The Biz

Trade shows present many opportunities beyond sales meetings. They are an occasion to see new products, spot trends and network. While it is natural to line up your sales team in a phalanx when a competitor strolls by your booth, there may be benefits in meeting other vendors, speaking with them about their successes, and being open to synergistic prospects not possible for your company to achieve on its own. Like licensing, co-branding will expand your product line and can introduce your brand to a new segment of retailers and their customers…

Having a baby but don’t know whether to expect a girl or boy? Shopping for someone in this situation and bored by gender-neutral offerings? A clever company has helped solve this dilemma with a line of charming clothes for babies without a green or yellow item in sight. Take a look at Twotara, a company offering spectacular baby outfits that are right on the money gender-wise. Parents will be thrilled knowing they only need bring one set of clothes to the hospital. Whether that new little bundle is a he or a she, a Twotara outfit looks sweet and is also just the right thing.

“We are always working on re-creating kids’ fashion with a clever, modern twist,” explains Christian Simard, co-founder of Electrik Kidz. The Canadian company has an eye on creating fun designs that charm parents and enthrall children. But it also sees itself as more than a trendy style setter: Electrik Kidz takes its stewardship of the future seriously. All garments are made in Quebec with an emphasis on organic fabrics, so parents can be assured that only snuggly fabric is resting on their child’s skin.

Stories that feature animal characters are so prevalent in the children’s’ book section that in many libraries, they outnumber books with human protagonists. Kids love animals and always have; they tend to be able to connect to these furry or feathered creatures and identify with their curiosity and innocent view of the world. Kids also may find it easier to face fears and work out moral dilemmas when these challenges are seen through the eyes of a friendly non-human character. The Extraordinary Love Story of Aye Aye and Fedor is a heartwarming story that shows kids how “human” animals can be, and how important it is for us to protect them and their environments.

The setting and presentation for a meal is as important as what is being eaten. This is the philosophy of Modern-twist, a San Francisco Bay area company that has pioneered the use of pure food-grade, hand silk-screened silicone for many items. One of the newest offerings is the mark-mat, a non-creasing, non-ripping placemat that brings art into kids’ dining. Mats encourage doodling and can be wiped clean in a jiffy with a damp cloth, saving paper, trees and parents’ sanity. This same, eco-conscious company also offers the bucket-bib. The soft silicone is comfy against a baby’s tender skin and cleans like a dream.

With an ever-changing body, it can be hard for a pregnant or nursing woman to find styles that work from day to day. Attempts to keep up can lead to wasted money and closets filled with clothes that don’t quite fit. In recent years, maternity wear companies have begun to better understand the needs of moms-to-be when it comes to both stylishness and versatility. Larrivo is one of the leaders in fashionable maternity wear. The New Jersey-based company specializes in simple, yet eye-catching designs with clean lines and functional details.

The tween niche can be a challenge to effectively target. Businesses need to be catering to adult, parental notions of style and utility, while developing an understanding of the evolving nature of the child. Designers have to be sensitive to the growing child’s changing moods as well as parents’ desire to preserve the essence of pure childhood –– no easy task. Companies like Dragonwing Girlgear, Purple Pixies, Max & Bean, and Matooka Kids Couture are forming a vanguard of tween fashions that acknowledges the edgy, while still promoting all that is good about children.

Peace. Passion. Positivity. is a company that makes colorful, soft, braided bracelets and assorted pewter bracelet charms. First, customers pick the bracelet color they like best. Next, they can choose from a wide variety of charms that reflect their passions and interests. It’s a long list that includes themes like dance, sports, faith, music, and animals. They make great gifts and kids enjoy trading them, so it’s not surprising that their popularity is on the rise. These bracelets have the look and appeal of a trendy tween accessory, but the real draw lies in their message and the vision of their creators.

The arrival of fall means the return of school activities. For stylish girls who are seriously sporty, KOS*USA offers fashionable fitness apparel for the active young lady. Perfect for dance, gymnastics, gym class or just out and about, KOS*USA designs edgy activewear using performance fabrications and on-trend colors. Established in 1990, Los Angeles based KOS*USA has specialized in the fitness industry over a decade and continues to be a fashionable fitness apparel supplier to major gyms and exclusive spas.

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