Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Panettiere

Hi Kristina , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Kased was a Covid baby. It started when I had time to reflect on what I truly wanted and what I made me happy. After having multiple knee surgeries I wanted to design clothes that could be dressed up or down. Something you could wear with a sneaker or a heel and still feel confident and sexy in. I started online and once the Covid banned was lifted I did pop up’s all across NJ. This is where I gathered feedback and created relationships with customers. Once I saw the response I was getting in Asbury Park from both customers and support from other local businesses I knew this was the place for me. I opened my first brick and mortar in March 2023 at the Shoppes at the Arcade and in November moved to a store front on Cookman. In I have taken my designs along with other women own small business to curate collections for the new store front.

Kased stands for K-reative A-thletic S-uccessful E-mpowered & D-auntless. This is how I want people to feel when they put on the clothes.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

If anyone in small business says that it was a smooth rode they would be lying. Being an entrepreneur has a lot of ups and downs but that is how you learn. I think the challenge I have faced the most is consistency. Some weeks it is so crazy I don’t know where my head is and other weeks it is so slow. Finding that sweet spot to decide how much inventory to bring in and comparing it to sales year over year. The first year or two as a brick and mortar can be tough because every season can bring new challenges. I also think letting going of some responsibilities and delegating work is also something I faced in the beginning. This business is my baby so It is hard for me to give the rains over to someone else. But I have learned the realness of burn out and realizing that by giving tasks to other people I have more time to grow other aspects of Kased.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I design most of the clothes in Kased. Each one if made with all of my customers in mind. The process can be long with samples and designs seasons in advance, but I love seeing my designs being bought. It makes me feel good when people feel confident in something I designed. I am known for staple pieces in your wardrobe – body suits. work out sets, basic jumpsuits.

I think what makes me stand out is I didn’t go to school for fashion – I actually went for communications, but over the years with different jobs in sales, fashion and home decor I learned how to design and import items. I am proud of taking the skills I learned over the years and turning it into a successful business.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?

I think it goes back to me not going to school for fashion or design. I used to style my friends – and it made me feel so good when I saw their faces light up with the items I paired together. It was really my friends/family that helped me realize what i wanted to do. And pulling from my life experiences and trusting my gut that I could do this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kasedclothing.com
• Instagram: kased_clothing

Image Credits

Lauren Ashley photography and Nick Marraro