Q for Quinn founder and CEO, Melita Cyril, on motherhood, resilience, and building a brand around the gaps nobody else would fill.
Some businesses start with a business plan. Melita's started with a baby, a skin condition, and a very specific frustration: she couldn't find organic cotton socks gentle enough for her son.
What followed wasn't an overnight success story, Melita is the first to say so. It was years of slow, steady work: researching manufacturers overseas, learning an industry she hadn't trained for, and building a brand while raising a family. As Mother's Day approaches, we sat down with her to talk about the journey, what keeps her going, and what she's building toward.
What first pushed you to start the business?
Pictured above: Melita with her son, Jacob, Quinn.
It came from a very personal place. My son had eczema, and while there were options for organic cotton onesies, there just weren't any for socks. Becoming a mom also made me rethink everything. I'd been working 60-hour weeks, and I didn't want to go back to that. So I became a stay-at-home mom with this side hustle, designing socks, figuring out manufacturing, trying to learn how to actually launch something.
What was the hardest part early on?
Pictured above: our sock factory in Guimarães, Portugal.
Manufacturing, without a doubt. I didn't come from a fashion background, and there were no kids' sock manufacturers left in North America. I had to go overseas right from the start. Learning how to do that well, at scale, with no industry contacts? That was overwhelming.
"I felt like we were slightly ahead of our time but the feedback from customers kept telling me there was something here."
Was there a moment things started clicking?
Pictured above: Melita's husband, and kids, repacking underwear in the early days.
Honestly, I still ask myself that question sometimes. The first five years were slow and there wasn't a moment where it suddenly took off. What kept me going was the customer feedback. People weren't finding products like ours anywhere else. That steady validation, even when growth was gradual, gave me the confidence to keep pushing.
Has your vision of success changed since you started?
Pictured above: Kyra and Melita model the Move Naturally by Quinn collection.
Not really, if anything I've always had a big vision for this. I want Q for Quinn to be a household name, known for creating better, longer-lasting, functional products that genuinely solve problems. Products people trust. That hasn't changed. We've just gotten closer to it.
What advice would you give your earlier self?
Be patient. I used to think: make a great product and people will come. That is absolutely not how it works. There's so much that goes into not just developing a product but figuring out the right message, the right platforms, the right timing. I knew patience was important; it's just harder to hold onto when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
How do you stay grounded through the uncertainty?
I time myself on tasks. If I've spent too long on something, I step away. I write down what I want to accomplish and check things off as I go. It sounds simple, but that habit keeps me feeling productive on days when progress feels impossible. Aside from that, my kids help create balance. No one can pour everything into one thing without burning out. I also make time to run, go to the gym, play sports. I'm a bit of a wreck without that.
"It's such a luxury to build something you love while still having the flexibility to be there for your kids."
What would you say to other mothers thinking about starting something?
Pictured above: Melita (founder, CEO @ Q for Quinn), her husband Nigel (COO @ Q for Quinn), and their three children.
Do it. Be patient. Being a mom gives you this new kind of strength; you're more resilient, and you're much better at prioritizing what actually matters. It helps you cut through noise. I now have the flexibility that a conventional career often doesn't give you. That part is a real gift.
Where do you want to be in ten years?
Pictured above: through Mary's Meals, children around the world are nourished at school, fueling their education, growth, and hope for what’s ahead.
A household name, globally. I'd love physical retail stores where customers can actually touch and feel the products. We've donated over 600,000 meals through our giving program, and I want to reach 10 million in the next decade. Most of all, I want the brand to stand for something: safe, clean, functional basics that families can trust.
What's bringing you joy right now?
Tennis. I picked it up a couple of years ago and love it, especially playing outside. I'm also so happy with the team we're building at Q for Quinn. I'm genuinely excited about the family we're creating here. That energy is something I don't take for granted.
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