As a royal, Kate Middleton constantly acts as our fashion inspiration. But as it turns out, she's been motivating people long before she ever joined the royal family.
In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, the Duchess of Cambridge's mother, Carole Middleton, revealed that she felt motivated to start her own company, Party Pieces, because of Kate. (The matriarch's endeavor is a mail-order company that sends themed party supplies right to your doorstep.)
During the interview, Carole said, “My children inspired my business and have been involved from the start, and the success that we've had has helped us build the life we have currently. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found the professional fulfillment I always wanted.”
It was Kate's fifth birthday party that first planted the idea for Party Pieces in Carole's mind. “All I could find were basic clown plates,” she said, discussing her struggle in finding party supplies. “I realized there was a gap in the market for party-ware that wasn't too expensive and which looked good, so I decided to design my own. I took some prototypes to various High Street retailers and was turned away.”