Small Business Feature: Módní Kuchyně

Small businesses are such an important asset to our communities. I have always loved supporting and working with small business owners to increase their presence and their bottom line. Since moving to Prague I have grown to love and frequent many small businesses in the area, and Módní Kuchyně is one of them! In English the name translates to Fashion Kitchen, and this boutique reflects its title perfectly.

The owners are so kind and welcoming, and have a concept that works well for the modern woman. In the boutique you can enjoy a good cup of coffee with dessert, followed by a browse through amazingly fashionable pieces, eco-friendly products, and handmade jewelry.

It was an absolute pleasure interviewing the creators of Módní Kuchyně. Meet Pavla and Denisa as they share the concept and inspiration behind the start of their boutique.

1.Tell me a little about yourself…What is your background?

Pavla: I started with my creativity as small child – at seven years old I created clothes for my Barbie, re-designed our house (wallpapering, painting furniture…) because I detected that I couldn’t live without nice things around me. The process of creativity is a process that satisfies and fulfills me. These facts determined my direction in life. I started with tailoring of clothes when I was 12 because I broke my leg so I had enough time to pursue my mom´s sewing  machine,:-) and that was my rescue because what the fashion stores offered was very limited.

I graduated school of fashion design and tailoring + Technical University in Liberec. After my studies I started working in the automotive industry as “customer care” because in the Czech Republic the textile industry was completely declining. Regardless of this fact I continued in my “free time” building my brand, financing all necessary things to realize my dream (“step by step”). This period was very hectic and for me very exhaustive because it lasted 13 long years. I am grateful for this period because I gained experiences and learned everything that is necessary for the fashion business.  It also meant the start of my teaching tailoring classes, and I found all the contacts for my business. After meeting Denisa, owner of Create Style, 🙂 I felt from the beginning that our collaboration was in the right direction for my business.

Denisa: I was born in Prague and I love it here, but I also love traveling, meeting new people, food, coffee, wine, art and culture. All these things move me further and force me to think how amazing this world is. Even as a child, I was very curious and communicative. I could not concentrate on one thing and wanted to do more things, and the same is true to this day.

2.What inspired you to start your own business?

Pavla: The offer of fashion stores is in my opinion very limited, and the psychology of the global fashion industry is wrong (designers’ work is not appreciated).

Denisa: Very interesting question … There were many people who inspired me, but I did not have the courage to start. I always enjoyed inspirational lectures, read books and magazines, but I was afraid to start doing business. Later, I recognized the person who opened my eyes and said, “If you do not try it now, you will never have the opportunity again. Nothing worse can happen than returning to your old work.” And he was right. The beginnings were hard, but now I’m happy to have done it.

3. What can women look forward to when visiting Módní Kuchyně?

Pavla: Primarily a “good feeling” in a nicely designed place, original fashion and accessories, delectable deserts & coffee.

Denisa:  We want to bring a very unique concept to women. We would like to create a place where they will feel good – a small world full of beautiful things. A place with a personal approach that we can dedicate to women where they will be able to have great coffee, healthy desserts without remorse and will be surrounded by things that women like fashion, jewelry, and interior kitchen products. Once every three months, we will host an evening with wine, where we will introduce our guest and they will tell their story. The women will have the opportunity to talk and ask questions that interest them. We want to be different by providing mostly handmade products, and our goal is to support local production. We try to eco – sort waste, we provide stainless straws for domestic lemonade, and besides paper napkins we also use fabrics.

4. In your opinion, what are three things someone should consider before starting a business?

Pavla: For me, my business is a dream come true and my “matter of the heart”, so I don´t regret the time, the money, the energy…but it is still exhausting. I mean what is important is the answer to the question why they do it because money alone isn’t a good reason for starting your own business…

Denisa: At the beginning I made a lot of mistakes that I try to avoid now. At the start of the business, I would be more aware of what people like. Now I know that just because I like something, doesn’t mean 100 other people will . Another thing I would advise before starting out is to visit networking events and connect with people whom can help each other. My latest advice would be more focus on marketing, taking care of social networks, websites, promotions, and competitions.

5. Name your greatest success, or what you are most proud of in your business experiences.

Participation in the finals of “The wedding dress of the year 2014 – Carlsbad”

Pavla: Author´s show BENEFIT 7PM

Creating of Módní kuchyně

Start of own sewing and tailoring courses

Denisa: Success can not be said yet because I’m still in the beginning and I’m still learning, but I’m so glad that some of the famous cafes sell my Create Style metal straw as an alternative to plastic. Considering that the European Commission is gradually withdrawing the plastic from all the gastronomy equipment, I think buying one of my stainless steel straws that you can have for a lifetime is a great thing. Another thing that I am sincerely joyful about is our beautiful eco bags for fruits and vegetables, which, thanks to my clever colleague Pavla, makes them for sale and they are very popular.

6. Are there any special events we should be aware of?

Pavla: We are hosting a Christmas party in Módní Kuchyně November 8th. There will be a fashion show, holiday makeup tips, and the option to create a bracelet with our jewelry designer.

Denisa: Yes, we are planning a special event on 8.11. 2018 where we will have our first workshop and ladies’ evening with wine. The guest will be Mrs. Michaela Möllerová and her jewelry Misamo, where you will learn her whole story and also how such beautiful jewels are created. The bonus will be that the ladies will be able to create their own jewelry according to their fantasy, and our other guest will be our makeup artist Lucie Pětová, will give us pointers on how to enhance our beauty routine, take care of our skin and beautifully apply our makeup.

7. What is your favorite part about living and working in Prague?

Pavla: I love changes in my life – I live in Mlada Boleslav and also in Prague. In Prague there are more active people that understand originality, but it can also be somewhat hectic to live there. I can´t live without nature because nature brings me harmony and peace, and this is what I enjoy about my life outside of Prague.

Denisa: Because I was born in Prague, I like all its parts, but I prefer Dejvice, Letná, Karlín and Vinohrady – these are the places that have the greatest charm for me and where I can see myself living and working.

Shop Módní Kuchyné

It pays to follow your dreams! There will be challenges along the way, but the payoff is so much sweeter in the end. If you would like to follow Módní Kuchyné or visit their boutique, check out the info below!

Instagram: @modnikuchyne

Facebook: @modnikuchyne

Address: Československé armády 714/30, 160 00 Praha 6-Bubeneč