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Earlier this week, I read this article from the National Post: A guide to ethical shopping shopping. It included 5 tips for buying clothing more responsibly. One tip in particular was especially relevant when it comes to buying Peekaboo Beans:
Buy second hand or be prepared to spend a little more.
Investing in fewer items that are higher quality and more durable is environmentally responsible. You are not only helping the environment by keeping clothing out of landfills, but you are saving money in the long run by not having to re-invest in clothing as often. When your kids have outgrown their Beans, you pass them along to another family member, or re-sell them on our Vintage Beans page.
In light of the tragic events that took place in Bangledesh, I have been asked by many customers to share information about where Peekaboo Beans is made, and what conditions are like in our factory. I am also asked frequently ‘why are these clothes so expensive.’ There is a lot that goes behind a price tag, and when the entire process of manufacturing is handled responsibly, we can expect to pay more for a quality product.
Peekaboo Beans is manufactured in Dongguan, Southern China, which is a very developed district with many garment factories and the support of companies, like fabric and thread suppliers, dying mills and printers nearby. The buildings are built to be factories!
In Dongguan there is competition between factories to have and keep experienced workers. Workers have the option of finding alternative jobs elsewhere if they are not treated fairly. That alone is encouragement for factories to treat their people right, but on top of that, the regulations in Dongguan for working conditions, minimum wages, and over-time, are strictly controlled and monitored by the government. In fact a factory owner can go to jail if he requires too much over-time of his employees.
The pressure of overseas clients changed the industry in China to introduce safety standards and improve working conditions, which results in increased manufacturing costs substantially. Unfortunately what happens in many cases is buyers move to other “cheaper” and less developed countries to get their clothing manufactured. In addition to the low labor costs in Bangladesh and other developing countries, generally these imports are duty exempt. With the increasing demand of cheap product in the western world, the savings on import duties and low labor costs is not enough, therefore additional cost saving measures are required, combined with corruption, mainly the workers pay the price.
Peekaboo Beans founder Traci Costa, production manager Michaela and lead designer Calli visit the factories in China at least twice per year. They have developed a wonderful relationship with the factory ground floor team, communicating daily with them regularily.
Why not manufacture in Canada?
Many customers have asked me why Peekaboo Beans is no longer produced in Canada. Peekaboo Beans was produced in Vancouver from 2006-2009 and moved production offshore in 2010. The residing fact is Canada is not a manufacturing country. The conditions in Canada are often poorer than what you would see in other countries. We do not have skilled labour force to manage big productions and we do not have the support companies to work with (ie: screen printers, fabric mills etc).
In fact all the fabric, trims, notions – absolutely everything needed to make our garments was imported from China and the 5-10 sewers in the factory were landed immigrants from China. At the end of the day, if you take into consideration the import duties applied by the government on goods made in China, we are paying upwards of what local production would cost, however we are limiting the environmental impacts of the multiple shipments required to get raw goods here and we are creating efficiencies in the production process. Simply put, we are producing with people who know what they are doing and are good at it. We do still have factory partners in Vancouver for small production runs that are manageable.
Driven by abundance and generosity
Peekaboo Beans is fueling the economy in abundance, whether with the people working at the Playground, the courier services, lawyers, graphic designers, office supply companies, logistic companies, consultants, printers and our own Stylist entrepreneurial businesses, among others. Everyone who touches Peekaboo Beans at any point it its development is treated with fairness, equality, respect and generosity. Myself included.
I have aligned myself with Peekaboo Beans because I believe in the same values. I believe in quality, in creating abundance and living generously. I am proud to tell people that we are not expensive, but that we care about real value in the whole entire chain. Peekaboo Beans is a socially responsible company and we care deeply about the legacy we are leaving in the lives that we touch.
We all have a choice to make when it comes to buying clothing for our children. Consumers are educating themselves and making deliberate choices as to where to spend their money. Annie from Phd In Parenting wrote recently that boycotting made in Bangledesh is not the answer. What we need to do is support companies that function ethically and with social responsibility.
I may not have all the answers that consumers are looking for, but I can definitely find them. If you have unanswered questions about Peekaboo Beans manufacturing, please email me vicky@peekaboobeans.com.
Learn more about our continued work with Playground Builders in Afghanistan (and the world).
I’ve been reading a lot about sensory issues lately, and today I came across something that made me think.
The Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Network posted on their page: How many kiddos here are never thirsty? Or always thirsty? Always hungry or never hungry?
My 6 year old son Joel has a sense of urgency about eating and drinking. He doesn’t seem to notice that he’s thirsty or hungry (or that he needs to pee for that matter) until it is the ABSOLUTE last second! Just like another person who posted on the thread, I’m not sure Joel feels it until he is extremely hungry or thirsty. Today was such a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that all came down to a late breakfast, a later lunch, and not enough snacks or drinks. After I had realized that his explosive meltdown and ensuing laying under the dining room table was related to him being too hungry. I asked him why he didn’t just ask me for a snack. His response? He wanted me to just know that he was hungry without actually telling me? I need to work on being better prepared with snacks on the weekends.
As for peeing, I think most of the time it’s just that he’s too busy playing to take the time to run to the bathroom. So when he does go, it’s a mad dash and panic to get to the toilet before he explodes!
Do your kids tend to have an urgency around eating, drinking and peeing?
Our newest collection FUNdamentals is launching January 11th! I’m so excited to share these basic pieces that will be available all year long with you!
Here’s our monthly promotion!
Spend $150 and receive a free item of your choice from 6 pre-selected Peekaboo Beans items.
**CONTEST CLOSED**
And the winner is… #2 – Krista Birch!
Our long awaited Playjamas have finally arrived! Pick some up for only $58 including a cool nylon bag. What I love about these Playjamas is that they can also be worn as loungewear or playwear around the house. They are versatile, comfortable and so cute!
And guess what… they could be yours FREE! I am giving away a pair of Playjamas to one of my lucky fans! Here’s what you need to do to enter:
1) Leave a comment telling me how pajamas are a part of your Christmas/holiday family tradition (and what size/colour you would choose)
2) Sign up to my newsletter list – HERE.
3) Like my Facebook Fan page – HERE.
Contest ends on Sunday November 24th at 10pm EST. Can’t wait for the contest? You can always order a pair! I will honour FREE SHIPPING on any Playjamas ordered until November 24th. Email me vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com to order.
Good luck!
Want to learn more about becoming a Stylist with Peekaboo Beans in Ottawa?
Join us for a no obligation meet-and-greet over coffee to learn all about Peekaboo Beans and the opportunity to run your very own business
as a Play Stylist. We will share Peekaboo Beans’ passion, vision, and all the rewards that come from starting your own business! These rewards include generous commission, tax benefits, a 50% product discount and stylist recognition programs.
We welcome you to bring a friend as well, the more the merrier!
All participants will be entered into a fabulous door prize draw!
Choose one of THREE events on different dates & locations to suit your schedule:
Kanata
Wednesday November 7th
7:00-8:00pm
Sippy Cup Café
1104 Klondike Road
Barrhaven
Thursday November 15 th
7:30-8:30pm
Two Monkeys Coffee & Teahouse
14-4100 Strandherd Drive
Orleans
Wednesday Nov 21 st
7:30-8:30pm
Smart Space Organizing
5450 Canotek unit 68
For more information contact
Vicky Bisson
Vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com
www.peekaboobeans.com
Another little look at what’s coming very soon! Our collection launches September 1st. Now is a great time to book your Fall Soiree so you can earn som FREE Peekaboo Beans! Email me vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com for more info!
We’re just a month away from the launch of our Peekaboo Beans Fall/Winter 2012 collection: Postcards from my Imagination. I know you are going to love this collection! Why not book a Playdate Soiree for September- all you need is a couple of hours, a few friends and I’ll bring the clothing! It’s a great way to get your hands on some FREE Peekaboo Beans and be the first one to see Postcards in person! Email me vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com today to book one!
Another great sale from Peekaboo Beans! If you’ve had your eye on a dress, now is the time to grab them before they are gone (and at SUCH a great price!) Email me to order, vickyb.stylist@peekaboobeans.com
There are so many little details in Peekaboo Beans that makes it unique. It’s so hard to see these details from a product photo. But we now have this great little feature sheet that outlines all of the amazing things about this brand. Features like chin guards, twill tape hems, thumbholes and durable fabrics. I have yet to see a line of childrenswear like Peekaboo Beans that is so functional and versatile.
