Interview With Marlo Moleski, President of Lucky Me Tee

(www.bizchicksrule.com) — Lucky Me Tee is a new line of tanks, tees, and sweatshirts geared ust for moms. President and creator Marlo Moleski is both a savvy business woman and a proud mom. We sat down to get to the heart of her company, and her life.

Kristen, Biz Chicks Rule: Tell us about your background.

Marlo Moleski, Lucky Me Tee: From when I was a young girl I always loved fashion and I would always look through fashion magazines. I graduated from High School a year early so with that extra year I took classes in New York City at F.I.T and the Arts Students League. After taking classes I decided to go to school for Art and Design. After I graduated from DuCret School of Art & Design in NJ, I started working for Arista Records in NYC. There I designed CD packaging, billboards, adds, posters, ect. After I got married I started working in NJ at Popular Club Catalogue as an Art Director. That is when you are in charge of the whole look and feel of the entire project from the photo shoot it self, to the lay out of the pages, to the overall design of the project. It is involved but it is great fun. After having my second child I decided to take a year off of work. My next job was at DePasquale Companies in Fairlawn, NJ.

At DePasquale we designed everything from small beauty magazines, to packaging, to billboards to point of purchase displays. I left there after I had my 3rd child in Oct. of 2006. It was not long after that when I came up with the idea for my line of shirts. I found whenever I was with 1 of my children people thought that was my only child, so I looked on-line for a shirt that said "Mommy of 3". I didn’t find anything so I decided to design one myself. After I started wearing my t-shirt I couldn’t go anywhere with people asking me where I got. So, I decided to print more and design a web-site to sell them. One thing lead to the next and now I am in 43 locations nation wide and our t-shirts were just featured on CBS in Atlanta on the "Better Mornings" show. I’m very excited about the future.

Kristen: What is the highest number your "Mommy of" design goes up to?

Marlo: For now, we go up to "Mommy of 5".

Kristen: So a mom can buy a t-shirt, a tank, a tote, and a hoodie. What products are next? Also, will you expand to other phrases that help tell a person’s story, like "I worked an 8 hour day"?

Marlo: We are always working on new designs and styles but I think next will be hats, nighties and some type of sweat pant, but it will have to be comfortable and stylish.

Kristen: Did you design the graphic yourself?

Marlo: Yes, I did the design of my shirts myself as well as my website.

Kristen: You have previously said, "Whatever is stylish, I want to keep up with it." Can you explain to us what makes your t-shirts so stylish?

Marlo: I think the over all look and feel of the shirt is stylish. From the design on the shirt, to the v-neck to the longer fitted body length. I just think it is different from the other "Mommy" shirts out there, it has a young fresh look to it.

Kristen: In almost every article about you or interview with you, it stresses that you’re from New Jersey. I’m a Jersey girl myself. What is the most "Jersey" thing about you?

Marlo: What is most Jersey about me…. I’m not to sure what is "Jersey" about me because I never lived anywhere else. I love New Jersey because it has everything in a close vicinity. We are close to New York City, we have the beaches, are close to skiing, we have farms and open land, it’s a great mix and we take full advantage of it. I also love the different seasons.

Kristen: What piece of advice would you give to new entrepreneurs?

Marlo: I would say that if you have an idea and you think it is really good, go for it. So many people have amazing ideas but never do anything with them. The only way to be successful is to try. I don’t believe there is ever the "right" time to start company, you have to just start out little by little and explore all avenues on your way to see what works for you. It is a lot of time and hard work but if you love it, it’s worth it.

Kristen: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Marlo: Actually, I would like to say that having your own company is a lot of work (especially with 3 kids) and without my family and friends I would not be able to grow like I am. They have been very supportive and encouraging especially my sister, my mother and my husband, and for that I am truly thankful.

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

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