Meet Victoria Turner, mom of three, owner & designer of Toronto-based Pippalily. Pippalily offers a fab collection of practical parenting products that are just as stylish as they are functional. The collection includes the essential toy strap - perfect for keeping baby’s toys and sippy cups in arms reach - slings, diaper clutches, minky blankets and more!
Victoria hopes that Pippalily products are that special little something that helps to simplify your life and allows you to have fun at the same time!
Read on to learn more of how Pippalily came to be & Victoria’s big plans for the future!
Enter to win a Pippalily clutch and matching toy strap of your very own!
We hope you find Victoria as creatively cool as we do!
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and/or your business.
I am a mother of three (ages from 9 months to 5 yrs) and started Pippalily when I was 6 months into my first mat leave with Avery, my eldest daughter. I was a week into being a mom, totally overwhelmed by the fact that Avery wanted to be held all the time and wondering how I was ever going to accomplish anything without the use of my hands. I was given an unbranded, solid earthy coloured sling and it became the solution! I used it daily and it was on a flight coming home from holiday when three people got out of their seats to specifically ask me about my sling. Because it was unbranded, I had nowhere to direct them so I then turned to my husband and said, “I have to do something about this”…..and that’s how Pippalily was born.
2. If you had to describe your business in less than 15 words, how would you do it?
Organic in evolution, and based on practicality and values. I run my business like I run my life.
3. What is your inspiration for your business? Your products?
My inspiration was an opportunity in the market. My subsequent products are all inspired by what I use daily and align with my mission statement of Practical parenting with style.
4. What is the most rewarding thing about being a mom? A mom-preneur?
I ADORE being a mom because I truly love being around my children and watching them evolve into the little people they are today. My husband and I derive so much pleasure hanging out with your children. About being a mom entrepreneur is being able to access to my kids throughout the day. I have the flexibility to walk them to school, eat lunch, go on fieldtrips, etc…
5. What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a mom-preneur?
First and foremost figure out what are your goals. Is it more of a hobby where you are primarily looking for an interest outside the day-to-day family life, are you solely wanting to supplement your income immediately, or trying to build a global empire. Once you identify your goal it really helps to manage expectations and time.
6. What keeps you motivated?
I love working and having something outside of my children to focus on, build and be challenged by.
7. What is your next big goal?
I have just launched a new brand of products called Simply on Board {www.simplyonboard.com}. This brand was created for mass market retailers and is manufactured overseas. My Pippalily brand of products are Canadian made and solely sold through independent baby boutiques. Only a small % of consumers frequent independents so I felt that there was an opportunity for me to reach the masses with some new product ideas. The first product is a toy strap and it’s currently available at Mastermind Toys and online at www.mastermindtoys.com, as well as Babies R Us and other large retailers to be announced soon!
8. What is your guilty pleasure?
I love baked goods! It’s the texture.
9. Name a product that you cant live without for you or your baby?
Ironically I’m not a huge consumer. I stick to the practical basics so I’d have to say my toy strap. No joke, I have one everywhere from car seat, stroller, bike seat, high chair…saves me from constantly picking up the toys, sippy cups, etc.. my 9 month old drops.
10. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as a mom {so far} ?
I would say lower expectations for yourself and your children, and remind yourself to slow and an enjoy life. We all know it passes too quickly!
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