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• About Us • Kindy
Kippers started in 2001, a time when our kids were just • They
needed to be durable and easy for little ones to use. Being • Since
then we’ve been able to refine, improve and expand our • Today
Kindy Kippers sheet sets, pillows and library bags are |
•
Phone: •
Fax: •
Email: •
Postal: |
| The
Gold Coast is a hotbed for business-minded mums. Five years ago, Cynthia Lincoln and Julie Parkinson sent their kids off to kindy with homemade sheets, bags and pillows that were the envy of every mother at their centre. Standard stuff for any handy mum. But, as it turns out, not every mum can sew. It started when Cynthia made a few extra sets for other mums who had neither the time nor the knowhow to make sheet sets of their own. But the friends soon realised they had stumbled on a golden business opportunity. It was the ideal workfrom- home business and Kindy Kippers was born – the perfect business escape for two stay-at-home mums. As their children grew, they added to their collection. They figured if they needed to make it, other mums would need the same. ‘‘Since then, we’ve been able to refine, improve and expand our product range to suit kindies, preschools and childcare centres. Today, Kindy Kippers sheet sets, pillows and library bags are being used by kids in early-learning centres throughout Australia.’’ Julie said Kindy Kippers had been perfect for two stay-at-home mums. ‘‘I started to feel like my brain was turning to mush,’’ said Julie. ‘‘The only thing I was talking about were baby words and, like most mums, I felt I needed to start talking to grown-ups. ‘‘Starting Kindy Kippers gave us both a chance to keep our sanity.’’ The pair started small, but they were determined. Julie went to every childcare centre and kindy she could find to introduce herself and put their product into the market. ‘‘Once we decided to give it a go, we gave it our all. I went around with flyers and samples to show what we were doing and the orders started rolling in.’’ The pair worked from their own homes, making every item themselves, work always taking second place to family. ‘‘That’s the whole point of working from home. It’s about giving you the chance to fit work in around family. ‘‘We would work while the kids were sleeping or late at night. We fitted it in whenever we could.’’ Now that their children are in school, the mums have the chance to make Kindy Kippers even bigger and the business has expanded. The have launched a new site to handle orders on the internet, www.kindykippers.com.au, and the orders are coming in from around the country. They now employ a woman to help meet the orders. ‘‘We’ve always felt that, with more time, we could make something bigger here. There’s definitely a market.’’ Page
56 - Weekend Bulletin, March 4-5, 2006 |
