Children's Products Archives

The idea for Kelie Charles’ company came from noticing a missed opportunity – specifically, seeing kids at airports with luggage that “didn’t reflect their vibrant personalities.” Growing up, Charles says “my sister and I had unique names and spellings, and we could never find our names on anything. Today, I see the same challenge with my friends’ children – not just in finding their names, but also, in seeing products that reflect what they look like.” Just over a year ago, Charles launched Dutchess and Duke, a line of travel gear for kids featuring characters from diverse backgrounds. Her cases, bags and more are made to inspire children to explore with a buddy that looks like them. Today, the Marietta, Georgia-based founder is figuring out how to market her products and scale her new company on a budget – all while managing her day job. Here's our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project. How is your business different from others in your industry? We combine high-quality products with a mission to celebrate diversity. Our luggage, backpacks and accessories feature diverse characters that allow children from all backgrounds to feel represented. Unlike other brands, we focus on both functionality and inclusivity, offering parents durable, practical travel gear that makes every journey easier. Tell us about your biggest success so far. Launching my business with a strong start last holiday season. With very little marketing, we captured the hearts of many children, and were featured in several publications. We also received numerous five-star reviews from parents and gift-givers who shared how excited their children were to receive luggage that looked like them. I’m excited to see where we grow from here. What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Getting the word out – especially since we launched using our savings. With a limited budget for marketing, it’s been tough to spread our brand’s message. We’ve tackled this by partnering with micro-influencers, attending vendor shows, and donating our products to nonprofits. The latter has been an amazing way to give back and create little brand ambassadors – kids who are out in the world proudly using their own personalized luggage. Have you experienced any significant personal situations that affected your business decisions? My transition from being a buyer to a Chief Diversity Officer. When a leader in my company asked me to take on the DEI role, I initially resisted. I felt that, as one of the few Black buyers, my move to a new role would mean one less person in that other space. He explained that while my presence as a buyer was important, my impact in DEI could create more opportunities for others. That really resonated with me — it wasn’t just about my role, but about paving the way for more diverse talent. This experience influenced my decision to start Dutchess and Duke, too, because I saw the power of creating representation and opportunity. What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? Just start, even if it’s small. Coming from a background at Fortune 100 companies, I was nervous to start my own business, because I didn’t have the huge product assortments, marketing budgets or brand awareness that I was used to working with. In the end, I realized that the most important step is to begin. So many people have big dreams but are hesitant to take the plunge. Reach out to your friends, family, and network — share your ideas with them, ask for feedback, and use their input to refine your approach. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Take that leap! How do you find inspiration on your darkest days? By reading about how other entrepreneurs got started. I love stories of people who started by selling products out of the trunks of their cars, or from their kitchens. Their stories remind me that others have faced similar challenges. When I read about the years they put into building their businesses, it gives me perspective. What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? Anything by Whitney Houston, but especially “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “How Will I Know.” When I’m feeling stuck, these upbeat songs get me moving, and singing off-key helps me get out of my head and remember that life — and business — should be fun. If I’m not having fun doing this, then what’s the point? Who is your most important role model? I greatly admire Lisa Price, the founder of Carol’s Daughter. She started her business in her kitchen and grew it into a successful brand that truly resonated with people, before it was eventually acquired by L’Oréal. What I admire most is her commitment to creating products that reflect her community, and her authenticity in building a brand with purpose. Like Lisa, I’m focused on growing Dutchess and Duke in a way that stays true to our mission of celebrating diversity and creating meaningful connections with families. Instagram: @DutchessandDukeFacebook: @DutchessandDuke Share your story! Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-upWatch our latest videosSubscribe to our podcast

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Children's Products

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