b.box featured in top South African baby mag

We are delighted that b.box is featured in the current issue of Your baby, one of South Africa’s leading baby magazines. We’re included under the What’s Hot in 2010 section – design innovations.

b.box has proven extremely popular with South African consumers since it launched in October last year. Here we meet one of our SA stockists – Lauren Crofton from Kids Emporium – one of the fastest growing kids concept stores in the country. Here’s how Lauren answered our b.box pop quiz.

How long have you been in business? I have been an entrepreneur for almost eight wonderful years.

What did you do before you started your business? I was working for a company that designed and manufactured the interiors of mainstream and boutique retail.

What makes your business unique? Everything – where to start!? It really comes down to our wide variety of innovative products, backed by an all important quality service. We consider ourselves one of the leaders in this industry and enjoy paving the way for innovative products and practical solutions for parenting.

What do you love most about what you do? Its difficult to pinpoint one particular aspect. I have the best of both worlds. As an entrepreneur I have been fortunate enough to create my business around my family. When taking the plunge of starting my own company, there were many things I didn’t want to do ie. traffic, having to wear high heels and deal with a boss. I have set up our head office from an awesome loft (with a great view) which happens to be above my home (traffic is never a problem). I get to spend my day with a wonderful team of staff who all enjoy a good cup of coffee and have a great sense of humour. I am able to have professional meetings and attend my daughter’s school events, without having to answer to anyone. Furthermore our business focuses on new and innovative products in the parenting industry – I get to spend a great deal of time seeing what’s new in the industry and meeting really interesting and creative designers who are developing products to take this industry to an international level. I also enjoy dealing with my franchisees who are a fantastic team of like minded people who are as passionate about their day as I am. Lastly I market a brand that I love – what more could I ask for.

Where’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? When I started Kids Emporium, I sourced 16 designers that I felt would give us the variety we needed. We are now host to over 90. I can honestly say that although we are continuously on the scout, 90% of the time, we are literally thrown products, hence we seldom need to do a scout.

What’s your favourite time of the day? I don’t think I have a particular ‘favourite time’. I enjoy most of my day generally. I really enjoy being woken up with a yum cup of coffee from my husband.

What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? As a parent, we are thrown great advice from the media, doctors, clinics, friends, family etc. In good old fashioned Frank Sinatra style, I can honestly say: “I did it my way”. I think it’s important to listen to all resources, evaluate and then select the option that bests suits you and your child.

If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? I am not really the ‘princessy’ type .. so I would have to go with Alice in Wonderland. Her world is creative, filled with loads of interesting characters and she got to go on a wonderful journey and still ended up at home – what a pleasure.

Who inspires you? I am inspired by most positive things in my day. I am one of those people who probably think too much. I am inspired by my children, my family, the people that I meet and sometimes the simplest thing – a catchy song, a clever quote, an interesting mail. Might as well take it all in.

Who lives under your roof? My husband, Ror, my daughter  Toni (6 years), my son Rourke (2 years), my two dogs, Bingo and Billy and a few goldfish that get to watch our family in action.

Everything for the boys!

Welcome to 2010 everyone. We hope you had a good festive season and are surviving the school holidays! Things have been all systems go on the b.box front – many of our stockists have kept the re-orders coming – in what we were told to expect to be a quiet time. We’ve also been busy working on our new products, which we’ll be launching in February at the trade fairs in Sydney. We’re so excited to debut these products which we hope will be as well received by consumers as b.box- the essential baby box has been. What we can tell you is they’re innovative, stylish and practical – just what you’ve come to expect.

To start this year’s blog off, we thought we’d introduce you to a stockist with a difference. My sister was so excited when I told her about www.everythingboys.com.au – a web site dedicated to everything you need for the little guys in your life. As a mum of girls – I didn’t really understand the dilemmas mums with boys have to find cool, value for money gear. Here we meet the lady behind the new online concept – Julie Kourtesis.

How long have you been in business? We officially became a business from just being an idea on the 1st October 2009, so we’re still fairly fresh!

What did you do before you started your business? I have spent most of my career in recruitment, working the corporate ladder before going off on maternity leave for the first time in 2006.

What makes your business unique? It’s all about BOYS! We only cater for for boys from newborn to 8years old, and offer an extensive range of items where all tastes and budgets can be met with ease and quality of choice.

What do you love most about what you do? That this gives me the opportunity to be around my boys even more, so I don’t miss a thing! Right now, I’m also learning a lot in an industry where I have no background and that there are a lot of great items out there for boys – promise!

What’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? Given I’m all new to this, it’s all about what works, so right now if my boys have it and its lasted then that’s the first place I’ll suss out.  Following that, it’s the internet, which is such a rich source of content and information – so my investigative skills kick in wading through web pages.

What’s your favourite time of the day? Anytime of the day is a great time of the day, but I especially love those first few moments when Nicholas and Alexander have just woken up from their sleep and they’re still a little drowsy, big stretches and yawns, so it’s lots of cuddles and kisses until they’re ready to go again!

What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? Have confidence in my own ability as a mum, don’t sweat the little stuff and it all happens in time!

If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? Max from ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ – he gets to dress up in his favourite outfit, cause a little mischief, goes on a long adventure and still comes home to a warm cooked meal! What more could you ask for?

Who inspires you? My family inspires! My boys – George my husband, Nicholas and Alexander, they make me smile everyday, they make me realise it’s all worth it and they make me strive to be a better person so they get the best from me!

Who lives under your roof? George my husband, Nicholas (who turns 3yrs in January) and Alexander (just turned 1) – boys zone big time!

We’re also excited that b.box is now available in the US through www.greenmomplace.com and received a rave review from US site www.parentville.com. b.box has also hit the shores of Saudi  Arabia through www.witty-shop.com and is available in the UAE through www.bubsboutique.com.

Until next time

Dannielle and Monique

Meet Andrea from new stockist www.buttonbaby.com.au

We are thoroughly enjoying getting to know our stockists. Here we meet Andrea Egan (pictured with daughter Madeline) from Button Baby – a stylish online store for all the beautiful babies and cheeky toddlers out there! Here’s how Andrea answered our pop quiz.

How long have you been in business? Button baby went live in April 2009.

What did you do before you started your business? I worked in the fashion industry for 11 years, then had babies.

What makes your business unique? I work hard to find a unique mix of beautiful quality products that I would or do use myself.  I like to personally contact every customer: just because I run an online store doesn’t mean that everything has to be automated. Button Baby offers an experience, allowing you to sit back and relax and enjoy browsing (like you did in shops before you had children!)   Customer service is also the rule not the exception!

What do you love most about what you do? I love babies and everything baby so I get to buy gorgeous products for all of the babies out there even after mine have grown past these stages (maybe number 3 is in order)!   I am able to work from home and around the kids with flexible hours – thanks to my trusty laptop!

Where’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? I love going to trade fairs and actually meeting the faces behind the products.  Often they are really clever, creative mums doing their thing!

What’s your favourite time of the day? First thing in the morning  – I am definitely a morning person, coffee in hand.

What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? Pick your battles……

If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? Sleeping beauty –   especially the sleeping part!

Who inspires you? My husband, who also encourages me.

Who lives under your roof? My husband Michael, Madeline 4, Declan 2 and Molly the dog.

Meet our NZ distributor

We are delighted that our NZ friends will now be able to get their hands on b.box – the essential baby box thanks to Marion from K & M Distributing. Check out our stockists page for your closest NZ retailer and if you’re interested in stocking b.box – be sure to get in touch with Marion. Here we get to know the lady behind the “empire”.

How long have you been in business? 5 years

What did you do before you started your business? Prior to K & M Distributing, we owned an online retail store, while I also worked for Telecom

What makes your business unique? We are a small family run business that we started from scratch when we had just 1 child, now with 4 children, plus a stallion at stud we are a small family run business that is extremely busy!! Between school runs, kindy runs and ferrying the stallion to and from the breeding centre, as well as running K & M Distributing, but we love it really!

What do you love most about what you do? We are very passionate about our business and love being able to offer Kiwis quality innovative products

What’s your favourite way of sourcing new products? Word of mouth

What’s your favourite time of the day? Anytime that the kids are all happy at the same time – LOL

What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received? Roll with it: I learnt the hard way that children do not conform to the so called rules. As soon as I stopped stressing about things, man was I happy

If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why? Hansel or Gretel they got to eat a whole candy house – YUM!!

Who inspires you? People who work hard and reap the rewards

Who lives under your roof? Marion (Mum), Kevin (Dad), Liam, Ethan, Kyra and Heath…Barney the Fox Terrier, Davidoff the German Riding Pony Stallion and Sam the kids’ pony

Hot off the press

We are excited that b.box is continuing to cause a buzz in the press, being featured in the month’s Fit Pregnancy in South Africa. Great work Carole and Mariana on the b.box launch. Fab to see all the new stockists coming on line. b.box is also featured in the month’s Mother & Baby magazine, with a profile by Fleur at Raspberry Bub.

We’re delighted that b.box is proving so popular for our stockists and are looking forward to a bumper 2010. Keep up the good work guys.

And finally a big shout out to Fiona and her team from Unique Kids who won Most Outstanding Business Growth 2009 at the Working Women’s Network Annual Awards. Enjoy your spa retreat girls.

Until next time…

Dannielle and Monique

Magnolia Square wrap-up

Thanks to everyone who came to see us at Magnolia Square this weekend at Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne. It was a great event and we were delighted to see old and new friends, including Sophie from Ellani Petite, who makes the most gorgeous hair clips, hand bands and bows – all hand made and too devine for words. We also caught up with Sam from Little Nest – her range of kids’ furniture really does inspire – I’m still pining for one of her Giddy Up ponies – probably the closest I’ll ever get to owning my own horse.

In other b.box news – we’re excited to announce that b.box is heading to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. We’re also delighted that b.box is being so well received in South Africa – check out our growing list of South African stockists. And b.box arrives in NZ and the US later this month. So all in all a great way to wrap up the year.

Ciao for now

Dannielle and Monique

Magnolia Square Sydney

Well what a manic few days – but WOW, what an event. It was the first time b.box had been part of Magnolia Square in Sydney and we were delighted by the response to our baby. It always fascinates us which b.box colours resonate with different customers in different areas. Sydney seems to be having a boy baby boom if the number of Beep Beep and Retro Circles we sold was anything to go by.

It is always inspiring to be surrounded by other women doing what they’re passionate about and doing it so well. There were truly gorgeous things on offer, including the jewellery collection from Gate uniques, the beautiful handmade clutches, handbags, wallets and accessories by Berlinski and the all too cute swimmers/bathers from Babes in the Shade. We also had the chance to catch up with old friends, including Kelly from Little Bubble and Tree, Pru from Little Bird Photography and Amelia from Bambooty - the fabulous cloth nappy that fits perfectly inside b.box. Melbourne fans, don’t despair, your turn comes this week when Magnolia Square hits Malvern Town Hall on Thursday-Saturday. Grab your girlfriends and come along for some retail therapy.

Until then…

Monique and Dannielle