Interview with Julie Ekstrom, CEO
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: After the birth of my daughter in 2006, she started developing a diaper rash that wouldn’t go away and started to resemble more of a chemical burn than an actual rash. We quickly learned that her sensitive skin was reacting to the chemicals in the disposable diapers that are designed to make them absorbent. At this point, we knew we could not use disposable diapers any longer. The other diapering option out there meant going back to the original choice — cloth. Although this option was economical, chemical-free and the healthiest choice for our daughter, the cloth diapers on the market at that time were poorly designed and just not practical. I was determined to make cloth diapering work for us and started designing my own pattern for cloth diapers and sewing them for my daughter. As word spread, it was not long before baby stores were contacting us to place wholesale orders.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: In the early years, it was our exclusive, and now patented, design of the dual inner gusset leak prevention technology, which could only be found on Kanga Care cloth diapers. We have spent many years now listening to our customers and molding our products through their feedback, wants and needs. We are always moving forward and partner with other companies and brands in the juvenile industry that exposed our parents to new and exciting products. Our products have always been fashion forward and highly sought after. In 2015, we opened up relationships with Ju-Ju-Be diaper bags and Tokidoki for print licensing, which led to entire product lines selling out within hours of being launched.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I love the creative aspect on many levels. Product design would always take first place, as it is the new designs and innovative products that keep Kanga Care moving forward and meeting the needs of our growing families. I also love the social media side of things and interacting with our customers in such a direct and intimate setting.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Our biggest challenge is the growing pains of a business that is growing fast and has so much potential. More and more families are choosing to cloth diaper and we are like a speeding train trying to supply the world with enough product.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: We are one of the top three companies in the cloth diaper industry. We have been awarded the No. 1 cloth diaper by Baby Gear Labs. I think that most people are surprised to learn that we have a very small staff. We are located in Golden, and the day-to-day business is simply run by my husband and me. We ship to more than 96 countries.
Profile
Business: Kanga Care
Address:521 Violet St., Golden
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: 2007
Contact: 303-279-3864;
; @rumparooz
Employees: 9
