· By Christine Tang
Retailer Spotlight x Bitte
"We really focus on sustainable and responsibly made items with a lot of brands designed and manufactured here in the States. "
- Maia of Bitte
When did you open your shop?
We opened our shop in August of 2015.
What industry/career were you in before you opened your shop?
I worked as a graphic designer and art director for brands such as Shopbop.com, Williams-Sonoma and Rue Magazine. My mom had started her own business when I was a toddler that had many of the same ideals as Bitte. She grew it and sold it years later and then went on to work for Faber Castell before starting Bitte with me.
What is a typical day for you?
I work from home it’s also a balancing act coordinating everything with a toddler running around. But usually I try to take the morning to answer emails, help my husband send out orders, photograph new product, discuss new items that we want to add to the shop with my mom and making sure to post to our social media accounts and keep on top of marketing. Typically we have lunch together as a family and then I will usually get back to work in the afternoons but I also slow down a little more after lunch and try to take time to spend with my daughter. I make dinner every night so between 4-5 I stop to start dinner and just spend time with my family. After my daughter goes to bed if I’m not feeling too exhausted I’ll try to get a little more work done.
What is your favorite part of owning a retail shop?
Getting to see families enjoying our items and also getting to make my own schedule so I can spend time with my daughter.
If you could open a shop in any location in the world, where would it be and why?
Probably San Francisco because it's one of my favorite cities in the world and I have family and so many friends there.
What inspires you when you are curating your shop?
Finding and sharing with our customers newer or under the radar brands that are creating beautiful items in a responsible way is the best!
What makes your shop and the collections that you carry different from any one else?
We really focus on sustainable and responsibly made items with a lot of brands designed and manufactured here in the States. While also being very design oriented. As an art director bringing products into the home that are aesthetically pleasing and can be played with and also displayed prominantly was something I strived for and I want to be able to offer that to our customers.