Leaving behind the buzz of city life for something slower and more spacious can feel like a leap — but for Lou and Ben, it was exactly what they needed. After years of juggling work, parenting, and the relentless pace of life in Bondi, Sydney, they knew it was time for a change.
What began as a simple idea in the early days of parenthood slowly grew into a full-time business. As their brand, Strapsicle, gained momentum, so did their desire for a lifestyle that supported their growth — not added pressure. Moving to Bali gave Lou and Ben the breathing room to grow, both as a family and as founders.
In this interview, they share what led them to relocate, the new rhythm they’ve found in Sanur, and how Bali has helped them create a life that feels more intentional, connected, and aligned with what truly matters.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are originally from?
I’m a Kiwi who was living in Sydney with my partner Ben, in a small apartment in Bondi. Ben and I co-founded our business together, Strapsicle, after I dropped my Kindle on our newborn son Archie’s head during a 2am feed. Ben designed a silicone strap to stop it happening again, and suddenly we had a product.
Now we run Strapsicle full-time, while raising our now 4 year old. We moved to Bali for more space, and support, and to grow the business in a way that works for our family.
When did you move to Bali?
We moved to Bali in Sept 2024, so we’ve been here just under a year, but it already feels like a whole new life.
Right now, the plan is to stay for 2 years… but if things keep flowing the way they are, we’re open to staying longer. We didn’t come here for a holiday – we came to build something, and Bali’s been the right move for that.
What inspired your move?
We hit a tipping point. Sydney was expensive, busy, and we were burning out trying to grow Strapsicle while juggling daycare costs, a tiny apartment, and with very little support as we didn’t have any family around. The key shift was both of us going full-time on the business. With that came the question: why stay in a city that we can’t afford?
Bali offered more space, more help (hello nannies, housekeepers, food delivery), and half the living costs. It also put us closer to China for manufacturing and gave us the kind of environment where we could move fast without drowning in stress.
Where do you live in Bali?
We live in Sanur. It’s very chilled, family-friendly, and just the right pace for what we need right now. We chose it because it’s close to the beach, walkable, and way less hectic than other parts of Bali. It doesn’t feel like a party scene or influencer bubble, just a mix of locals, expats, and families doing regular life.
The community here’s been warm and welcoming. We were lucky to be plugged into this amazing WhatsApp group of families, and we’ve made so many friends with kids the same age as Archie. There’s a calmness to Sanur that fits the season we’re in: building a business and raising a family.
Can you tell us a bit about your work situation in Bali?
We run our own business, Strapsicle, full-time from here. It’s 100% remote, e-commerce based, so all we need is solid Wi-Fi and a quiet space.
Being in Bali has let us double down on the business. We’ve built a routine that gives us focused work time, with help at home to keep life moving in the background. Our market is mostly in Australia and the US.
Bali gives us the breathing room and cost flexibility to scale fast without burning out. Navigating business from here isn’t without its quirks: logistics, time zones, and power cuts come with the territory, but we’ve made it work by staying agile and leaning into the chaos.
What school did you choose for your children, and why was it the right fit?
Archie’s only just turned four, so we’ve started him in a local daycare rather than a full-on international school. We chose one close to home in Sanur: small, nurturing, and super grounded.
The staff are lovely, the routines are very thorough, and it’s helped him settle into all the big changes. He’s already talking in Bahasa. It’s beautiful to see how much he’s absorbing just by being here.
How does the cost of day-to-day life in Bali compare to Australia?
The cost of living in Bali is a game-changer. Daycare alone saves us around $2,000 a month compared to Sydney, that’s before you factor in rent, food, transport, and help around the house.
We’ve gone from a cramped 2-bed apartment to a spacious 3-bed villa with a pool and garden. We have a nanny, a housekeeper, and meals delivered: luxuries that would’ve been completely out of reach back home.
It’s not about “living cheap”, it’s about being able to design a life that actually works. Here, we can invest more in the business, spend more quality time as a family, and breathe a little easier.
How have you found the medical and health services so far?
So far, healthcare in Bali has been better than expected. We’ve had a few minor things: fevers, a dodgy stomach, and the international clinics have been fast, professional, and affordable. We also took out expat health insurance for peace of mind, just in case anything major comes up.
What does a typical day look like for you and your family in Bali?
A typical day starts early, around 5am, thanks to our human alarm clock, Archie. Lots of play and breakfast time, then Archie’s nanny arrives at 7.30am for daycare drop off. From there, Ben and I dive into work: team calls, product development, marketing, supply chain, the lot. We’ve set the villa up like a mini HQ (our 3rd bedroom now has 3 desks, and a king sized bed!) and we’ve got help at home to keep things flowing.
We break for lunch (often something delivered, bless Bali’s food apps), and then keep going with work until Archie’s home around 4pm. Evenings are often activities – padel, date night – or Archie’s after school activities. The beach on a Friday evening is a must.
It’s full-on, but there’s way more flow, more space, and way less pressure than our old life in Sydney.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
That life in Bali is all beaches, smoothie bowls, and cheap living. Sure, the lifestyle can look dreamy, and yes, the cost of living is lower. But the reality is far from a permanent holiday. There’s a lot of navigation needed of how everything works here. WhatsApp becomes your life. There’s traditions and routines that don’t really make sense sometimes.
It’s not “easy”, it’s just different. If anything, Bali gives you the chance to work smarter, live better, and find a bit more balance, but only if you’re willing to adapt and figure things out along the way.
What should other families think about before making the move?
Be clear on why you’re moving. If it’s for lifestyle, great. But if you’re also running a business or working remotely, make sure your setup can handle it (Wi-Fi backups and power cuts).
Get help early: nannies, housekeepers, drivers. It’s not indulgent, it’s survival. Especially if you’re juggling kids and work.
Pick the right area. Not every part of Bali suits every family. For us, Sanur’s slower pace and walkability made all the difference. Get a short term rental, then house hunt when you arrive.
And emotionally, give your kids (and yourself) space to adjust. It’s a big shift, even if it’s exciting. Routine, support, and community matter more than ever in those first few months.
Is there anything else about your Bali experience you’d love to share?
This move has been one of the boldest, messiest, most rewarding decisions we’ve ever made. It wasn’t easy. Packing up our lives, taking the business full-time, and landing in a whole new country with a toddler in tow, but it forced us to level up fast.
We didn’t come here for an escape. We came to create a better rhythm. For our family and our business. And Bali gave us that: space to grow, support to stay sane, and a community that reminds us to slow down when we forget.
If you’re thinking about making a big life move, do it. You’ll never feel fully “ready,” but you’ll figure it out as you go. We did.
