Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Arnold.
Stephanie, before we jump into specific questions about the company, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When we were pregnant with our second baby (12 years ago!) in Philadelphia – we started to notice parents getting around the city with more than one kid. We began to ask ourselves – How could we make this easier, economical, and fun? We believed in our first child’s independence and wanted to give him an option to express that. I had an idea to design a simple handle you could attach quickly to the side of a stroller. Fortunately, my business partner and husband is an industrial designer by trade with experience in juvenile products. This gave us the push we needed to head to the local hardware store, build a prototype and begin testing it out around the city with our friends and friends of friends. People began to stop us. Kids began to hold on when they weren’t even asked to and we realized we were onto something. A patent, a lot of passion, and a trade show or two helped catapult our product to distribution around the world from 2009-2013.
In 2014 we licensed our patent to the popular company Skip*Hop. They made their version under the name Walk- Along Handle. In 2016 – the license expired and after setting up new manufacturing ( in the US!) – at the same time we also relocated to North County San Diego (Encinitas). We relaunched in July of 2018.
Has it been a smooth road?
Initially, my biggest challenge was trying to balance being a Mom to three young boys while running my own business. There were times – trying to manage it all that was very overwhelming. Many late nights were packing out orders and crunching numbers while having to still be up early with little people who needed me – intensely – at the time. Another challenge would be managing your expectations. In 2012 we were part of a ‘parentpreneur’ program in about 100 Target Stores around the country. We had very high hopes for the program and our product, the tag*a*long, sold very well but there was poor execution on the part of the company handling the distribution and it ended up failing. Not only were we very disappointed but also it was costly. Accepting that there will be failures along the way and knowing this is part of growth is one of the biggest lessons for entrepreneurs.
Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Our company is a Juvenile Product Design collaboration with my business partner and husband. The first product we have brought to market is a one piece handle to attach to strollers, shopping carts, rolling luggage, etc. – to help give children their own designated spot to hold one. It has been amazing to see and read how we have changed people’s lives (mostly Moms) by creating a simple solution for a challenge we had in our own lives as parents to young children. I think we are not only most proud that we had the fore site to patent our handle but also having the insight to know there was a need for a product like this. Reading reviews on Amazon and other places around the web that call us ‘genius’ and ‘life changer’ is the best feeling. We have even had Moms use on their wheel chairs so they can ‘walk’ with their children. Very rewarding!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The proximity to the ocean is probably what we like best and is why when we had the opportunity to leave the East Coast we decided San Diego was a good fit. I miss the East Coast every day but have embraced the lifestyle of coastal living – from beach days all year round to spectacular sunsets I can’t get enough of. My biggest complaint would probably big the cost of living – mostly real estate – which though people keep saying it will come down – I am still waiting.
Contact Info:
- Address: 146 Village Run W
Encinitas CA 92024 - Website: www.tagalongkids.com
- Phone: 215-859-6958
- Email: stephanie.arnold@naptimeindustries.com
- Instagram: @tagalongkids
- Facebook: https://fb.me/thetagalongusa
- Twitter: @thetaglongUSA
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