We had the good fortune of connecting with Lolita Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lolita, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success would be staying relatable to my customers and audience. It helps me stay ahead of the curve and know what my customers enjoy and dislike about my products. Community is everything when it comes to my business being successful. Without them I would be nothing. The success of my brand has been to establish what my brand is and how it stands apart from similar businesses.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Lola’s Classic Babies started primarily making diaper cakes for friends and family and a niche was discovered. Listening to my customers and seeing where I can stand apart when it comes to other small baby businesses and the big corporations. My sole mission is to make the transition from child free life to baby filled easier. Working full-time from home is a challenge. With every success comes struggle! Being a mother and a wife is a job within itself. In the beginning, I also worked a full-time job to create a seed of revenue to start my brand. Trying to function fully on so little sleep was a huge hurdle, but I leaped. Once I narrowed it down by quitting the full-time job, getting people to see and support Lola’s Classic Babies became my ultimate goal! One obstacle I commonly came across was how the child’s grandmother made the same products like myself. So I continuously strive for originality while keeping the same traditional feel. Networking and letting people know who was behind the brand truly helped me grow. The love and support I received from my community has made the road just a little bit smoother. I specialize in original handmade unique baby accessories and ware. I’m known for my one of a kind diaper cakes and clutches. I’m most proud of staying true to myself and always making products I would use. Lola’s Classic Babies stands apart from your average grandmother with uncommon retro classic fabrics and designs. My success is in the details and every item is my design and style. I see myself in every piece I create. I keep true to originality by creating my patterns and fabric combinations. My inspiration stems from my struggles with motherhood along with seeing what my son Bastian finds cool in things I enjoyed as a child.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
With Austin it’s endless! What I love about this city is that there’s always something to do. I love the food truck scene along with the standing locations. I would definitely recommend B’s Kitchen! It’s one of my favorite food trucks along with Veracruz. If I’m trying to find something quick to eat and I can sit down; hands down would be Ramen Tatsu-Ya. If I wanted to get a little fancy, some great spots I like to visit are Barley Swine/Odd Duck, and Pitchfork Pretty they are go to date night spots for my husband and I. I absolutely love the art scene in Austin. There are so many murals around the city and great photo opts to highlight the artist, city and awesome background. The place I love to hangout and visit will be Something Cool Studio with J Muzacz and Carmen Regnal of The Mosaic Workshop. I’ve been lucky to work with them on a project and learn how to do mosaic.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to show love to the people who helped me get here and keep me going. Martha Diaz with Ambar Collective has helped me in so many ways when it comes to branding and helping me find what my mission should look like visually. She also helped me get started doing markets that grew my business to another level. This also led me to other connections with Lucero Archuleta with Lucero Photography. Lucero has brought Lola’s Classic Babies to life and made me really think about my concept. I also met her through Frida Friday Atx. This market accepted me when no other market would when I first started out. I would like to thank TK Tunchez for giving my small business a chance and teaching me how to handle being at a market and how to choose the right ones for my growth. The community I developed in that time has changed my business in a big way. I wanted to give a big shout out to Ericka Emery with Dope Creatives and Black Makers Market for helping me convert my business to online. She developed my entire website and got me more in touch with the Black Community. Last but not least the people who are and have been on my team these past three years. Daniel Gonzalez is my rock when it comes to the heart of Lola’s. He is my production manager and many other things to help keep us going. Alexa Atkinson helped me build my social media presence and showed me how to present myself for my customers to find me relatable. Denise Garza has been my little trooper for helping me during markets and photoshoots. Anything I need or can’t complete she has been there. Jonna Black with Hive-light Candles helped me with my website process coming in at the nick of time to do the final touches. She also kept hosting me at her amazing markets Drifters and Seekers that were all my demographic. I would like to also shoutout to my customers that have supported me always; along with my community. I wouldn’t be anywhere without the love and support I’ve received from these individuals.
Website: www.lolasbabies.com
Instagram: @lolas_babies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lolasbabies
Image Credits
Lucero Archuleta – Photographer/Lucero Photography Alix Davidson – Women’s Clothing/Rat Des Champs La Tonya Jackson – Hairstylist/ Exquisite World Mahogany Jackson- Makeup Artist/Makeup By MJ Kate – Children Clothing/ Jowa Shop Tiffany Machnic – Children Clothing/ Evelyn Jaymes Collection