Baby Bump Experts Deliver Hip & Trendy at Little Peanut Boutique

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!

How did you get started in children’s retail?

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I remember when I was pregnant and especially after, I became obsessed with shopping for hip and trendy items for my daughter (my son was already a teenager and would not let me pick his clothes). I could only find those mainstream products in the chain discount retailers that everyone had. When I did find the unique items, I was continuously asked where I got that blanket, outfit stroller, etc.

So I decided I wanted to share my finds with everyone. While visiting a local showroom in Los Angeles in January of 2009 I continued to see amazing new children’s products. I turned to my husband and said I wanted to open a children’s boutique. He looked at me with that look of “Oh no!”

One month, alot of hard work and alot of fun later . . . Little Peanut Boutique was born! Our official start was February 2009.

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What was your background prior to this business?

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I was a stay-at-home-mom with my daughter when I started my adventure in the direct sales industry. I worked for one company and then was recruited to help a start-up direct sales company. Taking what I learned from my past experiences I developed and refined it into a mo- friendly opportunity.

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What was the biggest challenge you faced when starting up?

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My biggest challenge was finding quality products that were made by moms in the United States. I knew I wanted products that were not mainstream, but hip and trendy children’s items one would see on the children of a favorite celebrity — but for a great price!

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What have you done differently?

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I have offered moms the opportunity to do what they do best! Brag about the products they love and get paid for it! Our Baby Bump Experts use our products on their own children and when someone asks them “Where they got that fabulous _____” they pass them their card and get paid for the sale or referral. They can also help host amazing children’s trunk shows and private baby showers.

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What do you feel are the three biggest keys to your success?

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1. Unique items.
2. Mom supported and endorsed.
3. Believing in my company and the products we represent.

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What types of marketing are most effective for your business?

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Press, press and more press. Magazine articles, celebrity gifting and celebrity events that we have participated in or have done have helped us tremendously. But most of all, word-of-mouth works!

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Do “green” or eco-friendly concerns weigh into your business decisions?

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Absolutely! We have created a “go green” section that showcases products that are hand selected by my green committee (which consists of me and my sister who has her own eco-friendly website).

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What is one trend you’re currently seeing with customers?

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Some of the more edgy products that people had previously shyed away from have now become accepted by the customer, such as skulls and tattoo prints.

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How does your business make use of the Internet?

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We sell online and we use all the social media to connect with customers and our Baby Bump Experts.

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What is one change/addition that’s had a positive impact for your business?

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Opening up our Retail Showroom in Costa Mesa, California and also our Baby Bump Experts program has made a positive impact on our growth. The Baby Bump Experts are an amazing group of women who want the ability to help their family financially, but still be home to care and nurture there own “Little Peanuts.”

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If you had one piece of advice for someone entering children’s retail today, what would it be?

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For anyone looking to get in to this industry remember to keep an open mind to the products and services you provide. There are moms that are a little edgy and moms who are on the softer side. We like to make sure we have a little something to please everyone.

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About Little Peanut Boutique

With a rapidly growing customer base of expecting moms and experienced parents, Little Peanut Boutique has captivated Hollywood, and suburban moms with its selections of hip and trendy items for babies and children. With the emphasis being on “Hip and Trendy,” we have successfully penetrated the market in only 6 months, with us most recently opening a showroom in Costa Mesa, California.

The baby boutique highlights favorite designers, offering hundreds of exceptional and unique products. A few of the many brands include Belly Bandit, Ju Ju Be, Tummy T’s, Boon, Piggy Story, Pretty Pushers, and Sophie. Plus, many other items made by moms!

Little Peanut Boutique has gifted celebrity mom and dads like Jason Priestly, Heather Lockler, Melissa Joan Hart, Larry Birkhead, Gwen Stefani, Angie Everhart, Scott and Renee Baio, Heidi Klum, and Sarah Jessica Parker. just to name a few.

Little Peanut Boutique prides itself on staying on top of the latest fashions and trends, while continuously seeking out and adding the latest, greatest “must haves” for mommy and baby.

Little Peanut Boutique
485 E 17th St #200
Costa Mesa, Ca 92647
Monday thru Friday 10am-6pm (closed between 1:30-2:20)

For more information about hosting trunk shows or baby showers call:
714-862-3073
www.littlepeanutboutique.com

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