Chatting With Loulou Lollipop!
If you've got little ones, you're surely familiar with the amazing Canadian brand, Loulou Lollipop. With swaddles, bath towels, teethers, feeding items, and clothing in playful prints like tacos and sushi, rainbows and racecars, there's just so much at Loulou Lollipop to fall in love with.
But this children's brand is so much more than super cute prints. The power duo behind Loulou Lollipop is laser focused on sustainability, the best in materials and safety with everything they do. This is the sort of combo that Babesta (and the parents we serve) look for in a brand.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Eleanor Lee and Angel Kho, twin sisters and business partners behind the brand, to learn how it all began and what they're up to now!
Babesta: How did you get started? How did you grow?
Eleanor and Angel: Loulou Lollipop started in 2015! We started our journey with the desire to create products that catered to the needs of babies in a thoughtful and sustainable manner. Our first products were born out of this necessity – teething necklaces and teethers for Eleanor’s daughter. We first started doing many local pop-ups, markets and building communities on social media. We then attended industry tradeshows to expand our business into other regions. As we gained traction and positive feedback from parents who shared our values, we also expanded our product line and grew through word-of-mouth, emphasizing quality and eco-consciousness every step of the way.
Babesta: What drew you to the baby and kids space? Why do you love being part of this industry?
Eleanor and Angel: First of all, as parents of young children ourselves back then, the baby and kids’ space felt like a natural fit for us, given that we were deeply immersed in this stage of life. And this industry captivated us also because it's a realm of boundless imagination, joy, and responsibility. Being part of this industry means contributing to the well-being and comfort of the most vulnerable members of our society. It’s rewarding in knowing that our products play a role in nurturing the next generation. Essentially, as a kid’s products company, our mission is to help build a better place for our future generations. Plus, witnessing the wonder and innocence in a child's eyes serves an important reminder of why we do what we do.
Babesta: Tell us about some of the materials you use and why you’ve chosen them (Tencel, Silicone, Muslin). Why are these materials so great for babies?
Our commitment to providing the best for babies while also respecting the planet is reflected in our choice of materials. We ensure that our soft goods are certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and our hard goods undergo rigorous safety testing to meet the highest standards. Tencel Lyocell, a trusted brand from Austria, is the material for our clothing line. Derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp and manufactured in a closed-loop process, Tencel offers unparalleled softness and breathability, making it perfect for delicate baby skin. Silicone is another key material we use, prized for its durability and non-toxic properties, ensuring both safety and longevity in our products. Additionally, Muslin, a time-honored fabric, provides gentle comfort and versatility, making it ideal for swaddling and soothing babies. Each of these materials has unique properties that contribute to the overall quality and safety of our products.
Babesta: How do you create the designs? What’s the process like?
Eleanor and Angel: Designing our products is a collaborative process driven by creativity, functionality, and sustainability. It starts with thorough research into the needs and preferences of both parents and babies. Also, drawing inspiration from our love of travel, we explore the wonders of nature, art, and cultural influences to craft designs that marry aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Our products also undergo rigorous testing and refinement to ensure they meet the standards of safety, quality, and eco-friendliness.
Babesta: I know you recently became a B-Corp. Tell us what this means to you and why you took that step!
Eleanor and Angel: As a kid’s products company creating products for our future generations, becoming a B-Corp was a natural progression in our journey toward greater social and environmental responsibility. It means holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of ethical business practices, transparency, and sustainability. As a B-Corp, we are committed to using our business as a force for good, prioritizing people and the planet alongside profit. This certification reflects our deep commitment to making a positive impact on the world, now and for future generations.
Big thank you to Eleanor and Angel for giving us the scoop! We think it's so important for parents to get to know the brands that they are surrounding their children with! These are not only inspirational entrepreneurial stories, but are nice assurances that the products you choose are designed and manufactured with such ethos and love!
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