In 2024, my husband got a job opportunity in Sydney. We were living in Charleston, SC, at the time, and I was the CEO of Elizabeth James The Label. Starting my own business had been on my mind for a while, and it felt like a great time to do it when we moved. I quit my job, and my husband and I decided to use the proceeds from selling our house to fund my new clothing company. I worked for months figuring out what I’d need to make it work and then officially launched my children’s pajama brand, Motette, in March 2025. At the time, I thought starting a business focused on selling to US customers while I was living in Australia would be challenging but doable.
