Now that I am working on Sense and Community more, I have started to do a little more consulting. I like to help people (mostly parents, women entrepreneurs, small businesses) with their Twitter accounts, managing their online presence, developing their brand and connecting them to other organizations to get their message out.
I’ve been working with Best Tools for Schools for almost a year and it’s been a great experience. Even though my time is still dedicated to my little ones at home, being able to carve out a few hours each week to grow what could be a larger business later is very exciting. Plus, selfishly, it means I get to work with and meet some really wonderful people.
This blog has always been a great avenue to promote local and small businesses that are family oriented or family owned. It was a natural growth to start branching out.
Recently I started working with a local business and an owner who is just a pleasure to work with. LMNOP Toys in Orleans (near the Sobey’s if you are trying to picture it) has been open for a couple of years now. It’s been a spot where I’ve gotten Christmas stocking stuffers, birthday presents and Easter basket gifts from. The products are unique and special and there is a lot of option.
Fans of Playmobil would be blown away by the wall of Playmobil selection, and since this family is a fan of Schleich, you may be interested to know that typically LMNOP carries nearly 80% of their product line. There is no shortage of dinosaurs, farm animals and fairies.
Charles, the owner, is a father himself but this goes beyond just wanting to play. He tries to find special items for customers that may be harder to find or that are popular but otherwise not available at a typical box store. Hear of Baby Stella? He carries a whole range of dolls and accessories. Looking for a play kitchen? A beautiful wooden one is available (and always seems to be a kid favourite, no?).
It was an easy consulting job to start because I was already a customer. I already knew what a great store it was, how much I loved the products and that was important. But one of the reasons Charles wanted to work with me was because as he’s starting to step into the world of Twitter and Facebook, he wants other parents to know the store is a great destination. He wants to build an online presence, but also show residents in Ottawa and Orleans what the store has to offer.
That’s why we are hosting a tweet up tomorrow night. He’s opening the store later (from 6:30-8) and will have coffee, snacks and discounts available to shoppers. There are goodie bags and the opportunity to win a prize.
Most importantly, if you are able to attend, you get to see and touch what the store has to offer. You’ll get to see the fun products that your kids would love, and there are some really neat things that can fill your children’s Easter Baskets this year.
Kids are welcome to come of course, so if you want to impress them feel free to bring them too.
We hope to see you at the store sometime. Even if you can’t make it tomorrow night, stop in and take a peak during the week.
In addition, we are collecting a list of bloggers who may be interested in working with the store in the future to potentially do reviews etc. If you aren’t able to attend tomorrow, but are in Ottawa and might be interested in a blogger program, please leave your blog and email below!
In the meantime, you will likely be hearing a bit more from me. In the upcoming weeks, I’m going to be showing Charles a bit more about Twitter so be sure to follow and say hi @lmnoptoys!
If all future consulting gigs are this much fun, I’ll be one happy person.
I would be interested in the blogging program. I look forward to seeing the store tomorrow night
Sounds like a great store, Rebecca. We’ll have to check it out when we get back to town… Playmobil and Schleich?? Count me in! We’d definitely be interested in doing some reviews, although we won’t be back until late August or early September.
Thanks again. Kids had fun at their fav store. Enjoyed meeting and chatting with you and Charles. We would be interested in a blogger program.