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

Lola, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

**The Story of Rockin’Blinks: From Idea to Reality**

The idea for Rockin’Blinks was born out of my personal journey as a sleep consultant and mother of two young kids, during one of the most challenging times for families: the pandemic. As the world slowed down, I noticed something that had always been present but felt even more urgent—parents everywhere were struggling with their children’s broken sleep.

I had long dreamed of owning a shop, but I wanted it to be more than just a store. I believed deeply that essential sleep education should be easily accessible to parents. Unfortunately, parents rarely receive this kind of guidance. It’s not something typically covered in detail at pediatrician visits, and while family advice can be well-meaning, it’s often outdated or inconsistent. I saw a gap—a real need for simple, practical sleep information that would empower parents to create healthy sleep habits as their children grew.

This idea sparked a vision: what if every product related to baby and kids’ sleep came with the essential sleep knowledge parents needed? That’s when Rockin’Blinks began to take shape—not just as a brand, but as a solution for families.

Turning this vision into reality took a full year of dedicated research and development. I dove into learning everything I could about fabric types, quality, and comfort—because sleepwear isn’t just about style; it’s about safety and functionality too. Understanding U.S. flammability regulations for baby and kids’ sleepwear became a top priority, ensuring that every product I created would meet the highest safety standards.

But the hardest—and most important—part was crafting the sleep education. I wanted the information to be actionable and practical, not overwhelming. This meant developing age-appropriate guidance that parents could easily apply at home, whether they were navigating sleepless newborn nights or tackling bedtime battles with toddlers.

Every product at Rockin’Blinks now carries this heart: premium sleepwear paired with expert sleep tips. My goal has always been to make it easier for parents to give their kids the gift of healthy sleep—because when kids sleep better, families thrive.

From the early days of brainstorming to launching the brand, this journey has been one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. Rockin’Blinks isn’t just a business; it’s my way of helping parents rest a little easier, knowing they’re supported every step of the way.

This is the step-by-step timeline for how Rockin’Blinks was created:

1. **Exploring Collaboration:** I initially considered partnering with established sleepwear brands to integrate my sleep education concept, but unfortunately, this approach didn’t work out.

2. **Designing the First Collection:** I started working with a designer to draft the basic pieces that would form the first collection, focusing on functionality, comfort, and timeless style.

3. **Researching Manufacturers:** At the same time, I began searching for manufacturers in South America. As someone from Argentina, I wanted to produce in a region close to my heart.

4. **Choosing Pima Cotton:** Peru stood out for its exceptional Pima cotton, known for its incredible softness and suitability for kids’ delicate skin. It felt like the perfect material to ensure both comfort and quality.

5. **Building the Brand:** While developing the branding, website, and sleep education materials, I also started designing the first collection’s colors and patterns. Inspired by Argentina’s stunning landscapes, this process was deeply personal. However, it was also a challenging period. The second year of the pandemic brought constant disruptions, with my kids home from school, no childcare, and the daily juggle of business and family life leaving me burnt out.

6. **Friends and Family Funding:** To launch the first collection, I did a small round of funding with friends and family who believed in my vision and supported the dream.

7. **The Journey of Small Business:** Since then, I’ve been navigating the ups and downs of running a small business. Some seasons are good, others are tough, but every step strengthens my commitment to building a brand that truly helps parents and kids thrive.

This timeline reflects not just the steps, but the heart and determination behind Rockin’Blinks. It’s a labor of love, and I’m grateful for the journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

**About Me**

I became a mom in my early 30s, living with my husband in New York, where we still call home today. Motherhood completely shook my world. I struggled with postpartum anxiety, had no family nearby for support, and the relentless sleep deprivation almost broke me. What was supposed to be a beautiful and joyful time turned out to be the hardest season of my life.

Eleven years ago, the narrative around motherhood was much more romanticized than it is today. People weren’t talking openly about the struggles of postpartum life, and there were very few resources to support new moms. Sleep, in particular, was a topic nobody seemed to address—let alone provide guidance for. I was left to figure it all out on my own.

I dove into research, sought help, and found treatment for my postpartum anxiety. As my baby started sleeping better, everything changed. My motherhood journey became more enjoyable, and I began to heal. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how much easier those early days could have been if only sleep education and support were readily available to new parents.

That realization stayed with me and eventually became the foundation for the work I do today. My personal struggles and healing journey inspired me to help other parents not only survive those early years but truly thrive. It’s why I’m so passionate about making sleep education accessible and ensuring families have the tools they need to support healthy, happy sleep for their children—and themselves.

**What Rockin’Blinks Offers**

At Rockin’Blinks, we aim to be a **premium resource for sleep-related products and education** for babies, kids, and their families. Our mission is simple: to help parents navigate the challenges of sleep while providing high-quality, thoughtful products designed with children’s comfort and safety in mind.

Here’s what we currently offer:

1. **100% Pima Cotton Premium Sleepwear Collection**
Our signature sleepwear collection for babies and kids is made from ultra-soft, breathable Pima cotton, perfect for delicate skin and ensuring a cozy night’s sleep.

2. **Sleep Consulting Services and Workshops**
We provide personalized sleep consulting and group workshops to guide parents through every stage of their child’s sleep journey, from newborn nights to toddler transitions.

We want Rockin’Blinks to be more than just a shop—it’s a **positive cycle of support.** Families can purchase sleepwear and receive complimentary sleep guidance, or book sleep consulting services and enjoy discounts on our products. It’s all about making sleep solutions accessible and holistic for every family.

**Expanding Our Offerings**
We’re slowly diversifying our products to include seasonal and everyday essentials, such as:
– **Hand-knit pieces** during the winter months for added warmth and charm
– **Handmade cotton blankets** that are soft, durable, and perfect for snuggles
– **Everyday wear** for babies, designed with the same attention to comfort and quality

As Rockin’Blinks grows, our goal remains the same: to provide parents with the tools, support, and products they need to foster better sleep and happier, healthier families.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

**The Resilience of a Small Business Owner**

When I first imagined launching my business, I had this naïve but hopeful vision: my first collection would arrive, sell out in no time, and my biggest problem would be restocking fast enough. Let’s just say reality had other plans!

In the beginning, I had no website traffic, and most of my sales were from supportive friends and family. My storage was full of beautiful products, but they weren’t moving as I had hoped. It was disheartening and humbling to realize that building a brand was going to take so much more than just a great idea and hard work.

With time, I discovered New York’s vibrant world of well-curated markets for small businesses. These markets became a lifeline, not just for sales but for connection. Meeting customers in person allowed me to share my story and the mission behind Rockin’Blinks. Little by little, I started seeing the light.

What truly kept me going, though, was the incredible community of entrepreneurs I met along the way. These were people who understood the struggles of building something from scratch—the sleepless nights, the self-doubt, and the constant hustle. Their encouragement and shared experiences reminded me I wasn’t alone in this journey.

Running a small business has been a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. It’s taught me resilience in ways I never imagined and given me a deeper appreciation for the support systems we create for ourselves. Every step, even the hardest ones, has strengthened my commitment to the mission of Rockin’Blinks—helping families sleep better and thrive.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

**Funding My Business**

Starting Rockin’Blinks required a mix of creativity, sacrifice, and resourcefulness. To bring my vision to life, I used some of the savings my family had set aside to begin creating the brand, registering trademarks, and developing the first product designs and the website.

When it came to producing the first collection, I turned to my close circle for support, doing a small round of funding with friends and family who believed in my idea and wanted to see it succeed. Their encouragement and trust meant everything to me and gave me the boost I needed to take the next step.

At the same time, I was already working as a sleep consultant, and every penny I earned went straight into keeping the brand running. To this day, that hustle continues—every bit of income is reinvested into Rockin’Blinks to grow the business and improve the products we offer.

Building a brand from the ground up has taught me the value of perseverance, smart budgeting, and leaning on the people who believe in you. It’s not always easy, but staying focused on the mission—to help families thrive through better sleep—makes every sacrifice worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.rockinblinks.com
• Instagram: @rockinblinks
• Facebook: @rockinblinks
• Linkedin: @rockinblinks
• Youtube: @rockinblinks