Linde Balderas, owner of Tailored Tadpole is an adventurer who loves to move around, and have lived in many places. "I attended UNC-Chapel Hill and studied International Relations. Like so many, my actual profession ends up having nothing to do with my field of study. I founded Tailored Tadpole with the help of my business partners, Deanie Madison and Kristina Whitman, in 2005 after the birth of my first child, Marina. I guess the whole idea began brewing even before Marina was born." says Linde. "Being new to the world of parenting, I had no idea where to look for cool products and couldn't find modern styles for my babe. I was not a fan of the pastel, ordinary designs I found everywhere. I couldn't even find nursery decor that was my style. So I made my own! Curtains, crib linens, blanket, changing pad cover. I was so thrilled, also so huge I could barely reach the sewing machine, but somehow I finished it before she was born. I made my first blanket with my newborn wrapped in the Moby wrap asleep on my chest at the sewing machine. It took me hours. I proudly listed it on ebay, thinking it was the coolest thing ever. Why not start at $.99 bid? Imagine my disappointment when it sold for a whopping five dollars! But I didn't give up, although I admit it has been a challenging experience growing this business. The thing that keeps me going is my true, deep love for what I do."
"My kids are my inspiration. I design what I want for them, as a mom. Soft, washable, stylish designs in wonderful colors with great detail and superb quality. Our entire line is handmade in the USA by women paid a living wage--no sweatshops or unfair labor practices. This is very important to me. I want Tailored Tadpole to be a win/win for everyone involved, not just myself, but the customers and the producers. I have a fantastic team beside me and could not do this without them."
"For me there are two great rewards. The first comes when I can dress Marina or Soren, my son, in one of my designs and see it come to life. This is so gratifying to me! Maina comes home from preschool every now and then and tells me she told someone that her mami made her dress. It always makes me smile. Second, to see someone else made happy by my clothing or blankets. I participate in a fundraiser every year for the Junior League of Raleigh in North Carolina. It is so amazing to see the pregnant women I met the year before come in with their babies dressed in Tailored Tadpole lounge sets or wrapped in our blankets. People rush up and grab the display pillow gushing to their friends how much they love the one they bought last year. I can't describe this feeling. I am so glad to be able to add a little more joy to the wonder of parenthood by providing parents with styles they are proud to carry."As far as plans for the future, Tailored Tadpole's first full clothing line launched in October for the Spring/Summer season. It is for boys and girls ages newborn to size 6. They also debuted Tailored Tadpole ECO, using colorful organics and eco friendly fibers. Linde concludes, "I plan to expand this over the next few seasons. We are also expanding our wholesale reach to take Tailored Tadpole to local boutiques across the country. As my children grow, I want them to continue to wear my designs, so I plan to expand the line beyond size six eventually. But for now, I have my hands full and am loving every minute of it."
Visit www.tailoredtadpole.com Suffolk, Virginia View Spring catalog at www.tailoredtadpole.com/catalog2.htm.
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