Alumnae Business Spotlight

Alumnae Entrepreneurs

ANGELIQUE WOODBURN (CLASS OF 2002)

The Midnight Gang

The Midnight Gang are a small family run business providing waterproof sheet protectors called ‘Bed Mates’ that mean no more stripping the bed in the middle of the night when there is an accident. They are proudly plastic free, non-toxic and eco friendly, making them safe for your little ones as well as the environment. They save parents time, stress and washing and they give families back more sleep.

Fondest memory of your time at Ave?

Without a doubt being involved in the yearly productions are my absolute favourite memories. The fun of performing and the friendships made were some of the best times in my high schooling life.

Favourite subject or favourite teacher?

Drama was definitely my favourite subject. Our Year 12 class was small, which meant we all became super close. It was so great to be in a class where you could let go of your inhibitions and feel supported.

What inspired/drew you towards starting your own business?

I suppose the initial inspiration was my children. I wanted to stay home with them so going back to work wasn’t an option. This forced me to think outside the square and be creative with my ideas. Being a primary school teacher I loved working with children so it was a natural progression to go into a business in the kids industry. When I launched my product, ‘Bed Mates’, I saw the incredible impact it was having on parents. It was saving them time, stress, washing and giving them back more sleep. This kind of feedback motivated me even more to continue growing my business.

Do you have any future plans for your business?

Absolutely! We want to see The Midnight Gang in more bricks and mortar stores across the country and we want our Bed Mates to reach as many families as possible, allowing our product to make a difference in their lives too.

Any advice to current students as they think about their future and careers?

I would encourage them to think about what they are passionate about and what they are good at and then have a brainstorm around those things. Don’t underestimate the power of connections and discussions. It’s amazing the clarity that can come from sharing your thoughts and ideas with others. And I would also remind them that finding your dream career is not always a linear process. There will be highs and lows, set backs and growth but it’s important to accept that it is all part of the journey and often during the challenging moments, breakthroughs are just around the corner!