cupcakeMAG shops: Way Tutu Cute

Way Tutu Cute. Adorable name right? Well, that isn't all that is adorable! This oh-so-chic online boutique is filled with tons of goodies for your Little Ladies and Gentlemen. But, they also give lots of love and support to Mom Owned Biz -- which, we LOVE them for -- another reason we shop at Way Tutu Cute!

Let us introduce you to Heather -- the golden girl behind Way Tutu Cute. Read on to enter to win $25 to start shopping and all about her super sweet online shop.


{1}Tell us a little bit about yourself and the biz, Way Tutu Cute?


I am a mother of two beautiful little girls (ages 2 and 5). By day, I'm a marketing manager and have worked for the same company for just over 7 years. I've always been overly ambitious and enjoy a challenge. I've
always wanted to start my own business, but after a few failed attempts, I decided it was best to let the idea fall into my lap. In 2009, when my oldest was old enough to realize that she wanted to be a princess and a
ballerina, I realized how expensive things would be (especially with two girls). I decided to learn how to make a tutu for her because the ones I was finding online were so expensive. I posted a picture of the finished product on Facebook and instantly got requests from friends to create a tutu for their girls as well. Less than a week later, I had a website, a Facebook fan page and a new business. I wanted to sell tutus and hair accessories at a reasonable price. Luckily, I have the most amazing husband who I like to refer to as "super-dad". With his help, I was able to make time to create and sell.

{Way Tutu Cute, White Tank Dress, $25}

{2} What made you decide to start your online shopping empire? (so amazing that your support Mom Owned Biz!)


After networking with some other local mompreneurs, I realized that although they had some amazing items to sell, they didn't have the outlet. I began listing other Mom-made items on the site and within six months, I was up to nearly 50 different lines. All of the items offered were designed by, created by or sewn by a Mom or Dad. We are now up to nearly 75 lines and have expanded to include some of my personal favorite lines such as mudpie and Jellycat.

{mudpie, Cupcake Flarey Longall, $30}

{3} Do you have a current favorite item on Way Tutu Cute?


I can't say I have a favorite item. I handpick each item before I list it, so I love every single one of them. At least half of my girl's clothes and accessories were purchased on my site.


{4} What is your favorite part about running your own business?


There is nothing I don't love about owning and running the business. Working in retail for over 11 years gave me a great background and taught me how important customer service is. I pride myself on always going the
extra mile for every customer and have not only gained so many regular customers, but some friends as well. I especially love helping my customers create their dream outfit for their kids birthday and then seeing the pictures and hearing how everyone went crazy over their original outfit.

{a line we love: Petit Couture}

{5} Do you have any tips for Mom Owned brands trying to get started?


The most important thing is to have a plan. If you're selling tangible items, make sure to have beautiful pictures. Contact local photographers who may be willing to barter with you. You don't have to spend a fortune to get your business up and running. Do your research! What are others charging for similar products? Be competitive! And most of all, don't be afraid to network with other mompreneurs. You'd be surprised what a close-knit community you'll find.

{celebs love Way Tutu Cute}

{6} What is up next for Way Tutu Cute?


Sky's the limit for us! We just sponsored the Eva Longoria Rally for Kids With Cancer in Miami and we donated 10% of every purchase to the American Cancer Society. We will be attending a pre-Emmy's gifting suite in September. We also just launched a brand new line, Leg Candy, at the Baby Expo and the buzz has already started! Leg Candy offers leg/arm warmers in a variety of bright colors and patterns. They are available in sugar free (plain), extra sugar (swarovski crystals on one leg) or sugar rush (swarovski crystals on both legs). They come wrapped like a piece of candy and are ready to give as a gift.

When shopping for Littles we LOVE all of the FABulous things Way Tutu Cute shows off but let us fill you in on cupcakeMAG approved items for your Littles! The Pippy & LoLo Tie Dye A Line Dress is a must-have item in your Littles closet. It also was a Golden Globe Celebrity Swag Bag item for 2011! 

{One of our FAVES for summer}

Brag About Baby Blue My Mind Diaper Clutch: Perfect for the mommaista on-the-go who loves to be functional yet stylish. Once your Little is out of diapers use it as a makeup case or a clutch! What's not to love? We also can't get enough of their Glass Slipper Binkie Blankie -- it is definitely something we don't leave home without. 

Snuggle Bug Kidz Simply Rose Swarovski Crystal Set of 4 Clippies: We absolutely love these gorgeous hair clips for girls. They add just the right amount of bling to every outfit. 

Make sure you also check out Eight Baby Legs, Polka Dot Baby Bowtique, and Kota Couture --- just a few more of our favorites! 

{All Things Way Tutu Cute}

{Shop}

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Read on to enter to win a $25 gift voucher to Way Tutu Cute NOW!}

Petit Couture: Obsessed? Maybe just a tad. Plus a giveaway!

Petit Couture is one of those must-have brands in our Littles wardrobe and we mean, must-have. Ever since we first laid our eyes on Petit Couture we have been obsessed. But right now we can't get enough of the Simone Pleat Dress  (below) in super chic Mod Grey/Yellow - it is beyond a NEED is your mini fashionistas wardrobe. Because who said you can't be the most stylish Little on the playground? The only think we would like more -- if it came in our size. 

Read on to get all the details on Petit Couture as we catch-up with Designer/Founder Rebecca! 

Plus, make sure you enter to win the giveaway too! 

{1} What is new with you & Petit Couture since we last chatted?

Petit Couture has grown in distribution and collection since last we spoke. I'm so excited about our current Spring/Summer pieces and to report that we have retailers in three countries! It's a great feeling knowing that our pieces are well-travelled :). Petit Couture has also been spotted in Hollywood and our friends "The Guncles" routinely have Simone wearing Petit Couture. We're honored and so happy that our brand is loved. In addition, due to the visibility Petit Couture has received, I've been asked to guest blog with amazing groups like Launch HER and companies like Shutterfly. And, I've recently accepted a role with GrowsUp leading their marketing efforts and help other mom-based, or dad, boutique businesses flourish. 

2.) Can you tell us about the latest collection?

The Spring/Summer '11 collection is a culmination of textures and silhouettes that are modern yet classic. Petit Couture stands for pieces that celebrate childhood, yet are sophisticated for moms, dads and grands. The color palette rich with gorgeous reds, yellows, pink, white, black and grey are a fun, vibrant mix of modern colors that can transcend a season. Our Peruvian sweaterknits are the perfect layering or basic piece for comfy looks that are totally washable. And, our woven skirts and dress make for an easy wash and wear look that are fun to wear and easy to move in. I'm really proud of the collection and the myriad of ways that retailers can merchandise and customers can select favorite pieces to mix and match.

{Rebecca's FAVE!}

3.) Do you have a current favorite? 

My personal favorite ensemble is our Peruvian sweaterknit boatneck sweater paired with our ruffle wrap skirt. I absolutely LOVE IT and think it is a fabulous rendition for littles of the 70s. I think every stylish tot should have this outfit.Our bestseller and another favorite too, has been our Simone Pleat Dress and it is greatly loved by kids and parents alike. 

4.) What is up next for Petit Couture? 

Petit Couture will launch our next Spring/Summer '12 collection to the trade later this summer with pre-sales available to the public in October. In stores/online in February '12.

{All Things Petit Couture}

Shop   

Like: Facebook 

Tweet: @petitcouture


Enter the giveaway below! 

oh how we adore petit couture -- our cyber chat with the main momma herself

Petit Couture -- modern, artisan luxury basics collection for fashionable offspring

and their mamas

One of our favorite lines this spring for that oh so stylish tot is the signature collection from Petit Couture. The luxe owl and glitter tee along with the perfect loungy dresses are all a big hit this season. The SPRINKLES top pick is the classic owl motif sparkle dress (above) in pink with disco ($52) & the black with luxe short-sleeve signature play set ($65). Stay tuned for the updated signature collection pieces for layette and play wear. They will be making their debut in all new colors & organic fabrics available in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, lucky for us, we have gotten to know and had the pleasure of chatting with the main momprenuer herself Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff. Rebecca sent us over a few signature pieces which quickly soon became an immediate obsession by our mini-fashionistas.

Read on to see just what we talked about.........

What inspired Petit Couture? Tell us about that adorable signature owl.

I knew that I needed to create "something" after the birth of my first daughter, Simone. She inspired me and I began looking for sourcing and manufacturing opportunities. My original idea was to manufacture in Egypt because that is where my mother lives, but the travel precluded me in doing so - and quite honestly - I didn't want to spend time away from Simone. However, I wasn't able to really get Petit Couture off the ground until my 3rd child, Julien, was born due to other professional responsibilities. When Julien was born and my husband accepted a Sr. role with a software company in Portland, Oregon I had the opportunity to stay home and focus on Petit Couture (while he commuted from Seattle to Portland each week for a year!). I had ample time (after 8 p.m.) to focus onPetit Couture.

The Signature owl was a culmination of several things, but mostly the way that I initially started Petit Couture was by defining the brand. I wanted to make an apparel and accessories business that embodied three things: Something that was elegant, whimsical and modern. After the brand was defined the next step was constructing the logo that would help embody these elements - an owl represents all three and with the signature 'brocade' on his belly further defines the brand. You'll see that pattern used on the new Ready to Wear pieces out later this year!

What challenges do you face as a mompreneur?

Oh vey. Where do I begin? Especially this week! My son has been very sick this week and I've been shipping orders as well as prepping for a photoshoot this weekend. I'll start by saying that any entrepreneur struggles with the reality of balancing vision with ability to execute as well as funding and timing to do so. My time is limited out of the gate because I have hard starts and stops to my day due to family responsibilities - I experienced the same in my corporate life. The difference now is that Petit Couture sits idol if I do. It takes a lot of kinetic energy to move a business forward - especially a life style business such as Petit Couture. People don't "need" a premium gift or apparel item, they want it. So, it takes a lot of brand building and momentum to ensure that customers (wholesale and direct) understand that my business isn't going anywhere and they can trust the quality and the brand. I'll also say that as a "mamapreneur" it's more challenging raising funds for my business through traditional small business loan routes or even angel funding. Friends and family is the best option, but most investors want to see momentum and channel growth which takes time. As a mamapreneur tenacity and focus are key because your time is so limited. At least this has been my experience. As it is now, I'm tyiping as my son is napping :)

What is up next for Petit Couture?

I'm debuting the Ready to Wear collection later this year (August) and the line is currently represented in LA by Grand Avenue Baby as well as in Dallas by JAG Apparel Group. I'm personally discussing the line with some major retailers and hope to have some great announcements in the coming months. Once I finish the Holiday '10 and Spring '11 Collections I'll start working on Summer '11 ;). Petit Couture will also continue to invest in social media tools and technologies - I LOVE the connections I've personally made with other fabulous mamapreneurs across the globe. There is an entrepreneurial sisterhood that I had no idea existed prior to starting Petit Couture. Since technology is in my DNA (I worked for 15 years in management positions for companies like TMobile and Microsoft) - it will continue to be something that is a unique component to the way Petit Couture is run as a business.

A little bit more about Rebecca

Rebecca Kaykas-Wolff resides in Portland, Oregon where she oversees Petit Couture business operations and spends time with her husband Jascha and children Simone, Sofie and Julien who are routinely seen in Petit Couture ads. She is a pround member of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Mamapreneurs, Inc. where she routinely has the opportunity to evangelize Petit Couture. She has a 15+ year background in digital marketing and online communications holding senior management roles with companies such as T-Mobile, HL2, Safeco/Liberty Mutual and Microsoft Corporation.

Petit Couture’s Signature Collection is sourced and made lovingly in the US.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT GIVEAWAY ! ! !

*Giveaway Details*

Rebecca has offered one very lucky reader a Petit Couture gift certificate for $25 for their favorite Petit Couture piece - a perfect addition to your littles wardrobe! To enter you MUST tell us what item is a must have. You also must be a follower of Cupcake Mag & Sprinkles. These comments ARE mandatory.

For extra entries, please leave a separate comment for each entry letting us know!

1. Follow Cupcake Mag on Twitter

2. Follow Petit Couture on Twitter

3. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag - you MUST tweet, not just follow.

4. Tweet about this giveaway and include @petitcouture

5. Become a Petit Couture facebook fan here.

6. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog & send us the link!

Please comment below with your email address. We will select a random winner on Tuesday. April 27th at midnight EST (or a little after)

Start tweeting, following & commenting ASAP -- Petit Couture is a MUST in your fashionable tots wardrobe. And while you wait head over to the Petit Couture blog to get all the details on our this stylish line.