There's a saying that goes ... “There are many things in life that will catch your eye but few that will catch your heart....choose those”.  This special thought has guided this month’s Macaroni Mom in Business, Katrina Griffis of Pink Koala Design.  “I found that saying when I was in high school, and it's stuck with me. Over the years, I've  wanted to "be" many things but becoming a designer was what my heart chose,” shares St. Mary’s County native, Katrina.   “As a teenager, I'd spend hours in my room sketching and designing. I originally wanted to be a bridal gown designer, but while in design school I discovered my passion was in designing accessories.”  Becoming a business owner was in her heart as well.  With her love for fashion design and a college degree in that field, Katrina launched her very own accessory business.  Pink Koala Design gives Katrina the freedom to express her personal design aesthetic and merchandise her fabulous accessory line to the modern family.
 
Much of Katrina’s inspiration for her products comes from her personal family experiences.  She and her husband Mike are parents to Cameron, their two-year old little blessing.  Katrina struggled for three emotional years trying to conceive until she and Mike went through a stressful IVF process.  “Having Cameron gave me new perspective about my business and the products I design. My husband and I use all of my products, and I work hard to develop new items out of a missing need that I experience as a parent.”  Pink Koala Design creates and manufactures stylized accessories for travel, storage, comfort and convenience.  “We feature products such as diaper bags, infant and toddler blankets, bibs, burp cloths, changing stations and much more!  Being a parent helps me develop attractive quality products that serve multiple functions,”  shares Katrina. Like her creative Pink Koala logo (her favorite color and animal) Katrina likes the unexpected and unusual … a theme you will find reflected in her popular fabric choices.

On a personal level, Katrina has had to make difficult choices when finding balance as a business owner, mother, wife AND full-time employee with the government.  “Organization is extremely important in helping me prioritize my goals for the day.  I do my best to focus on the task at hand … whatever that might be at the time.  But I have a two year-old and most times his needs trump my business needs.  I also have a great husband providing me the support I need and helping me parent our son. Mike’s support allows me to spend the time necessary to focus on my design business. My days are full and always involve work, family and Pink Koala. But I'm blessed to have a good day job and a great support system at home that helps me pursue my dreams.”  Of special note, this past year Pink Koala Design participated in an Invitation Only Celebrity Gifting in Hollywood, CA.  “That was a dream come true. Pink Koala Design products have been featured on several popular blogs (Celebrity Baby Scoop and Tots Trends Weekly) and have been seen in OK Magazine. Since then I've been working to establish Pink Koala Design's brand by re-designing my logo, revamping the website, adding some exclusive fabrics, and by developing more multifunctional and sustainable products.”  As her dream grows so does her outreach … Katrina’s designs can be found in several local stores as she expands her retail avenues.

Pursing her dream is not risk free.  Katrina mentions there are times of frustration and times of great challenge.  “I make luxury items and getting customers on board is not easy especially when the economy is down. I work hard educating potential buyers that great quality handmade products last longer than and -- in the long run-- cost less than items purchased from a discount store. There is great quality and creativity found in handmade products … they are truly unique, special and hard to find in big box department stores.”

Katrina works hard to make a difference in her home town.  As her local business grows, jobs will be created!  She hopes to hire local expert seamstresses to keep her production line moving full steam ahead.  And her love of vintage fabrics allows her to “upcycle” the material which keeps unneccesary textile waste out of our local landfills.  Pink Koala Design keeps our environment beautiful too!  

Looking for a unique and quality handmade parenting accessory for your family or to give as a gift this holiday season?  Click here to visit Pink Koala Design and to shop Katrina’s creative accessory line.  “I encourage others to follow their passion, as have,” Katrina smiles, “ … it makes for a more fulfilling life.”  Now that’s advice from the heart.