Parenting Tips
|July 13, 2018
Mompreneur Spotlight: Rachel Nilsson of RAGS
Meet Rachel Nilsson, the cool mom of three behind the stylish, oh-so-wearable snapless rompers otherwise known as RAGS. She couldn’t find cute, functional one-pieces that were easy to put on her boys, and that’s how RAGS was born. Rachel’s authentic approach to design and motherhood makes her a perfect candidate for our Mom Entrepreneur Spotlight series, which features inspiring women in business and how they balance it all.
Munchkin: Can you tell us about your family?
Rachel Nilsson: I am married to my best pal and we have three amazing boys. Lennon is 9, Holden is 7, and Harrison just turned 5. We are an active bunch and love spending time outdoors. We love to camp in our adventure-mobile (we built out a van into a camper) and ride mountain bikes with friends. In the winter, we love skiing and snowboarding.
MCK: Tell us a little about your business.
RN: We are a limited-edition children’s clothing brand that focuses on fashion and function. Our hero product is a super soft one-piece romper without the snaps. We have a patent-pending elastic neckline for easy on/off. Each design is limited and we release new pieces at least once a week.
MCK: When did you start RAGS?
RN: May 2014
MCK: What was your inspiration for starting your business?
RN: I have three little boys. I noticed early on there was nothing cool or stylish for boys, and on top of that, nothing was functional. I loved the idea of a one-piece but all the ones that were selling were not my style and I hated the hassle of the snaps. So I made my own and turns out thousands of moms felt the same way as I did.
MCK: What has been your biggest struggle so far as a business owner?
RN: Trying to keep up with demand. I know that is a great struggle to have, but it is a tricky balance and sometimes hard to navigate. Trying to pump the brakes so we don’t grow too fast while also keeping things “healthy” is somewhat of a struggle.
MCK: What is your biggest win or most successful moment so far?
RN: Early on we were featured in Huffington Post, Vogue, Forbes, and aired on NBC’s hit show Shark Tank. All of those things were super exciting and surreal, but I think the coolest ongoing moment is surrounding myself with amazing team members and vendors and watching how RAGS has changed their lives financially. I think it is really cool to have something that can provide a healthy living for those I care about. It is also very rewarding to see all the jobs we have created all over the world. I would have never thought that with a simple idea I could help so many people with not only great product, but also amazing jobs.
MCK: Did becoming a mom change how you run or operate your business?
RN: The whole reason I started this company was because I was a mom who was solving a problem. I wanted cool, comfy clothing for my toddler that was functional. The Rag fit the bill. Being a mom and a business owner has its challenges but it is also incredibly rewarding. I think moms are amazing multitaskers who react well under pressure, and it’s really cool to have my kids see their mom work hard and live her dream.
MCK: What has been the most rewarding part of becoming a mom?
RN: Experiencing unbelievable unconditional love. No one can prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood. It is hard but in the best way.
MCK: What is your biggest challenge as a mom?
RN: Not being able to be with my kids all the time is tough. I struggle with major mom guilt, which is so lame, but I have come to accept it. I think another, probably more common challenge is also being okay with not being perfect. Realizing that kids are resilient and hoping they know I love them more than anything in this world and I am going to make mistakes. Perfect parenting is impossible.
MCK: What is the best advice you can give to other mothers who want to become entrepreneurs but haven’t yet?
RN: Do it! There is never a convenient time to start. The hardest and scariest thing to do is jump, but you will never know what could have been if you never get started.
Love RAGS and the story behind it? Keep up with Rachel and her limited-edition designs here: