Simone van Mulbregt ‘is’ Catootje. She used to run a great shop in Delft, but since the birth of her two children she has gone online.
When did you start Catootje online?
“Only four months ago. I used to run a similar shop years ago, but that was a ‘real’ shop in Delft. Until I had kids and I gave it up. But lately I’d been itching to get back to it.”
What do you think is the biggest difference between online and real life?
“It’s easier to get your shop out there in real life. You have an actual shop window with an actual shop. Online it takes a bit of time to get found, but it’s been going well for me because of my distinct taste and ideas. My taste runs to retro, inspired by music, rockabilly, Bettie Page, a taste of the fifties. I used to have more seventies stuff in the shop, nowadays I have more cute dresses. And I always have quaint little presents. I feel that there should always be something to laugh about!”
What part does retro play in your own life?
“We like that style ourselves. We are always messing around with old wallpaper and furniture, we also have an old-timer. Which hasn’t moved an inch in two years, I must admit. Now that we have kids we have become a little less passionate about all that. But we’re bound to go back to it at some point. Flea markets, festivals… And we still play records.”
Plans for the future?
“”Expand, of course! And I want to get even more active on social media. I do miss the direct contact with customers, but luckily I’ve found that when I am manning my stand on the Swan lifestyle market in Rotterdam or busy on Twitter, my customers are still the same fun people they always were.”
