I am delighted to share with all of you our new re-styled {BLOG} and as a part of the launch we have a very special guest ~ the lovely Andrea from Kawaii Kids.
I have to admit I have a addiction to all things “Kawaii”. I am a huge fan of Kawaii style clothing, stationary and kids accessories. Kawaii Kids is all about cute, quirky & fun clothing for little kids, a pure haven of loveliness. Andrea has been a such a great supporter of ‘my little jedi’ and has taken our 'kawaii inspired' cards collection on board, so I would love to take this opportunity and share her amazing and inspirational story with my lovely readers!
I have to admit I have a addiction to all things “Kawaii”. I am a huge fan of Kawaii style clothing, stationary and kids accessories. Kawaii Kids is all about cute, quirky & fun clothing for little kids, a pure haven of loveliness. Andrea has been a such a great supporter of ‘my little jedi’ and has taken our 'kawaii inspired' cards collection on board, so I would love to take this opportunity and share her amazing and inspirational story with my lovely readers!
These are some of the shots of Andrea’s new store, everything looks absolutely divine! I would like to congratulate Andrea on the opening of her new gorgeous store and wish her all the very best in the future. If you live in Melbourne, you have to check it out. xx
Tell us a little about YOU, the woman behind Kawaii Kids?
When is it ever about you, when you have kids, laughs?! Ok ... let me try ... I have 2 children, am addicted to my computer, enjoy chocolate (a lot!), very happy, love my life and where it’s heading.
When did you launch your business/website?
I launched my first online store Soda Pop Kids late 2008. The idea for it started about 12 months before that, so it was a long time in the making. We launched Kawaii Kids in Nov 2009 and closed down Soda Pop Kids in February 2010. Kawaii Kids is what I really loved and where I wanted my time to be spent. It was a hard decision at the time as SPK was going so well, but I wanted to give Kawaii Kids my all and make it work and it’s paid off.
What was your inspiration for starting your own business & who/what inspires your work?
I started designing shoes when my son was 1 (he’s now almost 4), and that was where it all started: I couldn’t find shoes that were soft, flexible and easy for him to wear. The online store was suppose to be the smaller part of my business (the little thing for me to do to fill in my spare time .. oh how funny it sounds now!), but it’s ended up being the other way! The shoes are just getting ready to take off now, and the store has been going well for almost 12 months. My kids inspire me, as I started this so that I could stay at home with them. A couple of other online stores are pretty inspirational as well.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
Definitely being my own boss ... that I love! I would like to say that it’s flexible and I can take time off when I want, but that would be lying! I love getting good feedback from my customers, that really gives me a kick and makes me feel great ... at least I know I’m doing something right and people are loving the crazy things that I find!
What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?
We got a couple of awards in May (Best New Business & Young Entrepreneur for the Buloke Shire) and that was pretty good. I’d been working from home for a long time but not many people knew what I was doing. Winning was a great way to promote Kawaii Kids and our B&M store which we just recently opened.
When is it ever about you, when you have kids, laughs?! Ok ... let me try ... I have 2 children, am addicted to my computer, enjoy chocolate (a lot!), very happy, love my life and where it’s heading.
When did you launch your business/website?
I launched my first online store Soda Pop Kids late 2008. The idea for it started about 12 months before that, so it was a long time in the making. We launched Kawaii Kids in Nov 2009 and closed down Soda Pop Kids in February 2010. Kawaii Kids is what I really loved and where I wanted my time to be spent. It was a hard decision at the time as SPK was going so well, but I wanted to give Kawaii Kids my all and make it work and it’s paid off.
What was your inspiration for starting your own business & who/what inspires your work?
I started designing shoes when my son was 1 (he’s now almost 4), and that was where it all started: I couldn’t find shoes that were soft, flexible and easy for him to wear. The online store was suppose to be the smaller part of my business (the little thing for me to do to fill in my spare time .. oh how funny it sounds now!), but it’s ended up being the other way! The shoes are just getting ready to take off now, and the store has been going well for almost 12 months. My kids inspire me, as I started this so that I could stay at home with them. A couple of other online stores are pretty inspirational as well.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
Definitely being my own boss ... that I love! I would like to say that it’s flexible and I can take time off when I want, but that would be lying! I love getting good feedback from my customers, that really gives me a kick and makes me feel great ... at least I know I’m doing something right and people are loving the crazy things that I find!
What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?
We got a couple of awards in May (Best New Business & Young Entrepreneur for the Buloke Shire) and that was pretty good. I’d been working from home for a long time but not many people knew what I was doing. Winning was a great way to promote Kawaii Kids and our B&M store which we just recently opened.
Can you tell us your favourite handmade item you have brought recently?
I haven’t brought one yet but I’ve been eying off the dolls from Pikelet Workshop .. Have you seen them? They are totally adorable.
What are your long term goals for your business?
Hahaha .. well, I have huge goals which I keep to myself so that no one is disappointed if I don’t get there (that and they’d probably laugh) but most people do know that I want a successfully HUGE online store running out of a HUGE warehouse and 3 B&M stores in 5 years ... I have 4 years and 2 more stores to go ... if I get there with the turnover I’m aiming for, I will be one happy person!
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling online?
Don’t do it!!! Laughs! No, honestly it’s a LOT of work and you have to give it 110% and more to make it work. I guess it depends on what you want but from the point of view of an online store it’s a lot of work, takes a lot of time and money ... and you still can’t be sure that you will be here in 2 years.
Don’t do it!!! Laughs! No, honestly it’s a LOT of work and you have to give it 110% and more to make it work. I guess it depends on what you want but from the point of view of an online store it’s a lot of work, takes a lot of time and money ... and you still can’t be sure that you will be here in 2 years.
Name three brands you couldn’t live without? and why?
Palmers: body butter, lip balm, leg polish (for the rare times I go out) ... addicted!Nestle: coffee ... need to stay awake to work (I’d never had coffee until I started in this crazy business)Kryolan: tv paint stick ... I put make up on everyday (only minimal, don’t have time for much more than that!) and this is great stuff.
Palmers: body butter, lip balm, leg polish (for the rare times I go out) ... addicted!Nestle: coffee ... need to stay awake to work (I’d never had coffee until I started in this crazy business)Kryolan: tv paint stick ... I put make up on everyday (only minimal, don’t have time for much more than that!) and this is great stuff.
Do you have a favourite trend?
For my kids clothes, it’s colour. Mix and match anything as long as it’s colourful! For me, I’m a leggings and top person, finished with flats (well to be honest, it was pj pants until I got a ‘real’ job!)
For my kids clothes, it’s colour. Mix and match anything as long as it’s colourful! For me, I’m a leggings and top person, finished with flats (well to be honest, it was pj pants until I got a ‘real’ job!)
What is your favourite place in the world?
At the moment, my shop ... it’s just so cute and I am in love! Ask me in 12 months and it might be somewhere else.
If you could be a super hero or cartoon character who would it be? {this one is just for fun}
Batman or Spiderman: my son would think I was sooooo cool!
{Info}
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Facebook ~ here
Thanks Andrea for sharing your lovely story xx
Great interview!! Well done Andrea on your new store, it looks fantastic!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thanks for sharing!
Thetis
Lovely interview xx
ReplyDeleteLovely !! Andrea you are also an inspiration. To have achieved so much with 2 little kids & a working husband. Congratulations to you and I'm sure we will be hearing more of you in the future. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comments and thank you Vesna for the interview! I'm thrilled with the shop .. just love it! x
ReplyDeleteYou have done a fabulous job Andrea, thanks so much for taking the time and being a part of our mummy guest post. xx
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for all of your lovely comments girls xx
A very good interview, I love to hear more about the person behind the store!
ReplyDeletegreat interview! also adore Pikelet's poppets gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFabulous interview, congratulations to Andrea on her well deserved success!!!
ReplyDeleteAs an owner of a Poppet from Pikelet Workshop, I can personally say they are just fabulous ;-)
Louise (The Little Humbugs)