GOAT TALES #23
Ruth Robalino - Founder and Managing Director at Aéde
30 MAY 2025, WRITTEN BY JACKIE BARON
Neon Beginnings: In the spirit of Neon Goat's vibrant energy, could you share a moment when your teen/tween son brought an unexpected splash of colour into your life or business?
Luca is really intuitive and can feel if I'm stressed out, or facing some sort of challenge at work, even if I am trying my best to disguise it. He will always find a way to break me out of my funk. His energy is a reminder that even the most mundane tasks can be turned into fun and that when they are, you usually end up with the best results.
Admirable Traits: Teenagers (tweens) often teach us more about life than we realise. What's one thing you admire most about your teen son, or what have you learned from him that's been surprisingly profound?
Luca is full of energy, extremely social, good at almost every form of sport, tough and will give almost anything a go. This intoxicating part of his personality often disguises the sensitive empath that lies beneath. He is intuitive, staunchly loyal and refuses to stand for injustice, especially when it comes to those he holds close. That combination of strength and compassion is something I truly admire.
Shared Passions: What's an activity or hobby you love doing together with your teen son that brings out the 'cool' in both of you, Neon Goat style?
Definitely wild rides, water sports and hip hop. We are both super competitive, love a good time and are always up for a challenge. I think he secretly enjoys having a Mum who will brave the scariest roller coaster and listen to Drake on the way to school.
Time-Travel Tips: If you could step into a time machine and visit your teenage self, what cheeky piece of advice would you give yourself about navigating the future, especially knowing what you do now about business and life?
To enjoy the journey, not just the outcome. I think I tell my children this almost daily but especially to Luca. He is quite similar to me, full of ideas and always looking for the next project to dig his hands into. I started my first business at 24 years old and when I look back now, I not only realise how young that is but it also makes me smile.
I have learnt so much, had some super challenging times but I have also had a lot of fun. I would like to think that I took it all in but I think when you are running a million miles an hour it can become hard to take yourself out of the trenches and into the sky. I would tell myself to be grateful for each moment, even the shitty ones make you better in both business and as a person. It’s the plot twists that make it a story worth telling.
The Teenage Perspective: Living with a teenager can be like riding a roller coaster in the dark. What's one challenge you've faced while living with your teen son, and how did you turn it into a positive experience?
Dragging his little butt out of bed in the morning has definitely become more of a challenge. I’m usually met with some form of a grunt, doona over the face or a negotiation that leads to my voice reaching notes I never knew I could hit. One day I decided to flip the switch (mostly for my own benefit). We now pick a local coffee shop, cafe or beach if the weather is nice and spend 20 minutes or so just the two of us. It's honestly the best way to start the day.
The 'Goat' Legacy: If your teen son were to take over Neon Goat for a day, what innovative or outrageous product do you think he would create, and why?
His answer, a Body Wash that smells like the Shvitz Spritz. He said that most body washes on the market are either ‘super femme or for old men’ and it would be good to have something fresh that doesn’t overpower the (very important) fragrance of choice post shower.
After working as a hair stylist for 25 years, Ruth witnessed firsthand the emotional toll that hair loss and thinning took on her clients. “I saw the emotional toll hair loss and thinning took on my clients, and I struggled to find a solution I could truly trust to deliver real, lasting results. Aéde was driven by a passion to help people rediscover their confidence and feel better about themselves, inside and out.”
Aéde (pronounced "aid") is an Australian wellness brand dedicated to transforming hair health from the inside out. Our journey began with a modest but powerful aim: to create hair-enhancing supplements that walk the talk and deliver real, transformative results. Our bespoke formulations use clinically proven, bioactive ingredients that effectively target the root causes of hair concerns. We approach supplements not as quick fixes, but as essential components of a meaningful self-care ritual that connects inner wellness to outer beauty.
GOAT TALES #23: RUTH ROBALINO
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