Our Family Story
Being stuck inside doesn't have to stop your kid from... well, being a kid.
We're spending more time at home than ever before, and we know you are too. That's exactly why we created the Shwally Mat - to be a soft place to land, adventure, play, snuggle, and explore.
When we had our baby, Theo, we were looking for something soft and safe for tummy time. Nothing felt right. It was either too thin, too expensive, or too crazy looking. (We don't have to tell you that there's a serious gap between stuff that is good for your baby and stuff that you actually want to look at every single day.)
Our son Theo does everything with purpose. Even when he started to crawl, every movement was precise, made with confidence and control. He's just like his mama. When it came to walking, he took his time - like, really took his time. It was as if he didn’t feel safe enough to do it yet. We were nervous too, as so many families are. Watching your baby take their first step is a big moment. We wanted to get it right.
AND THEN WE PUT OUR PLAYMAT DOWN
Call it meant to be. The minute he stepped onto the Shwally mat, everything changed. He started walking! He finally felt safe enough to explore, and had a comfy surface to roll, trip, fall, and get back up again.
We want every family to feel safe and supported.
Let’s take a trip back in time. Humans were born and evolved in nature on soft ground. Then, we walked onto hardwood floors and you know what? Our bones aren’t meant to fall and jump on concrete. The same sentiment goes to the foods we eat, the way we spend our free time, and the products we use. We want to make it easy to move towards nature. Because if you can’t pronounce it, you probably shouldn’t be eating it or putting it on your skin.
Have we mentioned we make skincare too?
We know, it's an interesting combination. Playmats and skincare. But that is because Shwally was truly made to fill the space between what parents want and what they need. We make conscious products with utility in mind.
What Is Shwally?
Our company was born with the idea of bringing us back to the roots, back to nature. The name comes from our last name, Schwalenstocker, Shwally for short - a beloved childhood nickname. Naming our company Shwally connects us back to running around as children, being safe and free.
We hope that Shwally brings that same nostalgia to you by taking a piece of nature and putting it in your home.
We Believe In A Primal Lifestyle.
We eat whole, real foods, and primal skincare is a natural extension. We use 100% grass-fed beef tallow (don’t worry, you can’t smell it!) and real avocado pulp oil, filled with ancient nutrients that are moisturizing, clarifying, healing, and protective for the skin. Because if your body is absorbing a majority of what you put on it, the products you use should be so clean that you could eat them.
We Believe Your Products Should Help Your Home, Not Hurt It.
As a family, we saw there’s no one looking out for the little guy. So we are. We’re here to help you feel really good about being parents, by creating products that you can feel confident in, knowing they are safe for your baby and look good in your home.
We Believe Life Is Better When You’re Closer To Nature.
That’s why as a family we spend a couple hours a day at the beach, in the mountains, or in the water. Humans originated living in balance with nature and it’s our goal to get back to that. We promise every product Shwally makes will help you do so, too.