3 minute read
Executive Profile
Julia Minchin
Julia Minchin, founder and joint md of Hippychick, talks being prepared for the unexpected and why developmental and traditional toys should be more widely recognised as the bedrock of early years offerings.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
AT HIPPYCHICK?
Since the very beginning - I started the company in 1999 from our home in Somerset soon after Tom, our eldest son, was born. He is now 23!
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST
ACHIEVEMENT AT THE COMPANY?
The fact that it is still going, still growing and that I am still enjoying it, after 22 years. The greatest individual achievement is winning the well regarded Somerset Business Awards in 2011 – the year Jeremy had a paragliding accident which left him in hospital for three months. It showed us that the business could still thrive when one of us was totally out of the picture and the other was fairly distracted. Another major achievement was fighting Chinese trademark trolls for over ten years and eventually winning all our trademarks back.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE WITHIN THE
PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY THAT YOU HAVE
SEEN SINCE YOU HAVE WORKED IN IT?
So many changes – where do I even start? The growth of online and the power of social media, the exponential growth of Amazon in particular, the demise of the high street. The exorbitant cost of shipping and the lack of real alternatives in terms of manufacturing closer to home. Everything has become instant – people want the right product, at the right price, right now.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE THAT
YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
From my father, who had a wooden toy business called Tiger Toys. He always said a sale was not a sale until it was paid for and that there was no point being a busy fool – margin, margin, margin.
BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE
TAKEN AWAY FROM 2020?
As an understatement - be prepared for the unexpected! Be ready and open to adapt and change.
FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Working with a great team, new product development and photoshoots – in that order.
WHO IS THE UNSUNG HERO
IN YOUR COMPANY?
Probably Jeremy, my husband and business partner for the last 20 years. His energy and enthusiasm drives the company forwards - even if administration and organisation are not his core skills…
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING
ABOUT THE PRESCHOOL BUSINESS,
WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I would like to see sustainably sourced, recyclable, natural, wooden, educational, developmental and traditional toys more widely recognised and as the bedrock of early years offerings. None of us can stop the march of time, innovation and technological advancement… but it would be great if the youngest age groups have a period of time to enjoy a world not dominated by electronics and technology.
TWO MAJOR NEWS FOR LOVE RADIUS BY JPMBB FOR 2021
JPMBB launch The Parent’s Hoodie, a 3-in-1 sweater suitable from pregnancy onward. The Parent’s Hoodie is suitable for all seasons, it’s unisex, economically smart and sustainable, with no insert and an integrated and adjustable extension with invisible zip. It also features an integrated wrap-over, fitted cut high neck. This innovative product is already the winner of two awards: The Paris Design & the National Parenting Product Awards 2021. Love radius by JPMBB is also so excited to announce the release of its brand new, completely sustainable Basic Baby Wrap. Totally organic, this wrap is the continuation of its philosophy to offer the best baby carriers for parents and their babies. What else for Love Radius? “five babycarriers for everyone” all acknowledged by the Hip Dysplasia institute and certified OekoTex-100. Every baby is unique as its need for babywearing! Love Radius works everyday on these needs and will always give the best to fulfil them. “Because you are parents, but not only”.
Visit love-radius.com/en/ to view the full range or if you are interested in stocking products, please contact Sophie: pro@love-radius.com
Lilliputiens creations are full of unexpected details and activities, a constant source of wonder, discovering and learning.
Juratoys UK Ltd. Tel: 0208 878 2133 E: sales@juratoys.co.uk
