Feature Articles: Retail Reality

When Melanie Morgenthaler and her young family moved back to her childhood home in Maine, she went to work creating a place where parents and children could go to learn, play and bond together. She began offering music programs for children and soon after added a symphony of retail products to meet local demand. Melanie shares her story about blending love of family, music and sharing. Read on to discover how “plorking,” a word she coined, defines her business philosophy!

Melissa Lopez, owner of Little Peanut Boutique in Costa Mesa, California, loves kids, moms and sharing her children’s product discoveries with everyone. Her enthusiasm and passion for her new business is infectious. Her innovative approach to sales and customer referrals is motivational, and a bit of genius, as she puts the incredible marketing power of moms’ word-of-mouth and celebrity contacts to work for her. Everyone wins and has fun in this “oooh and aaaahhh” children’s world designed for… little peanuts!

Monica Willis, an Australian mum of two, now has two kids AND two kids’ stores growing in Brooklyn! With a background in fashion and props for TV and commercial advertising, she was inspired to open a children’s shop when she realized her comunity needed one. The Giggle Guide™ Retail Reality series asks Claire the hows, whens, whats and what-ifs that have made her Corduroy Kid stores a great place in the neighborhood.

Seven years and seven children ago, Amy McCoy started selling cloth diapers online to help save on family expenses. Guess the change did her good. The online venture has grown to become a successful resource for gift-givers looking for quality, convenience, variety and value. Retailing is definitely not just for brick-and-mortor stores any more. Amy shares her gifts, insights and efforts to juggle a big family and big business!