Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayllie Felske.
Hi Kayllie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Tiny Magnetics started with a real life motherhood moment that revealed a problem I could not ignore.
Toddlerhood is full of joy, curiosity, and big personalities. My daughter has always been fiercely independent, and I love that about her. She wants to do everything herself. At the time, I was finishing maternity leave and returning to a job that required a long daily commute. Leaving the house on time for daycare was not optional.
One morning, with my newborn son buckled into his car seat and everything else ready to go, the final step was putting on my daughter’s jacket. Of course, she wanted to do it herself. She tried again and again to line up the zipper, but at two years old, her determination was there and her dexterity was not. She became frustrated, and when I stepped in to help, it only made things worse. The jacket struggle quickly became part of our daily routine.
That moment stayed with me. I could not stop thinking about why toddler jackets were designed in a way that did not support the independence kids so clearly want. I started asking questions and sketching ideas. What if outerwear was designed for little hands first?
At the same time, I was deep in a season of burnout. I continued working for another year, running on very little sleep, commuting long hours, and spending most days away from my kids. During that time, I spent my drives listening to personal development books and podcasts, learning and slowly rebuilding my confidence. I began to believe that if I truly committed to it, I could build something of my own.
I left my job in October 2024 and focused fully on turning that simple observation into a real product. One year later, on November 7, 2025, I launched Tiny Magnetics. Today, the brand reflects how I approach design and life: thoughtful, intentional, and grounded in the belief that small wins, like getting a jacket on independently, can make a meaningful difference.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, the road has not been smooth, but I want to start with an important perspective.
For moms who are working demanding jobs, commuting long hours, juggling childcare, and missing moments they wish they did not have to miss, that season is incredibly hard. I know because I lived it. In many ways, that chapter of my life was harder than starting a business. Entrepreneurship is often framed as this overwhelming, dramatic path, and I do not believe that tells the full story.
Starting a business comes with responsibility, but it also comes with autonomy. You answer to yourself. If your child did not sleep the night before, you can adjust your day. You can slow down, regroup, and lead with compassion for your own life. That flexibility made a meaningful difference for me.
That said, there were real challenges. Perfecting the magnetic closure system took far more time and iteration than I expected.External factors also created obstacles. In 2025, global tariffs and trade tensions around magnets introduced uncertainty, especially since the raw materials are largely controlled overseas. Shipping delays, pricing fluctuations, and production timing became moving targets that required constant problem solving.
I also learned hard lessons about trust. I briefly worked with a marketing agency that I believed would help guide my launch, only to end up being scammed on Kickstarter. That experience was unsettling, but it pushed me to take full ownership of the brand. I ended building my Shopify site independently, and hiring help on some coding only where it truly made sense.
None of it was easy, but it was manageable. Every challenge became something to solve rather than something to fear.
If there is one thing I hope other moms take away, it is this: the road is not smooth, but it is not something to be afraid of either. You are already doing the harder thing.
We’ve been impressed with Tiny Magnetics, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Tiny Magnetics is a children’s outerwear brand built to empower toddlers to dress themselves without the frustration of zippers.
I design magnetic closing jackets for toddlers and preschoolers that are intentionally made to support independence. Instead of traditional zippers that require fine motor skills little hands are still developing, Tiny Magnetics jackets use hidden, securely encased magnets that naturally guide the jacket closed. Kids can put them on by themselves, feel successful, and start their day with confidence. Parents get out the door with less friction and fewer power struggles.
What sets Tiny Magnetics apart is that I have created a jacket kids actually want to wear. We have all experienced the “put on your jacket” battle at the park, at a restaurant, or while leaving school. Tiny Magnetics takes the chore out of getting dressed by making it fun and achievable. There is a simple matching element that helps kids line things up visually, and the magnets do the rest. When children realize they can put on their jacket all by themselves, the pride on their faces says everything.
Beyond the magnetic closure, every detail is purposeful. From elastic cuffs that stay up during hand washing, to treasure pockets, a hand me down name tag, and a sturdy hanging loop that works on preschool hooks, these jackets are designed by a mom who has lived the moments they are meant to support.
Design and aesthetics matter to me just as much as function. Tiny Magnetics jackets are cozy, durable, and thoughtfully styled with modern colorways parents feel proud to dress their kids in. I believe parents should not have to choose between practicality and beauty. You can have both.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the “I did it” moments parents share with me. Small wins lead to big confidence, and I love getting to be a small part of that journey.
What I want readers to know most is that Tiny Magnetics is about more than a jacket. It is about small moments of independence that add up to something bigger. When a child gets their jacket on by themselves, they are not just getting dressed. They are building confidence.
That is what Tiny Magnetics stands for. Tiny hands. Mighty independence.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I am still early in my business journey, so I try to approach this question from observation rather than prediction. That said, I do think we are heading into a season where personal connection will matter more than ever in children’s retail.
For a long time, shopping was primarily in person. Then we shifted heavily toward online convenience, and now many parents are experiencing the downside of that. Everything feels fast, transactional, and impersonal. I think people are craving something more human again, especially when it comes to products for their children.
I believe we will see a renewed emphasis on in person shopping experiences, particularly in boutiques and community driven retail spaces. Parents want to feel seen and remembered. They want the store owner who knows their child’s name, remembers their favorite color, or asks how preschool is going. That kind of connection builds trust in a way a checkout screen never can.
I also think brands will be expected to show up more authentically. Founder led brands with a clear point of view and a real presence in their communities will stand out. It will not be enough to simply sell a product online. People will want to know who is behind the brand and why it exists.
For Tiny Magnetics, that means leaning into relationships, storytelling, and in person experiences alongside digital channels. Convenience will always matter, but connection is becoming just as important. I believe the brands that balance both will be the ones that last.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TinyMagnetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinymagnetics
Image Credits
Kirby Betancourt
