Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Fried.
Stephanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Tiny Seat Company after noticing a gap that most people overlook. Car seats are not just another piece of fabric to clean, they’re safety equipment. Cleaning them the wrong way can actually compromise how they function.
There was not a clear, trustworthy option for parents who wanted their car seats cleaned safely and correctly, so I built one. From the beginning, the focus has been on following manufacturer recommendations and using non-toxic, baby-safe products, while also making the process simple and convenient for busy families.
As the business grew, I became a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). That strengthened my knowledge and the service I provide. It allows me to go beyond cleaning and help families understand how to properly care for and use their seats.
Today, Tiny Seat Company serves families across the St. Louis area with porch pick-up and next-morning return. What began as identifying a gap has turned into growing service built around helping families maintain both cleanliness and safety.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building trust in a space that most people don’t realize requires expertise.
Car seats are something many people use, but very few people understand how sensitive they are to improper cleaning. A big part of the work early on was building visibility, creating a category locally that is not widely known, and educating people on why this is not something you want to guess your way through.
I also started without a background in business, so there has been a steep learning curve. Building a business while being a mom and full time employee has required a lot of adaptability and discipline. That said, those challenges have made me more focused, strategic, and intentional with my time and energy. They have also made the business stronger and more aligned with what families need.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Tiny Seat Company is a professional car seat and stroller cleaning service based in St. Louis. At its core, the business is built around safe, proper maintenance for the baby gear families rely on most.
We specialize in cleaning car seats, strollers, and other baby gear using non-toxic, baby-safe products while strictly following manufacturer recommendations. That’s a key difference from traditional cleaning approaches, which can unintentionally damage materials or compromise how a seat performs.
What sets us apart is the combination of safety, specialization, and convenience. along with the added knowledge behind the service through my CPST certification. We also offer porch pick-up and next-morning return, which makes the process simple for busy busy families.
What I’m most proud of is building something that fills a gap while also raising awareness. Many people don’t realize that improper cleaning can impact a car seat’s safety, so being able to provide a service that removes that uncertainty and helps families care for equipment designed to protect their children is what continues to drive the business forward.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to focus on progress over perfection. It’s easy to get stuck waiting until everything feels “ready,” but in reality, most of the growth comes from taking action, learning as you go, and adjusting along the way.
I had to figure out a lot in real time, and if i had waited until i felt fully prepared, I probably would not have started at all.
There will be moments where things feel slow or uncertain, especially in the beginning, but does not mean it isn’t working. A lot of the time, it just means you’re still building the foundation.
The biggest difference I’ve seen is simply continuing to move forward, staying consistent, and being willing to learn. Over time, those small steps add up in a way you don’t always see right away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetinyseatcompany.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tinyseatcompany
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/tinyseatcompany
