The Biz: Feature Articles

Whether you have a great children’s brand that you want to expand, or a great children’s product that could use the powerful boost of a well-known name, a licensing agreement can take your business to the next level of success. But to get the most out of a licensing opportunity, you need to find the right partner who knows the industry and understands your vision and goals for your brand or product. The benefits can be significant, but licensing partnerships are not without risks.

What feels as soft as a cashmere sweater? As weightless as a cloud? Bamboobies, the new choice for nursing moms who want a washable breast pad that doesn’t leak and won’t show through their clothing. Heart-shaped Bamboobies are smooth and soft on chafed nipples, the bane of many a mom trying to do her absolute best for her baby. The top-most layer is certified organic cotton and bamboo; underneath that is an ultra-absorbent hemp layer that soaks up breast milk and disperses it. The top-most outer layer is totally milk-proof to prevent leaks.

It’s that time of the year when we all feel the philanthropist in us calling to help others in need. During these tough economic times it is not difficult to find worthy targets for our generous hearts. Most people donate cash, food or even their time to help those in need. We want to do these charitable labors and that’s awesome! Some feel it’s not sincere if our efforts are reciprocal, meaning both sides receive something, but that’s not necessarily true. There are many instances where giving can give back and everybody benefits.

Making travels easier for your customers will deliver successful sales for you. The beauty of these products is they’re as useful in a holiday snowstorm as they are on the beach in the summer or a family picnic in the fall. Chances are these family-friendly travel items will fly off the shelf before the first bird tweet of spring, but if not, you’ll find them just as popular as people prepare for summer vacation. Here are some suggestions to get you going: BubbleBum, Toasty Bottle, Car Seat Cinema and PortaChair.

Would you be ready to “swim with the sharks” to help your business? The contestants of ABC’s “Shark Tank” pitch their business deals and dreams to a few of the most well-known wheeler-dealer investors, otherwise known as “the sharks.” Four savvy children’s product inventors, who made their pitch on “Shark Tank,” impressed the investors enough that they had multiple offers to consider. Ride-On Carry-On, Mod Mom Furniture, Coverplay and Soy-Yer Dough are now backed with capital to make significant strides in the marketplace.

Too many young people don’t vote, in fact, barely a quarter of them made it to the polls in the last midterm election. Voter apathy led Mary Jane McKittrick to help rectify it by writing Election Day, part of the Boomer and Halley series. The book’s main characters, Boomerang, an Australian Shepherd dog, and Halley’s Comet, a silver streak of a cat, help teach kids important values in an easy-to-understand, fun-filled way. By putting Election Day on their book shelves, retailers can help parents open an important dialogue and frame questions that make the conversation and its implications stick in kids’ minds.

Remember the tale about how a tiny pea kept a princess from sleeping soundly? The restless royal could not sleep the whole night and woke up achy and cranky. Think is would help if the pea were organic? Offering eco-friendly products to help little ones sleep makes sense for everyone. When children have a restful night and wake refreshed, the day gets off to a wonderful start. We are showcasing some terrific companies that make little ones’ nights silent and peaceful. With a bit of help from Greenbuds Baby, Woolly Boo, Crib Critters and New Jammies, children drift to the land of sweetest dreams.

Peace, love and Zen. If we had a little more of these in our lives, the world might — almost certainly would — be a better place. You can help foster these qualities when you stock Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones), a delightful book that reinterprets a classic Zen story in an accessible context for kids. The book, by Sanjay Nambiar, tells of a wise girl who experiences a series of events that at first seem lucky (or unlucky) but turn out to be quite the opposite. The book is beautifully illustrated with modern graphics juxtaposed with traditional backgrounds and a relatable “heroine.”

Most companies would be hard-put to identify the current economic season as a boom-time. However, there have been some bright spots in the current economy, largely thanks to small and medium sized businesses. It’s all about who you know and how you get your message out there, which is a long-standing reason that so many independent manufacturers foster relationships with experienced sales representative associations.Three sales rep firms that are thriving, Carolina Baby, The Coffs, and Annette & Associates, demonstrate how they help other companies flourish.

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