We had the chance to meet the Petunia Pickle Bottom team recently and were blown away. DeNai and Braden are the real deal. They have been leaders in the industry for 17 years now but you'd never guess based off how generous they are with their time. Who else out there saved up their pennies to buy a Petunia diaper bag? 🙋🏼Jess and I sure did and we feel like every mama has or needs to. After meeting this powerhouse couple, we couldn't more highly recommend their incredible brand as the best of the best! Thanks DeNai for spreading SO much good. xo
We feel like you’re famous, but how would you describe yourself to someone who didn’t know anything about you?
Oh gosh, you guys make me laugh! I would have to say, family is at the center of everything for me. Creativity is at my core, woven deep. I don’t sit idle, unless I allow myself. No greater gift given to me was the example my parents gave me--marriage and parenting. I only hope to do the same for our boys.
Can you tell us how Petunia was born?
Long story short, without my husband’s (and family, and friend’s) encouragement Petunia Pickle Bottom would never have come to be. I cannot believe it has almost been 18 years (officially 17 years on paper). Petunia Pickle Bottom was born at a time when the concept of a diaper bag designed for a mother’s aesthetic, truly did not exist. It was a tough sell in 2000, especially for the price. The business was literally started in the garage, six years before we had babies. It was our first child. Slow and steady growth helped to build the brand we are today.
What are you most proud of accomplishing with Petunia?
I think I can speak for all three of us -- our brand. Staying true to our core values, it always shines through.
On the flip side, what have been some of your failures and how have you overcome them?
Too many to list, really. The biggest mistake is not learning from our mistakes; we are guilty of that on a few occasions. Failures are painful, we have all had to force ourselves to let them go, and put one foot in front of the other. Also, giving encouragement and grace to one another when needed.
We all have gifts. You have a gift to gather_______.
I have the gift to gather memories. I am slightly obsessed with being in the moment with my family (and friends)--consciously making memories. I am often guilty of saying to my family, “look around, this is amazing! Let’s soak this up!” Part of this leads back to me having a super sentimental nature.
What keeps you up at night?
My personal expectation of letting anyone down. I am also guilty of trying to control the things that are out of my control.
So many people who are newer to the journey of chasing their dreams admire and look up to you for what you have built. What do you wish you had known when you were in our shoes?
Owning a business is hard work, seriously. It is not for the faint of heart; it never gets easier--it just evolves. There are always weeds, it is just a matter of finding the path.
You guys are adventurers! Mind telling us your favorite vacation spot and what’s the next place you would #gathreaway to if you could go anywhere?
My all-time favorite pastime is to adventure with my family! My favorite vacation spot is anywhere in our VW van (I do love the Eastern Sierras, a lot). Our bucket list is long #gathreaway, I would very much like to see Cuba and Iceland sometime soon.
As a wife, mother, business owner, and creative, how do you juggle and balance the many different demands on your time?
I juggle with the support of my husband and both sets of grandparents. We are very lucky to have the support of active family; it does make things easier. My husband and I do put family first; all other things fall into place since we are on the same page. I do call it spinning plates, and occasionally a plate falls.
We admire the life you and your husband Braden have created. How do you shift between spouse and business partner without killing each other :)?
The pros, that we understand each other’s day. We don’t have to explain what happened, we can just give grace when needed. We are also working together towards a common goal--supporting our family. The cons, shutting it off and finding each other. This ebbs and flows, and is a continuous conscious effort.
We love hearing people talk about their dreams. What are some of the big and simple dreams you have for life?
For the business, we would like to continue to grow the brand that we can be proud of. Personally, a big dream would be to take an extended travel trip with our boys, work remote. A simple dream, to soak up the time we have left with our boys. It seems as if, the clock is ticking towards them turning into young men (sigh).
Lastly, what’s your favorite product from Petunia, just for good measure?
My favorite product is the Boxy Backpack. It is the product that put our brand on the map of “modern parenting” and continues to support the needs of parents.
