Feature Articles: Behind The Brand

Bill Cook is known as the “Bullfrog” of Frogs Frills and Daffodils, a unique children’s clothing company with an equally non-traditional approach to design, brand collections, merchandising and sales strategy. Together with his wife and designer Mary, these grandparents have brought an original and successful approach to specialty stores that want to do business in a different, and for many, a better way. Innovations include $100 minimum orders, no pre-packs, and mix-and-match combo orders for styles, brands, and seasons.

Here’s a sweet success story, inspired by both the fond childhood memories of a friend, and the wallabies who carry their young in a front-facing pouch! Eric says, “The same night we decided on the name myWallaby, we learned that Miriam was pregnant!” Miriam continues, “Given the ever-expanding shape of my belly during the months that myWallaby started to take shape, we can’t help but think that my growing belly was at least in part some inspiration for the myWallaby pouch!” Eric and Myriam share with The Giggle Guide™ how it all began and how their myWallaby Agile Doll Carrier has grown, along with their daughter.

Lisa Lloyd, owner of Treasure Chest Pets, went swimming with The Sharks at a time when her business was treading water. On October 6, she appeared on the ABC show, Shark Tank, and confidently negotiated a deal with two of the “shark” investors, Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John. The investment contract will provide her business with the supportive experience of the investors, substantial investment capital and improved distribution and manufacturing services, in exchange for equity in her company.

Moonlight Treasures LLC
Petit Pas

Just as bad can mean “good,” and hot mean “cool,” the same formula holds true for Icky Products, as this brand connotes cute, comfortable, and clever children’s products. A mess of great stuff for babies and toddlers! Kate Somerset, the founder of Icky Products, may have first been inspired to produce products that helped with the “icky” aspects of child rearing, but over the years the brand has grown to be known for its quality, craftsmanship, clean designs and class. Kate shares with The Giggle Guide™ how Icky started and what Icky means today.

Nicole Johnson has logged countless hours creating her cozy, colorful and playful New Jammies organic sleepwear collections. The sleepless nights that were spent making bedtimes better for children have resulted in sweet dreams for her business. Join The Giggle Guide™ as we take a look “under the covers” and reveal how New Jammies has successfully managed to expand its product lines, sales force and national appeal.

Meet Kristy Awald-Stafford, owner and inventor of the ToyWrangler™ from LuvLoo™. Kristy shares her “Behind the Brand” journey from active mom of two young boys to entrepreneur and enterprising businesswoman. She is a great example of how recognizing a real need begins the process to invent, manufacture and market a product that becomes a company. In her case, she saw a need for something that would eliminate constantly picking up and searching for things tossed down by her young ones. ToyWrangler was the answer. It’s something everyone with small children can use!

The Treehouse Showroom
Bows Arts

If you’ve ever been in a clutch to easily and cleanly change a baby in a public restroom you know it can be a mess in more ways than one! Time to get your clutches on the LillyBit Uptown Diaper Clutch! Lyssa Surface takes us behind her brand to reveal how a self-proclaimed “start-up” company goes from “I-wish-I had” to “have to have it!” She discovered a need. Found a solution. Then went to work on making her business dream a practical reality. Here’s some inspiration for all the entrepreneurs working toward bringing “the next best thing” to the children’s market. Sometimes, it just takes a mom!

Happy 31st Anniversary to le top!

The people behind le top are highly respected, admired, and looked up to in the children’s industry as an example of so much that is great about the children’s business. Co-owner Chris Lun shares the birth, growing pains, challenges and triumphs of le top’s history. Chris always talks about the le top employees, and their retail customers, as “family.” Here’s a behind-the-brand look at this family’s success.

Behind The Brand” gets personal with Knuckleheads’ “head” designer Melissa Nash. The popular active boy’s brand is a little bit retro and a lot rad. Melisa shares the success story of her family business and previews what’s up for Knuckleheads for Spring ‘10.

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