Byron Talks: Seed & Sprout Founder Sophie Kovic
A Journey Towards Sustainable Living
In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, Sophie Kovic is leading by example. As the founder of Seed & Sprout, Sophie is not only transforming the way we think about everyday products, but she is also embracing sustainable living in her personal life. From building an off-grid tiny home in the Byron hinterland to sharing her journey with over 300,000 followers on TikTok, Sophie’s mission is to make sustainable living accessible, rewarding and inspiring for everyone.
In this conversation, Sophie reflects on her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of living sustainably and the importance of aligning personal and professional values. She also shares her insights on how small, everyday changes can have a powerful impact on the environment and why she believes the future of sustainable living is both bright and achievable.
Join us as we dive into Sophie’s world and discover the heart behind Seed & Sprout, her off-grid tiny home and her ongoing commitment to making sustainability a way of life.
Sophie, what first inspired you to build Seed & Sprout, and how has your journey evolved since then?
The initial inspiration for founding Seed & Sprout started in 2016 when I couldn’t find a decent plastic-free lunchbox for my son! At the time, his school had introduced a fantastic no-disposables policy, yet when I searched everywhere for a great alternative, I couldn’t find anything suitable. That small frustration turned into a much bigger mission: making it easier and more enjoyable for everyday people to make sustainable choices. From that first lunchbox, Seed & Sprout has grown into a thriving community of like-minded people who are passionate about making a positive impact. It’s been so inspiring to watch our range expand and to see how many customers have joined us on this journey - together, we’ve helped prevent hundreds of thousands of single-use plastics from ending up in landfill. What I love most is seeing how our products fit into people’s everyday lives and how our community supports and encourages each other. Building Seed & Sprout has shown me that when you make sustainability accessible and enjoyable, people are excited to get involved and share the journey (and that’s what keeps me motivated every single day).
You’ve made a remarkable shift to an off-grid tiny home in the Byron Hinterland. How did that lifestyle change come about?
My decision to build an off-grid tiny home in the Byron Hinterland really felt like a natural next step for me. I’d always dreamed of a life that was closer to nature, so when the opportunity came up to join a community permaculture farm, I jumped at it. I’m always trying to find harmony between what my desires tell me and what my actions are doing. I think that localising many of the commodities we use in our day-to-day life, pooling resources, lowering the cost of living and lowering the impact on the environment around us is critically important.
Designing and building my own tiny home has allowed me to work towards a life that aligns perfectly with my values – a simpler, more intentional lifestyle – one where I can live lightly on the earth, grow my own food, and be part of a supportive community. Right now, I split my time between my tiny home and apartment living (the juggle with children and work life is real)! Hopefully in the future, when the time is right, I can commit full time to my tiny home. It’s taught me how empowering sustainable living can be.
As a mum, how do you juggle raising kids with your commitment to sustainability and running a business?
You’re right - it is a juggle! Any mother knows that motherhood, work, and upholding personal values all require a balancing act. For me it’s about trying to find balance by making the right choices whenever I can. While I don’t think I’m 100% perfect when it comes to my efforts to live sustainably, I am committed to “doing the best” each and every day. Part of that is ensuring I’m remaining true to my values and leading by example each day. But I never want to make anyone feel bad or guilt trip anyone. I know that living sustainably means a certain amount of privilege - you need the right resources, whether that's time, money or mental load.
What’s been the biggest challenge in living off the grid, and how have you overcome it?
As mentioned, the biggest challenge (and blessing) in that regard is motherhood - It’s important to delicately juggle family needs with my own. That means apartment living some days has to be the alternative. While I can easily get lost in nature and connect wholly with the earth, teenage boys have other needs sometimes! The same goes for my work. I love to fully switch off, but at times, I do need to be digitally connected. Thankfully technology like Starlink allows us to be connected when we are off-grid, and the community living on the farm means there are people to turn to if we need anything.
How do you feel your Yogoslavian heritage influences your sustainable lifestyle?
Growing up with small town values, I learned to appreciate the importance of simplicity, quality, and a deep connection to nature - whether it was through home-cooked meals made from fresh, local ingredients or the tradition of making the most of what you have (and wasting as little as possible). After the recent conflict that broke up Yugoslavia, my family lost contact with any remaining family back in the Balkans. I think that has impacted the importance I place on family ties and community. I think that sense of community, respect for the land, and focus on slow, mindful living are all at the heart of both my personal lifestyle and everything we do at Seed & Sprout.
You’ve created an amazing digital community through your TikTok. How do you think social media can play a role in promoting sustainability?
Social media, and TikTok in particular, has completely transformed how we can promote sustainability by making it accessible, engaging, and community-driven. Through my digital community, I’ve noticed firsthand how sharing practical tips, real-life experiences, and creative solutions can inspire people from all walks of life to make more sustainable choices (whether it’s through upcycling, reducing waste, or simply being more mindful about consumption). TikTok’s global reach means that positive ideas can spread quickly, empowering people to take action in their own lives and showing that even small changes add up when we work together. I love how the platform brings together so many voices and perspectives - it often makes sustainability feel less overwhelming and more like a collective movement that we can all be part of.
What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your part-time off-grid lifestyle?
The most rewarding aspect would have to be the deep sense of connection it gives me to nature, to my community, and to myself. Living simply and intentionally can really allow you to slow down, appreciate the small things, and savour time spent outdoors. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the direct impact of my choices, like using solar power or collecting rainwater, and to know I’m working towards living in a way that aligns with my values. Being part of a supportive community on the farm is also a huge highlight; we share resources, knowledge, and encouragement, which makes the journey even more meaningful. Above all, this lifestyle reminds me daily that happiness and contentment come from experiences and relationships, not from having more ‘stuff’.
Sustainability can feel overwhelming for many. What advice would you give to someone looking to make small but meaningful changes to their lifestyle?
I’m so mindful that trying to take on a zero-waste lifestyle all at once can be overwhelming, so my advice to everyone (and sometimes to myself) is to just start somewhere, even if that has to be baby steps. I try to remind myself that no one is perfect, but if we are all prioritising sustainability in small ways, we can contribute to a better future for generations to come.
How do you see the future of sustainable living, both personally and globally?
I’m really optimistic about the future of sustainable living (both personally and on a global scale). Personally, I see myself continuing to deepen my connection to nature, growing more of my own food, and finding new ways to simplify and reduce my impact. Globally, I believe sustainability is becoming more mainstream and accessible, with people everywhere realising that small, everyday changes really do add up. There’s a growing movement towards community-driven solutions, circular economies, and innovative products that make it easier for everyone to live lighter on the planet. Plus consumer-driven habits impact the way big business operates. Our demand drives their offerings. I think the future will be shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a collective desire to protect what matters most - and I’m excited to be part of that positive change.
What’s next for you and Seed & Sprout? Any exciting future projects we should know about?
There’s so much on the horizon for both me and Seed & Sprout - I’m genuinely excited about what’s next! We’re continuing to expand our range of sustainable, everyday essentials - whether that’s through innovative kitchenware, personal care, or on-the-go solutions. Our approach is really solution oriented - how can we make it easier to inspire change and leave less of an impact on our planet. We really understand our customer and that helps inform our design choices. It’s incredibly important to us that we consider the entire impact of a product - our aim is to always have a solution for end of life of a product; be that our Silicone Take Back Program or designing products that are recyclable or home compostable (from the packaging of the product to the actual item and how we dispatch the order from the warehouse. Our cleaning range is a great example; there is zero waste!)
Personally, I’m also working on sharing more resources and guides - like my eBook on building a natural swimming pool - to help others embrace sustainable living in practical ways. It’s all about growing our positive impact, supporting our amazing community, and showing that small changes really do add up to something big.
Sophie Kovic is the founder of Seed & Sprout, an Australian online store that’s on a crusade to end our obsession with single-use plastic. They’re renowned for their ethical and sustainable products ranging from back-to-school supplies, personal care, through to composting solutions. www.seedsprout.com.au