Podcast

How to Make the Ikea Antilop High Chair Safer with @yeahbabygoods Katie Kruithof

  • Why the Ikea Antilop high chair is unsafe as it is sold…and how to fix that
  • Why Katie and her husband Brent started Yeah Baby Goods…and what businesses they ran before that
  • How their high chair footrest has evolved since its inception…and why it’s better than the knockoffs

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Episode Description

The $20 Ikea Antilop high chair is ubiquitous and universally loved for its low price…but it’s not a safe seat for your baby to eat. Yeah Baby Goods co-founder Katie Kruithof is here to talk about how to make this high chair safer for baby-led weaning.

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About The Guest

  • Katie Kruithof and her husband are the co-founders of Yeah Baby Goods
  • They make accessories for the Ikea Antilop high chair to improve safety (...and appearance :)

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00:00:00.420 --> 00:00:03.940

<v SPEAKER_1>Are you trying to squeeze the starting solid food stuff into your already busy schedule?

00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:08.340

<v SPEAKER_1>Well, I have an all-in-one, done-for-you solution that's going to take the guesswork out of feeding your baby.

00:00:08.340 --> 00:00:20.440

<v SPEAKER_1>My online program is called Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro, contains all of my Baby-Led Weaning training videos, the original 100 First Foods content library, plus 100 day meal plan with recipes, like the exact sequence of which foods to feed in which order.

00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:25.480

<v SPEAKER_1>So if you want to stop trying to piece all this feeding stuff together on your own, I would be honored if you would join me inside of the program.

00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:27.740

<v SPEAKER_1>You can get signed up at babyledweaning.co.uk.

00:00:31.320 --> 00:00:34.320

<v SPEAKER_2>Hi friends, are you looking for a new podcast?

00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:36.600

<v SPEAKER_2>Maybe something you can share with your littles?

00:00:36.600 --> 00:00:38.980

<v SPEAKER_2>Something that has some storytelling in it?

00:00:38.980 --> 00:00:40.120

<v SPEAKER_2>Well then look no further.

00:00:40.120 --> 00:00:47.400

<v SPEAKER_2>We have Storytime with Philip and Mommy, where my son and I sit and discuss all the great books that you might love while we read them.

00:00:48.020 --> 00:00:53.840

<v SPEAKER_2>So little golden books, Berenstain Bears and even the new classics like Bluey.

00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:58.320

<v SPEAKER_2>We sit down, we read, we discuss and we have so much fun doing it.

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<v SPEAKER_2>Come and join us.

00:00:59.360 --> 00:01:01.740

<v SPEAKER_2>Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:09.480

<v SPEAKER_3>She said, I got your foot rest and it was like a night and day difference where my husband and I were just absolutely shocked.

00:01:09.480 --> 00:01:11.540

<v SPEAKER_3>She sat for the entire meal.

00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:18.880

<v SPEAKER_3>She was interested in participating in picking up the food and self-feeding and had her entire meal and wanted more.

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<v SPEAKER_3>She's like, that has never happened for us and it's continued to happen meal after meal since getting the foot rest.

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<v SPEAKER_3>And so I think people underestimate the importance of high chair positioning and posture when they're looking at what kind of high chair to get and any issues that they might be having with feeding.

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<v SPEAKER_1>Hey there, I'm Katie Ferraro, Registered Dietitian, College Nutrition Professor and mom of seven, specializing in Baby-Led Weaning.

00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:59.820

<v SPEAKER_1>Here on the Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro podcast, I help you strip out all of the noise and nonsense about feeding, giving you the confidence and knowledge you need to give your baby a safe start to solid foods using Baby-Led Weaning.

00:02:05.445 --> 00:02:12.285

<v SPEAKER_1>If you have seen the Ikea Antilop high chair, maybe you have this chair at your house, or if you've ever rented a house, they're always there.

00:02:12.285 --> 00:02:16.785

<v SPEAKER_1>It's this ubiquitous $20, no frills high chair from Ikea.

00:02:16.785 --> 00:02:20.785

<v SPEAKER_1>And I've always written it off as one of the most unsafe high chairs.

00:02:20.785 --> 00:02:24.545

<v SPEAKER_1>It has no foot rest, it has a huge bowl of a seat that is not supportive for babies.

00:02:24.545 --> 00:02:27.765

<v SPEAKER_1>It has this unwieldy tray that minimizes your baby's range of motion.

00:02:27.765 --> 00:02:32.185

<v SPEAKER_1>So as a dietician, I am not impressed with this high chair's functionality.

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<v SPEAKER_1>It is not the ideal setup for promoting independent and safe eating for babies, and I'm not a design person.

00:02:37.005 --> 00:02:42.825

<v SPEAKER_1>But for folks who care about that stuff, one could also argue that the Ikea Antilop high chair is ugly.

00:02:42.825 --> 00:02:48.025

<v SPEAKER_1>So from a form and a function standpoint, there are a few reasons to write this high chair off.

00:02:48.025 --> 00:02:52.645

<v SPEAKER_1>But my guest today did not write off the Ikea Antilop high chair.

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<v SPEAKER_1>Her name is Katie Kruithof, and along with her husband, Brent, Katie started a business first as an Etsy shop way back in 2016, designing cute cushion covers for the Ikea Antilop high chair.

00:03:06.605 --> 00:03:15.985

<v SPEAKER_1>Katie and Brent's business is called Yeah Baby Goods, and today they're known for selling all sorts of accessories to give the Ikea Antilope high chair a much needed glow up.

00:03:15.985 --> 00:03:21.525

<v SPEAKER_1>So they came onto my radar in 2019 when they launched the footrest for the Ikea Antilope high chair.

00:03:21.525 --> 00:03:38.205

<v SPEAKER_1>We'd seen parents before do DIY hacks for this chair with like lumber and knots and duct tape and Amazon boxes, but when Brent and Katie put their heads together, they came up with an incredible design for a solid footrest that you attach to this chair that instantaneously improves its safety.

00:03:38.205 --> 00:03:44.005

<v SPEAKER_1>Along the way, they've developed some other really cute and functional accessories for the Ikea Antilop high chair.

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<v SPEAKER_1>Personally, I'm just fascinated by other small business owners and their stories and how they got to where they are today.

00:03:49.485 --> 00:03:52.285

<v SPEAKER_1>So I've been dying to interview Katie for a while.

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<v SPEAKER_1>She's going to go through the timeline of how she and Brent even decided to start Yeah Baby Goods and how their business evolved over the years.

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<v SPEAKER_1>They have four children and they really involved their kids in their business on top of homeschooling them, which I am just so in awe of.

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<v SPEAKER_1>So if you like to support other small family run businesses, please do check them out online at yeahbabygoods.com or the same on social at Yeah Baby Goods.

00:04:15.685 --> 00:04:17.685

<v SPEAKER_1>That's Y-E-A-H.

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<v SPEAKER_1>Katie's also going to tell us why they named their business Yeah Baby Goods, a story that I had never heard, but it's such a cool story.

00:04:23.605 --> 00:04:31.745

<v SPEAKER_1>So with no further ado, here is Katie Kruithof from Yeah Baby Goods on how her company helps to make the Ikea Antilop high chair safer.

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<v SPEAKER_3>I hear from parents all the time stories of how they had a child who really was resisting getting in their high chair.

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<v SPEAKER_3>So it was almost like even as soon as they lifted them over the high chair, I've seen videos of children absolutely spreading their legs, like not wanting to get in there.

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<v SPEAKER_3>Or once they finally did get in there, they could only sit for a little bit of time, they would start to get restless or fussy, and they just didn't have an interest in food.

00:05:01.045 --> 00:05:11.425

<v SPEAKER_3>So one mom in particular sent me feedback after she bought our footrests, and she said, I'm honestly, I'm in tears because I had a baby that the doctors told me I should be concerned with her weight gain.

00:05:11.425 --> 00:05:15.005

<v SPEAKER_3>She wasn't interested at all in solids.

00:05:15.005 --> 00:05:21.065

<v SPEAKER_3>She said, I got your footrest and it was like a night and day difference, where my husband and I were just absolutely shocked.

00:05:21.065 --> 00:05:22.745

<v SPEAKER_3>She sat for the entire meal.

00:05:23.185 --> 00:05:31.065

<v SPEAKER_3>She was interested in participating in picking up the food and self-feeding, and had her entire meal and wanted more.

00:05:31.065 --> 00:05:36.925

<v SPEAKER_3>And she's like, that has never happened for us and it's continued to happen meal after meal since getting the footrest.

00:05:36.925 --> 00:05:52.445

<v SPEAKER_3>And so I think people underestimate the importance of high chair positioning and posture when they're looking at what kind of high chair to get and any issues that they might be having with feeding.

00:05:54.065 --> 00:06:02.725

<v SPEAKER_3>I know that a lot of feeding therapists I've talked to say the very first thing I look at when there are any issues is what kind of high chair are they using and how are they positioned in there?

00:06:02.725 --> 00:06:05.245

<v SPEAKER_1>Tell us a little bit about your company, Yeah Baby Goods.

00:06:05.245 --> 00:06:06.545

<v SPEAKER_1>What do you sell?

00:06:06.545 --> 00:06:10.205

<v SPEAKER_1>What was it that inspired you to start this business with your husband?

00:06:10.205 --> 00:06:20.185

<v SPEAKER_3>Yeah, so my husband and I always had a dream of being able to work together and integrate our family life and our work life and our home life.

00:06:21.045 --> 00:06:23.505

<v SPEAKER_3>So we had an entrepreneurial background anyways.

00:06:23.505 --> 00:06:31.165

<v SPEAKER_3>We had started a couple other businesses and we were in the middle of working on a fitness business with my husband and that was going really well.

00:06:31.165 --> 00:06:37.325

<v SPEAKER_3>Where meanwhile, I had my second born and we were using the Ikea high chair.

00:06:37.325 --> 00:06:39.605

<v SPEAKER_3>We had already used it with my first born.

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<v SPEAKER_3>It was actually the only high chair I could get him to sit in.

00:06:42.945 --> 00:06:46.585

<v SPEAKER_3>He resisted getting into any other high chair.

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<v SPEAKER_3>Then one day we were at the Ikea store at the restaurant, they have them to use and I sat him in there and I was like, Oh my goodness, he actually sits in this chair.

00:06:54.325 --> 00:06:55.565

<v SPEAKER_3>We bought one immediately.

00:06:55.565 --> 00:06:59.625

<v SPEAKER_3>We loved it with our first and my second was just about to start solids.

00:07:00.725 --> 00:07:06.685

<v SPEAKER_3>At the time, I knew that my little guy who was only six months old needed a support cushion in there.

00:07:06.685 --> 00:07:11.385

<v SPEAKER_3>Ikea did sell one, but it was not the aesthetic I wanted.

00:07:11.385 --> 00:07:17.585

<v SPEAKER_3>I was telling all my friends, I was like, You should start selling cushion covers for the Ikea high chair cushion.

00:07:17.925 --> 00:07:21.105

<v SPEAKER_3>Everybody loves this high chair and there's only one option.

00:07:21.105 --> 00:07:26.565

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like red and blue and does not go with most people's homes, and nobody else would buy them.

00:07:26.565 --> 00:07:28.485

<v SPEAKER_3>So I was like, You know what?

00:07:28.485 --> 00:07:30.005

<v SPEAKER_3>My husband and I, we start products.

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<v SPEAKER_3>We know how to do a business.

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<v SPEAKER_3>So I started this as an Etsy shop in 2016, right before my second was about to start solids.

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<v SPEAKER_3>We initially, it's funny because when I started this business, it was honestly an aesthetic thing where we had the Ikea high chair and I felt like this could be even cuter in our home.

00:07:49.445 --> 00:07:54.265

<v SPEAKER_3>So it's focused on the cushion covers and then making cleanup easier.

00:07:54.265 --> 00:07:59.245

<v SPEAKER_3>One of the complaints we often hear with the Ikea high chair is how hard it is to take off the tray.

00:07:59.405 --> 00:08:05.025

<v SPEAKER_3>So we made a silicone food grade placemat that fits right in the tray and makes cleanup easier.

00:08:05.025 --> 00:08:07.825

<v SPEAKER_3>So I was like, Those are the two things I really want to tackle.

00:08:08.365 --> 00:08:12.605

<v SPEAKER_3>So that's when we started Yeah Baby Goods 2016.

00:08:13.005 --> 00:08:14.625

<v SPEAKER_3>It started as a small Etsy shop.

00:08:14.765 --> 00:08:17.125

<v SPEAKER_3>I was running it by myself.

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<v SPEAKER_3>Then as we started gaining more and more of a following on Instagram, I kept hearing from people requests about, You should make a footrest for the Ikea high chair.

00:08:29.245 --> 00:08:31.505

<v SPEAKER_3>Honestly, this was something I had never heard of.

00:08:31.505 --> 00:08:40.545

<v SPEAKER_3>I wasn't big into the Baby-Led Weaning world at this point, and didn't have a whole bunch of knowledge about high chair positioning or safety.

00:08:40.925 --> 00:08:45.245

<v SPEAKER_3>So I started doing a deep dive for myself and just learning more about it.

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<v SPEAKER_3>I was fascinated to learn that honestly, one of the products we were already selling, which was our cushions, play a big part in high chair safety as well, and helping children have the core support and sit upright.

00:08:56.905 --> 00:09:03.905

<v SPEAKER_3>But a huge part that was missing from the Ikea high chair was this foot support and how important that is for stability.

00:09:05.305 --> 00:09:23.505

<v SPEAKER_3>After people kept asking about it, we probably spent a year prototyping this thing, and just coming up with all these different wacky solutions in our house and trying it with our, at that time now we had our third child, and she was the product tester for all of our prototypes.

00:09:23.505 --> 00:09:30.525

<v SPEAKER_3>Finally, we came up with a design that's similar to what we currently have, although we've updated a couple of times since to continue improving it.

00:09:30.525 --> 00:09:45.625

<v SPEAKER_3>But the idea is it's an adjustable footrest that gives them that sturdy footing for their feet so they have stability for the rest of the core, and that came out in 2019, and honestly, that was when it exploded.

00:09:45.625 --> 00:09:49.125

<v SPEAKER_3>From then on, Yeah Baby Goods mission was twofold.

00:09:49.125 --> 00:09:56.705

<v SPEAKER_3>Yes, it's still about the aesthetic, it's fun, it's like a blank slate that you get to totally personalize and customize.

00:09:56.705 --> 00:10:05.405

<v SPEAKER_3>But everything that we come out with, we would definitely want to make sure it's now setting your baby up for feeding success, which just wasn't on my radar.

00:10:05.825 --> 00:10:20.125

<v SPEAKER_3>But the longer I was in this high-tier world, I just kept learning more and more and being like, I had no idea all this came into play with feeding and started implementing a lot of Baby-Led Weaning stuff that I was learning.

00:10:20.125 --> 00:10:21.165

<v SPEAKER_3>Then we had our fourth.

00:10:21.165 --> 00:10:27.925

<v SPEAKER_3>And so it's been a really fun progression as like this initial idea that has really just grown and blossomed.

00:10:27.925 --> 00:10:37.165

<v SPEAKER_3>And since coming up with high-tier accessories, we've gone further into the feeding accessory world with utensils and dinnerware and some other products.

00:10:37.165 --> 00:10:53.365

<v SPEAKER_3>And I like to get feedback from feeding therapists and occupational therapists when we launch those, when we're developing them, to make sure that they're also things that are not only cute, that are actually promoting developmental skills that babies have around the feeding ages.

00:10:53.365 --> 00:10:55.925

<v SPEAKER_1>Hey, we're going to take a quick break, but I'll be right back.

00:11:00.425 --> 00:11:04.505

<v SPEAKER_1>This episode is sponsored in part by Ritual Prenatal Vitamins.

00:11:04.505 --> 00:11:17.105

<v SPEAKER_1>Let's talk about prenatal vitamins, because you might be done with your last pregnancy, but if you're considering getting pregnant again, one thing I always did based on my doctor suggestion was to restart my prenatal vitamin before I got pregnant.

00:11:17.105 --> 00:11:22.005

<v SPEAKER_1>That's because the baby's neural tubes form within the first 17 to 30 days after conception.

00:11:22.005 --> 00:11:24.485

<v SPEAKER_1>So a lot of times that's even before we know we're pregnant.

00:11:24.985 --> 00:11:31.465

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00:11:31.465 --> 00:11:45.465

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00:11:45.465 --> 00:12:00.165

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00:12:00.165 --> 00:12:01.925

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00:12:29.405 --> 00:12:33.305

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00:12:35.045 --> 00:12:39.485

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00:12:39.985 --> 00:12:46.385

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00:12:50.365 --> 00:13:04.465

<v SPEAKER_1>I love hearing the timeline because, so I didn't know that you did the cushions first, because I discovered you when my youngest, who are twins, were doing Baby-Led Weaning, they started in 2018.

00:13:04.465 --> 00:13:05.625

<v SPEAKER_1>It was early 2019.

00:13:06.005 --> 00:13:16.265

<v SPEAKER_1>So someone had sent me, like obviously, anyone who uses that high chair, not to diss it, it's the most unsafe high chair in the world, because it doesn't have a foot rest, plus it doesn't have, like, it's a massive swimming pool, basically, for babies.

00:13:16.265 --> 00:13:18.645

<v SPEAKER_1>So it needs a lot of adjustments in order to make it safe.

00:13:18.645 --> 00:13:26.385

<v SPEAKER_1>So in the feeding world, we always kind of like wrote off that high chair, like, yes, I know it's affordable, but there are much safer options that are going to cost you a little bit more money.

00:13:26.385 --> 00:13:39.645

<v SPEAKER_1>And then someone told me about your brand, and I had been familiar with, there was another product prior to you that was a more flexible foot rest for that high chair, but it wasn't the flat solid foot plate that we need for babies in order to stabilize their core.

00:13:39.645 --> 00:13:53.625

<v SPEAKER_1>So they had sent, that other company had sent it to me, and I was like, this is nice, but I would not use this or recommend it, because again, it's not providing that solid foot plate that our babies need in order to stomp their feet down when they're gagging and use their mouth muscles to push that food forward and protect their airway.

00:13:53.625 --> 00:13:58.005

<v SPEAKER_1>Then when I saw yours, I was like, oh my gosh, this is genius.

00:13:58.005 --> 00:14:04.725

<v SPEAKER_1>Actually went out and bought two Ikea high chairs, which I couldn't believe I was doing, just to test your product out.

00:14:04.885 --> 00:14:10.345

<v SPEAKER_1>We did a bunch of content with those babies, even before I met you guys, just because parents were asking about it.

00:14:10.345 --> 00:14:17.825

<v SPEAKER_1>But then I met you and your husband was like, this is such a cool story because this is not like a mass produced product that just off of Amazon.

00:14:17.825 --> 00:14:20.525

<v SPEAKER_1>There's an actual story behind this with the mom and dad who created it.

00:14:21.245 --> 00:14:22.025

<v SPEAKER_1>You've iterated it.

00:14:22.025 --> 00:14:25.685

<v SPEAKER_1>I'd love to watch the way that the footrest has evolved.

00:14:25.685 --> 00:14:28.245

<v SPEAKER_1>Could you share about the changes that you've made to the footrest?

00:14:28.245 --> 00:14:29.985

<v SPEAKER_1>I know you have a lot of knockoffs.

00:14:29.985 --> 00:14:34.985

<v SPEAKER_1>There's a lot of other people copying this idea, but you had the original solid footplate.

00:14:34.985 --> 00:14:36.325

<v SPEAKER_1>And I want to give credit where credit is due.

00:14:36.525 --> 00:14:40.105

<v SPEAKER_1>I work in a space where a lot of people literally ripped my program off as well.

00:14:40.105 --> 00:14:41.145

<v SPEAKER_1>So it's important.

00:14:41.145 --> 00:14:46.505

<v SPEAKER_1>You know, you guys had that first product and it is again, it rises to the top because it is the best product out there.

00:14:46.505 --> 00:14:49.585

<v SPEAKER_1>It's probably going to be a little bit more expensive because it's made with quality materials.

00:14:49.585 --> 00:14:56.245

<v SPEAKER_1>But tell us about the changes to the footrest that you can without, you know, divulging any trade or product secrets.

00:14:56.245 --> 00:14:57.405

<v SPEAKER_3>Oh yeah, absolutely.

00:14:57.405 --> 00:15:01.425

<v SPEAKER_3>No, it's all stuff that you could find on our website and we have videos explaining the difference.

00:15:01.925 --> 00:15:13.365

<v SPEAKER_3>But like you referenced, the initial one we had, it is a, I mean, it comes in several different types of wood, so you can kind of pick whether you like a dark wood or a light wood.

00:15:13.365 --> 00:15:25.645

<v SPEAKER_3>The initial one was bamboo and it, for people who maybe haven't seen it before, it's basically like a solid piece of wood that then has little cutouts on the side, so you can slide it in between the two legs.

00:15:25.645 --> 00:15:28.745

<v SPEAKER_3>And then initially, it was held up by a black O-ring.

00:15:29.345 --> 00:15:32.485

<v SPEAKER_3>And that was how it would stay stable.

00:15:32.485 --> 00:15:37.365

<v SPEAKER_3>And so definitely it was like there was such a need for this product.

00:15:37.365 --> 00:15:38.025

<v SPEAKER_3>It was insane.

00:15:38.025 --> 00:15:45.745

<v SPEAKER_3>When we launched it in, that was end of 2019, it just like we couldn't keep them on the shelves fast enough.

00:15:45.745 --> 00:15:54.605

<v SPEAKER_3>And so it would like immediately we'd have a launch and it was like, well, we sold 202 minutes and then we sold 1,000 in five minutes.

00:15:54.605 --> 00:15:56.425

<v SPEAKER_3>And we just could not keep them on the side.

00:15:56.425 --> 00:15:58.865

<v SPEAKER_3>So we were making them as fast as we could.

00:15:58.865 --> 00:16:02.785

<v SPEAKER_3>And I was like, so many people were all of a sudden using them, which was amazing.

00:16:02.785 --> 00:16:05.285

<v SPEAKER_3>And we were also getting some really helpful feedback.

00:16:05.285 --> 00:16:13.505

<v SPEAKER_3>So one of the things was that like if their leg gets dirty at all, it might, the black O-ring that was holding, which was a rubber O-ring would start sliding.

00:16:13.505 --> 00:16:19.545

<v SPEAKER_3>So then we developed a custom clamp that would wrap around the black O-ring and really keep it secure from slipping.

00:16:20.125 --> 00:16:25.445

<v SPEAKER_3>But the major development that happened is kind of two-fold in that.

00:16:25.785 --> 00:16:28.525

<v SPEAKER_3>And now our footrest design is patented.

00:16:28.525 --> 00:16:32.445

<v SPEAKER_3>So like you said, there have been many copycats that came along the way.

00:16:32.445 --> 00:16:38.765

<v SPEAKER_3>And I always remind myself, you know, that is imitation is the highest form of flattery, you know, and it's also really good.

00:16:38.765 --> 00:16:40.585

<v SPEAKER_1>I tell myself that too, but I don't believe it.

00:16:40.585 --> 00:16:42.165

<v SPEAKER_1>It still makes me angry.

00:16:42.165 --> 00:16:44.005

<v SPEAKER_3>But we have to tell ourselves these things.

00:16:44.005 --> 00:16:49.365

<v SPEAKER_3>But it also definitely is motivating for us to be the best.

00:16:49.485 --> 00:16:56.285

<v SPEAKER_3>And so like when we hear feedback from people about how it can be improved, we're like, okay, let's, let's re-prototype this.

00:16:56.285 --> 00:17:03.525

<v SPEAKER_3>Let's come out with a version 2.0 and 3.0, which is something that our Chinese knockoffs are not doing.

00:17:03.525 --> 00:17:04.325

<v SPEAKER_3>So they're not keeping up.

00:17:04.325 --> 00:17:06.905

<v SPEAKER_3>So the foot rest that we have now is patented.

00:17:06.905 --> 00:17:15.025

<v SPEAKER_3>The major difference is it's hard to picture, but if you think about a hiker, the front legs are gonna be angled outward for stability.

00:17:15.845 --> 00:17:28.505

<v SPEAKER_3>So if you have a flat foot rest that is attached to those legs, it's also going to be angled and you can picture it's gonna be inclined, so it's tipping back towards the baby's feet.

00:17:28.505 --> 00:17:34.465

<v SPEAKER_3>So one of the big things that you learn about hiker positioning is you want 90 degrees, 90 degrees, 90 degrees.

00:17:34.465 --> 00:17:43.985

<v SPEAKER_3>So basically like their hips at 90 degrees, their knees at 90 degrees and their ankles at 90 degrees, and that's just optimal positioning for a safe feed and a safe swallow.

00:17:45.285 --> 00:17:51.265

<v SPEAKER_3>And so because the footrest would tilt back, it wasn't quite a 90 degree angle that their ankles were at.

00:17:51.265 --> 00:17:54.405

<v SPEAKER_3>So we just were like, this is an area where we can improve.

00:17:54.405 --> 00:17:57.485

<v SPEAKER_3>We promote the 90, 90, 90 and we're not quite there.

00:17:57.485 --> 00:18:07.005

<v SPEAKER_3>And so what we did is we created a cutout in the bottom of our footrest that is also angled to compensate for the angle of the hiker leg.

00:18:07.005 --> 00:18:15.805

<v SPEAKER_3>So now when the footrest is on there, though the legs will be angled out, the footrest will sit straight with the base of the seat.

00:18:15.805 --> 00:18:22.365

<v SPEAKER_3>So like as their knees hang down, they actually do have a flat surface instead of an inclined surface to be resting their feet on.

00:18:22.365 --> 00:18:27.885

<v SPEAKER_3>Additionally, those cutouts allow us to hide the support clamps that we've developed.

00:18:27.885 --> 00:18:33.405

<v SPEAKER_3>And so it's not visible from the front, which is an aesthetic thing more than like a functional kind of thing.

00:18:33.405 --> 00:18:37.485

<v SPEAKER_3>But it looks like it's floating instead of sitting on like kind of bulky clamps.

00:18:37.485 --> 00:18:44.545

<v SPEAKER_3>And so now it has like a more finished appearance that those slanted cutouts really allow us to do.

00:18:44.545 --> 00:18:46.605

<v SPEAKER_3>So that's our current design.

00:18:46.605 --> 00:18:46.965

<v SPEAKER_3>Yeah.

00:18:46.965 --> 00:18:49.965

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's been fun to kind of work with people.

00:18:49.965 --> 00:18:59.985

<v SPEAKER_3>I mean, our followers were the reason we initially came up with this idea and they've continued to be incredibly helpful, kind, always like willing to be product testers.

00:18:59.985 --> 00:19:02.125

<v SPEAKER_3>And I think that's the special thing.

00:19:02.125 --> 00:19:06.665

<v SPEAKER_3>Like when you're talking about like there's a family that actually created this, there's a face behind this product.

00:19:06.925 --> 00:19:13.505

<v SPEAKER_3>It's a family run business in its truest form, like our four kids are helping at the warehouse all the time.

00:19:13.505 --> 00:19:22.425

<v SPEAKER_3>I think people, our followers and our customers genuinely have like this attitude of, I just really want to support them.

00:19:23.325 --> 00:19:24.785

<v SPEAKER_3>I like backing them.

00:19:24.785 --> 00:19:26.805

<v SPEAKER_3>I feel like I'm part of the team.

00:19:26.805 --> 00:19:31.425

<v SPEAKER_3>For people who have been following us since 2016, they're like, I feel like I'm part of the family.

00:19:31.425 --> 00:19:36.125

<v SPEAKER_3>Like I've watched you guys grow from like this tiny Etsy shop to what we are now.

00:19:36.545 --> 00:19:54.265

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's a very kind community of moms who are always willing to help, giving feedback in the most gracious kind way where it's like, I love hearing from people about, hey, I wish you would come out with this or this drives me crazy about feeding.

00:19:54.265 --> 00:19:55.925

<v SPEAKER_3>Can you help me come up with a solution?

00:19:55.925 --> 00:20:01.965

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm like, yeah, because I have those from my own story with feeding, and I've developed products around it.

00:20:01.965 --> 00:20:10.185

<v SPEAKER_3>But there's some stuff that other parents have experienced that I haven't, and how wonderful it is to hear from many people about like, it would just be amazing if somebody could make this.

00:20:10.185 --> 00:20:12.265

<v SPEAKER_3>And I'm like, come tell me those ideas.

00:20:12.565 --> 00:20:17.245

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm all about creating more products to make mom and baby meal time better.

00:20:17.245 --> 00:20:26.205

<v SPEAKER_1>And I think, Katie, it's fascinating to hear the intricacies behind the footrest, because you could also hear people just saying, oh, well, it's just a piece of wood.

00:20:26.205 --> 00:20:27.065

<v SPEAKER_1>Why does it cost so much?

00:20:27.065 --> 00:20:29.105

<v SPEAKER_1>And we'll talk about price in a second, and it doesn't cost that much.

00:20:29.105 --> 00:20:32.905

<v SPEAKER_1>But when you look at like, no, these things are there, not just for an aesthetic standpoint.

00:20:32.945 --> 00:20:37.065

<v SPEAKER_1>Because I think of it, you look at your brand, you look at your website, like, oh, this is so cute.

00:20:37.065 --> 00:20:40.365

<v SPEAKER_1>It's like, and what I want to really focus on in this interview, it's yes, it's cute.

00:20:40.365 --> 00:20:43.405

<v SPEAKER_1>And like your stuff is so cute, but it's also about safety.

00:20:43.405 --> 00:20:54.625

<v SPEAKER_1>And the footrest for me as a registered dietician and my specialties in baby-led weaning and high chair positioning is everything because you cannot support a safe swallow if the baby's feet are not sitting flat on that solid foot plate.

00:20:54.625 --> 00:20:56.905

<v SPEAKER_1>For me, your product has always been about safety.

00:20:56.905 --> 00:21:01.445

<v SPEAKER_1>And I feel like I've been such an advocate of your guys' business because yes, it's cute.

00:21:01.445 --> 00:21:07.285

<v SPEAKER_1>And I think it's fantastic that you involve your whole family, but at the end of the day, you are making an unsafe product safer.

00:21:07.285 --> 00:21:09.165

<v SPEAKER_1>But you can't copy that.

00:21:09.165 --> 00:21:13.185

<v SPEAKER_1>Like a Chinese factory knockoff doesn't, that's your you factor, right?

00:21:13.185 --> 00:21:25.765

<v SPEAKER_1>Like people can't copy my story and why I created the 100 First Foods program and how we actually so thoughtfully select the foods that are on our list and the reason why they're prepared the way they are and the recipes that do or don't have certain ingredients.

00:21:25.765 --> 00:21:36.985

<v SPEAKER_1>And that's like, you could go knock it off and sell something for a lot cheaper, but it's like, that's not gonna be around because there's no real story behind it and there's nothing to really support, unless you strictly just want the cheapest product possible.

00:21:36.985 --> 00:21:41.785

<v SPEAKER_1>And if that's your story, then you're probably not my ideal customer avatar to begin with.

00:21:41.785 --> 00:21:43.105

<v SPEAKER_3>Right, it is true.

00:21:43.105 --> 00:22:03.745

<v SPEAKER_3>And I mean, for sure, all the accessories we make, which we now have the cushion and placement at the originals, the footrest, and then this is another customer supported thing where all of a sudden there was a fad where people were buying contact paper, big rolls of contact paper, cutting them to size and putting them on the Ikea high-tier legs.

00:22:03.745 --> 00:22:06.625

<v SPEAKER_1>And feeding their baby food off of contact paper?

00:22:06.625 --> 00:22:08.545

<v SPEAKER_3>Well, I'm sorry, they're putting it on the legs.

00:22:08.545 --> 00:22:09.045

<v SPEAKER_1>Oh, sorry.

00:22:09.045 --> 00:22:10.045

<v SPEAKER_1>Okay, I thought it was on the tray.

00:22:10.045 --> 00:22:12.585

<v SPEAKER_1>I was like, I missed this trend, but it sounds terrible.

00:22:12.585 --> 00:22:16.545

<v SPEAKER_3>The fourth product is the leg wraps, which are adhesive.

00:22:16.545 --> 00:22:21.085

<v SPEAKER_3>They're like higher quality than contact paper, so they're not going to rip, which was the problem people were having.

00:22:21.085 --> 00:22:26.685

<v SPEAKER_3>They're cut to size, and so that's the fourth Ikea high-tier accessory, which truly is no function, only aesthetic.

00:22:26.685 --> 00:22:32.265

<v SPEAKER_3>But out of the high-tier accessories, really, I mean, if you're only going to get one, it's got to be the foot rest.

00:22:32.265 --> 00:22:38.485

<v SPEAKER_1>That's what I say as well, but I think everything else, like once you start, you can't stop with you guys, because it is kind of addictive.

00:22:38.485 --> 00:22:47.625

<v SPEAKER_1>Now, my mom is a dietitian, and she's commented more than once about how she thinks it's like so silly that parents pay for a program to help their babies learn how to eat real food.

00:22:47.625 --> 00:22:49.825

<v SPEAKER_1>And, you know, moms will say what they want to say.

00:22:49.825 --> 00:22:50.805

<v SPEAKER_1>I love your products.

00:22:50.805 --> 00:22:53.165

<v SPEAKER_1>I love the joy that they bring to families.

00:22:53.165 --> 00:22:59.885

<v SPEAKER_1>You know, but Katie, what do you say to people who would argue that it's kind of silly to be spending $100 to glow up a $20 high chair?

00:22:59.885 --> 00:23:03.405

<v SPEAKER_1>Like, why not just buy a $100 high chair with a foot rest in the first place?

00:23:03.405 --> 00:23:03.985

<v SPEAKER_3>Totally.

00:23:03.985 --> 00:23:06.165

<v SPEAKER_3>So I guess I have kind of two thoughts around this.

00:23:06.165 --> 00:23:18.185

<v SPEAKER_3>First of all, when we started in 2016, as a mom who was high chair shopping around that time, I mean, I guess I started earlier with my first born, there was a lot less options on the market.

00:23:18.185 --> 00:23:23.665

<v SPEAKER_3>So we definitely had the Stokey, which is amazing high chair for ergonomics and positioning.

00:23:24.005 --> 00:23:26.205

<v SPEAKER_3>But that's in the 300 plus range.

00:23:26.205 --> 00:23:32.065

<v SPEAKER_3>And then there were a ton of kind of like Greco big bulky high chairs.

00:23:32.065 --> 00:23:34.265

<v SPEAKER_3>And that's like, I got to hand me up down to that.

00:23:34.265 --> 00:23:36.225

<v SPEAKER_3>That's what we were trying to use.

00:23:36.225 --> 00:23:44.905

<v SPEAKER_3>And that one just wasn't super portable, lightweight, not to mention like for somebody who did care about the aesthetic, it was an eye sore.

00:23:44.905 --> 00:23:47.305

<v SPEAKER_1>So they were so ugly and they take up half your kitchen.

00:23:47.305 --> 00:23:47.485

<v SPEAKER_5>Yes.

00:23:47.525 --> 00:23:48.465

<v SPEAKER_5>I know.

00:23:48.465 --> 00:23:50.745

<v SPEAKER_3>And they were so hard to clean was the honest thing.

00:23:50.825 --> 00:23:52.405

<v SPEAKER_3>So that is a function thing.

00:23:52.405 --> 00:23:57.545

<v SPEAKER_3>There was just so many nooks and crannies and it was like, it just always looked disgusting.

00:23:57.545 --> 00:24:02.645

<v SPEAKER_3>And so then the other big option was the Ikea High Tire, which was $20.

00:24:02.645 --> 00:24:10.985

<v SPEAKER_3>So I mean, already you have millions of people just buying it because it's like, this thing is something I can afford, you know?

00:24:10.985 --> 00:24:17.025

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's like, like I said, you could spend, you could get the whole set of our accessories.

00:24:17.025 --> 00:24:23.365

<v SPEAKER_3>And if you get one of each, you know, you're right around $75 and then plus the Ikea high chair, you're close to 100.

00:24:23.365 --> 00:24:30.425

<v SPEAKER_3>But if you only get one for safety and just get the footrest plus that $20 Ikea high chair, I mean, that's a win right there.

00:24:30.425 --> 00:24:38.125

<v SPEAKER_3>But I think over the years they have had more high chairs come out that have a footrest already on it.

00:24:38.125 --> 00:24:44.405

<v SPEAKER_3>The things that I continue to love about the Ikea high chair is how lightweight it is, how portable it is.

00:24:44.405 --> 00:24:47.485

<v SPEAKER_3>I carry it from room to room in my house very easily.

00:24:47.605 --> 00:24:50.365

<v SPEAKER_3>I take it outside on my back deck and we eat outside.

00:24:50.365 --> 00:24:54.425

<v SPEAKER_3>It is so basic that it's incredibly easy to clean.

00:24:54.425 --> 00:24:56.905

<v SPEAKER_3>There's no weird nooks and crannies.

00:24:56.905 --> 00:25:02.625

<v SPEAKER_3>It's very durable in that you can spray that thing down with a hose if it gets messy.

00:25:02.825 --> 00:25:12.065

<v SPEAKER_3>It's just no bells and whistles, which is amazing for cleanup, but not so amazing when it comes to high chair positioning and safety.

00:25:12.065 --> 00:25:16.185

<v SPEAKER_3>So that's when it's like there's already millions of Ikea high chairs out there.

00:25:16.665 --> 00:25:18.565

<v SPEAKER_3>People are passing them down to each other.

00:25:18.565 --> 00:25:25.645

<v SPEAKER_3>So even if you're not choosing to buy that one, you might just end up with one because they're on Facebook Marketplace, they're at Once Upon a Child.

00:25:25.645 --> 00:25:30.945

<v SPEAKER_3>So I think it's still a great option because so many people still have the Ikea head chair.

00:25:30.945 --> 00:25:46.745

<v SPEAKER_3>Honestly, the final thing is it is a blank canvas where it's very fun, which some people like your mom or I have a sister who works for us and she's like, she doesn't care what it looks like and she's like, I'm not your target, Mark.

00:25:46.745 --> 00:25:56.185

<v SPEAKER_3>It's not fun for me to dress up my high chair, but I think there's a lot of parents that are at home all day and really look for sparks of joy throughout their day.

00:25:57.225 --> 00:26:04.885

<v SPEAKER_3>Even just being able to glance over at your high chair, which you're using at least three times a day and have it be something like, I picked those things out.

00:26:04.885 --> 00:26:10.345

<v SPEAKER_3>They're truly like things that I look at and make me happy, make mealtimes fun.

00:26:11.445 --> 00:26:18.125

<v SPEAKER_3>This is another kind of silly superficial reason, but you take a million pictures and videos of your kid when they're starting to stop.

00:26:18.125 --> 00:26:18.705

<v SPEAKER_1>You're right.

00:26:18.705 --> 00:26:26.905

<v SPEAKER_3>And that Ikea, like if you see the plain Ikea high chair now, I'm like, I have pictures of my person that Graco, which was doing nothing for me.

00:26:26.905 --> 00:26:32.285

<v SPEAKER_3>But it's like, I have hundreds of pictures and videos of, look how cute they are.

00:26:32.285 --> 00:26:36.105

<v SPEAKER_3>This is their first solids and they're making a mess and it's adorable.

00:26:36.105 --> 00:26:38.745

<v SPEAKER_3>And I do love having my cute high chair and all of those.

00:26:38.845 --> 00:26:42.845

<v SPEAKER_3>So practically speaking, there's a lot to love about the Ikea high chair.

00:26:42.845 --> 00:26:48.925

<v SPEAKER_3>If you go with that route, affordability, you cannot be, even if you end up getting all of our accessories.

00:26:48.925 --> 00:26:51.185

<v SPEAKER_3>There's definitely more options out there now.

00:26:51.185 --> 00:26:53.185

<v SPEAKER_3>And there's even good alternatives.

00:26:53.185 --> 00:26:56.425

<v SPEAKER_3>If you have the Ikea high chair and you can only get the foot rest.

00:26:56.425 --> 00:26:59.585

<v SPEAKER_3>Like we mentioned that the base is just so roomy.

00:26:59.585 --> 00:27:06.185

<v SPEAKER_3>It's just no child needs a seat base that big, which is why the cushion is really important.

00:27:06.185 --> 00:27:09.825

<v SPEAKER_3>But if you can't afford the cushion, you can put towels and blankets.

00:27:09.825 --> 00:27:15.465

<v SPEAKER_3>There's definitely modifications you can make to make it safer and still use it.

00:27:15.465 --> 00:27:19.045

<v SPEAKER_3>So I'm not an Ikea high chair hater.

00:27:19.045 --> 00:27:21.165

<v SPEAKER_3>People think you design products for it, so you must hate it.

00:27:21.165 --> 00:27:30.625

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's like, no, I actually love it, which is why I design products for it because I have very fond feelings for it as the first and only high chair my first would use.

00:27:30.625 --> 00:27:33.665

<v SPEAKER_3>And I just had this dream of like, we can make this better.

00:27:33.665 --> 00:27:35.285

<v SPEAKER_3>Like millions of people are using this.

00:27:35.905 --> 00:27:38.165

<v SPEAKER_3>They don't need to scrap the whole thing.

00:27:38.165 --> 00:27:40.225

<v SPEAKER_3>But let's see how we can improve it for our babies.

00:27:40.225 --> 00:27:47.285

<v SPEAKER_1>You made it cuter, but you also made it more functional and safer, which is as a person in the feeding space, I appreciate that.

00:27:47.285 --> 00:27:51.405

<v SPEAKER_1>I don't care what it looks like, but like it doesn't have to look terrible and work well.

00:27:51.405 --> 00:27:52.825

<v SPEAKER_1>And I think you guys have proven that.

00:27:52.825 --> 00:27:59.005

<v SPEAKER_1>I had a question about the cushions, because I heard from Brent, you guys are phasing out the cotton cushions and going all vegan leather for the cushions.

00:27:59.005 --> 00:28:00.505

<v SPEAKER_1>What's that all about or why?

00:28:00.505 --> 00:28:04.225

<v SPEAKER_3>Yeah, so we've been doing cotton since 2016.

00:28:04.545 --> 00:28:11.925

<v SPEAKER_3>And this was also really spurred by our followers who, they're just like, Baby-Led Weaning?

00:28:11.925 --> 00:28:14.905

<v SPEAKER_3>Starting solids is super messy.

00:28:14.905 --> 00:28:23.425

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm ending up buying multiple cushion covers because it's pretty much like right after a meal, I need to unzip it and throw it in the wash.

00:28:23.425 --> 00:28:27.545

<v SPEAKER_3>And so there was many people requesting a wipeable fabric.

00:28:27.545 --> 00:28:31.905

<v SPEAKER_3>And initially we started with just solids a couple years ago.

00:28:32.105 --> 00:28:34.465

<v SPEAKER_3>And so we had a few solid color options.

00:28:34.465 --> 00:28:38.385

<v SPEAKER_3>But of course people were like, okay, but when can we get the patterns?

00:28:38.385 --> 00:28:44.585

<v SPEAKER_3>And so we started selling our wipeable ones in solids and patterns.

00:28:44.585 --> 00:28:48.485

<v SPEAKER_3>And all of our patterns are designed by independent artists throughout the world.

00:28:48.485 --> 00:28:56.905

<v SPEAKER_3>We have some in the US, but in many different countries, they are directly benefiting every time their cushion cover design sells.

00:28:56.905 --> 00:28:58.825

<v SPEAKER_3>And so I love supporting those artists.

00:28:59.265 --> 00:29:04.685

<v SPEAKER_3>We were able to work with them to get them printed on the vegan leather fabric as well.

00:29:04.685 --> 00:29:14.945

<v SPEAKER_3>And so it was kind of just a win-win for our artists and for our customers who just wanted that option where you can still unzip it and throw it in the washing machine.

00:29:14.945 --> 00:29:16.865

<v SPEAKER_3>That's how some people prefer to take care of it.

00:29:16.865 --> 00:29:18.925

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's just like, I don't want to be wiping it.

00:29:18.925 --> 00:29:21.245

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm just going to get a new one on there.

00:29:21.245 --> 00:29:23.125

<v SPEAKER_3>But for people that are like, I just got a little bit on there.

00:29:23.125 --> 00:29:24.465

<v SPEAKER_3>I just need to wipe them off.

00:29:24.465 --> 00:29:25.625

<v SPEAKER_3>That's an option now too.

00:29:25.625 --> 00:29:33.105

<v SPEAKER_3>And so we were kind of just watching sales and it was like those wipeable ones were going up and the cotton ones were going down.

00:29:33.105 --> 00:29:36.325

<v SPEAKER_3>And so we have been phasing out the cotton ones.

00:29:36.905 --> 00:29:44.065

<v SPEAKER_3>If we start to hear from customers that it's like, we miss the cotton ones, we're nothing if not receivers of feedback.

00:29:44.065 --> 00:29:45.165

<v SPEAKER_3>We love to hear from people.

00:29:45.165 --> 00:29:52.225

<v SPEAKER_3>So it's more just a trend in what people are buying that we've been going deeper into the vegan leather, just because it's wipeable, I think.

00:29:52.225 --> 00:29:54.785

<v SPEAKER_1>Hey, we're going to take a quick break, but I'll be right back.

00:29:59.785 --> 00:30:03.745

<v SPEAKER_5>Ever dreamed of traveling the world with your children without leaving your home?

00:30:03.745 --> 00:30:09.585

<v SPEAKER_5>Tune in to Culture Kids Podcast to embark on an incredible adventure right where you are.

00:30:09.585 --> 00:30:22.565

<v SPEAKER_5>At Culture Kids, we collaborate with cultural organizations, authors and educators from all over the world to expand our children's horizons, inspiring them to embrace our differences while bridging communities worldwide.

00:30:23.505 --> 00:30:25.605

<v SPEAKER_5>And that's Culture Kids Podcast.

00:30:25.605 --> 00:30:26.645

<v SPEAKER_2>Here's your passport.

00:30:26.645 --> 00:30:27.065

<v SPEAKER_5>Let's go.

00:30:35.782 --> 00:30:39.602

<v SPEAKER_1>Katie, how do you decide which patterns to retire of the cushions?

00:30:39.602 --> 00:30:46.422

<v SPEAKER_3>It's hard because I actually have a lot of sentimental ties to all of our patterns.

00:30:46.422 --> 00:30:51.902

<v SPEAKER_3>And so we do launches pretty regularly where it's really fun.

00:30:51.902 --> 00:30:55.422

<v SPEAKER_3>Probably a reoccurring theme is we love to hear from our followers.

00:30:55.422 --> 00:30:58.742

<v SPEAKER_3>So we actually let our followers vote on all of our new patterns.

00:30:58.742 --> 00:31:05.062

<v SPEAKER_3>And then we do new collections several times a year where we launch anywhere from like eight to 12 new designs.

00:31:05.242 --> 00:31:12.402

<v SPEAKER_3>And so the customers are very active part of that, where we do polls on our stories to kind of narrow it down.

00:31:12.402 --> 00:31:16.542

<v SPEAKER_3>And then there's a ballot and we pick the top ones and those come out a few months later.

00:31:16.542 --> 00:31:20.702

<v SPEAKER_3>So each new design, it's like, oh, I remember being with you.

00:31:20.982 --> 00:31:23.182

<v SPEAKER_3>I discovered you early on.

00:31:23.202 --> 00:31:25.062

<v SPEAKER_3>I brought you to the followers.

00:31:25.062 --> 00:31:25.742

<v SPEAKER_3>They loved you.

00:31:25.742 --> 00:31:26.482

<v SPEAKER_3>We launched you.

00:31:26.482 --> 00:31:27.782

<v SPEAKER_3>It was very exciting.

00:31:27.782 --> 00:31:32.682

<v SPEAKER_3>And honestly, it does just we watch the numbers, we watch the trends and see what people are buying.

00:31:32.682 --> 00:31:36.462

<v SPEAKER_3>And it gets to a point where it's like, you know, it can be reordered multiple times.

00:31:36.462 --> 00:31:44.642

<v SPEAKER_3>And once we start to see it slowing, it becomes like a retiring student pattern, which is always like, I don't know, I'm way too emotionally invested in it.

00:31:44.642 --> 00:31:46.622

<v SPEAKER_1>I like watching like the countdown on your website when-

00:31:46.622 --> 00:31:49.182

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like one of my babies are getting cut.

00:31:49.182 --> 00:31:51.802

<v SPEAKER_1>I know, but it says how many you have left on the website.

00:31:51.802 --> 00:31:52.262

<v SPEAKER_1>I love that.

00:31:52.262 --> 00:31:54.142

<v SPEAKER_1>Cause I'm like, well, if you really like that, you better get it.

00:31:54.142 --> 00:31:55.142

<v SPEAKER_1>Cause you know, she's not lying.

00:31:55.142 --> 00:31:58.462

<v SPEAKER_1>Like you can see you in your warehouse being like, there's only five of these left.

00:31:58.462 --> 00:31:59.462

<v SPEAKER_3>I know.

00:31:59.462 --> 00:32:03.622

<v SPEAKER_3>Or every now and then it's like, oh gosh, how did this one get mixed in in the others?

00:32:03.722 --> 00:32:05.122

<v SPEAKER_3>And you're like, oh, I found one more.

00:32:05.122 --> 00:32:06.042

<v SPEAKER_3>And we'll post it on Instagram.

00:32:06.042 --> 00:32:09.182

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like, this was retired, but we just found it and it gets snatched up right away.

00:32:09.182 --> 00:32:20.902

<v SPEAKER_3>But it is important in order to be able to keep introducing new patterns to retire some, although it's heartbreaking for me every time, but we like to keep having new stuff in there and the warehouse is a big enough for all of them.

00:32:20.902 --> 00:32:23.642

<v SPEAKER_3>So it's a tough project, but.

00:32:23.642 --> 00:32:25.742

<v SPEAKER_1>Have you gotten any feedback from Ikea?

00:32:25.742 --> 00:32:31.102

<v SPEAKER_1>Like I always thought such a good idea when they just go and do what you're doing, but at a mass market scale, is that not the case?

00:32:31.742 --> 00:32:32.262

<v SPEAKER_3>I know.

00:32:32.262 --> 00:32:34.682

<v SPEAKER_3>I would have totally thought the same thing.

00:32:34.682 --> 00:32:37.102

<v SPEAKER_3>So we have never heard from Ikea.

00:32:37.102 --> 00:32:39.862

<v SPEAKER_3>I don't know if it would be a good or a bad thing if we did.

00:32:39.862 --> 00:32:48.522

<v SPEAKER_3>Someday I dream of going to Ikea and seeing a pamphlet or something next to it about our products.

00:32:48.522 --> 00:32:50.202

<v SPEAKER_3>That would be the ideal collaborative.

00:32:50.202 --> 00:32:54.642

<v SPEAKER_3>Oh, grab your high chair, then by the way, here's a small business you can support.

00:32:54.642 --> 00:33:00.582

<v SPEAKER_3>But I also had the same fear, especially when we started, that it's like, why aren't they going to just, yeah.

00:33:00.582 --> 00:33:02.942

<v SPEAKER_1>At least the footrest, why haven't they done the footrest?

00:33:02.942 --> 00:33:07.942

<v SPEAKER_3>They could sell it so much cheaper because they just have such mass scale, like you said.

00:33:07.942 --> 00:33:20.462

<v SPEAKER_3>I think the big difference is, or maybe why they haven't decided to go for it, is because our niche is that you really can't customize it, and it's like you go on our website and there's a build your high chair feature.

00:33:20.462 --> 00:33:20.802

<v SPEAKER_1>You're right.

00:33:20.802 --> 00:33:22.742

<v SPEAKER_1>There's an endless number of combinations.

00:33:23.242 --> 00:33:38.842

<v SPEAKER_3>Yes, it's too many combinations for them to compete with that element, where it's like pick your placemat and see what it looks like with this cushion and this footrest and this leg wraps, and you can have the whole thing, just completely customize it and see what it looked like together before you even order it.

00:33:38.842 --> 00:33:47.722

<v SPEAKER_3>I think our differentiation was always that we were able to have 100 plus cushion covers and we have probably 30 different placements that you can choose from.

00:33:47.722 --> 00:33:57.102

<v SPEAKER_3>They could have picked any one item and they actually like eventually did get rid of that primary color, red and blue stripe cushion cover like they started.

00:33:57.102 --> 00:34:01.422

<v SPEAKER_3>I think they eventually changed it to a gray herringbone, which is maybe what they have now.

00:34:01.422 --> 00:34:04.522

<v SPEAKER_3>I feel like they know that we exist.

00:34:05.142 --> 00:34:19.542

<v SPEAKER_3>I actually think we help their business and that probably, it used to be that I thought, oh, our target market is just people who already have the Ikea high chair, but I have been blown away with, no, people are buying the Ikea high chairs so they can get the accessories.

00:34:19.822 --> 00:34:22.942

<v SPEAKER_3>That just was beyond my wildest dreams when we started.

00:34:23.682 --> 00:34:27.582

<v SPEAKER_3>I think it's actually something that probably Ikea knows about us.

00:34:27.582 --> 00:34:36.522

<v SPEAKER_3>We're actually helping bring up the sales of their high chair, and just that whole customization piece, I think they couldn't do it to that same level.

00:34:36.522 --> 00:34:38.182

<v SPEAKER_3>They wouldn't want to have hundreds of options.

00:34:38.182 --> 00:34:39.362

<v SPEAKER_3>That's not really their model.

00:34:41.442 --> 00:34:51.422

<v SPEAKER_3>They've come out with other high chairs that have a footrest, but they've left that one $20, no for else, very basic, which is excellent for us.

00:34:51.422 --> 00:34:56.222

<v SPEAKER_1>Is it $20 in every other country, and do you get customers, like do you guys ship everywhere?

00:34:56.222 --> 00:34:59.362

<v SPEAKER_1>Because the thing about Ikea is it's the same stuff all over the world.

00:34:59.362 --> 00:35:00.902

<v SPEAKER_1>So how do you guys handle that?

00:35:00.902 --> 00:35:05.262

<v SPEAKER_3>We absolutely ship worldwide, and it's so true, it's everywhere.

00:35:05.262 --> 00:35:08.382

<v SPEAKER_3>And so, I mean, that's something that's really helped our businesses.

00:35:08.382 --> 00:35:17.022

<v SPEAKER_3>And I actually just heard from somebody the other day, they're like, the amount of options in the US as far as high chairs has increased over the years, but not worldwide.

00:35:17.102 --> 00:35:18.902

<v SPEAKER_3>We don't have the same options as you guys.

00:35:18.902 --> 00:35:24.942

<v SPEAKER_3>So a lot of us are still using the Ikea high chair and need accessories like this.

00:35:24.942 --> 00:35:26.702

<v SPEAKER_3>And so it is worldwide.

00:35:26.702 --> 00:35:32.182

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm not actually sure if it is $20, like how the price translates in other countries.

00:35:32.182 --> 00:35:42.642

<v SPEAKER_3>There was actually a brief period right around COVID where this is the Ikea Antilop is what model it is.

00:35:42.642 --> 00:35:51.442

<v SPEAKER_3>And it went from, it's 1999, but briefly for like a maybe a year or two, it went up to $30 for the high chair.

00:35:51.442 --> 00:35:56.362

<v SPEAKER_1>I remember that because sometimes when we talk about the $20 high chair, everyone's like, no, that high chair is 30.

00:35:56.362 --> 00:35:58.122

<v SPEAKER_1>And I'm like, nope, that high chair is $20 again.

00:35:58.122 --> 00:36:02.102

<v SPEAKER_1>It's the only thing in the world that where the price went down back to its normal price.

00:36:02.102 --> 00:36:02.622

<v SPEAKER_3>I know.

00:36:02.622 --> 00:36:05.162

<v SPEAKER_3>And so I thought it was just going to be 30 from here on out.

00:36:05.162 --> 00:36:09.802

<v SPEAKER_3>But I think it was last year, they brought it back down to 1999, which is amazing.

00:36:10.482 --> 00:36:20.982

<v SPEAKER_3>And so I know a lot of people I heard during that COVID supply chain issue that most Ikeas were out of stock.

00:36:20.982 --> 00:36:29.202

<v SPEAKER_3>There was a bunch of people who would sign up and get notifications about when they came back, and some people buying our products and then having to return them because they could never find the Ikea high chair.

00:36:29.202 --> 00:36:35.562

<v SPEAKER_3>So luckily, all those issues have been resolved and it's easy to get again and it's back to its $20 price tag.

00:36:38.302 --> 00:36:41.782

<v SPEAKER_3>But yeah, I have to believe it's a loss leader for Ikea.

00:36:41.782 --> 00:36:44.402

<v SPEAKER_3>It seems like they can't even make money on that.

00:36:44.402 --> 00:36:49.442

<v SPEAKER_3>But people always say, well, what are you going to do if they stop selling the Ikea high chair?

00:36:49.442 --> 00:36:54.422

<v SPEAKER_3>At this point, early on, we maybe wouldn't have had the resources to be able to do this.

00:36:54.422 --> 00:36:58.442

<v SPEAKER_3>But at this point, we'd be like, well, then we'd probably design our own high chair and keep going.

00:36:58.442 --> 00:37:02.302

<v SPEAKER_3>But we definitely played around with that idea over the years.

00:37:02.302 --> 00:37:07.722

<v SPEAKER_1>Can I make a request because I'm never going to design a high chair, but can you design a restaurant high chair?

00:37:07.722 --> 00:37:09.162

<v SPEAKER_1>Because restaurant high chairs suck.

00:37:09.162 --> 00:37:13.382

<v SPEAKER_1>Or can you please make, there's only two to three brands, at least in the United States of restaurant high chairs.

00:37:13.382 --> 00:37:14.822

<v SPEAKER_1>Why don't you make a footrest for those?

00:37:14.822 --> 00:37:22.242

<v SPEAKER_1>Because we have parents that are taking their portable high chairs to the restaurant, affixing them to the adult chair, which is like, I don't think that that's crazy because I think that's important.

00:37:22.242 --> 00:37:25.482

<v SPEAKER_1>But for some parents, they're like, I'd rather not lug a portable high chair.

00:37:25.482 --> 00:37:38.582

<v SPEAKER_1>If you just made the footrest for the restaurant ones or make a better restaurant, we can do better than the crappy restaurant high chair that hasn't changed since I was waiting tables in high school and by the way, is a major pain in the neck to clean and doesn't have a footrest.

00:37:38.582 --> 00:37:39.362

<v SPEAKER_3>That is hilarious.

00:37:39.362 --> 00:37:40.122

<v SPEAKER_3>Yes, you're right.

00:37:40.122 --> 00:37:44.262

<v SPEAKER_3>Okay, I'm gonna bring it to the board, which is me and Brent.

00:37:44.262 --> 00:37:45.162

<v SPEAKER_1>Fantastic.

00:37:45.162 --> 00:37:46.462

<v SPEAKER_1>Okay, I have a question for you.

00:37:46.462 --> 00:37:49.482

<v SPEAKER_1>In the net, like 10 years from now, when you're, your oldest is 11, right?

00:37:49.482 --> 00:37:51.582

<v SPEAKER_1>Your oldest is 21, your youngest is 13.

00:37:51.582 --> 00:37:52.842

<v SPEAKER_1>What do you hope for your business at that point?

00:37:52.842 --> 00:37:55.662

<v SPEAKER_1>Like, I love that you guys have done other businesses, like you're willing to iterate.

00:37:55.662 --> 00:37:59.042

<v SPEAKER_1>Like, do you think you're gonna branch out into other high chairs or product lines?

00:37:59.042 --> 00:37:59.762

<v SPEAKER_1>Call it a day?

00:37:59.762 --> 00:38:01.582

<v SPEAKER_1>Like, where are you gonna be 10 years from now, Katie?

00:38:01.582 --> 00:38:03.262

<v SPEAKER_3>That is a really good question.

00:38:03.402 --> 00:38:06.762

<v SPEAKER_3>And definitely one that family and friends ask all the time.

00:38:06.762 --> 00:38:15.802

<v SPEAKER_3>I mean, when I think about 10 years ago, so that would have been 2014, would have been a couple of years before we started this.

00:38:15.802 --> 00:38:18.182

<v SPEAKER_3>I had no idea we'd be doing this, you know?

00:38:18.182 --> 00:38:23.822

<v SPEAKER_3>So it's like, partly I'm like, oh, I could play out a couple scenarios, but I'm like, it could be something that I can't even dream.

00:38:23.822 --> 00:38:29.502

<v SPEAKER_3>Like, in my imagination, I could just never even come up with, which is kind of what I'm doing now.

00:38:29.502 --> 00:38:37.302

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like, this is honestly my dream life is getting to work every day from home with my kids and my husband as my partner.

00:38:37.302 --> 00:38:48.222

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like, I've worked a little bit in market research straight out of college, did the cubicle life and it was like, I felt sick to my stomach every day going to work and what I get to do now.

00:38:48.222 --> 00:38:51.322

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm like, this is like the greatest gift.

00:38:51.322 --> 00:38:53.382

<v SPEAKER_3>I couldn't have even designed something more perfect.

00:38:53.382 --> 00:39:01.762

<v SPEAKER_3>But to answer your question, in 10 years, I think my first born geo dreams of taking over Yeah Baby Goods.

00:39:02.042 --> 00:39:08.642

<v SPEAKER_3>I mean, when you ask him what he wants to do when he grows up, that's what he'll say is he wants to be running Yeah Baby Goods.

00:39:08.642 --> 00:39:20.322

<v SPEAKER_3>My husband and I do weekly business meetings where we just go over updates, talk about new products, any issues, customer service stuff and he just turned 11.

00:39:20.322 --> 00:39:22.582

<v SPEAKER_3>Eleven-year-old sits with us at those.

00:39:22.582 --> 00:39:27.002

<v SPEAKER_3>It's after the other kids go to bed and he has wonderful things to add.

00:39:27.002 --> 00:39:28.542

<v SPEAKER_3>He asks great questions.

00:39:28.542 --> 00:39:32.982

<v SPEAKER_3>He gets us thinking about things that we don't think about, where our brain doesn't go.

00:39:32.982 --> 00:39:35.182

<v SPEAKER_3>It's been really fun to involve him in that.

00:39:35.182 --> 00:39:40.882

<v SPEAKER_3>Whether or not he takes over the business, it's just such a beautiful life skill that he's getting to see problem-solving real-time.

00:39:40.882 --> 00:39:48.802

<v SPEAKER_3>He's getting to learn about entrepreneurial life and revenue and expenses and math and business and accounting and those things.

00:39:50.102 --> 00:39:51.562

<v SPEAKER_3>It's a joy having him on there.

00:39:51.562 --> 00:39:53.922

<v SPEAKER_3>I would love to be able to pass it on to him.

00:39:53.922 --> 00:40:00.342

<v SPEAKER_3>But I know even if we don't pass over, Yeah Baby Goods, we are passing on that entrepreneurial spirit, which will take him far.

00:40:00.522 --> 00:40:04.442

<v SPEAKER_3>But if he wants to take it over, if it's still going strong, that's awesome.

00:40:04.442 --> 00:40:10.582

<v SPEAKER_3>I would definitely continue expanding into other feeding products.

00:40:10.582 --> 00:40:16.662

<v SPEAKER_3>Like I said, this last year, we came out with starter utensils, fork, spoons head, dinnerware.

00:40:16.662 --> 00:40:22.662

<v SPEAKER_3>Probably my favorite new product that we've launched, which was honestly just a selfish thing I wanted.

00:40:22.662 --> 00:40:27.362

<v SPEAKER_3>I get to be at this point where it's like, if I can't find it anywhere else, I'm like, I'm going to make it.

00:40:27.362 --> 00:40:32.062

<v SPEAKER_3>It was a silicone mug for children because my kids love to drink hot chocolate.

00:40:32.062 --> 00:40:35.862

<v SPEAKER_3>They think it's so fun to pretend to have coffee like mom and dad.

00:40:36.442 --> 00:40:41.202

<v SPEAKER_3>I was just cringing every time they used a ceramic mug, where I'm like, they're going to break it.

00:40:41.202 --> 00:40:43.382

<v SPEAKER_3>Don't walk around with it.

00:40:43.382 --> 00:40:46.642

<v SPEAKER_3>I was like, why isn't there a silicone food grade mug anywhere?

00:40:46.642 --> 00:40:49.022

<v SPEAKER_3>I was like, wait, I just need to make it.

00:40:49.022 --> 00:40:54.382

<v SPEAKER_3>I actually ended up making a whole dinnerware set, just so it didn't look completely random that I made a mug.

00:40:54.382 --> 00:41:04.042

<v SPEAKER_3>But that was really all I wanted was for a child-sized mug, for child-sized portions of hot chocolate, and that they could use with their pretend coffee or whatever they're doing.

00:41:04.042 --> 00:41:05.202

<v SPEAKER_3>We came out with that last year.

00:41:05.302 --> 00:41:06.342

<v SPEAKER_3>I love to go deeper.

00:41:06.342 --> 00:41:15.062

<v SPEAKER_3>We just launched our silicone bibs, which are some changes based on feedback that we heard from the traditional silicone bibs that people were having issues with.

00:41:16.042 --> 00:41:18.742

<v SPEAKER_3>We're going deeper into that feeding.

00:41:18.742 --> 00:41:22.602

<v SPEAKER_3>So far, we've stuck mostly with baby and toddlers that could branch out more to kids.

00:41:23.282 --> 00:41:27.082

<v SPEAKER_3>Then we always have all these crazy ideas where it's like, what if we branch out into home stuff?

00:41:27.182 --> 00:41:28.722

<v SPEAKER_3>What if we branch out into pet stuff?

00:41:28.722 --> 00:41:33.042

<v SPEAKER_3>So we're totally open to crying a lot of different things.

00:41:33.042 --> 00:41:35.302

<v SPEAKER_3>Maybe someday we still will create our own high chair.

00:41:35.302 --> 00:41:38.082

<v SPEAKER_3>I like to dream about that as well.

00:41:38.082 --> 00:41:42.302

<v SPEAKER_3>Or maybe we'll be doing something completely different.

00:41:42.302 --> 00:41:51.962

<v SPEAKER_3>I used to think success for a small business was getting investors on Shark Tank and making millions and ending up in a big box store like Target or something.

00:41:51.962 --> 00:42:04.602

<v SPEAKER_3>But now I just feel like having a couple of small businesses that have been very naturally fizzled out, I've seen that success is what you're learning during that process and you take all that with you, whether or not that business continues.

00:42:04.602 --> 00:42:12.542

<v SPEAKER_3>There were things that we learned through Fly It Fitness, which was the fitness company my husband was working on when we launched our Etsy shop years ago.

00:42:13.522 --> 00:42:20.702

<v SPEAKER_3>There were people we met, connections we made, things we learned that I couldn't be running Yeah Baby Goods now if we hadn't gone through all those experiences.

00:42:22.002 --> 00:42:24.082

<v SPEAKER_3>I like to keep it very open-handed.

00:42:24.302 --> 00:42:35.462

<v SPEAKER_3>We feel very blessed to be doing what we're doing, and we have grown our trust in the Lord and our open-handedness as we keep seeing like he is providing and he's carrying us to the next thing.

00:42:35.462 --> 00:42:43.242

<v SPEAKER_3>And it's honestly something that gives me a lot of faith where it's like no matter what we're doing, if it's Yeah Baby Goods or something else, like I'm along for the ride.

00:42:43.242 --> 00:42:44.962

<v SPEAKER_1>What's behind the name Yeah Baby Goods?

00:42:44.962 --> 00:42:46.182

<v SPEAKER_1>Why did you decide to name it that?

00:42:46.182 --> 00:42:47.542

<v SPEAKER_1>Is there a story there?

00:42:47.542 --> 00:42:53.402

<v SPEAKER_3>That's not a question we get asked that often, but it's actually like all growing up, that was my dad's catchphrase.

00:42:54.762 --> 00:42:56.162

<v SPEAKER_3>This isn't a video call, so you can't see it.

00:42:56.162 --> 00:43:03.742

<v SPEAKER_3>He'd stick his pinky and his thumb out and move it side by side, back and forth and be like, yeah baby and that's just what my dad said.

00:43:03.742 --> 00:43:07.782

<v SPEAKER_3>I remember having my high school friends over and just be like, ah dad.

00:43:07.782 --> 00:43:18.002

<v SPEAKER_3>I remember I was sitting in the wrapping chair nursing my then six-month-old, my second son, and I was thinking about ideas and I was like, yeah baby.

00:43:18.002 --> 00:43:22.982

<v SPEAKER_3>I think we tried yeahbaby.com and it was like, or no, it wasnt.com because at that time we didn't have a domain.

00:43:23.362 --> 00:43:25.262

<v SPEAKER_3>I tried yeahbaby on Etsy.

00:43:25.262 --> 00:43:26.122

<v SPEAKER_3>It was already taken.

00:43:26.122 --> 00:43:31.042

<v SPEAKER_3>So then we threw the goods on and the whole thing has stuck but it's definitely a nod to my dad.

00:43:31.042 --> 00:43:33.602

<v SPEAKER_1>Hey, we're going to take a quick break but I'll be right back.

00:43:39.440 --> 00:43:54.320

<v SPEAKER_6>At a time when change is constant and we are pulled in far too many directions, we need a way to stay present to life and to increase our ability to remain calm, think clearly and maintain our well-being.

00:43:54.320 --> 00:44:00.660

<v SPEAKER_6>Many studies indicate mindfulness improves our mental, emotional and physical health.

00:44:00.660 --> 00:44:07.280

<v SPEAKER_6>On a mindful moment with Teresa McKee, you can learn how to practice mindfulness and enjoy its many benefits.

00:44:07.640 --> 00:44:17.060

<v SPEAKER_6>Tune in for guided meditations and to hear tips and advice from some of the most respected experts in the fields of mental health and mindfulness.

00:44:17.060 --> 00:44:20.000

<v SPEAKER_6>The world truly can be a better place.

00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:22.940

<v SPEAKER_6>It all starts with a mindful moment.

00:44:27.420 --> 00:44:32.320

<v SPEAKER_1>I have to ask you before we go, is it like always awesome, you and your husband working together?

00:44:32.320 --> 00:44:34.800

<v SPEAKER_1>Because I really admire couples who can work together.

00:44:34.800 --> 00:44:37.540

<v SPEAKER_1>I know you guys very well from getting to work with you over the years.

00:44:37.540 --> 00:44:40.540

<v SPEAKER_1>I think you do such a great job of balancing what you're good at.

00:44:40.540 --> 00:44:42.540

<v SPEAKER_1>I know exactly what I need to call Brent for.

00:44:42.540 --> 00:44:45.080

<v SPEAKER_1>I know exactly what I need to call Katie for.

00:44:45.080 --> 00:44:49.100

<v SPEAKER_1>But do you ever get annoyed with each other, even just a little bit?

00:44:49.100 --> 00:44:50.900

<v SPEAKER_3>Well, that's a good question.

00:44:50.900 --> 00:44:52.820

<v SPEAKER_3>Probably not in business.

00:44:52.820 --> 00:45:01.220

<v SPEAKER_3>Sometimes the beautiful thing about Brent and I is we are wired really, really differently and have different strengths and different weaknesses.

00:45:01.220 --> 00:45:08.540

<v SPEAKER_3>That plays really well with business where there's certain things where it's like anything number finance related, I don't want to touch it.

00:45:09.400 --> 00:45:21.020

<v SPEAKER_3>I couldn't be doing this without Brent, but I bring more of the social media, the creative outlet, the vision of like, okay, let me dream big and now, Brent, you figure out a way to make this happen.

00:45:21.180 --> 00:45:22.220

<v SPEAKER_3>It suits us very well.

00:45:22.220 --> 00:45:32.900

<v SPEAKER_3>Our parenting styles are also different, but I have to believe that our kids are getting the very best because we're picking two very different ideas and we're compromising right in the middle.

00:45:32.900 --> 00:45:34.400

<v SPEAKER_3>It's like that's exactly where we should be.

00:45:34.400 --> 00:45:55.140

<v SPEAKER_3>If they were all done my way, it wouldn't be right if it was all done Brent's way, it would be imbalanced and so for business, I don't think we've ever really, he's very good at helping me when I get overwhelmed or stressed out about something, helping me be like, that's not as big of a deal as you think, and I'm very good at nagging until things get done.

00:45:55.860 --> 00:46:01.760

<v SPEAKER_3>So I think we actually do balance each other really well with business, and we've been married a long time now.

00:46:02.240 --> 00:46:04.440

<v SPEAKER_3>I think this December is 18 years.

00:46:04.440 --> 00:46:16.000

<v SPEAKER_3>So I don't know if we could have done this same partnership as well early on in our marriage, but we've definitely figured out each other and our styles, and it's an awesome thing.

00:46:16.340 --> 00:46:21.140

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm very thankful to have him as my partner in parenting, in life, in business.

00:46:22.180 --> 00:46:25.320

<v SPEAKER_3>We're a good match and I couldn't be doing this without him, honestly.

00:46:25.320 --> 00:46:30.080

<v SPEAKER_1>You literally could not be doing this interview without him because he's watching The Four Kids right now, so you can be on this interview.

00:46:30.080 --> 00:46:40.400

<v SPEAKER_1>So I'm sorry I kept you for so long, but I just, I love your story, I love your family, I love the product that you're making, because not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it's also helping make a product safer for babies who are starting solid foods.

00:46:40.400 --> 00:46:44.760

<v SPEAKER_1>Where can our audience go to learn more about Yeah Baby Goods and to support your small business?

00:46:44.760 --> 00:46:45.680

<v SPEAKER_3>Yeah, absolutely.

00:46:45.680 --> 00:46:49.480

<v SPEAKER_3>So the website is yeahbabygoods.com.

00:46:49.940 --> 00:46:52.020

<v SPEAKER_3>That's our e-commerce site.

00:46:52.020 --> 00:46:53.720

<v SPEAKER_3>There's a ton of resources on there too.

00:46:53.720 --> 00:47:04.660

<v SPEAKER_3>There's a blog that talks about starting solids and readiness signs, and then talks about all this high-chair safety stuff we covered and what to look for in a high-chair.

00:47:04.740 --> 00:47:10.740

<v SPEAKER_3>So it's a good resource in addition to building your high-chair and buying the products and that kind of thing.

00:47:10.740 --> 00:47:17.880

<v SPEAKER_3>We're very active on Instagram, which we're just at YeahBabyGoods, all one word and no punctuation or hyphens or anything.

00:47:18.980 --> 00:47:27.180

<v SPEAKER_3>We love to share about our family, about running a small business, behind the scenes stuff, but then a lot of feeding tips and that kind of thing as well.

00:47:27.180 --> 00:47:32.220

<v SPEAKER_3>So on Instagram and then we're also on Etsy still.

00:47:32.220 --> 00:47:43.040

<v SPEAKER_3>We're on Amazon and our goal for the next month is to get fulfilled by Amazon up and running so that you can get free shipping on Amazon, which we're not currently, but this is the year for it.

00:47:43.040 --> 00:47:46.480

<v SPEAKER_3>So we've been working on getting everything ready on our end through that.

00:47:46.980 --> 00:47:57.960

<v SPEAKER_3>Currently, we've just been fulfilling it out of our warehouse, but we're going to start having it be fulfilled by Amazon because I know how important those prime shipping is as a shopper.

00:47:57.960 --> 00:48:01.480

<v SPEAKER_3>So we want to be able to offer that for our customers as well.

00:48:01.480 --> 00:48:02.700

<v SPEAKER_1>Well, Katie, thank you so much.

00:48:02.700 --> 00:48:03.780

<v SPEAKER_1>I love chatting with you.

00:48:03.780 --> 00:48:04.560

<v SPEAKER_1>Keep up the great work.

00:48:04.560 --> 00:48:07.920

<v SPEAKER_1>You have a lot of energy, but I think you're like the perfect person to do this.

00:48:07.920 --> 00:48:09.540

<v SPEAKER_1>And I'm glad you have Brent with you too.

00:48:09.540 --> 00:48:12.080

<v SPEAKER_1>I love seeing your family on social media.

00:48:12.080 --> 00:48:14.460

<v SPEAKER_1>I love that you share just the right amount.

00:48:14.580 --> 00:48:19.940

<v SPEAKER_1>It's not like gross, but they're like, wait a minute, she's got the kids in the warehouse, but it's not like child labor.

00:48:19.940 --> 00:48:21.540

<v SPEAKER_1>They are definitely helping.

00:48:21.540 --> 00:48:26.100

<v SPEAKER_1>And I like seeing that because again, you're a real family running a small business.

00:48:26.100 --> 00:48:30.100

<v SPEAKER_1>And I feel like in this AI world, you never get to see that anymore.

00:48:30.100 --> 00:48:35.600

<v SPEAKER_1>And even when you said that about Amazon, I was just kind of poking around, looking at a lot of the knockoffs of your product that are out there.

00:48:35.600 --> 00:48:38.520

<v SPEAKER_1>But that's interesting that in some way, you would embrace Amazon.

00:48:38.520 --> 00:48:47.560

<v SPEAKER_1>Obviously, it's gonna help you with the thing that Amazon is good at, which is fulfillment, which will help allow you to serve more families with the products that they need in order to make that product safer for their baby.

00:48:47.560 --> 00:48:48.460

<v SPEAKER_1>So that's amazing.

00:48:48.460 --> 00:48:49.120

<v SPEAKER_3>Right.

00:48:49.560 --> 00:48:55.980

<v SPEAKER_3>I mean, it's definitely more fees and everything, but for Brent and I, it's like, it's never been about making tons of money.

00:48:55.980 --> 00:48:58.180

<v SPEAKER_3>And that wasn't our goal with starting a small business.

00:48:58.180 --> 00:49:01.020

<v SPEAKER_3>It was good to have as much family time as possible.

00:49:01.020 --> 00:49:02.600

<v SPEAKER_3>And we're achieving that.

00:49:02.600 --> 00:49:06.400

<v SPEAKER_3>So at this, and we're able to pay our bills, you know?

00:49:06.400 --> 00:49:10.000

<v SPEAKER_3>That's all we really want is to be able to pay for groceries and mortgage.

00:49:10.140 --> 00:49:15.820

<v SPEAKER_3>And so then it's like we really just want to be equipping, encouraging other young families.

00:49:15.820 --> 00:49:19.600

<v SPEAKER_3>And we try to use our Instagram platform and our products.

00:49:19.600 --> 00:49:24.040

<v SPEAKER_3>We want them to be available and affordable for all families.

00:49:24.040 --> 00:49:25.480

<v SPEAKER_1>Well, thank you so much, Katie.

00:49:25.480 --> 00:49:27.040

<v SPEAKER_3>Yeah, thank you so much, Katie.

00:49:27.040 --> 00:49:28.280

<v SPEAKER_3>This was really a joy.

00:49:28.280 --> 00:49:31.140

<v SPEAKER_3>I'm so glad we got to connect like this.

00:49:31.140 --> 00:49:34.800

<v SPEAKER_1>Well, I hope you guys enjoyed that interview with Katie Kruithof from Yeah Baby Goods.

00:49:34.800 --> 00:49:43.020

<v SPEAKER_1>I was supposed to interview Katie and Brent together, but they had a family emergency with one of the rental properties and she's so sweet that she still took the interview.

00:49:43.020 --> 00:49:44.220

<v SPEAKER_1>I was like, you don't have to do this interview.

00:49:44.220 --> 00:49:45.600

<v SPEAKER_1>Like you're busy, you guys have stuff going on.

00:49:45.600 --> 00:49:47.520

<v SPEAKER_1>She's like, no, Brent's got the kids, they're fine.

00:49:47.520 --> 00:49:51.120

<v SPEAKER_1>They were at their house, he had them outside and she took the interview inside.

00:49:51.120 --> 00:49:56.120

<v SPEAKER_1>And I feel like I kept her on for way too long, but I just had so many questions and I think her business is so interesting.

00:49:56.120 --> 00:50:00.640

<v SPEAKER_1>And I really admire the work that they're doing, not only as a business, but also as a family.

00:50:00.640 --> 00:50:05.320

<v SPEAKER_1>I am, I mean, I would tell Katie the only time I actually get anything done is when my kids are at school.

00:50:05.320 --> 00:50:10.560

<v SPEAKER_1>So I don't understand how families run a business and home school and then also that she works with our husband.

00:50:10.560 --> 00:50:11.300

<v SPEAKER_1>She's amazing.

00:50:11.300 --> 00:50:15.480

<v SPEAKER_1>She really is one of the nicest people in the baby space.

00:50:15.480 --> 00:50:16.720

<v SPEAKER_1>And her husband's amazing too.

00:50:16.720 --> 00:50:19.580

<v SPEAKER_1>And I love what she was saying about them having complimentary skills.

00:50:19.580 --> 00:50:21.180

<v SPEAKER_1>I just loved everything about that interview.

00:50:21.180 --> 00:50:22.040

<v SPEAKER_1>I hope you guys did too.

00:50:22.040 --> 00:50:25.540

<v SPEAKER_1>If you want to check them out again, they're online at yaybabygoods.com.

00:50:25.540 --> 00:50:27.620

<v SPEAKER_1>On social, they're at YayBabyGoods.

00:50:29.360 --> 00:50:35.940

<v SPEAKER_1>And I'll put some links to some of the resources Katie talked about and their products on the show notes page for this episode, which you can find at blwpodcast.com/464.

00:50:38.360 --> 00:50:41.020

<v SPEAKER_1>A special thank you to our partners at Airwave Media.

00:50:41.020 --> 00:50:45.880

<v SPEAKER_1>If you like podcasts that feature food and science and using your brain, check out some of the shows from Airwave.

00:50:45.880 --> 00:50:47.800

<v SPEAKER_1>We're online at blwpodcast.com.

00:50:47.800 --> 00:50:48.860

<v SPEAKER_1>Thank you so much for listening.

00:50:48.860 --> 00:50:49.540

<v SPEAKER_1>I'll see you next time.

00:50:59.104 --> 00:51:02.084

<v SPEAKER_4>Do you find it hard to sleep at night?

00:51:02.084 --> 00:51:07.624

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00:51:07.624 --> 00:51:15.964

<v SPEAKER_4>Calm Cove has deeply relaxing meditation music and ambient sounds like ocean waves and crackling fires.

00:51:15.964 --> 00:51:21.504

<v SPEAKER_4>All of our episodes are designed to help you relax and to fall asleep fast.

00:51:21.504 --> 00:51:32.344

<v SPEAKER_4>Calm Cove is brought to you by the team behind Sleep Cove, the sleep podcast that consists of spoken word hypnosis, meditation and stories.

00:51:32.344 --> 00:51:45.804

<v SPEAKER_4>So if you want to listen to a beautiful soundscape tonight, search for Calm Cove on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and see how we're helping millions of people relax and go to sleep every night.

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The Program Baby-Led Weaning with Katie Ferraro

A digital course & step-by-step guide for starting solid foods safely with baby-led weaning

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