Being a mother on maternity leave and building a successful brand at the same time – sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Yet, Gabriela Palimaru, the founder of Legante brand, proves exactly the opposite. For almost two years, she has been passionately growing her children’s clothing business, starting from a personal need and gradually turning it into an authentic brand.
The young entrepreneur shares how she managed to balance caring for her family with her desire to create something of her own, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover her inspiring story and the role Microinvest played in helping her business grow.
How did the idea of creating children’s clothing come about?
Since the age of 17, I have always been involved in creative fields – I was a model, appeared in advertising campaigns, danced, and later worked in the beauty industry. When I got pregnant, I continued working until the very end, but after giving birth, I realized it was time to find a new direction, one that truly represented me. The idea of creating children’s clothing came from a personal need: I was looking for an elegant outfit for my child’s christening and couldn’t find anything suitable. I finally found one in Romania, with a minimalist design, but the fabric wasn’t what I wanted. That’s when I said to myself, “Why not make something that can’t be found here, something beautiful and high-quality?”. That’s how the idea for the Legante brand came about. For more than four years, I have been running my own business, making customers happy with clothing for children created with love.
Where can Legante children’s clothing be purchased?
We opened the Legante showroom a year ago, in the Atrium Shopping Center, on the 3rd floor, boutique 3038. It is a space created for those who value an authentic shopping experience. Here, our customers can see our collections, touch the fabrics, and try on the clothes. However, our main activity remains online, on our Instagram page, where customers can choose their favorite models and place their order, which is delivered in just a few days. We always try to maintain open communication and offer a pleasant experience, regardless of whether the customer visits our showroom or orders online.
What types of clothing can be found at Legante?
We distribute and produce elegant clothing for girls and boys, from newborns to 14-year-olds, made from quality materials, with a minimalist and refined design, primarily in pastel shades. We promote a natural, clean, and mature style, inspired by the beautiful simplicity of childhood. We work with carefully selected suppliers, including those in Turkey, where we source ready-made designs, chosen for their quality, cut, and aesthetics. At the same time, we develop our own collections, created by me and made in Korea, combining elegance with comfort and attention to detail. And for customers who want personalized outfits, our workshop in Moldova creates custom-made clothes, tailored to individual sizes and preferences – perfect for special events or significant moments in the little ones’ lives.
Looking back, how difficult was it to combine the role of a mother and of an entrepreneur? What challenges did you face?
At first, many people didn’t believe in my idea. But I was convinced that I could succeed. I remember breastfeeding my baby at night and then immediately working on orders in the hallway of our apartment. I had a small improvised stand and a decorative backdrop on the wall, so that the product photos would look good. At night, I would prepare the orders for the next day – I would take pictures, wrap them nicely in paper, and later edit the images and save them for posting. During the day, I took care of the baby, but also handled deliveries, calls and all the necessary logistics. To keep up with all the orders, I made an Excel spreadsheet where I marked every important detail: how the jacket should look, how many buttons it should have, how the pants should be tailored, everything down to the smallest detail. It was hard, but also beautiful – a period in which I learned what it really means to create something out of passion.
What motivated you to collaborate with Microinvest, and how would you describe this experience?
I found out about Microinvest by chance, noticing that you actively support entrepreneurs in Moldova. I decided to give it a try, and the response came almost instantly. The financing helped me purchase more goods and expand my product range, which was essential for growing my business. Since then, it’s been two years of wonderful and efficient collaboration. What I appreciate the most are the people on the team – professionals who pay attention to detail, are always open and ready to offer support. I resonate with Microinvest’s energy and values, and the support offered to young entrepreneurs is essential: thanks to Microinvest, more and more people can develop businesses here, at home.
What is the secret to success in business, and what advice would you offer to those who want to start their entrepreneurial journey?
There isn’t a single secret. What truly matters is taking the first step and keeping going despite the challenges. I adapted to every situation without waiting for the “perfect moment”. The real secret was organization: I planned my day in time blocks – one hour with my child, two hours of work, then the other way around. I always tried to maintain balance between my family and my passion. I believe everything is possible when you have strong determination, clear goals, and the energy to put them into practice. My advice: don’t postpone your dream. Analyze things carefully, plan realistically, and start – small steps taken consistently lead to big results.
*Microinvest is the only financial organization in Moldova that holds the international GOLD certification in client protection (according to the Cerise+SPTF Client Protection standards and methodology). This reflects a responsible and transparent lending process, fair financing, and a constructive approach to every request.
