This year, we’re shining a spotlight on Heather from Grow Baby Co, the deserving winner of our Retailer of the Year competition. Voted by the community, Heather’s passion, dedication and outstanding customer service have made a lasting impact on local families and earned her the admiration of customers across the region.
Read our feature with FOCUS Magazine
Congratulations on being named Coffs Central Retailer of the Year.
What did it mean to you to receive this recognition?
Thanks so much! I was honestly so blown away that we won! As a small
business owner, you really pour your heart and soul into the business, so to
receive Retailer of the Year is such an honour.
Tell us a little about Grow Baby Co. How did the business begin and
what inspired you to create it?
It all started with my girls, I wanted pretty dribble bibs for them that would look
cute with their outfits and all the ones I could find weren’t quite right. Next
thing I know I’m sewing up a bunch and doing my very first market with a 6
week old in the baby carrier and a 1yo running around, it’s just grown from
there. We’ve actually been in our store 5 years now!
Your store has built a strong following with local families. What do
you think sets Grow Baby Co. apart from other retailers?
We’re so lucky to have such a beautiful community and to be surrounded by so
many other wonderful small businesses and retailers in the CBD. I feel like for
us, we just love to have a chat with the people coming through the store as well
as creating an inviting, welcoming space for them to visit the rest has evolved
from there.
Retail can be incredibly demanding. What keeps you motivated and
passionate about what you do each day?
Haha, you’re not wrong, it’s demanding, but I absolutely love what I do. I think
it’s really important that our town has vibrant, locally owned, boutique shops,
that showcase other Australian businesses, artists and creativity.
Early Motherhood is a time in our lives where Mums can feel both lost and
found all at the same time, I love being able to have a space where they can
come and be amongst beautiful things that they relate to in that stage of their
lives.
Customer experience clearly plays a big role in your success. How
do you approach creating a welcoming and supportive environment for parents
and families?
Customer experience is so important, having a beautiful space and everything
displayed in a way that helps them shop with ease has been really important to
me, as well as having a play space where kids can come, colour in, play with
puzzles and the parents can relax while they shop.
We know from experience that shopping with kids can feel stressful, so we do
our best to make it calm and enjoyable for everyone.
As a local business owner, how important is community connection
to you and your brand?
Community connection is at the core of everything we do, without our
community we wouldn’t be where we are today.
What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned while
growing your business?
Oh there has been a few haha. But my biggest lesson would be to trust your
instincts, I could expand on this but we would be here all day.
I think it’s really important to find your niche and do it well, don’t get
sidetracked by what everyone else is doing.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Grow Baby Co.? Are there any
exciting plans or goals on the horizon?
We’ve just launched our very first mummy and mini collection which is really fun
and something we’ve been asked to do for years, so I’ll be looking at adding in
another of those this year.
What advice would you give to other small business owners or
entrepreneurs starting out in retail?
Go for it! It’s scary and stressful at times, but so worth it. It’s an amazing
experience to have a retail store that is your vision come to life and I think it’s
really important to share your visions and passions with others.
Finally, where can readers find Grow Baby Co. and learn more
about your products and services?
You can find us in store on the ground floor at Coffs Central or online at
Growbabyco.com.au
