Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbie Lopez.
Hi Abbie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’ve been on a creative and entrepreneurial path for as long as I can remember. My father owned his own graphic design business, so realizing at a young age that working for myself was a possibility really shaped my plans for the future. I have always loved the idea of being able to make a living by selling things I made, so I’m constantly looking for inspiration or for my next big idea, which is exactly how Vivid Kid Clothing began.
The VKC concept was born out of the pandemic. I had two very young kids, and nowhere to go, so we spent a LOT of time outside playing or walking around our neighborhood. Occasionally we’d go to a local bike trail for a change of scenery, but it could be scary when bikes were whizzing by, and my impulsive kids weren’t always able to quickly follow directions. My father-in-law started looking for children’s safety apparel and was underwhelmed by the choices. It seemed like the only options were stiff, scratchy, mesh safety vests, and there was no way my kids were going to willingly wear those. When I did my own research and saw the lack of kid-focused safety apparel, my entrepreneur brain kicked in, and I decided to make my own. After some second-guessing, changing my initial designs, and a few tweaks, I finally launched Vivid Kid Clothing.
In addition to expanding my business, I am also passionate about female entrepreneurship and plan to provide resources for women who want to start their own businesses. No matter how you slice it, there is gender inequality in the workplace, and it’s incredibly apparent in entrepreneurship. Women helping each other achieve business goals is the best way to change the current business climate, and I am here for it!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most entrepreneurial journeys, mine was not a piece of cake. I struggle with perfectionism and was afraid to launch with anything less than perfect: product, website, marketing, social media… I focused so much on trying to make things perfect that I ended up wasting a lot of valuable time. One of the biggest hurdles I had was finally being ready to launch and realizing that the business name I had been using had recently been trademarked. I could have taken the time (and money) to fight it, but instead, I chose another name and had to start from scratch by buying a new domain, obtaining social media handles, etc. Had I not been dragging my feet and been so focused on perfection, that could have been avoided. Lesson learned!
We’ve been impressed with Vivid Kid Clothing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vivid Kid Clothing is a safety apparel company for children. While looking for safety apparel for my own kids, I noticed a huge gap in the market and decided to fill it. I combined the high-visibility safety colors that are suggested by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) for construction and traffic workers with large, light-reflective images designed with children in mind. A singular stripe or small logo is boring, but I knew my kids would be excited to wear a bright pink shirt with a mermaid on it or a bright orange shirt with dinosaurs. The combination of color and reflection resulted in a product that can be used to keep kids safe day and night: in big crowds, riding bikes, even chasing the rogue ball down the driveway.
Currently, we have a handful of designs for our safety shirt, but I am looking forward to expanding our product offerings and designs in the near future.
What were you like growing up?
As I mentioned earlier, I have always been a creative and entrepreneur at heart. I made shoes out of paper, cut up my own blankets to make quilts for my baby dolls, and tried to sell crayon-colored rocks to passersby in my front yard- my first entrepreneurial attempt. If I wasn’t playing outside or in the gym practicing gymnastics and competitive cheerleading, you could find me drawing, painting, or attempting some kind of DIY project.
I am truly a product of my parents. My dad is an incredible artist and had his own graphic design business. My mom has the most amazing work ethic and taught me that girls can do anything. Growing up under the influence of my parents shaped me into exactly who I needed to be to start this business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vividkidclothing.com
- Instagram: @vividkidclothing
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/vividkidclothing
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/abbielopez
