fun icons were introduced to the add-on service!
The Birth of the Personalized Name Blanket
With the success of embroidery paving way to personalized baby gifting at TinyBitz, the idea of the personalised knitted name blanket was born. This wasn’t just any blanket—it was a soft, beautifully crafted keepsake with a baby’s name knitted directly into the design. It was the perfect blend of practicality and sentimentality. Unlike clothing, which babies outgrow quickly, a high-quality blanket could be used for years, it will grow with the baby and can be kept as a lifelong keepsake.
The very first personalized blankets ready for their photoshoot in 2018.
When Daddy jumped in to bring out Parker’s happy smiles!
Alex and James had so much fun at the shoot!
Grace being a superhero with her personalized blanket as a cape!
In October 2018, we officially launched our personalized blanket range, just in time for Christmas. The response was overwhelming. Unlike the Growing Kit, the blankets required no explanation, each piece is knit-to-order and thereby eliminating inventory issues. The Personalized Name Blanket resonated with customers instantly. One customer even pre-ordered 10 blankets just by seeing my Instagram stories, without even seeing the final product!
We've since expanded our personalized blankets with options for adults and pets. With over 20 colours to mix ‘n match and a variety of font choices, customers can create a truly one-of-a-kind blanket. Beyond our signature monogram design, we now offer more than 10 unique styles, with even more on the way!
Expanding Our Range of Personalized Baby Gifts
Since our personalized knitted products take 20-25 days to make, we also needed a solution for last-minute baby gift orders. With the growing demand for embroidery add-ons, I invested in our own embroidery machine to bring production in-house instead of outsourcing.
Documenting one of the first items we made on the embroidery machine.
Embroidering a sample board to show our customers what they can choose from!
This decision sparked an entirely new complementary collection alongside our knitted line. Since then, we’ve expanded to embroider on organic baby onesies, muslin bibs, kids’ and adults’ tees for twinning, tote bags, bath towels, and with even more exciting additions on the way!
A Sustainable Future with Personalization
Shifting to personalization completely transformed TinyBitz into a more sustainable business. It solved our previous overstocking challenges, and by embracing a made-to-order model, we’ve significantly reduced fashion waste that might otherwise end up in landfills.
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond just our products. We’ve transitioned to biodegradable bags, paper boxes, and continuously work to minimize plastic use. By focusing on meaningful, personalized gifts that are made to last, we’re not only creating cherished keepsakes but also ensuring our environmental footprint remains as small as possible.
What’s Next for TinyBitz?
Looking back on this journey, I see how every step led us to where we are today. From the Growing Kit to the Personalised Name Blankets, TinyBitz has evolved based on real customer needs and my desire to create gifts that are thoughtful, practical, and deeply meaningful.
Personalisation has now become the heart of our brand. Every name we knit or embroider carries special significance—it represents a new life, a family’s love, and a gift that will be cherished for years to come. Seeing customers return to buy gifts for new siblings, cousins, and friends reaffirms that we’re creating something truly special.
Our journey is far from over. As TinyBitz continues to grow, I am always thinking about new ways to bring more warmth and thoughtfulness into our personalised baby gifts. Whether it’s expanding our product range, refining our designs, or finding even better ways to create keepsakes that last a lifetime, one thing remains the same - our mission to make every gift feel deeply personal and unforgettable.
TinyBitz started with a simple idea: to create gifts that grow with babies. Today, that idea has grown beyond babyhood and blossomed into a brand built on personalisation, quality, and love. I can’t wait to see what’s next, and I’m so grateful to every one of you who has been part of this journey with us.
Petina xxx
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the production time for personalized knitted items?
As each product is knit-to-order, please kindly allow for 20-25 days for production. If you have a deadline to meet, please reach out to us first and we will see if we can make it happen!
What is the production time for embroidery items?
Embroidery items generally can be completed in 3-5 business days.
Do you provide gift packaging?
Yes! We provide complimentary gift packaging for orders that have requested it. If you have a gift message to add, we can also add that in for you too. If you don’t need any gift packaging, simply opt out of this option when placing your order.
Do you offer free shipping?
We offer FREE delivery within Hong Kong (to one address) for orders over HKD500. For orders under HKD500, a delivery and handling fee of HKD35 will be charged. We can deliver to any SF station/locker, commercial or residential address in Hong Kong.
We also offer international shipping to many of countries! Enter the shipping details on the check-out page to see the shipping options.
