I feel such a range of emotions looking back at the last three years running Hi Little One. Starting a business is no joke. It's a lot like starting a family and watching your new little one (pun absolutely intended) grow and change and succeed and fail each and every day. Running a Kickstarter campaign was one of the scariest and most humbling experiences we have ever had. The incredible support people showed us and continue to show gave us the push we needed to get Hi Little One up and running. Our biggest challenge? Nell trying to teach me computer skills, very important due to the fact that 99% of our meetings are online because Nell is in CO and I am in MN.
The first year I liken to the newborn stage— It's scary and fun and full of welcome (Kickstarter) and unwelcome (late nights) surprises. You think you are really great, adorable and despite the long nights and late night feedings (I'm looking at you Nell), a few tears (me) you make it through the newborn stage with a few scapes and having learned a lot about yourself and your business. Like sometimes you need to do work while managing your own three kids activities (like in your car, at a hockey rink, at a barn).
The next stage things start to happen- fast! Baby is up and walking and destroying everything in sight. All your best-laid plans are adjusted. These growing pains at Hi Little One forced us to reassess our supplier, who closed abruptly on us without warning, scary! (Not unlike your steady Saturday evening sitter announcing she is moving to Australia. Panic sets in, but you make adjustments and find someone else (possibly) better to tuck your little ones in at night)) or in our case provide an even better product!
At 2 years old, we started feeling more comfortable. Able to walk on our own, talk (mostly coherently) and exploring all that a company is able to achieve. We launched several new designs and introduced our (now) best selling items - vintage sweatshirts and our adorable baseball hats. And then when things go smoothly, your business partner/ sister (Nell) goes and has a baby just to keep us on our toes!
Here we are three years later- running, developing into ourselves and creating new products, styles, and heck we are even thinking about preschool.....Thanks for sticking with us!
