We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Mueller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

We consciously choose sustainable materials and partner with local factories because it aligns with our mission. This is a choice we make every day – not because it’s the easiest path, but because it’s the right one. Crafting responsible fashion in small quantities comes with its challenges in a world where conventional fabrics, overseas production, and large volumes drive costs down. Yet, we believe that choosing quality, ethics, and sustainability over convenience is what truly sets us apart.

Competing with the fast fashion brands is hard so our lifeline is to reach the people who share the same values. Those who are looking for a “triple win” with every purchase: something better for their kids, for the artisans who make the clothing, and for the planet. They’re joining a movement that values fairness, sustainability, and a deep connection to the things we create and the people who create them.

Of course, the journey isn’t always easy. But we believe every challenge comes with a lesson, shaping us for the future. Staying true to our mission, celebrating every small win, and having fun with the process is how we keep the momentum going.

Angela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The idea of Honey Cake Tiger was planted after our kids came into our world. My sister and I shared a common quest: finding kids’ clothing that was not only eco-friendly and ethical but also fun and comfortable.

We remembered our own childhoods and how freedom of movement meant everything to us – still does today! So the idea of creating what we couldn’t find started slowly to form. And living in Paris at the time, where fashion is all around you the second you step outside, and where inspirations are endless, definitely added to the desire to get the project going.

But it wasn’t until a few years later that Honey Cake Tiger’s first organic kids collection was launched – a collection that would redefine comfort and ethics.

Honey Cake Tiger is based in San Diego, CA with a mission to create eco-friendly, ethically-made, and comfy kidswear. Each piece is designed, cut, and sewn on a small scale locally, and for every item sold, we plant a tree through our partnership with One Tree Planted.

We’re all about creating seasonless collections inspired by the magic of the endless summer. Our free-to-move garments are designed for kids to make lasting memories – whether they’re out exploring nature or hanging out at home baking cookies. We believe comfort is essential to embrace the world’s adventures.

Behind every Honey Cake Tiger product is the vision of offering products that are kinder to the children, the makers and the planet.

Sustainability is woven into every aspect of our business and that is something we’re proud of. We use eco-friendly materials not just in our clothing but in every part of our brand – from labels and packaging to hang tags and beyond.

Also we’re always looking for creative ways to reduce our waste, transforming leftover fabric into something useful and fun. While we may not be perfect, we’re constantly striving to make the best choices we can and to grow alongside the people who believe in our mission.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Building Honey Cake Tiger has been a journey – one filled with challenges, lessons, and unexpected twists. When we started, we had no experience in the industry. We were navigating uncharted territory, learning everything from scratch, and every step was a leap of faith.

We began with research – lots of it. Before we even approached manufacturers, we discovered one glaring obstacle: most factories don’t have websites. Finding them was like searching for a needle in a haystack. And even when we found an email address, it often felt like sending messages into a void. Responses were rare.

Determined not to give up, we attended fabric shows in California. It was at one of these events that we stumbled upon a manufacturer in Los Angeles. They offered organic fabric and, more importantly, low minimums – perfect for a small, sustainable brand like ours. That was our first victory.

But finding the right fabric was only part of the puzzle. Next, we needed someone who could bring our vision to life. Our initial plan seemed logical: find a factory that could handle everything under one roof – design, pattern-making, cutting, and sewing. It sounded ideal, but reality had other plans. What we thought would streamline the process quickly proved to be a misstep. The production was paused for months as we went back to the drawing board.

Eventually, through connections, we were introduced to someone with experience in clothing manufacturing. They led us to an incredible local designer and pattern maker who truly understood our vision. These connections opened more doors, introducing us to local cutting houses and sewing factories. Suddenly, the impossible felt achievable.

Then came COVID. Just as we were gaining momentum, the pandemic put everything on hold for nearly a year. Factories prioritized large-scale projects, leaving our small collection at the bottom of the list. Progress slowed to a crawl, but we refused to let go of our dream.

Finally, after countless setbacks – fabric being cut incorrectly, poorly sewn samples, and numerous revisions – our first collection came to life, one tiny step at a time.

Looking back, the journey taught us some invaluable lessons. Networking is everything. One connection in the industry can open countless doors, leading you to the right people and the right opportunities. And no matter how much research you do, there’s no substitute for hands-on experience and guidance from those who’ve been there before.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

We are proud to sell through our own site honeycaketiger.com and partner with carefully chosen online platforms that share our unwavering commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. These marketplaces are more than just places to shop; they are trusted spaces where every product has been thoughtfully selected to meet the highest standards of ethical and sustainable practices.

By collaborating with these values-driven platforms, we connect with a community of conscious consumers who understand that every purchase is a choice – a chance to invest in a better future. These are people who care deeply about where their money goes and the impact it creates, and those are exactly the folks we aim to inspire and serve.

While partnering with larger, mainstream platforms might seem like an easy path to greater profits, it’s not the path we choose. Staying true to our mission means prioritizing purpose over profit and fostering relationships with customers who believe, as we do, that thoughtful choices can create meaningful change.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://honeycaketiger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeycaketiger/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeycaketiger
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@honeycaketiger