• Main
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Editors
    • Meet the Bloggers
    • Press
    • FAQ
  • Magazine
    • Current Digital Issue
    • Past Digital Issues
    • Purchase Print Issue
    • Stockists
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Advertise
    • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Babiekins Magazine

A Trendsetting Magazine & Online Community For The Trendsetting Child + Parent

More Than a Play Mat. A Q+A with TOKI MATS

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

We chatted with Toki Mats Creator + Founder , Eli Yonas.
She’s the San Francisco based boss lady of @tokimats -a non-toxic padded play mats in gorgeous modern designs that make playtime easy! Eli gives the inside scoop on Toki Mats, motherhood, and more.

{Q} On your website it says ” Our mission was to find the safest materials without compromising on comfort. The foam we use is revolutionary – made from the sap tree, it is completely breathable, has just the right firmness, and is soft enough to make you want to cuddle up with your kids.” How and what was the process like for you to find the safest materials for Toki Mats? – for example material made from a sap tree?

{Eli}This was definitely the toughest – but most important – part of launching Toki. I spent a full YEAR researching manufacturers to find the absolute best materials available. I wouldn’t sell the play mat unless it met all the top needs for a mom: safe, easy to use, comfortable (and of course, stylish!) Ultimately, I found a unique foam that was made from natural latex (tree sap), that is just heaven!
{Q} Apart from Toki Mats, you work full time? (What is your Day-Job?)
Do you want to ever take Toki Mats full time? Also, what is one thing you wish someone would have told you about starting a business?
{Eli} Yes! I have two jobs- I work as a program manager at Facebook full time, and run Toki Mats during off hours (i.e., when I’m supposed to be sleeping). I do want to take Toki full time eventually, but we have a lot of growth to achieve for me to be in that position. I don’t have one thing I wish I would’ve known before starting Toki Mats, but I do wish fellow entrepreneurs, especially women, were more transparent with how they run their businesses behind the scenes. I eventually figured everything out, but it would’ve saved me some late nights 🙂
I’ve learned a ton in my “day jobs” that have set me up for success with Toki- hands down! From marketing, to finance, to sales- every step in my career has enabled me to build this business from scratch. I have BIG goals for both Toki, and my professional career, very excited!

{Q} What is your ultimate dream for your business and is there anything else in the works for Toki Mats (new products?)

{Eli} My ultimate dream is for Toki Mats to be both profitable and growing, to enable me to focus on the fun parts of the business: community, creativity, and strategy. I do have ideas for more products (not sharing just yet!), but they won’t be launched until later this year.

{Q} Between work, kids, business and life – how do you stay true to who you are. What do you do for “me” time…. and how do you juggle it all?
{Eli} Making sure that all of these aspects are a reflection of who I am from the start, means that when I focus on each one, they are a part of me, and not a distraction. I squeeze in “me” time whenever I am in between jobs/kids: carpool, commuting, even bathroom breaks lol. My husband and I split the family / house responsibilities which is a huge help as well. I do sacrifice sleep though, and I need to better at considering sleep “me” time too!
{Q} Why do you think it’s so important to support the small business community? {Q} What is one of your biggest frustrations as a business owner?
{Eli} I absolutely LOVE the small business community. There are some fantastic entrepreneurs, moms especially, that band together and lift each other up. I’m so grateful for the connections I’ve made, and inspired by the talented women business owners! Most of the products created by small businesses are unique, special, and fit a market need. The frustrating part is being heard over the noise of big businesses. Marketing is definitely tough- I want every parent that needs a Toki play mat to be able to discover us, but we have work to do!

{Q} Biggest reward?

{Eli} The customer reviews *insert crying emoji*! Nothing fills my cup as much as a parent who’s life we made easier and more playful.
{Q} What does a typical working day look like for you?
{Eli} Wake up to the morning rush of getting our kids to school, carpooling with my husband (shoutout to my equal partner!), commuting, focused on my day job until evening, commuting again, evening rush of getting our kids fed/bathed/sleep (jk they don’t sleep), then back to the computer!
{Q} What is one thing you couldn’t live with out?
{Eli} Is it nerdy to say my night guard? Just trying to keep it real 🙂

For more information on Toki Mats , you can visit tokimats.com ! Or on Instagram here: @tokimats .

Photography by : Rachel Fox @0utsidetheboxfox 

Location : The FolkandFlora Farm

Filed Under: Family, Interiors Tagged With: #babiekinsmag, #changingthefaceofbeauty, #childhooddevelopment, #downsyndrome, #momsinbusiness, #shopsmall, #smallbusiness, #tokimats #tokimat, #womeninbusiness, babiekinsmagazine, childhood, home decor, home interiors, inclusion, interiors, kid-friendly home decor, momlife, motherhood, play, Playmats, playtime Posted By: Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor

Featurekins // Wonderfully Made

By Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor Leave a Comment

W O N D E R F U L L Y   M A D E ……

Wonderfully Made Clothing Co.  is in the Babiekins spotlight this week! We are thrilled to share a special interview with Andrea Edmonds, founder of Wonderfully Made Clothing Co.  a new brand that shares our love of INCLUSION in the fashion industry.

Here at Bakiekins Magzine , inclusion in children’s fashion industry is very important to us.  We believe that children of all ethnicity, shapes , sizes , and different abilities have a very important place in fashion, the arts, entertainment, and in media.  We get to know Andrea better and learn more about the inspiration behind her brand, Wonderfully Made.

ANDREA EDMONDS || Founder and Creator of Wonderfully Made Clothing Co.-

 

Andrea , what was your inspiration behind Wonderfully Made Clothing Co.?

“I started Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. because of the clothing challenge that my daughter faced. She began sizing out of our favorite lines at an early age, and her clothing options were very limited. I wanted her to look age appropriate and not have to jump into adult sizing in elementary school. I soon realized that other girls shared Ruthie’s struggle and that there is a void in the market for quality clothing in our size niche.Our name, Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. and our crown logo define our brand. My daughter Ruthie has Down syndrome. When she was born and the nurse placed her in my arms, I thought about Psalm 139:14…for you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I knew that she was “wonderfully made” regardless of a diagnosis. She was our perfect baby girl, and I prayed that she would know that she is wonderfully made just as all children are. Our crown serves as a reminder to all girls that our identity isn’t found in what our culture defines as perfection but it is rooted in God’s image of perfection, which is ALL girls regardless of size or any other outward characteristic. It’s up to us adults to reflect which image of perfection they see.

Our sizing is unique because it works for most body types. Our fit is more generous, so some girls have to size down a couple of sizes. We’ve worked hard to create sizing that allows all girls to have access to quality clothing that is age appropriate.

 

What makes your clothing so unique for young girls of all abilities? 

“Our designs, fit and fabrics give girls clothing that they can feel confident in. Before I started our line, I would have to put double layers under Ruthie’s clothing because most of the knits were too thin. She was so uncomfortable. Our knits are the perfect weight, and they are so soft. Our pieces were created to be versatile and to last through many occasions. Both the woven collection as well as the knit collection transition easily through the seasons by adding a long sleeve on cooler days. They are also easily paired with both shorts and leggings.”

 

How do you hope your clothing line changes the Children’s Fashion Industry? 

“I hope Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. will make all girls visible to the fashion industry. Most of the girls we see as brand reps and in advertising have similar body types because most children/tween clothing lines do not accommodate all girls. We are seeing a greater push towards inclusive advertising, but this doesn’t always represent all body types. We are all shaped differently. Some girls face challenges because of a medical diagnosis that slows down their metabolism, or they may simply be going through a growth spurt. Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. fills a void in the fashion industry by creating designs in fresh sizing that works for all girls.” – Andrea Edmonds . Founder/Creator of Wonderfully Made Co.

 

For more information about Wonderfully Made Clothing Co. , please visit their website wonderfullymadeclothingco.com or on Instagram @wonderfullymade_clothingco .

Babiekins Magazine || Wonderfully MadeBabiekins Magazine || Wonderfully MadeBabiekins Magazine || Wonderfully MadeBabiekins Magazine || Wonderfully Made
Babiekins Magazine || Wonderfully Made
Babiekins Magazine || Wonderfully Made
wm-seersucker-11-web
Babiekins Magazine || Wonderfully Made

 

 

 

Filed Under: Shop Tagged With: #babiekinsmag, #changingthefaceofbeauty, #differentlyabled, #diffrentlyabledmodels, #downsyndrome, #fashionkins, #specialneeds, #specialneedsmom, #wonderfullymadeco, Babiekins, Babiekins Magazine, children's style, childrens fashion, editorial, Fashion, fashion kids, fashion magazine, girls fashion, kids, kids editorial, kids fashion, kids fashion magazine, kids magazine, kids style, style, summer Posted By: Rachel Fox Kipphut, Contributor


Start Exploring!

  • DIY
  • Editorials
  • Editors’ Lifestyle
  • Farm + Homesteading
  • Features
  • Food
  • Hey Pretty Mama
  • Homeschooling
  • Interiors
  • Kids’ Parties
  • Street Style
  • Travel


























































Archives

ABOUT

  • Our Story
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact

ADVERTISE

  • Media Kit

MAGAZINE

  • Current Digital
  • Past Digital
  • Print
  • Stockists

CONTRIBUTE

  • Submit Work

Copyright © 2021 · Babiekins Magazine | A Trendsetting Kids' Fashion Magazine and Online Community for Parents and Children Alike · Since the Southern California birth of Babiekins in 2010, the magazine has grown from into an internationally-recognized print publication with a global circulation and now a thriving online community. We are more than a kids’ fashion magazine. We search everywhere for inspiration, and go beyond trends to bring you fashion, style, decor, design, books, DIY, parties, and playthings. Our readers look to us to keep up with the best and most up-to-date concepts in the children’s market worldwide. We have an eye for quirk. We’re high-fashion, but we value whimsy over tradition. Playful childhood is more important to us than making kids into copycat adults. We believe life is beautiful, life is valuable, and life changes when you see it through the eyes of a child. We seek to transcend skin color, language and zip codes and bring out the real, wild, magical creativity inherent in every child. And behind Babiekins is an optimistic team of mothers-turned-editors, working from home, often with our own little babiekins climbing on, under and around the desks. We want to encourage you, and challenge you to see something different — something special — in yourself and in this world we all share. Welcome to Babiekins!

Privacy | Terms of Use