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

Hi Amanda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I began creating my business during covid, after having my 4th child. My baby was just a few weeks old and I found myself online shopping, a lot! Things that caught my eye at the time were like those mom brand shops. I liked shirts that had little clever sayings like, “Tired as a motha” or “Ain’t no hood like motherhood”. Everything was so relatable, but not quite my style.

I would always tell my husband about ideas I had for shirts designs or tell him things I would change on something I seen that wasn’t my style to make it my style. He finally asked me why don’t I create my own stuff? I remember him telling me, “if all fails, you’ll just have a lot of shirts for yourself!”.

From there, I literally just jumped in! Which now, I feel was not a wise choice! Hahaha But, maybe it was for me and what I needed to get the ball rolling. I wrote down a couple name ideas and had my husband help me pick one. Right away he said yes to Misfit Momma. I immediately created my LLC, signed up and applied for some permits and other stuff I thought I needed to do. I wanted to do things legit and did all this stuff right off the bat.

Sometimes I wish I would of taken some more time to plan things out a little more and do my research. Recently, I took some classes that helped me out a lot. It would of been great to take those first! But, here we are, and I am constantly learning!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sometimes I have a hard time trying to “explain” my brand. What originally started out as a type of alternative mom clothing brand just ended up turning into an assortment of stuff I like. From screen printed apparel (which we are currently learning to do ourselves from start to finish!) to accessories like unique sunglasses, earrings, hair accessories and original art stickers. Depending on the season, We’ll add hoodies, shorts, funky leggings or joggers. I’m proud of it all!

Funny thing, I took a business fashion class and used my business throughout the class for all my projects. One of my assignments was “What is your niche?”. I explained and went over my business in this assignment. However, according to this whole business thing, you NEED a certain niche which you specialize in or specific audience you aim to sell too. Because my audience was too broad, I technically wasn’t doing things right. So, im guessing, professionally, I’m far from where I need to be!

In my head however, this is my brand, my name, my ideas. Why do I have to aim at selling JUST to moms? If I like a design, I put it out. If I come up with something, I put it out even if it isn’t “mom” aimed. I have all kinds of people come to events that like my ideas, and what I’m about. So many times, I’ve wanted to just throw in the towel because it is so so hard to get my business going smoothly while juggling mom/wife/”stay at home” life with 4 kids, and 1 those being a teenager now, while the other 3 are 7 and under. And, when I go to these events (specifically punk shows) they stop by and tell me how much they love my brand and my booth. Even if they don’t buy anything, just hearing some of the compliments is more than enough. It’s an awesome feeling and I’m not even close to were I want to be yet. Everyday is a challenge. And, the challenge is with myself most of the time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ha! I’m not sure about my area. I live in whittier, which actually seems to have a ton of small and hole in the wall places that look amazing. From restaurants and cafes to small shops, like thrift stores and boutiques. So much around me! Yet, it is so hard to get out and explore places on my own or even with my husband. Our free time is always together. When we do have a chance to do anything together, we prefer to get away as far as we can, like Ireland! We love it there. But, if someone was visiting like a close friend or cousin, the go to place are concerts or music festivals!! It can be local or even out of state! We love to travel. After we will usually eat street food after like tacos and hot dogs or pizza depending on the area were in! To us, that’s a good time!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If it wasn’t for my husband, I would have never started this venture. He is the one that pushed me to get this started and my financial support of course! Especially with him running his own electrical business while I care for the kids and everything else in between, it was for sure a risk!

Our kids love going to our events with us! Sometimes, the hours are just too long and that’s when grandma steps in. She is always able to help watch them when we have set up days/hours. Sometimes, my mom will even attend our events for a few hours, and take them all home so tear down and clean up is smooth. Grandma to save the day… many days actually!

Last but not least! My older sister, Sophie. Even though she is family, so has never asked for anything for free or felt entitled to anything just because she is my sister. She was the first one to buy from my site when I opened it briefly. She has attended an event to give support and shop. Sometimes she will randomly message me and ask what I have or what’s new and buy it. I always tell her, just give me whatever. She knows the effort I put in my brand and pays the listed price. Especially with me being a mom of 4, she knows I have my hands full. And, is always there for support. She always has been, no matter what I’m dabbling in!

Instagram: @misfitmomma_clothingco

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