Meet Maria Motta | Children’s book illustrator & Business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Motta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

We are all about wearable illustrations that come to life with digital creative materials, encouraging kids to use their imagination and motor skills in positive ways, but we are also all about giving back. By giving back we mean to provide kids from vulnerable populations, with creative tools and books that tell stories based on the design in our designs.

Our goal for 2022, is to start donating books that include all the creative packets, that are provided with a Twibbles item, and a short story in the form of a children’s book.

We want to establish brand awareness by starting relationships with non-profit organizations and libraries to donate books to kids in vulnerable situations.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Twibbles started as a baby accessories brand, that with time, transformed into a babies and toddlers apparel brand, encouraging creativity in kids, through the designs on our fabrics, providing them with a creative packet in each product through a QR code where they can bring to life the design, through activity pages, fun facts, etc.

Twibbles started, because I wasn’t in love with all the gender neutral options that were out there. Everything was very yellow, very gray, beige or this pastel green that is not a favorite. So I created one illustration of a circus, that became the base for my son’s nursery, the birth announcement became a fabric pattern, that later became bibs, a crib comforter and wall decor. I had no idea how to create seamless patterns, and learned with online videos, I’m a professional illustrator so it was easier for me to take on a new creative path. One thing led to another and 6 months later I’m painting like crazy, creating more designs, and sewing bibs and swaddles.

I started going to craft fairs, and selling through etsy, and other products were requested. Fast forward one year, I started producing T-shirts, onesies, baby blankets, puzzles, a coloring book, etc. Things are coming together nicely! Enter, 2020… everything fell behind. I’m at home, waiting for a production to be launched in October, and this production wasn’t even halfway done. It’s all good, there’s more things to do.. got the website going, instagram, creative packets, tried to get everything ready for when I received the products… 2021 is here, and with it, Twibbles!

Being a creative professional is pretty great and makes the journey easy, but the business part is the challenge: the numbers, the legalities, the taxes, the prices. However, the resources out there for small businesses are amazing for when you are building from the ground up.

Now, seeing how my customers love Twibbles makes all those challenges worth the time.

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.
I’m from Colombia, so this is an international recommendation. If you are in that area, arrive in Cartagena, stop by the walled city, have a drink in Juan del mar Restaurant, and have dinner in El Santisimo, relax on the beach in Playa Blanca, and hang out downtown. Then take a flight to Bogota, go to downtown, have a cup of hot chocolate with cheese and a tamal in La Puerta Falsa, visit La Candelaria, La Macarena and Monserrate, Museo del Oro (Gold museum), Casa de la moneda (Botero Museum) and head over to Usaquen, in the North part of the city, have a bite to eat en Andres d.c. and visit its famous Sunday Flea Market. Go to the Catedral de Sal (Salt Cathedral), Explore Parque 93, Laguna de Guatavita (Lake Guatavita) and last but not least, spend a night in Villa de Leyva.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Like any other mom, I dedicate my successes to my kids… It’s cheesy, and expected, I guess, but if it wasn’t for Benjamin, my first kid, I wouldn’t have started my business, and if it wasn’t for Angela, my second kid, I wouldn’t have been able to find strength and drive to keep working on it. But in all certainty, if it wasn’t for my mom, I wouldn’t have my discipline and commitment. If it wasn’t for my brother, I wouldn’t have the guts to jump on new opportunities. If it wasn’t for my husband, I wouldn’t have the support system for all my crazy ideas and projects. They all make me who I am, and push me to fulfill my dreams.

Website: www.twibbl.es

Instagram: @twibblesbaby

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamottaillustration/

Image Credits
I have the rights for the images I provided