Rising Stars: Meet Namsis Loch of Costa Mesa, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Namsis Loch.

Hi Namsis , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Mod Tot started after I became a mom to my daughter, Charlotte and I contemplating leaving the corporate world to spend more time with my family. . With my background in fashion merchandising and sales, I’ve always loved clothing and the way special pieces can tell a story. Once I became a mom, I quickly realized just how fast children grow out of their clothes, often after wearing them only once or twice.

I saw an opportunity to give those beautiful pieces another life while creating a place where parents could find unique, quality children’s clothing without always having to buy new. What began as a passion project organically grew into Mod Tot, a carefully curated children’s boutique offering a mix of pre-loved, new-with-tags, and special finds.

Today, Mod Tot has a physical home inside SEED People’s Market at The CAMP in Costa Mesa, as well as an online presence that has allowed the brand to continue growing beyond our local community.

What I’m most proud of is how organically Mod Tot has evolved while still staying true to what inspired it from the beginning: my love of children’s fashion, thoughtful consumption, and the idea that a great piece of clothing deserves to be loved by another little one.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to grow a business while still being the present, involved mom I want to be. Mod Tot started as a passion project, and as it grew, I had to learn how to manage inventory, consignment, merchandising, an online presence, and eventually a physical retail space, all while figuring things out as I went.

Another challenge has been learning to trust the process. As a small business owner, you wear so many hats, and there are always decisions to make about what to invest in, what direction to take, and when it’s time to grow. I’ve learned that not everything has to happen at once. Staying true to the brand, listening to my customers, and allowing Mod Tot to evolve organically has been a huge part of the journey.

Sourcing is also a huge part of what I do and something I take a lot of pride in. I’m constantly searching for special, unique pieces that you don’t see everywhere. I want someone shopping Mod Tot to feel like they’ve discovered a little gem, whether it’s a beautiful pre-loved piece, something new with tags, or an unexpected vintage find. Maintaining that level of curation while continuing to grow can be challenging, but it’s also one of my favorite parts of the business.

The challenges have ultimately been some of the most rewarding parts because every new stage has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and taught me something new. I’m incredibly proud of how far Mod Tot has come, while still feeling like we’re just getting started.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wanted to create a place where clothes could have a second life and where parents could discover distinctive, beautifully made pieces without always buying new. What began as a small passion project grew organically into Mod Tot.

Today, Mod Tot is a thoughtfully curated collection of pre-loved treasures, new-with-tags finds, and special pieces chosen for their quality, character, and style. It has become a destination for the unexpected: the one-of-a-kind items you won’t find everywhere else, and the pieces that rarely stay on the shelf for long.

At its heart, Mod Tot remains rooted in the same belief that inspired it from the beginning: that great style can be more thoughtful, more personal, and more enduring and that truly special clothes deserve another little life.

How do you think about luck?
I definitely believe luck has played a role, but I also believe a lot of “luck” comes from being willing to recognize an opportunity and take a chance on it. Mod Tot has grown very organically, and so many of the right people and opportunities have come into my life at just the right time.

Finding a home for Mod Tot inside SEED People’s Market was one of those moments. It gave me the opportunity to take something I had built from inside my home and gave it a physical presence in my own community.

I also feel incredibly lucky to have customers, consignors, friends, and family who believed in Mod Tot and continued to support it as it evolved. So much of the business has grown through word of mouth and genuine relationships, which is really special to me.

I think luck may open a door, but you still have to be willing to walk through it, work hard, and see where it takes you. I’ve tried to do exactly that with Mod Tot.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modtotoc.com
• Instagram: mod.totoc.com

Image Credits
itsfer.photography