Name:
Tara Figotin
How your clients refer to you:
Tara (sometimes people see me and introduce me as “miss Sunshine”)
Company:
Contact info:
Ph. (212) 929.0887; email: tara@mylittlesunshinenyc.com
How many years have you been in business in NYC?
Its will be 6 years in September.
How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?
I was living in west Chelsea for years and always found myself running all over the place to buy things for my then three year old son and gifts for his friends. I kept thinking to myself that the neighborhood was really in need of a children’s store. I watched Chelsea change before my eyes. I knew that all of the young families moving in would appreciate not having to leave the neighborhood when having to buy something for their kids. Of course, my own little sunshines were my initial inspirations to get into this business.
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
We carry hand-picked merchandise that isn’t found everywhere and we are always looking for new and original items in all categories: clothing, toys, books and accessories. And we even offer haircuts-all under one roof.
We like to consider ourselves a modern-day mom and pop shop. It is important to us to have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for both parents and children by reflecting our own personal style in the store.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Similar to the answer right above, we carry original, quality merchandise that is not easily found. We put huge efforts into the buy and curation of the merchandise and do our very best to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will make the shopping experience a joyous one.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
We want shopping at MLS to be a joyous and organic experience, and we hope our warm and welcoming store will inspire moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents …and especially our children …to come back to us, to touch, to feel and to play while shopping instead of clicking on an ipad or computer to complete the task. We hope we contribute to keeping the brick and mortar shopping experience alive and enjoyable.
What is your favorite part of your job? Oh, where do I start?
I would have to say first, seeing the little ones LOVE coming into the store, full of excitement to see our hairstylist, a new toy, or a cute dress. I have kids that come say hi to me almost daily because they simply enjoy being in the store. And I love those that can’t wait to get their lollipops. Their genuine excitement is heart warming.
My second favorite part of my job is shopping for the store. It is so much fun shopping for kids clothing. Everything they make that small is just too cute. What vendors make now for kids is so unbelievable. If I had a dollar for every time I heard… “Oh, I wish they made that in my size!” I could probably retire. But it is so true. The fashion for kids now is incredible. I, too, want it all in my size!
How do you benefit mamas?
I think I benefit moms by being a mommy of two myself. I know what the needs/joys are for kids and for mamas and try to provide them with just that…
Pay it forward and name your top colleagues in the same field or related field:
Yoya and Tricofield are my favorite specialty stores in the NYC children’s business.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
There are so many! Here are a few:
What you put in is what you get
Do it with passion or not at all
Don't sweat the little things
Live, love and laugh
Family is everything
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
No matter how many time-saving tricks you may have (if that even really exists), moms will never really have enough time. You’ll always wish there were more hours in the day. Its so easy to get caught up in all of the work and chores of a mom, and we all know that being a mom is the hardest job in the world. But we also know that there is nothing better than being a mom so when we get caught up in all the work and chores, we should stop and think about just that.
I feel so lucky and am so thankful for being busy doing all of the things I am most passionate about, my work at My Little Sunshine, being a wife to the love of my life, and most of all, being a mom to my Little Sunshines. We just have to learn to stop every now and then and enjoy the small moments.