We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mai Akdeniz. Check out our conversation below.
Mai, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up around 6am and the first thing to do is quickly check emails and messages from my suppliers. Many times it’s a follow-up to conversations from the night before. Since they live in different countries, I need to be mindful of their time zones so I can catch them during their work hours. Then I prepare breakfast for my 7 year old, help him get ready, and walk him to school. Making coffee for myself comes next finally.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mai Akdeniz and I am the founder of The Picnic Day. It is a NY based brand offering timeless and cheerful clothes for children. Our flagship store is in West Village.
This holiday season The Picnic Day is joining the Bryant Park Winter Village. I had the honor of being selected in 2022 as one of their Small Business Spotlight vendors for a two-week popup which went fantastic. It feels amazing to be back this year with my own booth featuring the best selling items from the store.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Visiting a friend in New York in my twenties changed my life forever. Growing up in a small, quiet town in Japan, I was taught to do well in school, finish college, and get a stable 9–5 job to live a good life. I tried to follow that path but always felt like I didn’t quite fit the mold.
During my first trip to New York and through the people I met, I learned that it’s okay to listen to your inner voice and to challenge the unknown, no matter what others expect of you. Your life is yours and you have the power to make a trail when your mind is set on it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
There are big mistakes I made in the past and for years I deeply regretted them. It was when my older son asked me for advice about what direction to take in life, that I realized my experiences, even the difficult ones, could help him make better decisions. And surprisingly, sharing those stories with him slowly healed me as well. People say things happen for a reason and I truly believe that now.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
It’s my lifelong goal to make a positive impact on society through my business. I used to sell upcycled clothing and accessories to reduce waste and help raise awareness- We’re unlikely to stop overconsumption overnight, but sellers can contribute to slowing it down by paying attention to what we sell and buy. Everyone has some responsibility as we all share this planet and I want to make mine a fun experience. The Picnic Day is currently planning an experimental project, and hope it inspires other businesses to create their own initiatives to drive meaningful change.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Nothing really and I’m proud of this answer 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepicnicday.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepicnicdaynyc?igsh=MXZ6YXloajM4ODFxZg==
Image Credits
I took the picture myself
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
