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Back in 2005, I launched my first company, Del Forte Denim. It was a US-made denim brand built around a simple idea: great jeans that didn’t cost the planet. We sourced organic cotton and manufactured domestically at a time when it was still possible to do that. For that first production run, I printed the inside of the waistband with two words I was proud of: Organic Denim. Not long after, I met someone from Organic Exchange (now known as Textile Exchange) and she gently set me straight. There was no such thing as organic denim, she explained. Only cotton fiber could be certified organic. Because at the time, there was no certification process that covered the rest of the manufacturing steps — the spinning, the weaving, the dyeing, the finishing. The fiber might start organic, but once it entered the production chain, the story got murky fast. You couldn’t make a claim for the whole garment, because no standard existed to verify the whole garment. I went back and changed the waistband for the next production run — Organic Cotton. Less than a year later, in 2006, the first GOTS standard was released. For the first time, a finished garment could actually be certified organic — not just the fiber, but the entire production process, end to end. For the first time, a shopper could trust that a garment was organic all the way through including the dyes and finishes that are in contact with their skin all day. I’ve been watching GOTS evolve ever since, and nearly two decades later, we just completed our fifth annual GOTS audit at Mightly. I won’t pretend it’s fun, but when it’s over I feel a sense of satisfaction because it means we’re keeping our promise to our customers. What the audit actually looks like People throw around the word “organic” a lot. I want to talk about the difference between “organic” and “GOTS certified organic”. The GOTS audit has three major components, all of them require planning, diligence and documentation. Mass Balance. The auditor selects one of our SKUs — not one we chose, one they chose — and we have to prove, through receiving reports, inventory reports, and shipping records, that we can account for every single unit of that product over a defined period of time. Every unit in has to match every unit out. For a brand like Mightly, which only sells organic products, this can feel like overkill. But that’s exactly the point: certification means everyone plays by the same rules, whether you’re a small brand with a 100% organic line or a giant retailer with organic as a footnote. Traceability. A different SKU gets selected at random. Then we have to build a complete documentary chain that follows that item from our warehouse back to the factory where it was made. The last document in this chain is the Transaction Certificate, which is the backbone of the GOTS system. From there, the documentation requirements pass on to our suppliers and their suppliers all the way back to the cotton farm. That is the part that matters most: every single step in the supply chain has to connect to the step before it, and it all has to be documented. Communications review. The auditor goes through our labels, hang tags, website copy, and marketing materials with a fine-toothed comb to make sure every claim we’re making is compliant with GOTS standards. You can’t call something organic in a headline if the certification only covers part of the product. You can’t imply broader coverage than the standard allows. This part of the audit is a reminder that the certification isn’t just about what’s in the garment — it’s about honesty in how you talk about what’s in the garment. The part people don’t expect: wages GOTS certification also includes an evaluation of the wages paid to workers in the supply chain. They check that wages meet or exceed a living wage as determined by the MIT Living Wage Calculator or the Global Living Wage Calculator. This is important to me in a way that goes beyond compliance. I’ve written before about why Fair Trade certification matters to us, and about the gender pay gap in the global garment industry. The through-line in all of it is the same: sustainability isn’t sustainability unless the people making the products are fairly compensated. An organic cotton t-shirt made by a worker who can’t afford to feed their family is not a sustainable product, it’s part of the problem. Including living wage requirements in the GOTS standard is one of the reasons I take this certification seriously. It’s not just about what the fiber is made of. It’s about how the whole system operates. Why we do this Customer trust is our single most valuable asset. I mean that in the most concrete way possible. The parents who shop with us are often dealing with something specific: a child with sensitive skin, a family trying to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals, a commitment to not putting certain things on their kids’ bodies. They’re not just buying an item of clothing, they’re buying a promise. And if we can’t keep that promise, we are not going to keep our customers. For us, the GOTS audit is an annual reaffirmation of our commitment to the families who depend on us. There are parents out there who don’t have the luxury of shrugging at an ingredient list — kids with eczema, sensory sensitivities, chemical allergies, or parents who’ve simply decided that what goes on their child’s skin matters as much as what goes in their body. We exist for them. The audit is how we make sure we’re still worthy of their trust. — Tierra

Organic cotton, Fair Trade, and why 'just manufacture here' is more complicated than it sounds. by Tierra Forte, Mightly Inc CEO I’ve spent a lot of time over the past year doing math. Many times I felt like I was back in middle school wrestling with a difficult word problem - “If a small business imports organic cotton from India at a 50% tariff, and the cost of domestic manufacturing is twice as high, how many times does the founder cry before Q4?” Like most small brands that manufacture overseas, Mightly got caught in the middle of an unpredictable and punishing tariff environment in 2025. I wrote about that experience here. When the news broke that tariffs on India, where we source the vast majority of our products, would equal about 70% we asked ourselves the question that I know a lot of people outside the industry ask: Why don’t you just make things here? It’s a fair question, one that deserves to be answered, because there’s a version of this conversation happening right now that skips over a lot of complicated reality. The short answer is: we ran the numbers, and even at the highest tariff rates we saw last year, domestic manufacturing still didn’t add up for our business. There Is No Domestic Organic Cotton Supply Chain This is the part that surprises a lot of people. Mightly makes organic cotton kids’ clothing. So the obvious suggestion is: use American cotton! And yes, the US does grow cotton (it’s actually one of the largest cotton exporters in the world), but not organic cotton. Organic cotton farming requires a multi-year transition off conventional pesticides, costly certification processes, and significantly more labor-intensive practices. The US has never had a large-scale certified organic cotton infrastructure, which requires many processes, not just organic fiber. Global organic cotton supply is concentrated in India, which accounts for about half of the world’s certified organic cotton production, followed by Turkey and China. The US trails far behind with approximately 1% of the world’s organic cotton grown domestically. What that means practically: even if we wanted to manufacture in the United States, we would still have to import raw organic cotton fiber. Then that fiber would need to be spun into yarn somewhere, and woven or knit into fabric somewhere else. We would be paying tariffs on imported raw materials, then adding the cost of US manufacturing on top. The idea that moving production to the US eliminates tariff exposure is simply not true for a brand like ours. American Apparel Manufacturing Was Hollowed Out Decades Ago Even for brands working with conventional cotton, domestic manufacturing is challenging. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, apparel and textile industries lost 81% of their jobs between 1979 and 2019. More recently, data from AllAmerican.org puts the figure in stark terms: US apparel manufacturing employment has fallen from over 900,000 workers in 1990 to roughly 70,000 today, a 92% decline. The number of US apparel manufacturers dropped from over 15,000 in 2001 to around 7,000 in recent years, and only about 2.5% of apparel purchased in the US is made here. The infrastructure that would be needed to produce high-quality children’s clothing at an accessible price point simply does not exist domestically. This is an industrial reality that decades of trade policy built, and one that tariffs alone cannot undo overnight. The Brands That Do It Charge Accordingly There is a domestic manufacturing success story worth mentioning, and it’s a genuine one. American Giant has spent more than a decade proving that US-made apparel is possible. Their hoodie was famously called the greatest ever made. They’ve been relentless about it, and I have deep respect for what they’ve built. Their classic hoodie retails for $138. Their cotton t-shirts run between $40 and $60. Even their partnership with Walmart to produce a made-in-America t-shirt at a breakthrough price point of $12.98 required Walmart’s enormous scale and financial commitments to make the supply chain viable, and one they’ve distinguished from their core line as lower quality. That context matters a lot for what we do. Mightly’s entire value proposition is making certified organic, non-toxic, hand-me-down-quality kids’ clothing accessible to families who care about what touches their children’s skin but can’t always afford the prices the premium market charges. That accessibility is not an afterthought. It is the mission. If we doubled our prices, we we would be failing our customers. We Ran the Numbers. They Don’t Work. We priced out what domestic manufacturing would cost us. After accounting for the tariffs we were paying at peak rates, US manufacturing would still require us to roughly double our prices to customers. The savings on import duties would not come close to offsetting the cost of domestic labor, domestic overhead, and the logistical reality of flying organic raw materials from India to the US to be processed before being made into garments. On top of that, our finished goods would no longer qualify for Fair Trade certification. Fair Trade USA’s factory certification program is built around verifying fair wages, safe conditions, and community investment premiums for workers in the countries where the garments are actually made. Moving production to the US doesn’t just change geography. It dissolves the economic development impact that Fair Trade certification is designed to create for garment workers in lower-income countries, who depend on those wages and community funds. (If you want to understand more about what that certification means and who it serves, I went into more detail on that here.) And then there’s the human dimension that doesn’t show up in a cost model. Our production partners in India are not abstract entries in a spreadsheet. We have relationships with them that we have built carefully over years. They have invested in meeting our standards and become true partners in our success. Walking away from those partners to chase a supply chain that doesn’t exist domestically would be a real harm to real people. What We’re Doing Instead We’re not pretending the tariff environment is fine. It isn’t. As I wrote earlier this year, the unpredictability alone is its own kind of damage, and small brands absorb it differently than large ones. But the answer for us isn’t domestic manufacturing. It’s continuing to build the most transparent, ethical, accessible supply chain we can, in the place where the raw materials and processes we need exist together. That means staying invested in our Indian production partners, maintaining our Fair Trade and GOTS certifications, and being honest with our customers about why our clothes cost what they cost. While we can’t make the made-in-America story work, we are continually getting better at what we do: making organic kids’ clothes that don’t ask families to choose between safe and affordable. Mightly makes certified organic, Fair Trade kids’ clothing. You can learn more at mightly.com

Before I say anything else, I want to acknowledge what's happening in the world right now. It would feel wrong to write a post about business disruptions without saying it plainly: we are at war. War means people are dying, including over a hundred girls who were killed at their school, a place where they should have been safe. As of today, twelve U.S. service members have been killed and over 140 injured as well as over a thousand Iranians, the vast majority of them civilians. We have no idea when this ends, or how many more lives will be lost before it does. The disruptions to business are inconsequential compared to the human suffering in the Middle East, and yet both keep me up at night because no matter what is going on in the world, I still have to make payroll.   Running a small business right now feels like trying to land a plane while someone keeps moving the runway, the fuel gauges are unreliable, air traffic control keeps changing the instructions, and you've got a full cabin of passengers counting on you. For most of the past year, the major challenge has been tariffs. Mightly makes certified organic, Fair Trade children's clothing, produced with our partners in India — partners we've worked hard to build genuine, ethical relationships with, and whom we've been committed to standing by even as U.S.-India trade policy made that increasingly expensive. And when I say partners, I mean the whole chain of people behind every single garment. I mean the organic cotton farmers who chose to farm without toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers— a harder, more expensive way to farm — because they believed brands like ours would show up and buy their fiber. If we and other organic brands stop ordering, those farmers have no market. I also mean the workers in our Fair Trade certified factory, who earn fair wages and receive Fair Trade premiums on top of that — real money that goes back into their families and their communities, into things like healthcare, education, childcare. These are not abstractions, they are people who made choices and built their livelihoods around the belief that ethical supply chains were real and sustainable. We feel that responsibility deeply. If you want to put faces and numbers to what Fair Trade certification actually means for the people in our supply chain, I'd invite you to read our 2025 Impact Report. So when U.S.-India trade policy started making our model more expensive, walking away was never on the table. We were going to figure it out. When reciprocal tariffs came into effect, we were already paying an average of 12% in tariffs. The new rate added 26% on top of that. We did the math, we negotiated, and then we placed our purchase orders and honored our commitment to our suppliers. Then, by the time our goods reached customs, tariffs had increased by another 25%. We're a small company. There is no war chest to absorb a surprise like that. We had to move tens of thousands of dollars that had been earmarked for new inventory just to clear our existing shipment. Then we had to raise prices and still take a margin hit going into Q4. For a small business, Q4 isn't just important — it's often the quarter that makes your year. Instead of capitalizing on it, we were selling close to cost just to break even. And because our inventory budget had been redirected to pay tariffs, we didn't have enough product to meet demand. We ran out. Customers who needed what we make — parents who care about what touches their kids' skin, families managing allergies or sensory sensitivities, people who've made a commitment to buying environmentally responsible products — couldn't get it. There aren't many alternatives for parents who want genuinely certified organic, Fair Trade kids' clothing. That's precisely why Mightly exists. And the weeks we spent out of stock confirmed something I already believed but now know beyond a doubt: the need is real. Our customer service team was flooded with messages asking when we'd restock. I had a customer track down my personal phone number (which takes some serious digging) to tell me we're the only brand she trusts for her son's clothes, and to ask when his size would be back in stock. That call meant everything to me, even in the middle of all the chaos. We finally got through it. A new production run was completed just as the Supreme Court ruled the new tariffs illegal.  It genuinely looked like we might catch a break and we had actually started running numbers on a modest price reduction to pass the savings along to our customers. Then the Middle East situation exploded. Our standard shipping routes closed. We had to find alternative paths to get our products from India to our U.S. warehouse using a longer, less predictable route. Freight and insurance costs spiked. The price reduction we'd been working on? Out of the question. The carefully mapped-out plan for the year? Back to the drawing board.     To other small business owners: unpredictability is uniquely brutal for us in a way that gets lost in the broader economic conversation. Large companies can hedge. They have scenario planners, financial cushions, supplier redundancy. We don't. When tariff rates shift 25% between the day you place an order and the day it clears customs, you can't absorb that — you make painful choices, fast, with incomplete information. Every surprise costs us not just money but the ability to serve our customers, invest in our people, and grow. What's kept us going is our values. Our partnership with our producers in India isn't a nice-to-have, it’s the actual operating principle of this company. We make Fair Trade, certified organic clothing because we believe the people who make children's clothes deserve safe conditions, fair wages, and dignity — and because the children who wear those clothes deserve products made without toxic chemicals or exploitation. We're not going to walk away from that because it got hard (really, really hard). We're going to keep figuring it out in solidarity with our suppliers and our customers. Remember, your dollars are a vote. Spend them with businesses — small or large — that are willing to do things the right way even when it's hard. That's how we make the right way the normal way.      Mightly makes certified organic, Fair Trade Certified children's clothing. Learn more at mightly.com.

Every year, Halloween brings a fun opportunity for my kids and I to showcase our creativity and bond over the joy of crafting and the fun of Halloween. Since becoming a mom, I've found it so fulfilling to create my little ones' costumes myself. Rather than buying expensive costumes that will be worn just once, we use this as a time to create something unique, memorable and a bit more sustainable.

This summer flew by for our family. It felt like the end of the year party was yesterday, but here we are about two and a half months later heading back to early mornings and packing school lunches! Our days aren't perfect, but I've learned a few tricks to ease back into the school routine with as few tears as possible (for everyone!).

A Sustainable Stuffie Project for the Eco-Conscious Family In the age of COVID-19, face masks became more than just a necessity; they are an accessory that has woven itself into our daily lives—a reminder of a collective challenge and resilience. But to do with those masks that were a part of everyday life, that are now lying in a forgotten drawer? We partnered with the talented Sara Black of Made to reimagine masks as something fun and unexpected, an adorable upcycled stuffie. Explore this second lease on life for those masks while also creating a fulfilling crafting experience for both you and your little ones.

Happy New Year to you and your amazing family! 🎉 We can't wait to spill the beans on our epic 2023 journey, share our excitement for the adventures that lie ahead in 2024, and reveal the empowering mantras that keep us moms and founders grounded.

Let's admit it, getting little ones dressed up and herding them together for a family photoshoot can be quite the ordeal, even more so when you have to scramble at the last minute. Maybe you suddenly realized the holidays are around the corner, and you want something fresh for holiday cards! Whatever the case may be, taking DIY family photos at home can be just the ticket. It can also be fun (at least my kids think so)! So, put on some matchy or coordinated outfits, grab your phone, and say cheese 📸! What to wear? First things first - your family's outfits! We love the matchy matchy look, and the coordinated color palette. Guess what, Mightly + Origin just launched our first ever Mommy & Mini collection that's perfect for the whole family (psst, we have dresses and basics that so all littles can match mom). The prints are fun, bright, and perfect for a more playful family photoshoot. If you're more into a muted color palette, opt for colors like olive and navy, and mix and match the solid colors from one print. 

It's the BEST feeling when you find that perfect gift and you see your loved one's face light up when they open it. What feels even better? Knowing that a small and purpose-driven brand-owner did a happy dance when your order came through! We’ve curated our favorite small and impactful brands that we LOVE and we think you will too!l By shopping from ethical and sustainable brands, you can help support the planet and the small business working to make a difference. Shop our gift guide for our favorite fair trade, women-owned, and sustainable gift ideas for everyone on your nice list.

Halloween is just around the corner and the pressure is on to find the perfect costume for your kids. Whether your child is a last-minute decision maker or an indecisive little one, we’ve got you covered with some easy and fun last minute DIY costume ideas. These costumes will not only save you time and money but will also ensure that your kids will have a great time trick-or-treating. 1) Kitty Costume with Gold Leopard PJ Print Transform your little one into a cute and cuddly kitty with just a Gold Leopard Print Stretch Pajama Set and some creative eyeliner skills. Start with a simple black liner to outline the kitty’s nose, curl an arch to create whiskers, and fill in black on the top of the nose with a little pink on the bottom. For the ears, simply cut triangles from felt and hot glue them onto a headband. This costume is the purr-fect solution for a quick and adorable Halloween costume. My little girls dressed as kitties 2) Space Themed Galaxy Costume with Mightly Organic Cotton Galaxy Print PJs Transform your kid into a queen or king of the galaxy with just a pair of Mightly Organic Cotton  Galaxy Print PJs. Using construction paper, aluminum foil, cardboard, pom-poms, yarn, and a hot glue gun, Modge Podge or glue, create a “solar system” necklace. Hang the planets from a string of yarn with pom-poms and pieces of aluminum foil to make shiny asteroids. To complete the look, sprinkle some glitter on their face and sport some glow-in-the-dark wristbands or necklaces. Your little astronaut will be amazed by the night sky. Supplies for Solar System Necklace  Galaxy Girlies 3) Superhero Costume with Capes Make your child's dreams come true by turning them into a superhero with personalized capes. Cut out a large “S” for Super-girl or -man or “B” for Bat-girl or -man from felt and pin it onto the back of a plain colored tee, like the Mightly Long Sleeve Pocket Tee (pinning will ensure you don't ruin your favorite tee). Cut out a matching cape from a sheet or use a solid-colored sheet to make a cape. You can also add some extra embellishments like a utility belt to really finish the look. Get creative and come up with your little one’s own superhero identity and let them run wild on Halloween night. 4) French Fille or Fils (aka, girl or boy) Costume with Striped PJ Shirt and Bandana Bonjour! Turn your kid into a posh Parisien with just a few pieces of clothing. A striped Mightly PJ shirt with some black sweat pants or leggings with a red scarf tied around the neck. Top it all off with a beret for extra class and style. You can even turn a piece of cardboard into an artist's paint palette and accessorize to your heart's content. This costume will make them feel like they're on the way to the Eiffel Tower! 5) Chef Costume with Apron and Chef's Hat If your kid loves being in the kitchen, then this costume will be a perfect fit for them. Simply grab an apron, chef’s hat, and their favorite recipe book. You can also give them a whisk or spatula as a prop. Let them carry around a mixing bowl or baking tray and mismatched socks to complete the whole look. Your little chef will see Halloween as an opportunity to have fun in the kitchen. Halloween is all about having fun and being creative. These easy and fun last minute DIY costume ideas will make your child the talk of the town. It doesn’t take much to transform their imagination into reality and seeing their faces light up is a priceless experience. With just a few materials and a little bit of creativity, you can make your child the star of the night. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures and cherish these moments forever. Happy Halloween!   xx, Candice, Mightly CMO & Mama to Addie, Ellery, and Lilah

Collaboration and Community for a More Sustainable Future!  written in collaboration with Rent-A-Romper As a mom, I know how important it is to provide my children with clothing that is comfortable, durable, and safe for them and the planet. As an entrepreneur, I also know that the fashion industry contributes to more than 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world’s water supply. [Ellen MacArthur Foundation] That's why we have decided to collaborate with Mightly, another women-owned sustainable children's clothing brand, so that we can grow our impact and offer parents even more options. We share a passion for reducing fashion’s burden on our planet and for making sure our children have quality clothing to run, dance, and play. Why We Want to Work Together Provide More Quality Options for Sustainable Clothing at All Ages: Starting at birth, families can access a variety of quality brands with Rent a Romper’s Capsule Memberships which now include Mightly. You may have already received one of their fun twirl dresses in your capsule! And when our babies (out)grow Rent a Romper - because we know that will happen - we are excited to partner with Mightly for great discounts and offers to this community. Mightly is an obvious partner - prioritizing sustainability and making clothes for the way kids really play. Women Supporting Women: At Rent a Romper, we are 100% women owned and mom operated, so there is nothing we love more than seeing other women win. So when I met Mightly Co-Founders Tierra Forte, Barrie Brouse and Anya Marie, I thought immediately about how we could collaborate to support each other and help provide our communities with even better experiences. With Mightly, we get to add really fun and durable clothing to our inventory - which is a win for all of us.  Dreaming of a Future of Fashion as Doing Good, Not Just Looking Good: We envision a future where sustainable fashion is the norm, not the exception. We hope that our partnership can inspire other businesses, big and small, to join us in this journey towards sustainability. We want to share our knowledge, our experiences, and our challenges, and learn from others who are also committed to making a difference. We know that we can't change the fashion industry overnight, but we believe that every step counts - and by doing it together we only grow our impact.  To learn more about making more sustainable choices, head on over to our Instagram page and listen to Lauren Gregor, Founder of Rent a Romper, and Tierra Forte, Co-Founder and CEO of Mightly, share their lessons for growing a business focused on what’s best for kids and the planet. 

Research shows that approximately 70 percent of kids ages 8-16 feel worried about the planet and its future. Have your children expressed these kinds of concerns? Talking to your kids about sustainability and the environmental effects of fast fashion is a helpful way to introduce them to the zero-waste lifestyle and get them excited about protecting the planet. Below, you’ll find some essential information you can share with your kids, as well as practical tips that you can implement to reduce waste and make more sustainable clothing choices. What Is Fast Fashion? Fast fashion involves taking ideas from fashion shows or celebrity culture and turning them into cheap, trendy clothing sold online or in stores. The goal is to get new styles on the market right away, so consumers can get them when they’re most popular. How Fast Fashion Affects the Planet The fast fashion world can encourage many problematic behaviors, including impulse buying, overconsumption, and clothing waste (many fast fashion items end up in landfills because they go out of style quickly and are not made to last). Many fast fashion brands target children and teenagers, so it’s important to talk to your kids about fast fashion and its impacts. The following are some specific adverse effects of fast fashion: Water Waste The fashion industry is the second-larger consumer of water. It takes roughly 700 gallons of water to produce just one cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons for one pair of jeans! Think about how much water is used to make all the items in a fast fashion brand’s latest line. Water Pollution Fast fashion also contributes to water pollution. Textile dyeing causes more water pollution than almost any other industry (it also uses enough water to fill two million Olympic swimming pools). Along with pollution from textile dyes, fast fashion also contributes to microplastic (tiny, non-biodegradable pieces of plastic) pollution in the world’s oceans. One report estimated that 35 percent of all microplastics in the ocean get there from laundering synthetic textiles like polyester (which is used in many fast fashion items). Increased Energy Usage Turning plastic fibers into textiles like polyester takes a lot of energy. The process also requires significant amounts of petroleum and releases harmful substances into the air, including volatile particulate matter and hydrogen chloride. How to Make More Sustainable Wardrobe Choices The goal behind talking to your kids about sustainability and the fast fashion industry is not to scare them or make them feel guilty. The goal is to encourage them to make more sustainable wardrobe choices as you all work toward a zero-waste home. The following suggestions are excellent starting points for a more eco-friendly closet: Support Sustainable Brands When buying new clothes for your kids, support brands that are committed to sustainable practices. Some examples include Mightly, Pact, Patagonia, and Sustain by Kat. Sustainable brands focus on natural fabrics (cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc.) colored with safe dyes rather than synthetics like polyester. They may also have shipping programs dedicated to minimizing carbon emissions.  Buy Locally Instead of shopping online or heading to the mall to shop for new clothes, consider visiting local boutiques. Buying locally is an excellent way to support members of your community. It also eliminates the need to have clothes shipped to you, which helps reduce carbon emissions. Create Capsule Wardrobes A capsule wardrobe consists of just a few key pieces that can be mixed and matched in different ways. For example, a kid’s capsule wardrobe might look like this: 3 shirts 3 pairs of pants or skirts 3 all-in-one outfits (overalls, rompers, dresses, etc.) 2 jackets or coats 2 pairs of shoes Include a few matching accessories like hats, headbands, or bows to complete the wardrobe. Change capsule wardrobes with each new season and put everything else into storage. That way, your kids get “new” clothes every few months. Rotating through their clothing this way can help it last longer, too. Take Good Care of Your Clothes Often, when people throw clothing away, it’s because of issues like holes, pilling, or fading. Many of these problems can be avoided with proper laundering. Read labels carefully to avoid improperly washing clothes. Turn items inside out before washing, too, and stick to lower water temperatures, as hot water can wear clothes out faster. Repair and Rework Before Throwing Away Say a shirt has a hole in it, or your child has grown too tall for a pair of pants. You don’t necessarily have to throw these items out. Get creative and think of ways to rework them into new piece. For example, can you cut that pair of pants into shorts? Can you sew a fun patch over the shirt’s hole? There are lots of simple solutions that can extend clothes’ lifespans and refresh your kids’ wardrobes. Buy Larger Sizes When shopping for new clothes, consider buying items one or two sizes larger (this is especially helpful for young kids who grow quickly). Buying a larger size will allow them to wear the items longer.   Donate or Resell Used Clothing If your child has decided they’re done with a particular piece of clothing, don’t throw it in the trash. Instead, donate it to a local thrift shop or charity so someone else can wear it. You can also resell gently used clothing at consignment stores or online. Host Clothing Swaps Another fun option is to organize a clothing swap with friends whose kids are the same sizes/ages as yours. Have everyone bring their gently used clothes and invite them to trade for some new-to-them pieces. Create a More Eco-Friendly Wardrobe Today It’s never too early to start teaching your kids about protecting the planet. Discussions about the fashion industry — particularly fast fashion — and its impacts on the environment are great starting points, especially for those who love shopping and expressing themselves through their clothing choices. In addition to talking to your kids about the importance of a more sustainable wardrobe, follow the guidelines listed above so you can all start making better choices today.      

May is AAPI Heritage Month and we chatted with Vivian Lee, founder of Kinflyte. Kinflyte shares a sustainably focused mission in their fight for pain-free posture support by revolutionizing the sports bra with ergonomic designs that fit every body type. Keep reading to learn more about Vivian’s inclusive anti-slouch tech sports bras and the advice she has on building a business she has for entrepreneurs everywhere.    Please tell us a bit about your business. Based in Southern California, Kinflyte is a sustainable-focused athleisure brand, and we specialize in pain-free sports bras with patented posture support. We address the pain points associated with wearing conventional sports bras, which are designed to restrict breast movement, but often cause pain in the neck, shoulders, and the trapezius muscles. Also, most major sports bra brands are limited in sizing. We're on a mission to empower more women to be active, and we have a very size inclusive range of XS to 7XL and support bra cup sizes A to M. As an AAPI business owner, what advice might you offer to other entrepreneurs?  If you have a compelling product or service idea that solves a real problem, you're in a unique position that can make a real impact in the world. Really understand what you're trying to solve, and don't be afraid to take those calculated risks to realize your dream as an entrepreneur. You're a mom - how do you think we can inspire the next generation to make a positive impact in this world?  Two things immediately come to mind - inclusivity and sustainability. Embrace what makes us uniquely different, and appreciate how those differences can make our society better and more open minded. There is such a need to combat climate change, we need to focus on better sustainable practices, which will support the health of future generations and help protect our environment. What gets you excited about the future of Kinflyte? What’s next for the brand?  Kinflyte has been a labor of love and a bootstrapped business from the get-go, inspired by the journey we've shared with our customers. We have thoughtfully expanded our product line and added new product offerings based on customer feedback. I'm excited about the future. We are working to expand our distribution and revolutionize the sports bra category with ergonomically designed pieces that fit every body type. Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece?  I would have to say the pajamas as they are absolutely darling and made with organic cotton. My daughter loves wearing her PJ sets, since they're so soft and comfortable to wear.    Please take the time to learn more about Vivian’s inclusive anti-slouch tech sports bras at kinflyte.com

Please meet Lauren Gregor, founder and CEO of Rent a Romper, and our next Women's History Month profile.   Tell us about your business: Rent a Romper is a rental clothing company for babies and toddlers because they (out)grow so fast. We offer families capsule memberships curated from over 200 quality brands delivered to their home so they take one thing off their to do list and together we can reduce fashion waste.    Who is a woman (or women) that inspires you and why? I love Serena Williams. Not only did her athleticism and mastery of her sport amaze me, but she continues to be a model of how women are unlimited in our potential. We can be incredible athletes at the top of our game AND also build successful business ventures. We can advocate for change publicly AND be a proud and present parent. She does all of this AND importantly models self-care in saying NO when she needs to take time for herself and her family.    As a business owner, what advice might you offer to other female entrepreneurs? Surround yourself with others who are in your corner. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely business at times, but friends and advisors who are willing to lend an ear, provide business advice and remind you of the progress you’ve made are critical to success.    You’re a mom of two boys, how do you think we can inspire the next generation of young people to make a positive impact in this world? As a mom, I think exposing my kid to the world and modeling my own behavior will help grow them into caring people who want to make positive change. By letting them see the world through diverse experiences - people, nature, travel, food - I hope they develop an understanding that our world is a big and beautiful place and that all stories should be appreciated. Then I try to model for them with my actions - like going out of our way on a walk to pick up trash we see and throw it away or getting excited when I find a great item second hand. I feel like our young people are already inspired and we need to give them the tools.    What gets you excited about the future of Rent a Romper? What’s next for the brand? I am excited to continue growing our community of families and the impact we can have collectively by extending the life of clothing. We are excited to partner with more brands, like Mightly ;), to bring great clothing to our families as well as more opportunities to rent products like coats and shoes!   Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece? Our favorites are the shortie pajamas and the cotton sweats! My boys live in sweatpants. 

Please meet Abby Houston, an artist we have the pleasure of working with, as part of our Women's History Month series.    Tell us a bit about yourself.  Abby Houston lives, teaches, creates art and raises her three daughters.  Abby loves to find new methods of making everyday materials feel valuable.  Found objects and unique surfaces on which to paint have expanded her practice over the last few years.  Abby explores colors and themes found in nature, mothering and the balance of enduring the chaos of homelife. She loves using the colorful visual language to convey those messages in an approachable and tactile way.  Her daily painting practice has helped her thrive through the transitions of her personal and professional life (and through a pandemic!), while also allowing her to make connections to the things she cares about in the world we live in:  women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, social justice rights, body positivity, mental health awareness, raising fierce & compassionate daughters, caring for our changing planet and instilling work life balance for her children and family. When Abby isn’t making art, she is scavenging for supplies, going on walks to pick up leaves, hiking with her daughters to take photographs or driving across town to pick up some ornate item off of Craigslist.  Abby will never pass up the opportunity to score a great deal at a garage sale and she is always game for rooting through boxes of items left on the streets of SE Portland.  And yes, she once managed to make her husband carry home a kitchen sink so that she could use it as an art installation in their backyard.   Abby holds a MA in Art Therapy Counseling from Marylhurst University and a BFA from Pacific Lutheran University.  She is a bad ass mother, a seasoned Art Teacher,  Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. Upon concluding her 17th year of teaching in the Spring of 2022, Abby has left the teaching arena to focus full time on her growing art business and professional art practice.  Who are your biggest artistic influences? Much of my creative process has been guided by artists such as abstract Swedish artist, Hilma af Klint, Ukrainian sculpture artist, Louise Nevelson, Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama and the life and work of American artist, Georgia O’Keefe. Almost all of these women were left out of the art history texts of my art school years-so I want to always bring their influence into focus when sharing about my creative journey. Where do you find inspiration? My biggest artistic inspirations are MY KIDS, my mother, grandmother and the natural landscape around me.  From an early age I was taught to weave together my own story with a variety of materials-from knitting to painting, drawing & collage. I always love the fact that the creative process runs through the maternal line in my family. I hope to instill in my daughers the ability to create a process focused life that includes all types of creative endeavors. What role does art have in today’s society? I believe the visual language of art has a responsibility to connect us to the human experience in a way that transcends other barriers to our existence. I believe in a process based approach to art where daily engagement in a creative practice can lead us to a more grounded and fulfilling life.    Who is a woman (or women) that inspires you and why? I find a tremendous amount of inspiration from women who are breaking down barriers through creative innovation and activism.  Bisa Butler (fiber portrait artist), Megan Rapinoe (activist, athlete), Lisa Congdon (artist, activist) to name a few. As an artist, what advice might you offer to other female artists? I find it so helpful to be bold and confident with my creative voice AND allow myself to receive feedback from others. So, be bold and also listen well.  You’re a mom to three daughters, how do you think we can inspire the next generation of women to make a positive impact in this world? I love the quote “As strong as the woman next to me” which really sums up my belief that when we support and champion one another as women we can do amazing things. I want the next generation of girls & non-binary kids to be able to claim their own self worth and identity through acts of kindness and inclusivity.  I want that message to be loud and clear as they raise the generation after them.  There are so many opportunities in the world where they can be helpers and find ways to advocate for what they believe in-but none of that is possible without a community of support around them.  Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece? Definitely the Organic Cotton Legging with Reinforced Knee.  What more is there to say, I wish I could get them in adult sizes!   Big thank you to Abby for taking the time to answer our questions and allowing us to learn more about her. You can read more about Abby and see her artwork at her website abbypainter.com

Please meet Jeannine Benoit Adams, the founder of Ready Pretty, and woman we have the pleasure of working with, as part of our Women's History Month series.  Tell us about your business: Ready Pretty is a digital marketing agency that supports women-led brands and businesses. We help our clients to grow and thrive online. Our core areas of expertise are web design and development, email marketing, content marketing strategy, planning and execution and ambassador/influencer marketing. We focus mainly on fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands.  Who is a woman (or women) that inspires you and why? That’s a tough one. First and foremost my mom! She truly was the picture of being able to do it all. She managed to be the best mom, lead major corporations and be a great wife and friend all at the same time. Now as a mom myself I see how difficult it all was - but she taught me that I could do it, that I could create the life I wanted through hard work, love and a great support system. Beyond my mom, I’m inspired by so many women - too many to list! I heard Sara Blakely in person at a conference a few years back and her story continues to motivate me each and every day to push harder.  Another woman who inspires me is Erin Gallagher, my friend and absolute advocate for women's rights and equality. She recently started Ella4All, an inclusive network unlocking women's access to human and financial capital. I’ve never met someone else in my life who has the innate ability to connect, activate and engage with people the way she does.  As a business owner, what advice might you offer to other female entrepreneurs? Keep going. It’s simple but true. I don’t believe in overnight success, although at times it feels as though social media perpetuates this idea. Ready Pretty has grown steadily over the years with too many ups, downs, turnarounds and pivots to count! We’ve done things that have worked, others that for sure have not - but through it all, I kept going. You simply have to your head down and do the work and be willing to make adjustments as new challenges arise. Just keep going. Progress is progress no matter how fast.  You’re a mom of three, how do you think we can inspire the next generation of women to make a positive impact in this world? I have two boys and my daughter - and I want each of them to know that they never have to play small. I want them each to have big lives - whatever that means to them. I want them to know, learn and use their voices for good, to never be afraid to speak up and speak out. I teach a lot about confidence in my home - confidence in who they are and what they believe. I truly feel like with a bit of guts and a lot of confidence you can make an impact.  What gets you excited about the future of Ready Pretty? Supporting women has always been a passion of mine. By nature, I’m a connector - it’s what I love most about my job. So as I look to the future, I look forward to connecting more women, supporting more women and helping more women-owned brands grow and thrive.  Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece? I love pretty much everything in the Cloud Print - it’s such a perfect kid print! I can’t get my boys out of the matching sweatsuits and my daughter loves the twirl dresses! The quality of Mightly clothing is unmatched - my kids are hard on clothes (aren’t they all!?) and after every wash they come back just as good as when we first got them!  Follow @ReadyPretty on Instagram. 

In honor of March being Women's History Month, we are excited to introduce our next profile - Rebel Girls. We are proud to be a Rebel Girls collaborator as they contribute greatly to the empowerment of girls and women all over the world through their stories. Michon Vanderpoel, the Head of Revenue, was able to lend us insight into her work at Rebel Girls and how she has been navigating her own journey. It is an honor to collaborate with such an inspiring company, and we are looking forward to the continued success of our partnership.  If you don’t already know, you can shop the Mightly X Rebel Girls Collection Here.    What are some of the most significant challenges you've faced as a woman in business? Learning to take up space. As a young girl, I felt a deep pressure to yield to others--in conversations and otherwise. It took many years for me to realize that confidence requires courage. When I approached my own voice and ideas courageously that’s when things started to change.    Tell us why you see storytelling as such a powerful way to teach and inspire? Our mission is to help raise the more inspired and confident global generation of girls. By the age of 6, girls begin to think they are less smart and less capable than boys. And by the age of 14, girls' confidence is 30% less than boys.  Rebel Girls is focused on closing the gender confidence gap.  And since storytelling is how kids learn first and best, we are leading the way through children’s media, events and community.  We want girls to see themselves as not just the heroes of tomorrow, but of today!   How does Rebel Girls approach diversity in its storytelling? Diversity is at the core of our storytelling. We’ve told more than 2,000 stories of real-life women representing 400+ professions and 100+ countries; and all our storytelling is by women and nonbinary creators – more than 600 writers, illustrators, editors, narrators, from 50 countries. Our approach to storytelling is to authentically represent a broad spectrum of women and celebrate who they are by sharing their obstacles and amplifying their triumphs.  I want to share a recent example of how this shows up and feedback we receive from girls. More recently we created the audio story of fashion designer Isabella Springmühl, one of our 100 Inspiring Changemakers. Isabella is the first fashion designer to showcase at New York Fashion Week. Her audio story is narrated by Jamie Brewer, who is the first model with down’s syndrome to walk in a show during New York Fashion Week.  What makes this even more special to our team is after the episode premiered in our Rebel Girls App, we heard from a listener who essentially told us that while she didn’t want to be a fashion designer, she wanted to thank us for making stories about people like her and that it was cool to hear a narrator who sounds like her. And then she recommended other stories of women who have Down Syndrome we could tell.  This is key to our intentional approach to diversity. We want all girls to see and hear themselves reflected in our storytelling.    The illustrations in the Rebel Girls book collections are beautifully rendered. Are these designed by women artists and how are the artists chosen? Our design team is so amazing! We have worked with so many creative artists from the very first book. Our illustrations are such a signature component to our brand and storytelling. Our Art Director is constantly looking at new artists, either through the art world or instagram or even artists who email or DM us.  And they also look at the stories we are telling. For example, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Real-Life Black Girl Magic was illustrated (and written) by all Black women and nonbinary creators. This was important to assure every piece of the book was approached with intentional and authentic representation.   What makes you a Rebel Girl and will your story be written one day? Tenacity and empathy. At our company we have a saying that “Rebel Girls” are brave, strong, smart, and kind. I haven’t let failures stop me and I constantly remind myself that everyone is human, even the person I’m negotiating against.  My story is not as exciting as some in our books, but I’m hoping that any young girl (and especially my three nieces) might hear about my experience and feel a bit braver.

 As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month we would like to bring light to another woman we work closely with, please meet one of our newest partners, Jen Zuklie. Jen is the founder of The Soondle Society and recent collaboration partner on our "Lightly Loved" initiative. Jen graciously opened up about her business, female role models, and a bit of advice for female entrepreneurs. Read on to learn about the inspiration behind her mission to help parents trade their children's outgrown clothing and shop for items in the right size and season.   Tell us about your business. The Swoondle Society was founded as a way for parents to trade in their children’s outgrown clothing and shop for items in the right size and season.  By collecting all the clothes under one roof we made it easy for participants to get the stuff out of their homes and with one order replace them.  Instead of a traditional consignment, they receive a token they can trade for something of comparable value – e.g. send in a “Level 3” item - order a Level 3 item – any size, season, gender.  Over the past year we have extended our capabilities to support other clothing brands in their desires to be more sustainable and launch their own “take back” and resale programs.  Who is a woman (or women)  that inspires you and why? The easiest answer for me, are the women in my family.  Sister, mom, grandmothers.  Each are very humble and yet tremendous force of intelligence, logic, kindness, odd collection of skills and knowledge + tons of silly giggles.  I am incredibly grateful to have them in my life and role models for myself and my daughter!  As a business owner, what advice might you offer to other female entrepreneurs? You may have a great idea, but man there is so much more to running a business than just your idea.  Be ready to learn and be humbled daily.  You’re a mom to two little ones, how do you think we can inspire the next generation of young women (and men) to make a positive impact in this world? Modeling behavior and not worrying about “perfection”.  Instead show mistakes and how to resolve and overcome them.  Demonstrate perseverance and flexibility.  Don’t let perfection get in the way of improvement. Can you talk a bit about Swoondle’s impact and vision as a company? We want to make it easier for parents and brands to engage in circular fashion.  Making conscientious shopping choices an easy part of their life.  If something takes a lot more effort or cost it won’t be a lasting impact - yet if you make it something that fits into their current lifestyle choosing sustainability is a much easier decision. What gets you excited about the future of The Swoondle Society? What’s next for your brand? As more customers and brands are realizing the need for “take back” and “resale” programs it’s becoming table stakes.  I see a future where Swoondle can power the circularity programs for a consortium of children’s brands.  Which would allow consumers to easily shop secondhand and retail with one seamless checkout.  Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece? The sweatsuits are adorable!! 

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we wanted to highlight some of the stories and experiences of women we work closely with every day.  We had the pleasure of speaking with Candice, the founder of Of an Origin, and future Mightly collab partner. Candice shared insights on her business, female role models, and advice for female entrepreneurs with us. Read on to learn about the inspiration behind her convertible clothing brand, the importance of empathy in inspiring future generations of women, and what's next for Of an Origin. Tell us about your business: Of an Origin is a convertible capsule concept designed for early motherhood and beyond. I was inspired by my own needs for better, more sustainable clothing options while I was breastfeeding and postpartum. I wanted pieces that were made from natural and organic fabrics designed in simple but innovative multi-way designs that women could seamlessly transition beyond the early days. Who is a woman (or women)  that inspires you and why? Oh my goodness so many! One is Tierra, Mightly's founder. Tierra is a leader in sustainable supply chain, and all around awesome mom and person. She has been an incredible mentor, and helped me in many ways to launch and grown Of an Origin. Another inspiring female founder is my former colleague and friend Bianca Gates, founder of Birdies. Bianca is visionary, and she brings her kids along the journey as she builds an incredible brand and company. Birdies recently earned B Corporation certified which is incredible, and I admire the brand she's built, her grace, and grit! As a business owner, what advice might you offer to other female entrepreneurs? It sounds cliche, and it can be said about any big life move: there's never a perfect time to start something new. You'll always have hesitations. When you find yourself thinking (maybe obsessing) about a problem and potential solutions, and the cost of NOT doing that thing outweighs the cost of doing it - that's when you know it's a good time. I was intimidated by fundraising, and didn't fully understand the vast options to fund a business, or to start small enough that you don't break the bank in the early stages. I would emphasize the need to start small. Truly think of what the leanest version of your MVP (minimum viable product) is, and start there. You’re a mom to three daughters, how do you think we can inspire the next generation of women to make a positive impact in this world? One thing I try to teach my girls everyday is empathy. To have any purpose-driven path, you have to be able to see outcomes for others and demand better outcomes. I think it all starts with empathy, and also vulnerability. I have looked up to leaders throughout my career that I saw as stoic, but now I see real leaders show empathy, vulnerability, and connection - they inspire others to have impact. What gets you excited about the future of Of an Origin? What’s next for your brand? I'm thrilled with our early success on Target.com, the partnership is allowing us to connect with even more new mothers. I'm also so excited about the Mini + Me collaboration with Mightly. I'm learning so much more about operations and process, and could not be more excited for the capsules that we are working on together! Tell us, what’s your favorite Mightly piece? I love the Twirl dresses. My girls play hard, and the quality is incredible. I love the drape and best of all, the pockets!

The Mightly’s 2022 Gift Guide: for however you holiday.  From pajamas to activewear and everything in between - we’ve got the perfect gift for every little on your list - and a little something for you too!  Keep reading to see Mightly’s 2022 Gift Guide! For the Cozy Cuddlers Pjs for the whole family, seriously. We have something for every family member with sizes ranging from our newly launched newborn romper, toddler and kid, and adult unisex sizes XS -  XXL. All sizes are available in a handful of prints so your entire family can mix and match together for those unforgettable photos.    For the Dress Twirlers Twirl all day - with pockets! These dresses aren't just any dresses, they have twirling powers that everyone who puts one on says are like nothing they have ever experienced before. Not only that, but they have super durable pockets for safekeeping all your little treasures. We have lots of purple hues (and more) to choose from.  For the Little Jumpers Quality activewear (and socks!) that last. Our organic cotton is not only earth-friendly, it's also play-friendly. These pieces are reinforced to last, and then to be passed down. Created in bold happy hues so they can always show off their colorful personalities. You can't go wrong with any of our essential basics.   For the Rebel Readers The Rebel Girls Books X Mightly collaboration is perfect for those readers that stay up late in the night. The Rebel Girls X Mightly Collection is full of cozy styles that are great for picking up a book and snuggling up. Start here but don't forget your Rebel Girls Book. Plus, to make gifting easier, each Rebel Girls purchase from mightly.com comes with a free gift bag.  For the Legging Lovers Layer away each and every day with the ease of Mightly organic cotton leggings. Super comfy, soft, tag-less, and of course, durable. Our leggings feature reinforced knees so you know you can let that kid play. They come in packs or pairs to suit  whatever your needs. Put them under dresses, or layer under pants in the winter. Give the gift of choice with a 2 pack.  For the Mix N' Matchers Mightly provides when it comes to colors and prints that match (or mix). Part of the fun of Mightly clothes are all the colors and prints they come in, they let you and your kids get creative with how they present themselves. Let the little one in your life choose to mix or match their favorite pieces when you gift them Mightly.   Whoever you’re shopping for, Mightly has so many great items for everyone on your list!