Name: Esther Freedman
Company: Cuteheads
Website: Cuteheads
A darling boutique filled with sweet dresses and separates inspired by her own daughter and love for business, Cuteheads has that special something that everyone will stop to ask about.
What inspired you to start your business?
I've always been entrepreneurial. As a kid, I loved making and selling things. I loved having garage sales. I loved lemonade stands. I come a from a very entrepreneurial family, and that was always encouraged in me, that I could and should make my own way and follow my passion. I was inspired by the idea of doing something creative that allowed me to work with kids. I think I always knew I'd start my own business, but it wasn't until I came up with the idea for Cuteheads that I felt like I had an idea that was really worth pursuing.
What do you love most about it?
There are so many things I love, but my favorite thing is getting to work and collaborate with other business owners. It's been so rewarding to team up with such incredible people. The opportunities it has presented me have exceeded what I ever dreamed of.
What's the hardest thing about running your own business and being a mom?
Definitely time management. When you run your own business, it doesn't stop for baby or anyone else. When I had my first baby, I was able to take a bit of maternity leave. In the last two years, my business has really grown and I don't want to lose the momentum of that by taking time off. That really poses a challenge when two little children are needing your attention and are my main priority. My business is like a third child and demands a lot of love and attention too. Last April, I actually launched a blog called The Cuteness, which has become like a 4th child. I really love doing it, but had no idea when I started it it would become another full-time job. so it can be very challenging trying to find the balance.
What's your best-selling product?
My products are seasonal, but I do have pieces that are so popular, they stay on the site for a lot longer than others. The Kennedy Gray Seersucker Dress is my best seller, which is so funny to me because I've never been much of a seersucker person myself. Now I do seersucker in lots of colors because it's just so popular and it always sells!
What do your kids think about the work you do?
My kids are 2 and 1 month, so they don't think much about it at all! Though my 2-year-old does notice that mommy is working, and if she sees my laptop around the house, she pretends to type on it and tells me she's working too. I hope I'm setting a good example for my girls and that they're proud of me when they're older.
Name three other mompreneurs you admire.
I have so many friends in the handmade community, it's hard to name a few! I love Coral and Cloud. Miko's necklaces are beautiful, and she's a really supportive person. I also love SwimZip. Betsy's line of bathing suits is not only so cute, but so practical. I love seeing small businesses grow, and after her appearance on Shark Tank, she's really exploded. I also am very active in my local Houston community and collaborate with many of the business here, like Macaron by PATISSE, Malk Organics and Blue Leaf, which is one of my newest stockists.
Make sure to keep up with Esther and Cuteheads on Instagram. Better yet, Esther has generously offered all readers 20% off with code "MOMME"!
