Interview with Kaitlin Malaspina, founder of Pitch A Fête and Reequestrian
Read our interview with Kaitlin Malaspina, founder of Pitch A Fête and Reequestrian.
What’s your career background?
Having dedicated close to 15 years of my career to the fast-paced fields of politics and law, I found great satisfaction in navigating their complexities and rising to the challenges they presented. These experiences were not only profoundly rewarding but also instrumental in shaping my professional ethos.
However, as fulfilling as this chapter was, I felt a compelling urge to explore new horizons and become my own boss. This burning desire to forge my own path and harness my passion for innovation propelled me into establishing my current ventures, Pitch A Fête and Reequestrian.
How did your career change after having children?
Stepping into motherhood fundamentally transformed my perspective. Making the conscious decision to raise my daughter as a single parent meant reshaping my priorities, ensuring her wellbeing sat at the forefront while simultaneously managing my career.
This endeavor is far from simple; it’s an ongoing balancing act between personal desires and professional duties. However, the deep sense of fulfillment and joy that arises from mastering this balance is incomparable.
It stands as a powerful affirmation of my core beliefs – through thoughtful intention and heartfelt empathy, combined with steadfast determination and passion, one can indeed achieve both personal contentment and professional distinction. This conviction drives me daily, fueling my commitment to not only pursue excellence in every facet of life but also to inspire and support others along their paths.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
The genesis of my businesses can be traced back to a blend of personal insights and a steadfast commitment to serving our community. My experience as a mother has illuminated the undeniable value of play and equestrian riding in nurturing children’s mental health and overall well-being. These moments of revelation were not just passing observations; they were a call to action.
Driven by a passion for innovation, I embarked on a quest to identify and address gaps within the sensory toy, family travel, and equestrian sectors. It was clear that these areas held untapped potential for enhancing accessibility, fostering inclusion, and promoting mental health. My approach was both personal and universal – rooted in my own experiences but expansive in its reach, aiming to create spaces where every child could thrive.
How did you move from idea to actual business?
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, I’ve adopted a “do it” mentality that serves as the backbone of my methodology. The notion of waiting for perfect conditions or the ideal moment is a recipe for stagnation.
Thus, when an innovative idea sparks, I’m swift to act, fully immersing myself in the process. This phase is characterized by experimentation – testing varied strategies, identifying what genuinely resonates with our audience, and being agile enough to adapt based on these discoveries.
Flexibility is the linchpin of my process. By committing to continuous movement, even through incremental steps, I am building the momentum that is essential in transforming my ideas into realized businesses.
What’s your USP?
My USP centers on a deep insight into the distinctive hurdles that busy professionals face, especially those balancing the demands of parenthood – a journey I’m well-acquainted with. This insight guides our bespoke solutions, designed to meet their unique needs, ensuring they achieve professional success while fully experiencing the joys of family life.
At Pitch A Fête, we understand the importance of nurturing a child’s development through play, especially in today’s fast-paced world. By providing parents with the resources to craft travel-friendly sensory play experiences, we’re helping to ensure that children have access to engaging and educational activities, no matter where life takes their families.
This initiative not only supports the cognitive and physical development of young ones but also aligns with our commitment to enhancing family life through thoughtful, practical solutions.
On a similar note, Reequestrian is revolutionizing the equestrian space by making riding more accessible to families. We offer a dedicated technology platform where parents can effortlessly buy and sell gently used riding clothes, addressing the need for high-quality, affordable gear in a sport known for its exclusivity. By breaking down barriers to entry, we’re fostering a more inclusive equestrian community and ensuring that passionate young riders can pursue their dreams without financial constraints.
In both ventures, our mission is to empower parents, support children’s growth, and strengthen community bonds through innovative, user-centric solutions. Through Pitch A Fête and Reequestrian, we’re not just serving immediate needs; we’re building a foundation for lifelong learning, sharing, and personal fulfillment.
Who’s your target audience?
My businesses reflect a core commitment to innovation, accessibility, and empathy, all while serving specific, eco-conscious demographics.
Pitch A Fête is tailored for active families who, through mindful parenting, are eager to instill a sense of adventure in their children’s day-to-day experiences. We fully grasp the challenges these families face in creating enriching, memorable moments – especially amidst the demands of everyday travel. Leveraging innovative sensory play and meticulously curated activities, we’re here to offer accessible, high-quality entertainment that not only stimulates children’s imaginations but does so with an eco-friendly mindset.
To extend our reach and enhance our play experiences during special occasion travels and stays, we aim to collaborate with hotels, airports, and event centers. This initiative will enable us to ensure that families can access our unique, enriching experiences wherever their adventures may take them, providing a consistent touch of creativity and engagement across various settings.
Building on our ethos of accessibility and innovation, Reequestrian serves the dedicated niche of the English equestrian riding community with the same vigor. This platform is a beacon for eco-conscious families who are not only passionate about nurturing their children’s interest in riding but are also mindful of their environmental footprint. By creating a streamlined channel for exchanging pre-loved equestrian apparel, we aim to democratize access to this noble sport.
Our goal is clear: to lower the thresholds of cost and environmental strain, empowering families to pursue equestrian excellence with both confidence and sustainability at the forefront. Through this thoughtful approach, Reequestrian stands as a testament to our commitment to making cherished equestrian pursuits a feasible dream for more families, aligning with our overarching vision of enriching children’s lives through meaningful, accessible experiences.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
To effectively spread the word about my ventures, I employ a multi-pronged strategy. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Facebook, are crucial for building connections, complemented by targeted online advertising to broaden our reach. However, I deeply value the impact of word-of-mouth recommendations and brand collaborations as they authentically amplify our message.
The foundation of our digital strategy is a robust website and engaging blog content, which serves to cement our brand’s presence, inviting our audience to engage with us on a deeper level. Through this blend of strategies, we aim to weave a narrative that not only highlights our offerings but resonates with and enriches our community.
What’s been your most successful marketing strategy?
Collaborating with complementary brands and influencers on platforms like Instagram has been a pivotal strategy for my businesses. By joining forces, we’ve significantly broadened our reach and connected with new customers who align with our values.
This tactic has not only enhanced brand awareness but also played a crucial role in fostering trust among our audience. Through these collaborative efforts, we’ve been able to weave a narrative of success and community, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and shared growth.
We’re always enthusiastic about establishing connections with brands and influencers who are passionate about parenting, family travel, mental health, and equestrian riding. Our aim is to collaborate in ways that amplify perspectives that not only enlighten and motivate but also deeply resonate with our audiences.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
Building a cohesive team has been an enriching learning experience for me. In the beginning, the process was time-intensive, as it was crucial to identify individuals not only with the ideal skill sets but also those who genuinely fit within the fabric of our company culture. This challenge, however, paved the way for a significant achievement.
I am now fortunate to lead an outstanding team, comprised of individuals who are not only passionate about our mission but also bring a rich diversity of strengths to our collective efforts. This dynamic group is the driving force behind our successes, embodying our commitment to excellence and shared progress through collaboration and dedication.
And your proudest moment so far?
Honestly, my proudest moments at Pitch A Fête – and now with Reequestrian on the horizon—are encapsulated not by a solitary event but through the continuous progress and resilience of our journey. This path has been punctuated by setbacks and periods of uncertainty, yet my unwavering commitment to our vision has never faltered.
Adopting a perspective that transforms failures into pivotal learning opportunities has been instrumental in our development. Witnessing the evolution of Pitch A Fête, its adept navigation through challenges, its ability to adapt and grow, and preparing for Reequestrian’s forthcoming launch, all underscore the rewarding nature of our collective endeavors.
Why is work so important to you?
Work holds a special place in my life for a few reasons. First and foremost, it carves out a unique space for me to pursue my own personal development and establish an identity separate from motherhood.
This sense of independence allows me to recharge and bring the best version of myself to my daughter. My aspiration is that witnessing my dedication, resilience, and passion will encourage her to follow her own dreams with a sense of confidence and purpose.
Who inspires you?
My life hasn’t always been a walk in the park. I’ve encountered a series of challenges across both personal and professional spheres. Despite this, the opportunity to observe my own evolution through motherhood, career advancement, and the myriad of highs and lows life presents has been profoundly uplifting.
This self-reflection has instilled in me a deep-seated belief in my own capabilities. Learning to consistently place confidence in myself has become a significant driving force in my life.
How do you balance your work with your family?
For me, achieving a work-life balance doesn’t involve drawing a rigid line between the two. Instead, I view them as intertwined aspects of our lives. My daughter is often involved in the creative process at Pitch A Fête, and she sees the value and dedication I bring to my work.
My daughter is frequently engaged in the creative aspects of Pitch A Fête and sees the commitment and enthusiasm I pour into my profession. This involvement offers her valuable insights and allows me to exemplify positive values. It’s an ongoing balancing act that enables me to remain actively involved and fulfilled in both my professional and family life.
