Feature Articles: Road To Success

Growing up in a family of nine children, JC and Reid Smoot took mental notes as their seven other siblings geared up for a family road trip. Each child would bring their favorite stuffed animal to cuddle, a pillow to rest their head on and a blanket to keep warm. Years later, JC and Reid capitalized on their siblings’ packing techniques to create Zoobie pets, the ideal travel companion. Zoobies, as they are affectionately known, are all-in-one cuddly-soft stuffed animals and plush pillows.

Maddie Bradshaw seems like a typical eighth grader. The Texas teen is a member of her middle school swim team; she plays lacrosse and tennis; she loves English and History; she’s read all the books in the Twilight saga and declares herself “Team Jacob”; and she can’t wait to celebrate her 14th birthday with family and friends. Yet Maddie is anything but ordinary. Her entrepreneurial spirit has catapulted her into the national limelight, and she’s the president of a multi-million dollar company.

Rebecca Finell, founder of Boon, shares her “Road to Success” with The Giggle Guide™. Editorial Director David Gaunt recalls, “I remember very well the impact her student design, The Frog Pod made at the JPMA show several years ago. I met her among a group of competitive student designers, and by the next show she was a successful corporate executive, building one of the most exciting new children’s brands in years. I’ve seen a lot, having attended juvenile product shows since 1979, and Boon has been one of the best, and most well-deserved success stories. She understood function and design, plus the importance of brand image.” Her story is a great example of the possibilities of staying true to one’s business vision and being willing to take the risks necessary to succeed.

It Jeans Kids Division
KidShow Las Vegas

From big idea to multinational sensation, Cloud B is focused on its mission of “helping children sleep.” Beginning as a joint business venture, Cloud B has evolved into a worldwide company with a desire to better the planet and fill a void in the children’s market. Many know of Cloud B’s Sleep Sheep and Twilight Turtle products which have calmed countless children to sleep. Now, join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how Cloud B began, how it stays true to its business vision, and how it’s floating on “cloud 9” due to the humanitarian and environmental efforts made possible by its success.

At The Giggle Guide™, our “Road to Success” series shares the interesting paths leaders in the children’s industry have taken that have guided and influenced their businesses. We recently heard about the journey of Pat Martinek, founder of Martinek BéBé. We’ve all heard about “Renaissance men,” but nothing about “Renaissance women.” Pat is a true Renaissance woman. She is known for her award-winning furniture products — round & rectangular cribs, hand-forged cradles, armoires, toy chests and other baby-oriented furniture — plus innovative, elegantly designed store fixtures.

How did diaper rash lead to the creation of BabyLegs? The Giggle Guide’s™ second story in its “Road To Success” series takes a look at Nicole Donnelly as she went from the slopes to the boardroom and gained international recognition for her brand of baby leggings. The award-winning collection of BabyLegs are now popular for babies and tweens. They are as fun and fashionable as they are warm and crazily cozy. Nicole’s success story gives us hope. Who can make their dreams come true with the next great idea?

Huggalugs
New Jammies, LLC

Gabby Caperon’s personal journey is one of hope, adventure, love, ambition and surprises. Along the way, she created Beco Baby Carriers. She turned $5 into more than a million! The Giggle Guide™ is pleased to spotlight Gabby’s success story as our first profile in our “Road To Success” series. Hope. Love. Success. Isn’t that what our children’s business is all about?

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