About FLATOUTbear

Born from a childhood love of flat bears, FLATOUTbear is the creation of sisters Sarah and Prue — a simple idea that has grown into a global brand, with over 500,000 bears finding homes in more than 50 countries.

Family owned and run since 2001
100% Australian sheepskin
Designed in Australia
500,000+ bears sold worldwide
Helping Cambodian families

Meet the FLATOUTbear team

Sarah Novati
Running FLATOUTbear is my little bit of sanity in an otherwise busy family life — and I truly love it. I enjoy coming to work each day, connecting with our lovely customers and sending our gorgeous bears off to homes all over the world. I look after the day-to-day running and operations of the business, making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I’m incredibly proud of our all-female team — we work hard, support each other, share plenty of laughs and achieve a lot together. And honestly, it still amazes me that something we created is loved everywhere from Tokyo and Hong Kong to Paris and London.
Prue Trollope
Starting FLATOUTbear in 2001 was my way of easing back into Australian life after two years working in Asia. What began as a small idea has grown into something fun, exciting and sometimes hard work — but it’s something we’ve built together and that fits beautifully around my lifestyle and growing family. I focus mainly on strategy, order fulfilment and our international markets. I love that the FLATOUTbear has become such an iconic teddy bear and that it genuinely makes a difference — my two kids won’t sleep without theirs, so I know first-hand that FLATOUTbears really do work.
The HQ Team
We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing team of fabulous local women at FLATOUTbear HQ. All mums themselves, they bring a genuine care and understanding to everything they do — and a real affinity with the bears. Anna and Maria are our right hands in the office, keeping orders flowing, answering customer queries and making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Jo and Sarah W bring each FLATOUTbear to life before it leaves us, carefully packing every order, combing fur, checking sweet faces and preparing bears for their new homes. We work hard, take great pride in every bear that leaves HQ, and always find time for a little fun — and the occasional slice of cake too.
The Factory Team
We have been working with the same family-run factory in China for over 20 years. Located in a remote region and reached by several plane rides and long car journeys, visiting the factory is always a special experience. Our highly skilled team carefully selects the very best sheepskins (we’re famously fussy), tans the raw material, hand-cuts every FLATOUTbear and sews each one together before a final check and careful packing. We rely on one another and truly consider ourselves one extended family.
The Digital Team
Cherryl is the creative voice behind FLATOUTbear’s social media. Originally based in the Philippines and now living in the USA, she balances her work with us alongside life as a mum to one. From sharing everyday moments to telling the FLATOUTbear story online, Cherryl helps connect our bears with customers around the world, bringing warmth, care and creativity to everything she does.

Our History

In 2001, Sydney sisters Sarah and Prue turned a lifelong love of flat bears into FLATOUTbear, sharing a childhood favourite with the world. Growing up with flat teddies of their own, these comforting companions were always part of their lives. With a father who ran an antique shop and a mother with a homewares store, creativity and entrepreneurship were woven into their upbringing — making it only natural for the sisters to build something together.

What began as a small online store, created with care and curiosity, has grown into a globally loved brand. Today, more than 500,000 FLATOUTbears have found homes in over 50 countries, from the USA and UK to China, Japan and beyond.

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