Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Andrade.
Amy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey began after we welcomed our third child. We had struggled with teething issues, as do most parents, with our first two children and decided to try something different. I started by making my son a silicone teether/pacifier strap that was not only stylish but also 100% non-toxic, ecofriendly and easy to clean. The teether strap traveled everywhere with us and I found that it often got the attention of other moms. A friend of mine had suggested I start an Etsy shop so I took her advice and began making other baby items as well. More recently I have started sewing baby items such as burp clothes, bib sets, purses, dry snack bags and other style/themed teethers. This year I also began participating in our town’s farmers market which was a success and a lot of fun!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting Rhody Kids and More wasn’t easy for me, there have been many learning curves along the way. At different points of trying to get this business started I felt like I was failing or it would never work. It seemed like whenever I had a chance to work on my project it was interrupted by either a hungry crying child, a sibling dispute or an equipment malfunction. For example, I once had a custom order for a dry snack bag and my sewing machine kept getting jammed. At the time I was using my mother’s sewing machine who lives an hour and a half away in Connecticut. I called her to see if she could help me figure out the problem over the phone which progressed into facetime and due to continuing frustrations eventually led to me packing up the machine and driving to my mother’s house. As soon as I set up the machine on my mother’s kitchen table she saw the cause. There was a piece of thread about 2 cm too long that was sticking out of my bobbin and causing hours of aggravation and hair pulling! It was an easy fix and we had a good laugh about it after but the reality is there were hours of wasted time at home, money spent on gas and three hours of driving all to fix a $5.00 item! It was a lot of work but I’m a perfectionist and it was all worth it because my customer was happy!
I have also learned that selling on Etsy can be a bit intimidating, you are up against many other sellers with similar items from all over the world. My advice to other women starting their journey would be to give it time and don’t get discouraged. Most of my first customers were friends and family but over time because of their purchases and referrals I’ve been able to reach a larger audience of customers. I always do a little happy dance when I get a new customer because it reminds me that I can be successful despite all the times I thought of giving up and gives me the motivation to push through the problems and continue to create!
Please tell us about Rhody Kids and More.
I am a stay at home mom of three, two girls 7 and 4, and a 2 year old boy. I make 100% nontoxic, chemical/metal free teething toys and other baby items such as pacifier/toy straps, rattles, teether rings, dry snack bags, bibs, burp cloths, and more. I use only food grade silicone beads with my teethers which are toxic free and safe for babies. More info on the materials I use can be seen online in my Etsy shop. The silicone beads are easy to care for and provide hours of entertainment and soothing comfort for teething babies. The natural wood beads and rings which I use are an alternative to plastic teethers and are naturally antibacterial. With the wood you can add coconut oil or your favorite essential oils to help soothe teething. I am always on the lookout for new fun fabric to sew with and I have done several custom orders with different themes. I love hunting down the perfect fabric and materials for the project! I take pride in knowing the items I sell are chemical/toxin free and with all the stress that comes with being a parent its one less thing to worry about. When it came to choosing a business name Rhody Kids and More came easily. I am not a native Rhode Islander but my husband is and I have lived here since we were married in 2008. When my first daughter was born in 2011 my grandfather started calling her Miss Rhody and it still never grows old and always brings a smile to my face when I hear it. Two more kids and 6 years later Rhody Kids and More was born!
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I have been blessed with many influential people in my life and they each have played an important role in helping me become a confident, creative and motivated person. However, it is my mother who is the most important and most inspiring. My mother has always been the one to give me strength through all of life challenges and is the first person I go to for advice. She is my biggest fan and was my first customer. I am phenomenally lucky to have such strong supportive women to encourage me.
I also grew up with crafty women in my life. My grandmother was an avid crafter and sewer as well as my mother. My mother would always make my sister and I matching dresses many of which I have saved and my daughters now wear. I remember when my mom and my aunt announced they were starting their own craft business when I was a child. My cousins, sister and I spent many Saturdays at local craft fairs and I think that’s where my love for creating things began. My grandmother, mother and aunt were the most inspirational women of my life but my grandmother sadly passed away in 2016. This year I inherited her sewing machine and there is such a peaceful feeling that comes over me when I use it. These three inspirational women in my life have always showed me how to work hard, pay attention to detail and to never give up!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: RhodyKidsandMore
- Facebook: Rhody Kids and More
- Other: Etsy: RhodyKidsandMore
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