Beba Bean Sprouts Laughter and Love for Babies
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Beba Bean began its business by solving a piddly diapering problem parents of boys know all too well — avoiding getting showered by the fountain of youth! After the birth of her second child, Alex, Lisa Malcic noticed that no product existed to prevent wee willie’s weeing all over her and her husband, Peter. Thus, she was inspired to create the Pee-pee Teepee™, the topper that conveniently contains old faithful’s trouble that starts with a “P”!
In 2002, Lisa co-founded Beba Bean and the brand has grown over the past eight years to international acclaim. The product line has expanded to include baby gifts, apparel, footwear and accessories. Lisa shares a Behind The Brand look at how her “adorable meets practical” design philosophy has made the company more than a wee bit successful!
When was your brand born, and what was the initial inspiration?
“In 2002, I co-founded Beba Bean, creating our first problem-solving innovation, Pee Pee Teepee™. Being a mom of two young children, with a clothing design background, I saw a gap in the baby apparel and gift market for innovative products that parents loved and babies couldn’t live without! In addition to the fun and functional Pee Pee Teepee™, the Beba Bean collection includes apparel, blankets, shoes and accessories. We produce sizes from newborn to 24 months, with a focus on creating “ahh-inspiring” baby shower gifts. We strive to produce the highest quality garments and accessories that cater to even the most selective consumer.
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What was your experience prior to the brand launch?
“I attended fashion design school in my twenties and started working with local designers doing patterns and sampling, mostly on a freelance basis. I also spent a lot of time doing costume design for theatre and film in Vancouver. I loved the creative energy and enjoyed being a part of the productions. These opportunities also led me to work with some magazines, doing fashion styling. This experience has helped me greatly with Beba Bean, and I look forward to our photo shoots every six months!
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What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting?
“Every day, and each milestone, is a learning experience and we may not always know the right answer. Being a first-time business owner, I must rely a lot on gut instinct and not second guess myself or our choices. When I first started, it was difficult to navigate through all the different aspects of running my own business. With the growth of the company, I found that moving operations overseas was the biggest obstacle. It was hard to know what factory to choose, and trust they could produce the same quality standards our customers expected. With the employment of our sourcing manager, she only worked with factories of the highest standard, so I knew that would coincide with our brand philosophy.
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What is one thing you would have done differently?
“I wouldn’t change a thing I have done. It doesn’t mean we haven’t made a ton of mistakes, it means it would change our journey, and all the mistakes we have made have contributed to the great brand we have built. I believe that mistakes are the only way to grow, so I always reflect on them and learn. Our life is full of learning experiences; too many people look down on a mistake, but it is what shapes who we are.
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What do you feel are the three biggest keys to your success?
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- Creating innovative products that speak to parents.
- Making a work/life/family balance the #1 priority for the entire Beba Bean team.
- Committing to our mission and having a vision.
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Describe a typical new product development cycle for your business?
“When I start to design for a new season, the first thing I do is consult with new parents about what they are missing in their life with their new baby. I like to start with a common problem or issue that a parent is having that needs a solution. From there, I find inspiration in art, design, landscape and travel. You will see common themes in our designs, and we hope it translates to each family that buys one of our pieces. With each piece I design, I follow three design essentials: Washability, Changeability and Safety.
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Do “green” or eco-friendly concerns influence your business decisions, and if so, how?
“We live in a very eco-conscious society and incorporate green initiatives in both our personal and professional lives. We are lucky to live in a part of North America where recycling and green options are simply a way of life, and we have the infrastructure to support such practices. In business, we always choose the most eco-conscious and economically viable option. Simple things such as using recycled paper, minimal packaging and electronic ordering can make a big impact.
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What is one new trend you’re seeing in the marketplace?
“We’ve noticed a growing sophisticated aesthetic in baby apparel and gifts. Trends are being drawn from the adult world, whether it is fashion, design or home decor. There are more options available for parents who prefer a clean, stylish aesthetic. Our Herringbone line is a great example of this.
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What types of marketing have been most effective for your business?
“The power of word of mouth and gifting! We’ve heard countless stories of mother’s who’ve received Beba Bean as baby shower gifts who have then turned around and bought the same piece for another new mother because they’ve loved it so much! Yes, we do enjoy and see the benefits of a great PR hit in national magazines such as US or People or a mention on national TV shows such as The Tyra Banks Show, but that word of mouth between mothers is priceless.
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How does your business make use of the Internet?
“We offer online retail sales at www.bebabean.com, featuring our entire product line. We also offer an exclusive wholesale section on the Web site where our wholesale customers can place orders, view products and pricing, and download images and press releases to use in-store and on their own Web sites. We are active on Facebook and Twitter, as well as working with Bloggers.
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What is the biggest challenge your business faces today?
“Planning and executing the next stage of our company. Growth is a wonderful thing; but it must be managed and planned for in order to ensure continued success.
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What is one change/addition that’s had a positive impact for your business in the last year?
“Introducing online retail sales and increasing our social media profile have made a very positive impact on our business in the last year. Both have given us an outlet to reach new customers and create a stronger connection with current ones.
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What is your one piece of advice for someone entering the children’s market?
“This is a wonderful industry to be in, especially if you are a parent entrepreneur. This industry is very supportive of one another; there’s always someone there to mentor you and answer any difficult questions you may have. The business side of “children’s” is always evolving. There are always new babies being born, new parents starting out and a new audience to love your product!
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About Beba Bean
What’s in a name? For the Beba Bean brand, they took ‘Beba’ from Lisa’s husband Peter’s European background and added “Bean,” to represent a newborn in the womb. The line now includes bamboo layette, knitwear, blankets, socks, shoes and Knit Knacks Zoo Animals that feature built-in rattles.
Lisa’s family remains the center of her world. They inspire the fun and whimsy in all that she designs. Lisa says, “I feel lucky to do what I love all day and thank all our very loyal retailers who continue to share our vision with their customers and our new found retail customers who are discovering the joy of having a baby in their life everyday.”
For more information, contact www.bebabean.com
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