Carole Middleton Shares Heartwarming Insights About Family Business And Royal Kids’ Contributions

While the spotlight often shines on Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry these days, there’s plenty of room for other members of the royal family to take center stage. Recently, Kate’s mom, Carole Middleton, opened up in an exclusive interview with Good Housekeeping. She didn’t just talk about her thriving company, Party Pieces, but also revealed how her kids—Kate, Pippa, and James—played pivotal roles in its success. Let’s dive into this heartwarming story of family teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit.

Party Pieces: A Family Affair Since Day One

Party Pieces, the UK's go-to destination for all things party-related, was born in 1987. From its inception, it has been more than just a business—it’s a family tradition. Carole shared, “My children have all worked for the business. It’s been such a joy to see them contribute their unique talents.” She elaborated, “Catherine started the First Birthday brand. She carefully selected the products, managed the imagery, and oversaw the entire catalog production. Pippa took charge of setting up our blog when we realized we needed one, and James came up with the brilliant idea of personalized cakes, which became a massive hit.”

Carole explained how deeply embedded Party Pieces is in her family’s daily lives. “Because they grew up watching me work, Party Pieces has always been a part of our conversations and lives,” she said. “Even now, I value their input and often ask for their opinions. It’s a true team effort.”

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The Birth of Party Pieces: A Mother’s Passion Project

Carole reminisced about the early days of Party Pieces. “Back in 1987, I had two young children and was pregnant with my son, James,” she recalled. “We had just returned to the UK after living abroad, and I was a full-time mom. But I didn’t want to miss out on watching my kids grow up, so I decided to start my own business.”

Her entrepreneurial journey began with a simple yet effective strategy. “I put up a notice at my daughters’ playgroup, and customers started pouring in,” Carole shared. “In the first year, most of our business came from advertising in local playgroups. Our big break came when I partnered with Red House Books to distribute flyers about Party Pieces. We sent out 10,000 leaflets, and it skyrocketed our orders. I thought, if 10,000 worked so well, why not aim for 100,000? Scaling up was the key to our growth.”

As the business grew, so did its infrastructure. “We realized we needed a warehouse, so we moved to a small startup unit in Hungerford,” Carole continued. “By 1995, we had outgrown that space and moved to Child’s Court Farm, where we’ve been ever since.”

Before the Crown, There Were Piñatas

It’s fascinating to think about how Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, spent her early days choosing piñatas instead of tiaras. Carole’s story is a reminder that even the most famous families have humble beginnings and shared family ventures. So, the next time a family member pitches you an idea for an Etsy shop, remember the Middleton family’s inspiring example of turning a passion into a thriving business.

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