The best children's clothing available on the market today. We are passionate about play! Shop with me or join our amazing team of Play Stylists!
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).
This month we have some really amazing promotions! All hostesses receive FREE SHIPPING, and if you spend $150 you receive $25 in play money to use on your next order! Email me to order: vicky@peekaboobeans.com
Join the Ottawa Peekaboo Beans Team at Funatorium Explorium ~ an event where kids and parents PLAY together! This event is a perfect fit for us Play Stylists! We will be on site with loads of samples to browse through or buy items from our past collections (at a great price) check out our new collection catalogs, and take in some fun activities with the kids! Our Stylists will help answer any questions you have about Peekaboo Beans products or our Play philosophy.
Our Peekaboo Beans booth will be on display for two days:
Sunday February 17th from 9:00-5:00 pm
Monday February 18th from 9:00-5:00 pm
Stop by for some fun activities, see the FUNdamentals collection in person, and pick up some past seasons pieces at a great price!
WHEN: February 17-18, 2013
WHERE: Ernst & Young Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive
HOURS: 9-5
WHO: Families with children of all ages
PRICE: on-line prices $19.99/ticket or $75 for a family of 4 (+HST)
Here are some highlights from last year’s event!
Tactile Sensitivity and the 6 Year Old Diva, or How Peekaboo Beans Saved my Mornings.
(Guest Post by Neal Dawe)
We dread mornings at our house. Not the getting up at 6 a.m. (if we’re lucky). Not the multiple diaper changes (two year old and 8 month old). It’s our six year old – and her ongoing battle with seams, socks and fabrics.
Our daughter has tactile sensitivity, meaning things most kids would never notice about getting dressed can be a major source of aggravation for her, and by extension, my wife and me. Most days I’m the one getting her dressed while my wife deals with the baby and we pray our son stays in bed for a few minutes.
For the longest time it was the same routine in my daughter’s room:
“How about this? You like this colour”.
“No! It pinches me!”
“Ok, how about these?”
“No! Those hurt my legs!”
“Fine – what do you want to wear?”
“My bathing suit?”
“Honey, it’s a school day”.
Queue meltdown.
Finding clothes that meet her needs and seemingly were made with her in mind has been a godsend. Little things that most people don’t even consider – flat seams, thumb holes in the arms allowing her to avoid bunching when she puts on a jacket, loose fitting legs with a snug elastic waist – make her Peekaboo Beans clothes her undisputed favourites. That makes her life (and our mornings) 100% easier.
It’s not well understood why some kids have tactile sensitivities, the upshot is the same. She can love an item of clothing in the store, or even to try it on for a few minutes. But actually wearing it – sitting, moving, running, generally being a child – can be an ordeal if the fabric, fit and design aren’t right.
Some might think our daughter is just being a Princess, wanting what she wants when she wants it. Believe me, that was our first thought too. After dealing with this for years and finally reaching out for help to doctors, psychologists and Occupational Therapists, we know understand that she’s not doing this on purpose. Her tactile sensitivities are part of a real disorder, Sensory Perception Disorder (SPD) and it’s something she can’t control.
Now, that’s not to say she isn’t a Princess. She is. Very much so. That’s also why Peekaboo Beans works for us. Anything considered stylish, fun and even “cool” by our own redheaded diva are rare and prized indeed. Right up there with Justin Bieber and iCarly. There are lots of “cool” clothes though, she can go to the mall and find stores full of faux-80s glam clothes she simply adores – on the rack. And she will beg for them, occasionally even getting them, but despite the early onset peer pressure of Elementary school she still can’t bear to actually wear them.
I’m so thankful my wife discovered Peekaboo Beans; it’s made all the difference for our daughter, allowing her stay “cool” while staying warm, relaxed and comfortable at same time.
Neal Dawe
My grandparents were both entrepreneurs. They owned two high-end women’s clothing boutiques in Toronto, and my grandmother designed and fabricated the clothing in the basement workshop. It was called Boutique D’Olivier, after my grandfather. I remember as a child going to visit her at the store. She would give me bags of fabric scraps that I would turn into crafts when I got home.
I wonder sometimes if this is where my entrepreneurial bug came from. I absolutely love being one. The pot is even more sweetened by the fact that my business is as a Peekaboo Beans Stylist. I love the clothing, and being able to market and promote them in creative ways. I love our company philosophy about putting families first and changing the opportunities for mothers to work in an environment that also supports their first role as mom. I love the enthusiasm from my team and my colleagues at our Playground (head office), and how much we support each other in growing our businesses!
Three years ago my journey into the entrepreneurial world began when my friend Lara and I built an online children’s clothing boutique. We spent hours building our brand, choosing the inventory we would carry, and marketing it online. It was such a valuable learning experience for me, I’m still using the skills I learned as I run my Stylist business.
While running our shop, we often ran into other moms thinking about starting up a biz, but feeling daunted and intimiated by the whole process. What I love about being able to share the Peekaboo Beans business with other moms is that essentially all the hard work is done for them! When you start your business as a Stylist, you are becoming a team member of an already established busines. The business plan is in place, all that you need to get yourself going is a few business supplies, a positive attitude and a goal to work toward.
Wherever this journey as a Stylist is taking me, I am completely hooked and loving it. I experience so many moments of joy as I am learning to be a better leader, a more effective business owner, and a passionate entrepreneur. I want nothing more than to share this passion and the entrepreneurial bug with others!
Here’s our monthly promotion!
Spend $150 and receive a free item of your choice from 6 pre-selected Peekaboo Beans items.
So many memories I have of my children involve them wearing Peekaboo Beans. I used to save the Beans for special occasions, but quickly realized that my children need to be wearing Peekaboo Beans ALL THE TIME! Here’s another memory to add to our collection, our annual Santa photo!
**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!
Peekaboo Beans has been a large part of my life for the past 5 years. The journey began in 2007 when I first came across the brand online, and brought in a few pieces of the collection in my online children’s boutique. A year and a half ago, I switched gears from a retailer and became a Play Stylist and Ambassador with Peekaboo Beans. Over 5 years I have see Peekaboo Beans grow from a budding home-based operation, into an expanding business changing the way we dress our children, and the way we think about play, all while giving mothers an opportunity to own their own businesses.
I can’t tell you just how excited I was when the opportunity to visit the Peekaboo Beans Playground came up in October. I flew out to visit Traci, our Director of Play and PB’s founder, Amber & Kristen our other two Ambassadors, and to finally meet everyone that has been working so hard to make Peekaboo Beans what it is today. My visit was action packed, and truly left me changed. Over three days I had the chance to tour our head office and warehouse and meet everyone at the Playground! I got a sneak peek of some upcoming product launches and learned firsthand just what’s involved with getting all of your orders out the door and into your beans’ hands. I learned so much about our company’s culture, our vision and our goals, and took part in some planning sessions with our staff.
Day 1
There was a warm welcome as we entered the doors, followed by lots of hugs as I finally had the chance to meet the amazing women (and Derrick!) that I’ve been working with for so long. After some training sessions, we had our hair styled in the Peekablo-tique. This little bit of pampering was a taste of our future, working for a company who stands for working moms and woman having it all. Next came a tour around the Playground, some team building with Playground staff and education on our systems and processes. The day wrapped up with a limo tour around Vancouver!
Day 2
On our second day we took part in some goal setting sessions, had a chance to meet other Play Stylists in the Vancouver area (including Candy Sethi on my team, photo in the centre below), and then were treated to a night out at Traci’s home for dinner and dessert.
Day 3
The day started off with morning yoga, one of the many perks of working at the Playground. The Ambassadors then took part in a meeting on building business one sprout at a time through recruiting. The day ended with a graduation ceremony, and lots of sad goodbyes (and happy beginnings!)
One of the biggest take-aways from my visit to Peekaboo Beans was realizing that we are on our way to becoming the greatest children’s clothing brand in the world, and I am so excited to be part of our growth! I can’t wait until I can go back again!
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
