We were lucky to catch up with Madeeha Siddiqi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Madeeha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Thank you so much for this opportunity and it is such a joy to share my story with you all. The idea for Goat in a Coat – Your Ramadan Companion came to life through my desire to foster community and connection for my two sweet and curious little ones. I treasure the traditions my family had growing up, and now, as a parent, I find it deeply rewarding to continue those traditions while creating new ones that make our children proud of their heritage.

With my kids being just 6 and 4 years old at the time, I realized they were too young to fast but old enough to feel the excitement and desire to participate in Ramadan—the Muslim holy month of fasting. As a family that loves celebrating all holidays and having cherished the Elf on the Shelf tradition for many years, I envisioned a similar concept for Ramadan that emphasized kindness and good deeds. The vision for Goat in a Coat began to take shape: a whimsical goat, an animal culturally significant in Islam, guiding children through a journey of good deeds during Ramadan. This idea combined storytelling, play, and cultural learning to create an engaging and meaningful experience for young children.

Madeeha, 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?

As a mom, attorney, and second-generation Muslim-American, I am passionate about celebrating cultural heritage and fostering connection within diverse communities. My journey into creating Goat in a Coat – Your Ramadan Companion was deeply personal. As a parent to two young kids, I wanted to find ways to share meaningful traditions while making them engaging and approachable to children.

Goat in a Coat is a fresh and unique Ramadan tradition designed for not only Muslim families, but anyone who seeks to celebrate diversity and instill good values in their children. It includes a whimsical storybook, an adorable plush goat, and a deck of “Deed of the Day” cards that encourage acts of kindness and reflection. My goal was to create more than a product—Goat in a Coat is a way for families to bond, connect with Ramadan’s spiritual meaning, and teach kids universal values through play and shared celebrations.

For me, what sets Goat in a Coat apart is its emphasis on inclusivity and hands-on learning. The collaboration with talented women around the globe brought this vision to life through the beautiful illustrations in the book and the thoughtful design of the toy goat wearing a vibrantly colorful coat. I aimed to make the “Deed of the Day” cards relatable for families of all backgrounds, while preserving the true spirit of Ramadan in each deed. I’m most proud of the broader impact Goat in a Coat can make, helping families raise kind and thoughtful children while building bridges between communities. It’s a tradition built on love, kindness, and the joy of giving—a message I hope resonates with all families, fostering a deeper understanding of Muslim values and emphasizing the shared commonalities between us.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I currently sell on Shopify and am expanding to Amazon, with Goat in a Coat also hitting the shelves at BookPeople in December! The concept came together quickly—I developed the story, hired an illustrator, self-published the book, and designed the toy in just a few weeks. Finding reliable manufacturers early on made the process smoother, and Shopify was the perfect platform to launch my business.

With Shopify, I built a website, uploaded my product, and started selling within days of receiving my finished product. It streamlines order management, tracks margins, builds a customer database, and offers discounted shipping labels. While the fees add up over time, the features and ease of use make Shopify the best choice for my needs.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was that success follows a linear path. Growing up as a second-generation kid, my family, as many other families, believed success meant earning an advanced degree and becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. I followed that path, becoming a practicing attorney for nearly 10 years, but I never felt truly passionate about what I did, yet was afraid to try something new.

After having kids, I began to rethink the value of my time. Any time away from them needed to feel fulfilling and meaningful. When we moved to Austin after the pandemic to be closer to family, I reflected deeply on what I wanted next. Watching my husband, an entrepreneur, navigate the highs and lows of building a business inspired me. Before returning to another legal job, I knew I had to give entrepreneurship a shot—as long as it was for something I truly believed in.

Creating Goat in a Coat gave me that passion, joy, and purpose in ways my legal career was never able to. The mission behind it has fueled me from the start, making every moment of the journey worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopgoatinacoat.com
• Instagram: @shopgoatinacoat
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goat-in-a-coat/

Image Credits

Kara Marie Collective