© The Trendy Tot
The Trendy Tot ⎪ Duxbury (MA) ⎪ USA
« Cool Moms Love The Trendy Tot's Cute Machine Washable Kids Wear »
« The Trendy Tot » is the kids fashion label of small business entrepreneur and stay-at-home mom Jennifer Dimmler that makes the awesome dresses shown above. We just like everything about the cute The Trendy Tot designs. Simply feel good products!
Because we were inspired by her lovely designs we have contacted Jennifer to learn more about her story, which is another perfect match for know what and where .com! So, please have a look at what Jen has told us:
What were you doing before and what is your professional background?
I have an MBA in marketing from Boston University's Graduate School of Management and have worked for over 15 years developing and marketing products for large consumer products companies like Ocean Spray Cranberries and The First Years (now RC2 Corp) to name a few. I'm what you call in the business a « classically trained brand manager ». It basically means I know a lot about finance, advertising, promotion, operations and market research, but I'm a master at nothing, LOL! Perfect training for running your own business, since as a brand manager, you are basically running a « mini business ».
You were a juvenile brands manager before?
Yes, I developed and designed feeding and soothing products like sippy cups, flatware, booster seats, etc, for a well-known baby gear company. I developed the award-winning Take & Toss sippy cup product line and it was one of my biggest successes there.
What made you decide to establish your own label? A passion for designing clothes, sewing, a lack of cool & machine washable clothes for your kids...?
This is totally cliché, but I had a baby girl and I just didn't see what I liked (especially in my price range) for her so I decided to learn how to sew and make her some clothes. I figured, « how hard could it be? » Kinda funny and very bold considering that I hadn't sewn a thing since home ec class in the 8th grade.
Did you always dream of or plan to establish a fashion brand? Why fashion for kids?
No. In fact, if you had told me even 6 months before this all happened that I would be doing this, I would have thought you were crazy. It was NEVER on my radar screen. However, I've always had a passion for developing products for kids, great design and marketing. So really, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise to me I guess. Now I can't imagine my life without it!
What's your role? Are you a one-woman-show?
Right now I am everything from seamstress and designer to marketing manager and finance wizard, but I'm in the process of looking to hire help in order to make the leap to the next step.
What's your source of inspiration?
It really comes from everywhere and can strike at any time. My kids, a trip to the supermarket, books, photos, etc. The key for me is to capture it when it happens.
Where do you sell your designs and what are your plans for the future?
Right now only on my etsy store, http://www.thetrendytot.etsy.com but hopefully in retail outlets soon! After multiple requests, I'm finally preparing to enter the world of wholesale. I also am working on putting together the finishing touches on my fall line.
What has been the biggest challenge so far?
Balancing a start-up business with two small children under 5. This was really supposed to be a hobby to keep my brain from turning to mush when I made the choice to stay home with my children two years ago. Well, so much for that! Now I just have to be careful that the business doesn't take over my time with the children.
What has been the coolest moment so far?
I absolutely love hearing from my customers and getting pictures of kids in my clothing. It truly makes my day! Also, The Trendy Tot was named one of the best etsy shops for kids by Tot Trends Weekly this past spring--that was a really big deal for me!
What are the lessons learned?
I'm learning that I just can't do it all. There just aren't enough hours in the day. If I'm going to get to the next level I need to delegate and hire help...took me a while to realize that. I'm kinda a control freak.
Any recommendations for other aspiring entrepreneurs?
I'm professionally trained in marketing, so I just have to say it--KNOW YOUR TARGET MARKET. Know who they are, how they think, shop and where to find them. Develop products with their needs/desires in mind and advertise and promote where they are. It's really fundamental, but so many people lose sight of it.
What are the advantages of being an entrepreneur? Any downsides?
I love being my own boss. I like that I can take vacations when I want to, spend time with the kids and work on the business when I want to. As a downside, I don't get a lot of sleep. Most of my work happens when the house is asleep at night.
In hindsight, would you do things differently?
I don't usually have regrets. Even mistakes are important because you learn from them. But if I have to pick one thing it would be that I wished I had purchased a better sewing machine from the beginning. It would have made learning to sew much more enjoyable!
Anything else that might be of particular interest for our users seeking inspiration?
I saw this somewhere and it's so true: « It's never too late to be what you might have been. » Never be afraid to try something new, you never know where it might lead you!
Isn't this another truly inspiring story for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups or one-man-shows alike. But go and see for yourself.
Enjoy!
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