What do you do when you can’t find exactly what you want for your child? If you’re like Swampscott resident Charlotte Daher de Garcia and Marbleheader Meghan Papalardo, you strike out on your own to design what you’re looking for.
The pair of new entrepreneurs, both Melrose natives who graduated together in 2002, have kicked off their own small businesses for niche products for infants and small children.
“When Ana Isabel, my eight-month old daughter, was born, I had trouble finding headbands and other little girl accessories–they were priced out high but not good quality,” said Daher de Garcia. “So I decided to start making my own.”
She began posting photos on Instagram and Facebook and, with growing positive feedback, began to start the process of beginning her own business.
Simultaneously, Papalardo was working on something similar for her son Jack, age one and a half.
“I’m a teacher, and I usually do something over the summer to try to avoid spending my own money!” she joked. “When I was pregnant I looked for bibs and there was really nothing out there I loved. So I started making my own, and giving them as gifts.”
When Daher de Garcia started making her headbands, the two saw an opportunity to join forces, combining the efforts of Daher de Garcia’s Holay Mama Bowtique and Papalardo’s Sammy Jack Shop.
“When I started out, people would ask me if I had boy items as well,” said Daher de Garcia.
“I’ve always loved to be crafty and artsy, but I followed another career path–I went to school for engineering and became a teacher, so this has always been more of a creative passion,” said Papalardo.
The two both credit social media for giving their businesses the boost they needed to get started.
“It’s amazing how it catches on,” said Daher de Garcia, who, as a PR professional in the tech world, was accustomed to using social media before starting her own business. Watching its impact on her brand going viral has been an exciting development however.
The two still hand-pick their materials and craft their wares individually. It’s a heavy workload, and they rely on each other when the going gets rough.
“She’s my support one a.m.,” says Papalardo, who said both women are constantly checking in by text, day and night.
At first, Papalardo said, it was hard to envision how to create the time to start a business between family life, day job, and more.
“I thought okay, my sister is a runner. She loves to run. She’s training for a marathon. I cannot even think about how I’d run more than twenty miles, especially with kids,” said Papalardo. “But if you’re passionate about something, you find the time. You find a way to make it work. Running isn’t my thing, but making bow ties is.”
The biggest hurdle, Daher de Garcia said, has been the trial and error of figuring out what works both in terms of what sells, and what helps promote both businesses.
“There’s a lot of competition out there. How do you set yourself apart?” she said. “That’s why we focus on the local aspect–you’ve got to actively push content out on Facebook and Instagram, and you have to follow trends. Meghan has captured the little boy trends perfectly and little girls are ridiculous–there’s a new trend every five minutes!”
It’s required an aggressive approach but it has been exciting to discover their niches, Daher de Garcia said.
“You have to realize as a business that what you do, other people are working on as well,” so it’s a matter of finding your place in the overall market, explained Papalardo. They’ve both worked with local farmers markets and other “shop local” situations to help build their brand and get time face to face with customers.
They’ve also found themselves as part of a growing trend of mothers who are also entrepreneurs, a vibrant community of businesswomen and artists who have a built-in support system with each other.
“A seller who makes leggings for babies might tag our businesses in a post,” said Papalardo. “It’s never felt like we’re in this struggle to win. It’s more how can we all succeed, and it’s really nice.”
Technology has certainly made the world a better place for entrepreneurs, said Daher de Garcia.
“Ten years ago, we could make this stuff and hope someone sees another kid wearing it and call you. Now one person sees it online and talks or posts about it,” she said. “I always ask how people found me, and it’s crazy how often they say they found me on Instagram or Facebook.”
Next on the horizon for both Daher de Garcia and Papalardo is to perfect their craft and continue to stay focused on specific, high-quality items. They hope to eventually get into local stores as well.
“We’re small now, but we have high hopes and we’re hoping that things keep going the way they have been, getting bigger and better,” said Papalardo.
“I feel like we’re just excited about the potential this business has. The support we’ve received has been so great,” Daher de Garcia. “There’s a lot of care and love that goes into every single piece we make, nad I hope that people can sense that.”
Hola Mama Bowtique can be found online at Holamamabowtique, and Sammy Jack Shop at Sammyjackshop. Daher de Garcia and Papalardo will be at the upcoming Melrose Farmers‘ Market on September 18, Newburyport Farmers‘ Market on September 21 and October 19, and Boston Yacht Club’s Harbors Holidays Event in Marblehead, November 21 and 22.