Name:
Cristina Villegas
Company:
Yoya
Contact info:
Email: info@yoyanyc.com, ph. (646) 336-6844
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
14 and counting!
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
My initial inspiration was my first daughter, Mila. About a year after she was born, I realized that the interesting and well-made clothing I wanted really wasn’t available in New York. I wanted to create a place where moms like me could find the best clothing, accessories and gadgets for their kids.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
The shop really is an extension of me. I don’t buy based on what brands are popular or trending, I buy only what I like. So at times that means I skip a great brand for a season, but it’s important to me that Yoya’s brands tell a streamlined story and reflect my aesthetic. Everything in the shop should have a certain standard of design, quality, and imagination. I want to be ahead of the trends, not follow them!
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Yoya stands out because it’s a melting pot of ideas and design. My kids and my travels are constant inspirations. I love to discover new and beautiful things around the world, and I try to bring a bit of that to the shop. We also have an amazing team working here – we know the brands inside and out and are always ready to give advice or help in any way we can.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
Because Yoya has been in the West Village for so long, our clients feel a lot like family. I’m in the shop all the time and love to talk about being a parent – the funny, the amazing, and the difficult times of course! My clients impact me as much as I impact them – we’re constantly trading advice, stories, and trends.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Though it can be challenging, discovering new brands is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. Trade shows bring a lot of great designers to one place, but finding the hidden gems that don’t make it to the trade shows makes me so happy.
How do you benefit mamas?
Mamas get the benefit of my experience. I’m a mommy, too, and I know exactly what I wanted for my kids when they were little. I seek out the best products and bring them to Yoya. It’s definitely hard work to curate and sift through the fog of kids brands, but I love to do it and our clients love being able to find it all in one spot.
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field?
I want to give some love to Molo. There are so many things to love about the brand (one of our best-sellers to be sure!) Molo combines fresh design, a sense of humor, and super high-quality materials to make fun, interesting, and playful clothing for babies and older kids. It’s edgy and SUPER well-made. On top of all of that, Rhiannon (our fab sales rep who also happens to be VP of Molo US) is one of the kindest, most organized, on-top-of-her-game people that we work with. We absolutely love and admire her!
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
My mantra has always been: Pick your battles!
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I’m a New York mom and business owner, so my answer is exactly what you’d expect – answer your e-mails on the subway! I have four stops between home and Yoya, and I use them to their fullest every day.