The Biz: The Grapevine

Budding entrepreneurs and the grown-ups who help nurture hands-on business skills will make a “shark” frenzy about these activity kits from Bizainy. Not strictly toys, these creative kits offer a way for kids to learn useful life experiences about business and money management. The three activity kits include projects for hands-on learning-as-fun, including DIY banners, books, decorate-your-own money boxes, stickers, sales pads, postcards and more.

Studies show that children who are exposed to multiple cultures and languages while growing up tend to be more successful and creative adults. This was definitely true for Yaiza and Isabel Ambruster, a pair of sisters whose unique multicultural upbringing inspired them to launch their own children’s clothing collection, Little Lelia. The collection is designed in New York, made in Germany, and draws from the rich textile traditions of Latin America, showcasing vivid patterns in block-print style as well as other pattern types. Moons, butterflies, and polka dots are present, but not in same graphic artistic style usually found on children’s clothing.

The chaotic mind state that follows the birth of a baby can make it difficult for parents to keep any semblance of a regular schedule. While technology has given us products to make many parts of life easier and more efficient, it hasn’t done much to ease the effects of “baby brain”…. until now. The Pocket Nanny by Itzbeen Innovated, Inc. is an electronic device that helps parents keep track of daily baby care tasks. This compact, lightweight gadget combines multiple features to create an all-in-one time management system.

Everybody likes to hear inspirational stories about a small business owner’s rise to success. An everyday Joe or Jane has an idea that turns into a full-fledged enterprise with thousands if not millions of units sold each year. While these upbeat overviews make readers feel good, they often don’t tell the whole story of the climb to the top, which can include failed prototypes, brutal schedules, financial difficulties, and all the other not-so-pretty aspects of being a new business owner. Sometimes, an entrepreneur finds that her business has become dormant and needs a complete re-start. That was the case for the owner of children’s clothing company Plum Pudding.