Women in Business in Bali: Meet our Founder, Rosie

For this months 'Women in Business in Bali' series we thought there was no better human to chat to than our female founder of Luna & Rose, Rosie Shelton. Having lived on and off the island for what feels like forever, she sure knows a thing of two about manufacturing, sourcing, living in the tropics, local hot spots and what to avoid in Bali. 

Most of our community will most likely have seen our Founder, Rosie's, face around the place... Emails, Social Media, the odd Behind the scenes.... She's shy but passionate about sharing all the daily doings (and amazing humans) that go on behind the scenes of building and growing a brand. But today, we had a chance to sit down and really get to the bottom of what a building a brand on the tropical island looks like. 

So, Grab a cuppa & your note pad, Rosie isn't shy on sharing her hot tips, local faves and manufacturing knowledge!

Hey Rosie, (OK, slightly weird interviewing you when I see you most days for work!) Where are you from originally?

I am from beautiful little old New Zealand

How long have you lived on the tropical island of Bali for?

I originally moved to Bali in May 2013 to 'Set up my jewellery label and then go travelling for a year'. Fair to say I never really left and here I am 10 years later still enjoying the warm air, calm energy, delicious food & magical humans.

What type of Business do you run here on the island?

I am the Founder of Luna & Rose, a Sustainable jewellery and apparel brand based between Bali & New Zealand. I am passionate about offering sustainable choices in an all-consuming 'fashion' world. We work with Recycled Metals for all of our jewellery, Natural fibres for our clothing and use Organic Plant Dyes for our apparel because... who needs extra chemicals in their lives!

While I split my time 50/50 Bali/New Zealand, We have our Flagship store located at Echo Beach in Canggu, and it is my absolute happy place being able to showcase our pieces all in one lovely space! (And even cooler now we have our epic Nail Bar inside & upstairs.)

What does a 'general' day look like for you? 

Every day is insanely different, especially here in Bali.

I love starting the day by spending some quality time with my son wether thats just playing at home, heading to the beach or to the park. After I take him to daycare I get into work mode which can be anything from going to visit suppliers, sourcing a new fabric, checking through our latest samples, approving a new Organic Dye colour, responding to emails, designing a new collection, chatting with our Marketing guru and making a plan for upcoming collections or special dates...Mix in a fair amount of traffic, delicious food (and coffee), production issues, fixing things around the store & that's about it!

What is the biggest challenge of running a busy boutique in a foreign country?

I currently split my time 6 months in New Zealand and 6 months in Bali which is definitely the biggest challenge, not being here and able to respond to requests immediately. I'm a very hands on, tactile person so I'm sure the girls in the office get sick of me asking for 1000 videos to show me things in detail!

It's not a challenge of producing in a foreign country per say but because our Clothing dyes are all Plant-Based & Organic (And every season of leaf is different because - nature...) it can often be a challenge trying to communicate to both our suppliers and customers about the slight variations in colours. Most of our customers are amazing and choose to shop with us for this very reason but of course... you need your Sage shorts & shirts to match!

And... Your new Nail Bar - So cute! How did that come about (Both the idea & the build!?!) ?

Lets just say 2023 was a WILD year! But a year I am starting to look back on with much admiration for my tenacity and all the crazy highs & lows that I went through to get my now, beautiful salon (both physically and our lovely staff!) open.

Initially the Nail Bar came about as a very loose idea that got quite out of control and involved quite quickly (I have a tendancy to not do things by the halves...).

Basically our office used to be located about our store at Echo Beach and it was a dark dingy box that needed some TLC... so instead of just putting a window in, lets just say the design took a shape of its own and next minute, I was creating and building the Nail Bar of my dreams!

Getting my Nails done is one of the only things that I love to do to take time out from life (And I love that you cant use your phone for that 1-2 hours!) but I felt, at the time, there was no Nail Bar that was aesthetic and beautiful quality (Everything at Rosie's Nail Bar is Vegan & Cruelty Free from our polishes, scrubs & snacks). A place that cared about their products, the offering and created a Nail experience, not just a one-off service.... So the idea was born and wallah, Rosie's Nail Bar was born in November 2023, the day after my second baby was born!

It's the coolest little space around, and our team are insanely passionate and talented Nail Artists. Be sure to visit when you come to Bali!

Do you have a favourite place that you like to 'holiday' on the island?

Absolutely I do! For a little 'quick' weekend away I love heading to Bingin Beach for some Yoga (Surfing for my partner) and epic views. There is nothing more relaxing than watching the surf at one of the cliffside accoms (lots of options for all budgets!). I am also obsessed with Sideman to escape the madness of Canggu. Sideman is like heading back in time and is a true Bali village with not much to do but admire the rice paddy views, eat delicious local cuisine (sourced all within the village) and read a book! The air is cooler their too so between November - June, its a great option. And finally, when friends come over we usually push for a team escape to Nusa Lembongan which is an island 30 mins from Bali. It's small, cute, hot and has everything you could need for the perfect 'island' escape. I would recommend 3 nights here to really unwind and enjoy the slow paced vibe.

Oh, and there is one other all-time favourite place but I'm not ready to share that with 'the world' yet as its still very unknown and quiet. If you ever meet me, feel free to ask and I might just tell you....

What do you get up to on your weekends in Bali? Any cute hangs we need to know about?

Well other than getting my favourite all-time dreamy Mani Pedi at Rosie's Nail Bar....(Honestly, it's the actual BEST!) we try to get away a couple of times a month and visit a new location. Canggu where we're based can be very full on... Now we have a small bubba we are often looking for places we can enjoy with him together which have become 'family friendly' cafes with pools. A couple of favourites are Koast at Echo Beach, Passo in Pererenan, Valle at the top of Echo Beach and Joon which is in Babakan. I try to enjoy as much Yoga as I can at Desa Seni (Favourite teacher is Carlotta), the space is absolutely magic and you're relaxed just walking in their... So different to studios back home!

When I get some time away, I looooove to treat myself to a massage or Hair Creme Bath (Tonic Day Spa does great ones, located just opposite our store) or sit at my all time favourite cafe The Shady Shack with a book and chow down on their Rice Roll Ups.

Talk to us, you recently (ish!?) had a child, what is it like being in Bali with a child and how does life differ pre-kid?

Ugh yes, it's certainly different!

Life Pre-Kids in Bali? A different Cafe or 2 each day, Sunset at the beach every night, Dinner out each night (wether at a local cart or restaurant), freedom of jumping on our scooters and getting lost for the weekend with no real plan, hectic layovers or weird flight times to Thailand just for a couple of days because...Late nights with friends in town, random Monday night parties..

Life with Kids in Bali? No Cafes because Lunch is a naptime and 6.30 is bed time, Sunsets...well we just decide on everyones mood of the day and if we can deal with the mess of the beach / dinner at the beach, driving a car which takes x3 as long to get anywhere, we chose our cafes based if they have a playground or not and weekends are pre-booked with accom! A trip down the 100 stairs to Bingin? Well, we really have to consider that trip to the beach and 2 nights in Bangkok? Forget it!

Would I have it any other way? Of course not. We have the beauty of multiple Balinese 'grandparents' around to help care for Pepe, he gets to go swimming at 7am everyday, eats all his meals outside and can throw his food on the floor, learns another language (His daycare only speak Indonesian on Fridays), an appreciation for a different way of life, gets to ride a scooter (sometimes!) and of course, gets to eat his favourite food 'nasi' every. single. day. 

Bali living is certainly different with kids but isn't everything? :)

Top 5 Cafes to eat in Canngu?

1. The Shady Shack, Echo Beach

2. Vida Cafe, Canggu

3. Ruko, Berawa 

4. Secret Spot, Canggu

5. Woods, Pererenan

And because Bali is alllll about eating, other cute places I love to venture to are Lola's for delicious Cali Mexican, Copenhagen for cute little plates of deliciousness, Santorini for delicious Greek, Bali Budha for their Choc Nuts Bar (You will NOT regret it), BGS for delicious Coffee, BAKED for their Pastries, Milu by Nook to relax, Ji for Rooftop sushi and Times Warung for a beach hang.... Any more recco's - sing out! 

And because we're just going to rinse you for your local knowledge.... 5 things to avoid in Bali?

1. Driving in a Car to Uluwatu sunset on Sunday Afternoon

2. Salad from a street cart. Everything else fried - Get amongst it! My favourite it Tahu Tipat... Try it. 

3. Ubud in a Car. 

4. Always eating western food. You're in Indonesia, explore and try their cuisine!

5. Walking across the Canggu Shortcut...

And finally, What is your favourite thing about living in Bali?

My favourite thing about living in Bali is the endless possible options of exploration to do on the weekends. From new towns, new islands to new cafes, there is so much new, creative inspiration everywhere you look and it literally never ends! 

And of course, the Balinese culture is what drew me here and has my heart forever, their culture, kindness and karma is next to none.