GirlGI | Girl Gone International Issue 9 | Page 127

How did Kinde Co. come about?
Anne | In 2014, I completed a volunteer program
with the Red Cross in the Philippines. It was a
life changing experience and I came to realise
I would only feel fulfilled if I pursued a career
where I was truly helping and adding value in
people’s lives. Kinde Co. has given me that
opportunity.
Mary | I came into this partnership with a fine
art and design degree and extensive fashion
retail experience. With two young boys aged
5 and 2, I felt there was no better time like the
present to set up a business giving me a work/
life balance and still do what I love.

How do you make your clothes
suitable for children who suffer
tactile defensiveness?
Mary | The garments are made to minimise and
remove irritations that cause anxiousness and
stress for both child and parent. Our efforts are
put into creating solutions that are kind to the
body as well as to Mother Nature.
Individuals who are hyper sensitive to touch
sensations may react in an aversive or negative
way towards certain tactile stimuli that most
people might not notice or even be bothered
by. Some of our solutions include printed labels
and wash instructions, seamless-feel construction techniques and easy to use closures such
as snap buttons for those who struggle with fine
motor skills.

What impact does your clothing have
on your customers?
Anne | Kinde Co. is much more than
the products we design and sell. Just imagine
your child being distraught and unmanageable
every time it comes to getting dressed. This is a
daily challenge for many parents. To a child who
is tactile defensive, wearing clothes is painful.
Having the right clothes can help a child relax
and focus on learning, playing and socialising.

We believe that when clothes fit and feel right it
opens up a sense of independence and
confidence.
Through our discussions with parents
involved in Autism support groups, we
discovered parents would resort to DIY home
tailoring to reduce their child’s clothing irritations. This included cutting tags, taping seams
and even wearing clothes inside out to avoid
seams. There is a lack of research and awareness of tactile defensiveness and part of our
campaign is to raise awareness, and expose the
daily struggle children go through.

Tell us about taking the leap and
deciding to become entrepreneurs.
Anne | I am currently working part time in
human resources and working on the business
every other day. Kinde Co. is my passion turned
profession. It’s hard work, and at times I struggle
to keep motivated but I’m learning new things
every day. It’s exciting and risky but that’s the
fun of being an entrepreneur.

What is a day in your office like?
Mary | Being in the very early stages of our business start-up, it’s all about validating and finding opportunities to share our business idea,
whether it’s a casual conversation with friends