Rock-A-Thigh Baby
Invented by a former model turned designer and mamaprenuer, Rock-a-Thigh Baby (RTB) thigh socks are designed by Jennifer, a Wisconsin mom of four daughters who recognized the need for a children’s sock that stays up and stays on, while providing full leg coverage as tights. Rock-a-Thigh Baby is USA-made, “green” fashion that rocks little legs, from thighs all the way to the tips of little toes. Rock on!
After graduating with a degree in Interior Design, I worked full-time as a designer in Madison for two years, but had to abruptly end my employment when my identical twin pregnancy was diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). I underwent a successful “experimental” laser surgery that resolved the condition (although during surgery I hemorrhaged and almost lost the entire pregnancy and my womb when the doctor nearly had to perform an emergency hysterectomy to stop the bleeding), and I was put on bed-rest for the last 3-month duration of the pregnancy. Sadly, our daughter Joelle passed away at 6-months in utero. Miraculously, her identical twin sister survived and was born full-term and completely healthy. (Praise God!) My hubby and I have since been blessed with three more healthy daughters.
It was while on a walk with my third daughter that led to my thigh sock “invention”. It was a chilly Wisconsin spring evening in 2007, and I was wearing my little girl in a baby carrier as I went for a stroll. Her pant legs were hiked up (which often happens in baby carriers) and noticing that her legs were cold I went home to dress her warmer. Not wanting to hassle with taking off all the layers of clothing my girl was wearing to bother putting on a pair of cumbersome tights, I improvised by quickly snipping the legs off a pair of yarn tights and using rubber bands to keep them up. (Note: Please do not use rubber bands on your child. They leave small red welts…dumb-dumb mom.)
Later that night I searched online for thigh-length baby socks. Much to my frustration and surprise, I couldn't find any. I also thought about how much time and energy I’d waste searching for little socks that were missing in action, and knew that well designed thigh socks would solve that problem too since then they wouldn't slip off or be easily pulled off.
So over the next two years I researched cuffs to see which styles stay up and stay on (won't twist or roll down), and studied children's fashion trends and created my own stylish designs. I also worked to identify a U.S. manufacturer who could realize my dream of making my thigh socks an American-made "green" product; and, since banks weren’t exactly throwing money at unproven start-ups, I had the arduous task of trying to find where in this dire economy I could get funds for my small business – THANK YOU Wisconsin Women Business Initiative Corporation!!!
During the start-up process, I slammed up against several road blocks and considered quitting many times. I agree with the saying, “Successful entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily the most intelligent or most well connected, but they are very resourceful and very persistent.” There was one point especially where things just weren’t coming together. I was ready to throw in that proverbial towel. On top of it, I sought advice from a business professor on our city’s small business development team who told me pompously, “There is no market for your socks outside the Midwest.” That man’s assumptive statement took away any wind I had left in my sails…for about 30 seconds anyway until it made me angry. (Lol) I knew in my gut he was wrong and I was going to prove it. Ironically, it turns out that our largest market is actually outside the Midwest. (Just saying. /wink)
For those of you who have a great idea for a new product or business, heed the advice of others and the “experts”, but trust your instincts and to heck with the neigh Sayers. If after carefully doing your homework you still believe in your idea, go for it and don’t give up. As the great Dr. Kelso from the TV show Scrubs said, “Nothing in this world worth having comes easy.”
While on the verge of launching Rock-a-Thigh Baby, my family fell on some exceptionally difficult, and painful, personal and financial times. Yet through it all, once more God’s faithfulness was evident (Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”) One of the consequences was that I had to resort to selling vacuum cleaners. THAT was a humbling experience, needless to say. But it was also valuable. I eventually figured out that the company I was working for was shady. (And having your paycheck bounce when you try to deposit it is never a good sign. /palmslap) That experience gained me important business insight, helped me to wise-up a bit, and made me that much more resolved for my company to always be honest and ethical, without exception.
Getting this business off the ground was no easy task for sure. My husband and I wholeheartedly believe this has been and continues to be a "God thing". Very early on, I believe I got confirmation that God was going to bless this venture to His glory; and WAY too many cool and amazing “coincidences” have happened along the way that without, Rock-a-Thigh Baby would absolutely not be where it is today, if at all.
So although launching this business has been challenging, I found the transition from modeling to designing and becoming a “real” entrepreneur very natural. But had you told me as a young tomboy that I’d be working with fashion when I grew up, I would have snorted, er, laughed, in your face!
Today, Rock-a-Thigh Baby is in over 60 boutiques worldwide and we continue to grow by leaps and bounds. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Beco Baby Carrier and we recently launched our Fall/Winter 2011 Collection of "Beco Thigh Socks by Rock-a-Thigh Baby", which coordinate with some of the new Beco prints. And, within the next few months we will be announcing another exciting, even BIGGER partnership! Also, in addition to selling to individual customers and retailers, we supply thigh socks to hospitals and leg brace companies for children who need our product due to medical needs – which warms my heart tremendously. These are very exciting times for Rock-a-Thigh Baby...and we’re just getting started.
“Have a rockin’ day!”
Proudly Made in Beautiful Wisconsin!
-
Basketball by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00These unisex RTB Basketball thigh socks are a slam dunk for the hoops fan in your life! Colors are white, navy blue, and orange. Learn More -
BeanSprout by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00Bean Sprout is inspired by a gardening color pallet: the white seed, the dark brown soil, the blue water, and the green tender stalk. We had boys in mind when designing these socks, but girls can certainly wear these colors too!
Learn More -
Chunky Monkey by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00We’re monkeying around with a hot trend! With their tan and chocolate brown faces, light pink ears and cheeks on a light blue background, your child will go bananas for these cute chunky monkeys! Learn More -
Cow by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00These trendy black and white Holstein print thigh socks are sure to stay up and on as your little one “MOOOves” and grooves!
Learn More -
Dots by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00Whether you’re shopping for a gender-neutral baby shower gift, or want to buy RTB socks for your unborn baby but don’t know if you’re having a he or a she, our Dots socks are perfect and oh so cute! Have the new bundle of joy “spotted” in these cute pale yellow and light green dots on a bright white background.
Learn More -
Football by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00RTB has scored a TOUCHDOWN with the new Football design! It has a classic tube sock look with its navy and dark brown stripes, and a football at each ankle. Your child will have fun cheering on their favorite team in their new Football socks! Learn More -
Foxie Black (Beco) by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$16.00Designed to match BECO carrier "FOXIE BLACK" for a completely coordinated look for your little one! Learn More -
Giraffe by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00Our Giraffe thigh socks in creamy white and chocolate brown are adorable for both boys and girls! Learn More -
-
Gumball by Rock-a-Thigh Baby
$14.00These adorable white thigh socks with their gumballs of pastel hues of pink, blue, purple, yellow, and green, are the perfect bubble-licious accessory for a little girl's spring wardrobe.
Learn More