This Bagong Nanay chose to let go of her six-digit job so she can make comfy, oversized tees for toddlers, inspired by her son.
Hi, Bagong Nanay!
Nakapahinga ka na ba from Halloween parties and Undas? Nakakapagod, lalo na pag may toddler ka!
I’m so happy to share the Bagong Nanay Biz story of Mommy Patrice Gonzales, a toddler mom and the owner of Toddlerist apparel. I just met this mama online and instantly nag-click kami because she’s so authentic and inspiring.
So when she started Toddlerist in July, there’s no doubt that her products – oversized shirts for toddlers and caps for grown-ups – talagang I believed it’s going to be loved by Bagong Nanays and their toddlers!
In her story, Mommy Pat shares how she left her six-digit job to pursue this business so that she can also be the kind of mom she hopes to be for her son.
Read on, until the end, because may exclusive promo for Bagong Nanays!
Bagong Nanay Biz: Toddlerist by Patrice Gonzales
The Bagong Nanay behind Toddlerist
I’m Patrice Gonzales, 31 years old, a first-time mom to an almost two-year-old boy, and an Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) graduate. I started my career in the field before eventually shifting to e-commerce, where I found new opportunities to grow my skills and explore my passion for business.
“We wanted to make sure na hindi lang cute ang designs namin, but comfortable din suotin ng mga toddlers.”
Patrice Gonzales of Toddlerist
The inspiration behind Toddlerist
My little boy was my biggest inspiration! I’ve always loved shopping for his clothes, especially from international brands like Zara and H&M. At some point, I thought, “Why not create my own brand?”
Owning a brand had always been a dream of mine, and becoming a mom gave that dream a whole new meaning. With my background in e-commerce and my growing love for dressing up my little one, I felt that it was the perfect time to take a chance on myself and finally bring that dream to life.
“One of my biggest dreams is yung one day, nasa mall kami tapos bigla na lang kaming makakakita ng toddler wearing Toddlerist, just like how we see other well-known clothing brands. Yung mapapasabi ka na lang ng, ‘Wow, tayo ‘yun ah!’”
– Patrice Gonzales, Toddlerist
That’s how Toddlerist started. It’s a brand inspired by my love for my son and my vision of creating stylish, comfortable, and affordable clothes for Filipino toddlers.
The struggles as a mompreneur
One of our biggest struggles when starting Toddlerist was finding the right fabric. Gusto namin ng fabric na breathable, comfortable, at bagay sa climate natin dito sa Philippines, without compromising on quality and affordability. It took time to find the right one because we wanted to make sure na hindi lang cute ang designs namin, but comfortable din suotin ng mga toddlers.
As for the business, we’re really happy with how Toddlerist is doing so far! Slowly, we’re gaining recognition, and nakakatuwa rin na napapansin na kami ng different influencers. Seeing people appreciate and support something that we started from scratch is such a rewarding feeling. Nakakaproud makita na unti-unti naming naaabot yung mga goals namin.
Of course, we know na marami pa kaming kailangang gawin and we’re willing to work harder to reach more Grown Ups and their little ones. One of my biggest dreams is yung one day, nasa mall kami tapos bigla na lang kaming makakakita ng toddler wearing Toddlerist, just like how we see other well-known clothing brands. Yung mapapasabi ka na lang ng, “Wow, tayo ‘yun ah!”
For me, that’s one of the most fulfilling milestones a small business owner can experience, yung makita mong lumalaki na yung brand mo and people are wearing and loving something you created.
Malayo na kami, pero malayo pa! We’re grateful for how far we’ve come, and we’re excited to keep growing and making Toddlerist known to more Filipino families.
What moms say about Toddlerist and what support they need
Some of the feedback we receive from our customers includes, “Release more designs, please!”, “My toddler loves his tee!” and “Breathable, and I super love the fabric!”
Honestly, as someone who naturally wants to make people happy, these messages mean so much to me. They brighten my day and make me feel proud of what we’re building with Toddlerist. Knowing that other moms love our products and that their little ones enjoy wearing them makes all the hard work worthwhile.
“Sometimes, choosing a different path doesn’t mean giving up. It means finding what works best for you and your family.”
Patrice Gonzales of Toddlerist
The biggest support we need right now is word-of-mouth recommendations from fellow moms. We want more families to discover Toddlerist and experience our products for themselves. We work hard to keep our tees affordable without compromising on quality, so every recommendation from a mom who genuinely loves our products helps us reach more families and grow our little brand.
3 tips for moms who want to start a biz
Yes, I would definitely recommend it, especially to moms who have a genuine passion for something they want to pursue. Starting a business allows you to discover a new side of yourself, build something of your own, and potentially have more flexibility with your time. But I also believe that entrepreneurship isn’t necessarily easier than having a regular job. It comes with its own set of challenges, responsibilities, and sacrifices.
Personally, I used to earn a six-digit monthly income for five years, but I eventually decided to let go of my job. Balancing work, motherhood, and building Toddlerist became overwhelming, especially as I struggled with postpartum anxiety and felt that I could no longer give my best to everything at once. My mind was constantly divided between my job, my business, and my responsibilities as a mom.
I realized that my job had become my biggest source of stress, so I chose to step away and prioritize my well-being. It wasn’t an easy decision, but so far, we’re making things work. I’ve become more at ease, and my anxiety has eased as well. It taught me that sometimes, choosing a different path doesn’t mean giving up. It means finding what works best for you and your family.
For moms who want to start their own business, here are my three tips:
1. Master time management, but give yourself grace.
As a mompreneur, your time is divided between your children, your household, and your business. Planning your day and setting priorities are essential, but remember that not every day will go according to plan. Learn to adjust and give yourself room to breathe.
2. Be prepared to put in the work, even beyond business hours.
Entrepreneurship involves a lot of planning, research, decision-making, and sometimes unpaid overtime, especially when you’re just starting. You need patience, energy, and a willingness to learn along the way. There will be days when you feel like you’re doing so much behind the scenes, but consistency matters.
3. Make sure you’re ready for the journey, not just the idea.
It’s exciting to dream about having your own business, but the reality also involves uncertainty, setbacks, and difficult decisions. Before taking the leap, be honest with yourself about your goals, priorities, resources, and emotional readiness. You don’t have to have everything figured out, but you need to be willing to keep learning and show up even when things get challenging. Start when you’re ready to commit to the process, not just when you’re excited about the possibility.
5. Any upcoming campaigns or promos for the Bagong Nanay community? Where can moms buy your products?
We just launched our third collection with four new designs! ✨
You can shop Toddlerist on Shopee and TikTok Shop, or order directly through Instagram or through this form. We also have an exclusive discount for the Bagong Nanay community! 💛
To enjoy this special offer, simply send us a message with “Hi Bagong Nanay!”
We’d love to welcome more moms and their little ones into the Toddlerist community. Thank you for supporting our growing small business. Every bit of love means so much to us!
Shop Toddlerist apparel on Shopee and TikTok Shop, or order directly through Instagram or through this form.
Are you a Bagong Nanay with a business? We’d love to feature you! Email me at judysantiagoaladin@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram.
