Did you ever imagine yourself achieving what you have?
Not at the beginning. I took a year off when my second daughter was born and started making dresses for my children. I started showing them to a few people and slowly but surely we have grown into the company we are today.
What in hindsight would you say you underestimated about your industry or business and why?
I underestimated the help people in my industry would give me once I left my big, corporate job for a small startup. The first person to come to mind is Tom LaGrega from Paxar/Avery Dennison. He used to make hundreds of thousands of labels for us when I worked at Tommy Hilfiger, and when I called him to make only a few hundred for me, he did it without question. Also, colleagues shared factory contacts, production help, etc. I would say all of our freelance help has come from people I met in my past, corporate world.
What is the best business related advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I’ve been given is what most people say, that you have to be passionate. Being passionate about what you do will keep you pushing in the right direction without giving up. Another thing to remember is that in the first few years, you will have “really high high’s and really low low’s.” That was good for me to hear, because the first years are tough, and knowing that helped me get through them. It can feel personal, and the emotions can swing up and down, but the highs, like getting your first big order, are worth every minute!
What do you love most about what you do and why?
I love being able to design and to do what I am passionate about. I spent a lot of years learning and building other brands, and I love that I can take that experience to now build my own brand. I equally love being able to take my girls to school every morning, sign up for field trips and not miss any ballet performances or basketball games!
What if you knew then what you know now – would you do differently and why?
I feel like we had a few bumps along the way, but they have always led to a great learning experience. We also have taken the time to grow the business organically, which has made it easier for me to manage in the beginning.
When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time?
I love to just hang out with my family in my free time. We go to our home in Amagansett, ride bikes, play basketball, go for walks on the beach (it’s great to do that in the winter) and cook big meals with friends. I am also obsessed with spinning at SoulCycle. It’s just what I need to relieve stress and get mentally centered.
How do you define success?
Success isn’t something I think about often or try to quantify – I just keep pushing forward. But I have to say that I LOVE seeing a child on the street or in the park wearing a Pink Chicken dress. It surprises me in the best way, and I always get goose bumps. That…and being able to afford hiring one more talented person to join the team to help us keep growing.
If you had to share one final thought with our audience of thousands of women in business – what would it be?
I would say…ask for help. Let family, friends, and coworkers know what you are doing, and don’t be afraid to reach out when you need a hand. One person couldn’t possibly do it all on their own. I’ve had legal help from my brother-in-law, catalogue design help from my graphic design friend Keith, photography from my friend Ken…and of course my husband for emotional support and to be a great sounding board. He actually came up with the name of the company 🙂
About Pink Chicken/Stacy Fraser
Pink Chicken was founded in 2006 by Stacey Fraser, a long-time fashion designer with nearly 20 years’ experience at internationally known companies such as Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and babyGap. After taking a hiatus to care for her two young daughters, Stacey could not get designing out of her system and began making dresses for them. What began as a line for babies and young children became a must-have collection for infants, toddlers, tweens and their moms, who have looked on enviably at their little ones’ style. Stacey’s collection reflects her love of vintage textiles, and offers easy, breezy designs for girls and their mothers that is no fuss and always stylish. Pink Chicken is sold in stores across the country including Barneys New York, ABC, Fred Segal/Ron Robinson, Giggle, Juice Kids, Arte Bebe, and Flicka, as well as its online boutique at www.pinkchicken.com.