An Inspired Chat with MONIKA PAWLAK of Sherman Oaks

We’re looking forward to introducing you to MONIKA PAWLAK. Check out our conversation below.

MONIKA, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m most proud of the parts of my business that will never show up in a product photo. The decisions I made quietly, the challenges I worked through when no one was watching, and the discipline it took to keep choosing the honest, slower path even when it would have been easier to cut corners.

People see a cute romper. They don’t see the hundreds of choices behind it — selecting buttery fabrics that won’t irritate a child’s skin, keeping every piece tag-free because sensory comfort matters, or working with local factories because I want every garment sewn ethically here in Los Angeles. They don’t see how personal it feels to design clothing when your own children inspired it. My kids grew up with this brand, and in many ways, I did too.

I’m proud that Be Mi Los Angeles wasn’t built by chasing quick wins or trying to look “big” before we were ready. It was built with intention, patience, and a commitment to doing things right even when it took longer. I didn’t let the pressure to scale fast compromise the quality, values, or heart behind the brand.

What nobody sees is the depth of care in every decision — and that’s exactly what makes this journey meaningful to me.
I’m not just building a brand — I’m building something I’m proud to stand behind.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Monika, and I’m the founder of Be Mi Los Angeles, a small-batch kids and mommy-and-me clothing brand designed and ethically made in Los Angeles. Our pieces are inspired by my two children, Benjamin and Mila, who were the reason this brand began and continue to be part of the creative process today.

What makes our brand unique is the amount of intention behind every decision. We don’t rush production, we don’t chase trends, and we don’t outsource to the cheapest factory. Instead, we focus on buttery-soft fabrics, sensory-friendly details, tagless comfort, and thoughtful designs that grow with children and support everyday movement. Our clothing feels good, looks effortless, and stands up to real life — playdates, travel, school days, spills, and everything in between.

We produce locally, in small quantities, because quality and ethics matter. I care deeply about supporting Los Angeles makers, keeping our standards high, and building a brand that parents trust and kids actually love wearing.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding our hero pieces — especially our rompers — and continuing to develop clothing that blends comfort, practicality, and modern style. Be Mi is more than apparel. It’s a slow, intentional brand built around real family life, made to last, made to move, and made with heart.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Life taught me the most about work. I came to this country as an immigrant without connections, money, or a clear path, so I didn’t learn from mentors or business schools — I learned by doing. When you start with nothing, work isn’t a theory. It’s survival, resourcefulness, and learning how to figure things out without waiting for permission.

Being an immigrant taught me how to stretch every dollar, how to solve problems on my own, and how to build something valuable without shortcuts. I learned to negotiate, to ask questions, to make mistakes I couldn’t afford, and to get back up quickly because there was no safety net underneath me.

This is the same energy I run my business with today. I don’t rush to scale just to look successful, and I don’t compromise values for speed. I built Be Mi Los Angeles the way immigrants build their lives — piece by piece, with grit, patience, and an understanding that the strongest foundations are built slowly.

Work taught me who I am and what I stand for. No classroom could have given me that.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a moment early on when I almost walked away from building a brand altogether. Before Be Mi Los Angeles existed, I started another company with a partner. I believed collaboration would make the journey stronger, but instead it became one-sided. I was doing all the work — designing, planning, investing — while she took credit and expected results without contributing. It wasn’t partnership; it was entitlement.

Closing that company cost me money, time, and confidence. It felt like I had failed before I had even begun. But that experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my life: sometimes the hardest thing to walk away from is the thing that’s holding you back. Letting go wasn’t giving up — it was choosing to protect my vision.

A few months later, I started over completely on my own — with a newborn in my arms, a four-year-old at my feet, and no family around to help. Looking back, I don’t even know how I did it except for this: I knew that if I didn’t rebuild immediately, I might never try again. That decision is how Be Mi Los Angeles was born — created slowly, on my terms, without shortcuts or compromises.

Starting over wasn’t a step back — it was a return to myself

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in children’s fashion is the idea that quality doesn’t matter because kids outgrow clothing quickly. This mindset leads to scratchy fabrics, uncomfortable seams, cheaply made pieces, and fast fashion disguised as “cute.” It assumes parents only care about price and that children don’t notice how something feels on their skin.

But children notice more than we think. They know when something is itchy, stiff, or restrictive. They pull at tags, avoid certain fabrics, and gravitate toward pieces that let them move, play, and breathe. Quality isn’t wasted on kids — it impacts how they feel in their own bodies.

At Be Mi Los Angeles, we design with comfort and longevity in mind. Our fabrics are buttery-soft, tagless, sensory-friendly, and durable enough to be worn, washed, and passed down. Many of our pieces are designed to grow with children, so they last longer and age beautifully rather than becoming disposable. Quality isn’t just about durability; it’s about respect. Respect for children, their needs, and the bodies they’re growing into.

Kids deserve clothing that honors their comfort, not just their size.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Right now, I’m building things that are meant to last — both in my business and in my family. I’m building a slow, ethical brand that doesn’t chase trends or fast growth, and I’m raising two children at the same time. Neither of those paths bring instant rewards, but both will matter deeply years from now.

In my business, I’m choosing craftsmanship over shortcuts, local production over mass outsourcing, and timeless design over disposable fashion. I’m earning trust the slow way — through consistency, quality, and values. Reputation doesn’t show up overnight; it grows quietly through integrity.

At home, I’m doing something similar. I’m investing in the kind of moments, boundaries, presence, and work ethic that shape who my children will become. They may not understand everything I’m building today, but one day they’ll see the life that slow, steady effort created for them.

What I’m doing now isn’t just for this season — it’s for the future. I’m building a brand, a legacy, and two human beings who will know what intention looks like. Some things take time because they’re meant to last.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bemilosangeles.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bemilosangeles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bemilosangeles/

Image Credits
Amy Ashurts The Rye Studio
Alexandra Cooper Photography