About the Founder

Hi, I’m Louisa (Lou)—founder of Kooshy Kids and mum to two incredible kids, Mila (12) and Jack (10).

In 2016, we boarded what was meant to be a short flight from Melbourne to Bali. Instead, we ended up stuck on a plane for 10 hours, that was turned around  due to a volcanic eruption. They’d run out of food and water, babies were screaming, and my two—then just little ones—were uncomfortable, overtired, and sprawled across us in a tangled mess. We landed back in Melbourne at 3:30am, exhausted, frazzled… and still no closer to Bali.

To make matters worse, we couldn’t get another flight for two more days.

The “horror” flight that became the turning point.
Two tiny travellers, one exhausted mum, and a promise made mid-air — to make flying with kids easier for families everywhere. That’s where it all began for me. ✈️

In that time, absolutely dreading going through it all again, I started researching what I could quickly buy to make the next flight more bearable. I bought everything available—but honestly, there wasn’t much. What I did find was poor quality, impractical, or completely missing the mark for what families actually need when flying with kids.

That’s when it clicked: there was a huge gap—and a huge opportunity. What families needed was a one-stop shop for travel comfort. A place where parents could find smart, compact, kid-friendly travel solutions that actually work.

Initially, I stocked another brand’s product on my Kids in Bali blog to see whether it met families’ needs.—but after ongoing customer feedback about the poor quality, functionality, and design flaws, I realised that parents were still being let down — and I wasn’t comfortable selling something that didn’t truly work.

Instead of giving up, I took everything I’d learned from those customer complaints and used it as the foundation to create something better. I began sketching, testing, and sourcing materials that could withstand the demands of real travel — designing products that were safe, comfortable, practical, durable, and genuinely helpful for both parents and children. And that’s when Kooshy Kids was born.

I launched Kooshy Kids in 2017 and since then, we’ve helped over 350,000 families travel more comfortably. Our range has now been accepted on over 100 airlines, and we back it with our money-back guarantee if a listed airline doesn’t allow use onboard. That’s how confident I am in what we’ve built.

What I’m most proud of is our self-inflating range—world-first designs that fully inflate in just 45 seconds at the push of a button. It took years of testing, refining, and real-world feedback to bring this to life, and it’s been an absolute game-changer for families. That level of innovation—making something that solves a real pain point and genuinely improves the travel experience—is what drives everything I do.

In 2021, we relocated from Melbourne to the Gold Coast—chasing more sunshine, space, and a better lifestyle. That move gave me the reset I needed to focus, rebuild, and grow the brand. From packing orders in my garage to building a global business, it’s been a journey fuelled by determination, creativity, and an absolute commitment to helping families like mine.

A little more about me…
I’m travel-obsessed, design-driven, and happiest when I’m creating something useful. I love running, uncovering hidden restaurants, sipping a great glass of wine , and planning the next family getaway. I didn’t set out to become a “founder”—I was just a mum who believed there had to be a better way.

Kooshy Kids is proudly Aussie-owned and operated. Every product is made from high-grade, child-safe materials, designed to be lightweight yet sturdy, compact, and simple to use. Our inflatables all include our exclusive air safety release valve, so they meet airline safety expectations without compromising comfort or convenience.

Our mission is simple: make family travel easier. Whether you’re on a plane, in a car, or in a hotel room—we’ve got comfort covered.

What’s next?
Kooshy Kids is only just getting started. I’m focused on expanding our global presence, building strong airline partnerships, and continuing to lead the way in safe, family-friendly innovation.

Every milestone reminds me why I started — to help families travel better.... I’m just as driven now as I was back then.

Thanks for being part of the journey — there’s so much more ahead.