What inspired you to create Milo?
What personal experiences led you to the idea?
The Smallest Words
Make The Biggest Impact
GAZ
What inspired Milo was something very simple, the messages we leave for one another. Whether it's "Have a lovely day", "I love you", "I'm proud of you", or even a reminder to put the bins out, those small notes have always meant a lot to us.
Over the years, we realised that the smallest words often have the biggest impact. A simple message can make someone smile, feel valued, or brighten their entire day. We wanted to create something that encouraged more of those meaningful moments within families.
"It's that human connection we create,
rather than a text message."
SUNITA
For years, leaving little notes for each other has been part of our family life. Whether they were messages of love, encouragement, gratitude or simply making someone laugh, they always created a special connection.
As life became busier and technology became a bigger part of everyday life, we noticed how easy it was for genuine moments of connection to get lost. Milo was created to bring those moments back, helping families slow down, communicate more meaningfully, and create lasting memories through simple acts of kindness.
We use them with the kids now as well.
You used to send messages to your kids, and now you're receiving them back, it's just like a bit more of a flow going. Communication is absolutely great between the family now. The connection is great !!
GAZ
SUNITA
The good thing is we can also keep them as keepsakes.
So we'll always be able to refer back to them, read them, and just bring that feeling back to us. It's that human connection that we create, rather than like a text message. We're bringing it back to a connection between people and family so it's more valuable.
I wish I had that with my parents. I wish I had something I could keep and look back to.
GAZ
Oh, well, yeah, of course. I think we all think that way. It'd be amazing to have something to read back to any time we want a bit of a pick-me-up, or a laugh even.
SUNITA
So the smallest words make the biggest impact. I think the inspiration came from having a central point where the family can use to communicate with each other and just leave messages to each other.
And if they see that a message is left there, it will inspire them to leave a message back.
GAZ
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"Children are growing up
with screens instead
of connection and
it's lost its meaning."
"I wish I'd had something I could
keep and look back to."
"Love and reassurance don't
have to be complicated."
"Something you can keep
with you, any time
to bring that feeling back."
GET TO KNOW OUR FOUNDERS
How do you currently communicate love, care and encouragement within your family?
Gaz:
For us, it's often the little things that matter most. Spending time together, cooking as a family, checking in on one another, and leaving small messages throughout the day are all ways we show we care.
A handwritten note may seem simple, but it can have a powerful impact. It shows someone you've thought about them, even when you're not together.
Sunita:
We regularly leave messages of gratitude, appreciation, encouragement and love for one another. Sometimes it's simply reminding someone how valued they are, and other times it's offering support when they need it most.
We also believe in being present for each other. Whether it's sharing a meal, listening, or simply spending quality time together, those moments help people feel seen, heard and appreciated.
What have you noticed children and families are missing in today’s world of communication?
Gaz:
I think a lot of families are physically together but emotionally distracted because of screens and busy lifestyles. Children are growing up with constant digital communication, but not always enough personal connection or meaningful conversation.
Sunita:
There’s less slowing down, less listening, and fewer moments that feel genuine and personal. I feel children still crave comfort, reassurance, and emotional closeness in a much more human way.
Why do you believe small personal messages and physical connection are important?
Gaz:
For me, personal messages become treasured keepsakes. They capture moments in time and allow you to revisit memories, feelings and emotions years later.
I've kept messages that still make me smile when I read them today. They remind me of how I felt at that moment and the people who cared enough to write them.
Sunita:
That's what makes them so special. A message isn't just words on paper – it's a memory, a feeling and a connection that you can return to whenever you need it.
Whether someone needs encouragement, comfort, reassurance or simply a smile, a heartfelt message can provide that long after it was written.
Gaz:
Writing things down can sometimes be easier than saying them out loud. It allows people to express emotions more openly and thoughtfully.
Those small moments of communication can strengthen relationships and help people feel loved, appreciated and understood.
Sunita:
A personal message becomes something you can keep forever. It gives you the opportunity to revisit special memories and reconnect with the emotions attached to them.
In many ways, it becomes a little piece of your family's story.
How do you hope Milo could help children, parents or families emotionally?
Gaz:
I hope Milo helps families reconnect emotionally in a natural and meaningful way. We want children to feel supported, reassured and confident expressing their feelings, while encouraging parents and loved ones to create meaningful moments together.
Of course, a message can be left anywhere, but Milo makes it different. Children naturally form strong bonds with comfort toys.
When a message is discovered inside Milo's pocket, it becomes
more than just words on paper. Milo becomes part of the experience, part of the memory and part of the feeling that message creates.
Children often carry their favourite soft toy everywhere. They talk to them, cuddle them and find comfort in them. When Milo delivers a message of love, encouragement or reassurance, that emotional connection becomes even stronger because it's attached to something they already treasure.
Sunita:
Sometimes something as simple as finding a thoughtful note can completely brighten someone's day. Whether it's a child, parent or grandparent, a few heartfelt words can bring comfort, reassurance, encouragement or simply a smile.
What makes Milo special is that the feeling doesn't end when the note has been read.
The message may take a few seconds to read, but Milo remains there as a comforting reminder of those words. A child can cuddle him when they're feeling nervous, keep him close when they miss someone, or simply feel reassured knowing a special message was left just for them.
That's what we love most about Milo. He's not just carrying messages; he's carrying emotions, memories and moments of connection. He becomes a trusted companion that families associate with love, support and togetherness.
At the heart of it all, what is your intention and long-term vision for Milo and Hug Buddy
World?
Gaz:
At the heart of Hug Buddy World is a simple belief: meaningful human connection matters. Care, Connection, Communication
Everything we create is centred around bringing people closer together through love, communication and shared moments. We don't want Milo to be seen as just another soft toy. We want him to become part of a family's everyday life, their traditions, their memories and the moments they look back on for years to come.
Our vision is for Milo to be there during life's big moments and small moments alike, celebrating achievements, offering comfort during difficult times and helping families stay connected through it all.
Sunita:
For me, Milo represents something much bigger than a plush toy. He represents connection, communication and emotional support. We really want Milo to help people reconnect emotionally in a natural comforting way. We live in a world where everyone is busy and constantly distracted by technology. We wanted to create something tangible that brings people back together and encourages more meaningful interactions within families.
My hope is that Milo becomes a trusted friend for children, a tool for connection for parents and a keepsake filled with memories that families can treasure for years to come.
Gaz:
Ultimately, our goal is to remind people that love, reassurance and kindness don't need to be complicated. Sometimes the smallest gestures and the simplest words can have the greatest impact.
If a child feels more confident because of a message hidden inside Milo, if a parent finds it easier to express how they feel, or if a family creates memories they wouldn't otherwise have made, then Milo has achieved exactly what he was created to do.
Sunita:
That's why Milo is so important to us. The messages matter, but it's Milo who brings those messages to life. He's the companion that holds them, the keepsake that preserves them and the reminder that someone was thinking of you.
At the end of the day, we believe the smallest words can make the biggest impact, and that's exactly what Milo is all about.