Interview with our Founder, Cassandra
March 2022
International Women's Day Interview
Background:
Cassandra Abramson, with the support and help of her husband Neil, founded Cutie Patuties in October 1998, 6 months after having her first child. Cassandra found the need to provide affordable, quality children’s clothing to the community as one that was unmet, and decided to plunge in, and provide that service to the families of North Central Massachusetts. Fast forward 24 years with highs and lows in the business, Cutie Patuties and it’s sister store Cutiques are a staple in our area’s economy.
“When the store opened, we had 3 rounders of kids clothing all pushed up against the window so it looked like the store was full. I would bring my baby and have her in the car seat on the counter to be able to watch her, and still work. My husband would come in at 4am, take out the trash, vacuum, file the paperwork, and do anything he could to help before heading off to his job. Without his support, it would have been so much harder!”
One of the best aspects of the whole business is it revolves around our community. All the inventory comes from local families, most of the services needed by the business are fulfilled locally, we employ a fantastic local team with some team members having been here more than 20 years, consisting of 98% women in all levels of roles for the company.
We have grown as our customers, and their needs have grown. First only providing children’s items, then providing a teen department, branching out into home decor, and then adding in ladies items to supply most of a family’s needs.
How can we encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their career?
CA: More women need to feel the opportunities are just as available to them as they are to anyone else. In starting this business, I didn’t feel any doubt in my mind that I could succeed: start a business from scratch, in an industry I didn’t have any experience in, with a 6 month old baby by my side. Go forward with all the confidence it will succeed, don’t focus on what if it doesn’t.
Always have a mindset of looking ahead, moving forward, but have your hand out pulling those up behind you. The best feeling is when you have helped someone reach a new level, attain a goal for them or their family, and have helped them succeed. They can do it, they just need a guiding hand to show them the way.
I believe there will be a day when it won’t be a surprise, or even a discussion factor of the person’s gender, race, or life choices. Let’s keep moving forward, supporting each other, and growing stronger together.