I’d love to start by having you share the Pedal story – what’s the inspiration behind Pedal?
You know, this whole journey started because of our family’s background in clothing manufacturing. We’ve actually been in the garment industry for over 30 years – we own our factories and everything. But it was really when we became parents ourselves that we noticed something missing in boys’ clothing.

We kept thinking, ‘Why is it so hard to find boys’ clothes that are both well-made AND comfortable?’ I mean, as parents, we wanted quality pieces that could look polished when needed, but as anyone with boys knows, they have to be comfortable or they just won’t wear them!

So we thought, ‘Hey, we know fabrics, we know manufacturing – why don’t we create something that solves this problem?’ That’s how Pedal was born. But here’s what really helped shape us: we were fortunate enough to partner with a veteran children’s wear salesman who became an incredible mentor to us. Their decades of experience and deep understanding of what retailers and families really need has been absolutely invaluable in guiding our vision.

Together, we focused on using really good materials and designing clothes that boys actually want to wear, but that can also look put-together when needed. It’s kind of like a ‘best of both worlds’ situation – the kids are happy because they’re comfortable, and parents are happy because their kids look great and the clothes actually last

As a mom yourself, I’d love to hear how that perspective influences what you look for in children’s clothing and how it shapes Pedal’s approach to kidswear.

Being a mom has completely shaped how I think about children’s clothing. When you’re actually dressing your kids every morning, dealing with their complaints about scratchy tags or stiff fabrics, and trying to get them out the door looking presentable – that’s when you really understand what matters in kids’ clothes.

I’ve been in those everyday moments where my son refuses to wear something because it’s uncomfortable, or I’ve been frustrated seeing a nice piece of clothing fall apart after just a few washes. These real experiences directly influence how we approach design at Pedal. We think about things like: Will this fabric feel soft against sensitive skin? Can a child put this on themselves? Will these seams hold up during playground adventures?

We also understand the parent’s perspective of wanting our kids to look put-together without creating morning battles over clothing. That’s why we focus on pieces that look polished but feel as comfortable as pajamas. Every design decision comes from this dual perspective of being both a manufacturer and a mom – we know the technical side of creating quality clothing, but we also truly understand what makes both parents and kids happy in their everyday lives.

One thing our community always asks about is our fabric selection. Could you share a bit about how we choose materials that can keep up with all the running, jumping, and playing while still looking classic and adorable?

This is actually one of our biggest strengths, and it comes from a really unique position we’re in – we control our entire supply chain. This means we have direct access to and control over our fabrics and yarns from the very beginning, which lets us be incredibly selective about what we use.

Think about it like being able to pick the perfect ingredients for a recipe, rather than just buying what’s available at the store. Because we manage the whole process, we can choose the highest quality natural materials and be really picky about what makes it into our clothes. We lean heavily toward natural fibers and limit synthetic materials because we know they’re better for kids’ sensitive skin.

But it’s not just about selecting the right fabrics – it’s also about how we process them. Since we control the washing and treatment processes, we can ensure everything is done with children’s comfort in mind. We’ve developed specific techniques to make our fabrics super soft while maintaining their durability. We’re really particular about how we treat our materials to minimize any itchiness – because we all know how kids feel about scratchy clothes!

The result is clothing that can handle all the rough and tumble of playground adventures while still looking fresh enough for family photos. And most importantly, they’re clothes kids actually want to wear because they feel good against their skin.

What’s your favorite piece and why?

You know, our sweaters hold a special place in my heart, and I have a funny story that really shows why. My own kids – who are now 16 and 12 and have completely outgrown our Pedal size range – actually asked for these sweaters as Christmas presents in their sizes! Even my husband has been dropping hints about wanting a ‘dad version.’

I think that really speaks to what makes these sweaters special. They’re classic pieces, but there’s something about how they feel that makes everyone want to wear them. Living in California, we don’t deal with harsh winters, but we do have those cool mornings where you need just the right layer. These sweaters are perfect for that – they’re warm without being bulky, and they’re incredibly versatile. Kids can throw a jacket over them when it’s chilly in the morning, and when it warms up, the sweater alone is just right.

What I love most is that these sweaters represent exactly what we aimed for with Pedal – creating pieces that kids actually want to wear, that look polished, but are genuinely comfortable. The fact that my own family is asking for them years later tells me we got it right!

Before we wrap up, I know everyone would love a little hint about what’s coming next for Pedal in the Spring. Any hints you can share with us about whats coming? 

Oh, I’m really excited about spring! We’ve got some wonderful expansions coming that I think our Pedal families are going to love. While we’re keeping our beloved classics like our chino shorts, we’re also branching out in some fun new directions with more prints and lighter weight sweaters. I’m particularly excited about our new embroidery collection – we’ve taken inspiration from kids’ love of outdoor activities like golf and fishing to create some really charming designs.

We’re also expanding into accessories like hats, and we’ll be starting to share these pieces with our retail partners in the coming weeks. And you know… we’re always listening to our Pedal families about what they’d love to see next. Let’s just say there might be some exciting surprises in the pipeline that could make a lot of our customers very happy. Stay tuned!