Small Business Spotlight: Kids at the Patio

During this time (and always!) it is so important to support local and the small business in our communities. Plus it’s great for the economy too! We are constantly inspired by the ambition and resilience of small business founders. We feel that the risks that they take lead to innovation and help in moving the world forward.

Inspired by these entrepreneurs and their stories, we recently chatted with Carlota Martin – owner of Kids at the Patio, about being an entrepreneur, running a small business while also running a family, and how she’s adapted to the changes that Covid-19 has brought to her business.

What is your business about and why did you start it?

Kids at the Patio was born from a particular understanding of fashion, style and design and a clear purpose, to bring an innovative view in children’s clothing.

It is the result of an idea that came up many years ago, when I was studying Fashion Design, out of questioning: Can clothing be something that helps children develop their abilities?

I really believe it is possible and I see children and baby’s fashion as something playful that can help children to experiment.

That´s what we offer in our e-boutique, a clothes selection from 0 months up to 8 years, playfulness and effortless style with the best quality at affordable prices.

We have unique and beautiful rattan Baby Gifts Baskets for newborns too, with swaddles, mittens and socks, hats, bonnets and all necessary for the first months.

Besides all these, we have our own Sustainable Bags Project, The Patio Bags made of recyclable plastic. The bags are beautiful, colorful and very durable and makes them perfect for sharing mums and daughters. At the same we are standing up with the social responsibility of recycling, reusing and reducing.

After many years working for the Fashion Industry and specially after having my own children, I found the perfect moment to start this new adventure.

What do you love about your business?

I love everything because it is very dynamic and I am learning new things every day. If I have to choose one though, I would choose the creative part which is my strength. The challenge is enormous and very demanding, but the rewards are equally great. It’s a one-person company. You start curating the selection, dealing with small manufacturers, solving the cargo, customs, storage, inventory, delivery, packaging, setting competitive prices, programming website, photographing… and you haven’t sold anything yet.

Then you launch it and your profile switches drastically to become a social media manager. Constantly creating content and building energy full relationships and thinking what’s next again and again. As I said, it’s Really intense and demanding but when you start getting the mum’s feedback and smiley kid’s pictures, it really pays off. It’s fun to take so many decisions and immediately feel how it affects the path ahead.

How do you manage your time between running a business and a family?

Always difficult this part…. I would say screaming every day (hahahaha, just kidding!).

I am trying to do my best and spend as much time as I can with my family. But it is not always easy or enough.

How has Covid-19 affected your business and how have you adapted?

Being an ecommerce startup for us doesn’t mean any special change because we are purely online.

Any piece of advice to other small businesses owners or anyone wanting to start their own business?

I am saying this to myself every day because I have just started. It is never a good moment to start so “keep going and move forward, don’t let anything to stop you or you would never reach your dreams”.

Find out more about Kids at the Patio and be sure to follow them on Instagram!

 

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