Bella Tunno is Practical, Pretty, Philanthropic

For basics that go the extra mile, necessories (necessary accessories) from Bella Tunno top the list of must-haves, but it wasn’t always this way. In 2005, founder Michelle Tunno Buelow was a new mom, frustrated because she wanted items she couldn’t find — necessities with panache. With a small goal and a big heart, Tunno Buelow began by selling home-made burp cloths out of her house. Word spread, her brand found wings and other items including Bella Bibs, Binker Pacifier Clips and Diaper Ditties were added. Tunno Buelow’s next move was to introduce a line of laminated bibs, smocks and Designer Diners.

Today, Bella Tunno proudly offers merchants over 400 product styles and options. With an ever-growing celebrity fan base and continued national exposure, Bella Tunno is a hit both in the US and overseas with distribution as far afield as the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Spain. As the company has grown, two brands — Tunno Tots and Bella Tunno Basics — have been added to the original line.

Fancy, Fun and Fresh Necessaries

Bella Tunno is recognized as a go-to source for products with panache, taking necessary child and baby products, drenching them in function and then dressing them in fashion.

Product offerings include the chic Signature Collection Diaper Bags, Binker Pacifier Clips, Little Linker Toy Tethers, Instant Monogram Woven Badges, the Mommy Magic Kit, ‘Save the Day’ Solution Sacks, an Eco-Friendly Mod Pod Collection and a full line of Laminated Smocks, Bibs and Designer Diner Chalk Cloth Placemats.

The company and its founder have become media darlings, appearing in outlets including People magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Daily Candy, American Baby, Inc. magazine, Celebrity Baby Blog and Earnshaw’s.

On-Trend Practicalities Lead the Way

The Bella Tunno Bucket Bag in Navy has a life far beyond baby as it doubles as a great beach tote and is a perennial best-seller. The bag, in a navy geometric print, wipes clean inside and out, has nine exterior pockets and comes with a changing pad, metal feet on the bottom of the bag and even stroller straps.

Another winner is the Bella Tunno Super Star Slouch Sack with an easy-to-wear, adjustable shoulder strap. This beauty comes in a neutral gray to compliment any outfit a stylish Mom wears. The Slouch Sack has a high end look but hits just under the $100 price point — a win/win situation.

Responding to Customers Adds to the Bottom Line

A new catalog is introduced twice yearly in time for the January and July markets with the newest Signature Collection silhouette, the Ruffle Duffle, making its debut in July 2012. Other new items include Little Linkettes, hip clips that attach mittens to clothes and turn napkins into bibs.

As customers have consistently asked for a long-sleeved, full-coverage bib, Bella Tunno also added Dress-Up Dinner Duds, a full coverage bib with extra-large catch pockets in girly styles for very young misses and manly looks for little guys.

A Memorial Makes Life Better for Others

When she launched her company, Michelle Tunno Bueno, who lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and two daughters, wanted to honor her late brother. To do so, she created the Matt Tunno Make a Difference Fund, that helps support at-risk children, teen mothers, drug and alcohol recovery, and education and prevention programs via a donation from every product sale.

The Fund has played a featured role in events such as the Let’s Make a Miracle campaign at the Charlotte Rescue Mission which provided holiday cheer to clients; Posh with a Purpose, a one-night shopping event that raised over $30,000 for the Dove’s Nest, a women’s addiction treatment center; a handsome product donation benefitting Safe Journey and the Florence Crittenton of North Carolina that works with single mothers and their babies, among others.

As a result of its philanthropic efforts, Bella Tunno has been recognized at both local and national levels with a host of business, entrepreneurial, and charitable awards including Charlotte’s Top 40 under 40, the Ernst & Young Winning Women Award, Babble.com’s Top 50 Mompreneurs and the Charlotte, VA’s Top 50 Entrepreneur Award. Hats off to Bella Tunno, a company with a generous spirit and vibrant, inventive products!

For more information: www.bellatunno.com