The Biz: Feature Articles

Behind The Brand

Shoe Money Makes Fun Fashion Cents

By The Giggle Guide

Over the past few years, Lori Riley, has taken her brand, Shoe Money, from a cottage industry working on a shoestring budget, to a shoe-in as one of the most “ahh”-inspiring collections of infant and children’s apparel and accessories on the market! Lori named her company “Shoe Money” after the ‘50’s housewives’ dollar-stretching expression, which referred to tucking away a few dollars to buy “I-want” items. In Lori’s case, she literally loved to buy shoes! When Lori left her teaching career to focus on being a mom, she quickly realized that she would need to get creative to make ends meet. Here, Lori shares her Behind The Brand tale of the trials and triumphs that gave her more than pocket change to keep herself well-heeled.

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Features

Decorative Decals Deliver Wall-to-Wall Pizzazz!

By Sara Clement

A new coat of paint and simple window treatments were once the go-to choices for do-it-yourselfers wanting a fresh look on a budget. However, today there are endless fun, fast and easy ways to jazz up bare and bland walls. A variety of companies specialize in creating attractive, designer-quality art decals and adhesives that allow at-home artists to easily create murals and themes which rival a professional interior decorator’s work. WallCandy Arts, Lot 26 Studio and WallPOPS are a few brands walloping the wall décor business with their creative energy and designs!

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Features

The Gift of Art Appreciation Begins at Home

By Sara Clement

Children are naturally open to art and love to express themselves by painting, drawing, and sculpting with clay. They are also fascinated and inspired by the creations of others. Displaying artwork with appealing colors and content can help develop children’s early appreciation of art, and make a house feel like home. The Giggle Guide® looks to the heart of art from several brands that specialize in creations designed to delight and capture children’s imaginations. Our gallery includes engaging works from J. Austin Ryan, Queen of the Trailer Park, Renditions by Reesa, and Green Frog Art.

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Retail Reality

I Am the Princess Gives the Royal Treatment

By The Giggle Guide

Karen Herbs believes, “In the heart of every girl is a princess in all her royal splendor!” She has turned her belief into a retail fantasy showplace and online royal marketplace for little girls that dream of sparkling tiaras, fairy tale kingdoms, and magical, wonderful adventures! Karen’s love of all things twirly, girly, pink and princessy adorns her royally demonstrative store name, I Am the Princess, That’s Why! With hard work and dedication, and maybe just a touch of pixie dust, Karen shares her “magic” formula for retail success.

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Rep Wrapup

LJBryn&Co. Builds Brands with Midwestern Charm

By The Giggle Guide

LJBryn&Co. represents, markets and sells cutting-edge, hand-made and small-batch children’s products, in addition to big name brands. Sales Representative Lara Joy Brynildssen says, “I specialize in giving each unique brand the attention you would give it, if you were still out there marketing it yourself. Many of the brands I represent are family-owned companies and I understand the individual challenges those businesses face when finding their niche in the children’s marketplace.” Lara shares insights into her sales rep experience and what goes into making her firm, LJBryn &Co. successful.

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Features

A Buyer’s Gift Buffet in Atlanta

By Sara Clement

An extravaganza full of the newest designs and fabulous creations is at the The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®, running July 14th through July 21st at AmericasMart. With more than 4,000 showrooms and an abundance of temporary booths, you can be sure to find exactly what you need for the upcoming season, all in one place! The Giggle Guide® spotlights just a few of the exhibitors to whet your appetite: A Light in the Night, Acting Out, Chi Chi Baby, and Dead Sea Pavilion.

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Features

Welcome New Arrivals to a Room of Possibilities

By The Giggle Guide

Shopping for baby’s room is one of the most exhilarating “remodeling” projects parents undertake during their life, and children’s retailers have the fortunate opportunity to be part of this memorable experience. By creating inviting and inspiring room settings, retailers will help shoppers visualize the furnishings and accessories in their own homes. Including a range of standout nursery products from made-in-the USA suppliers such as Tree by Kerri Lee, Bratt Décor and LuvStuff can help spark customers’ imaginations and ignite a roomful of sales!

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Behind The Brand

Beba Bean Sprouts Laughter and Love for Babies

By The Giggle Guide

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”!

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Business Sense

This One or That? Why Branding is Essential!

By Insights Discovered

It can be a company’s worst nightmare when a consumer is indifferent with respect to their product. If there’s nothing compelling to convince consumers to choose between one product over another, price or possibly the flip of a coin may decide the purchase. Branding instills confidence, manages expectations and is the foundation for establishing loyalty. Consumers seek out established brands, which in turn motivates retailers to seek out these brands to sell in their stores.

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