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Tots Stuff was established in
2000 by Kate Sanford, a secondary teacher of Human Development and
Science. Kate began Tots Stuff from home while caring for her two
young children. The business began as a children’s goods recycled
business. Kate found recycled toys were popular with customers so
she began to supplement the recycled range with a small range of
carefully selected new toys sourced from a number of
suppliers.
As the range of toys became more
popular, Kate phased out the recycled aspect of the business and
focussed on supplying educational and specialty toys and gifts. The
range now includes competitively priced toys and gifts suitable for
children from birth until primary school age.
Kate introduced Tots Stuff
Consultancies in 2002 as interest in the range grew. This allowed
others the opportunity to sell the unique range as Consultants in a
manner that suited their own lifestyles. Selling opportunities
include party plan displays, markets, fundraisers, shopping centres
and private clients. By the end of 2002, Tots Stuff had 6 active
Consultants who were based across Melbourne.
During 2002 the Tots Stuff
website was established. This allowed customers, from a wide range
of geographical locations, easy access to the products in the Tots
Stuff range. The site includes pictures, descriptions and prices of
the products in the range. It also led to the first international
orders.
 Tots Stuff expanded further during 2003
with the introduction of interstate Consultants, 2 in South
Australia, 1 in Queensland, 1 in Western Australia, and 3 in New
South Wales. There was found to be a lot of interest in more remote
areas as access to toys, especially educational toys, in such areas
is very limited. Three new Consultants were also introduced in
Melbourne, while 2 existing Consultants 'resigned'.
Tots Stuff exhibited for the
first time at the Parents', Babies and Children's Expo at the
Melbourne Exhibition Centre in October 2003. We were encouraged by
the interest shown in our range. We thought we looked pretty flash
in our newly printed, matching Tots Stuff t-shirts and
caps!
 One of the biggest advances during 2003 was the
opening of our first shop at 224 Blackburn Rd, Glen Waverley,
Victoria. The purpose of the shop is to provide easy access to our
products for members of the public. The shop will also be
advantageous to Consultants Australia-wide as we will be able to
carry a larger range of stock.
2004 saw a steady development of
the shop and an increase in the range of products on offer.
Tots Stuff was also a finalist in the Monash Business Awards
and was voted as the winner of the Micro Business
category.
2005 has included an invitation
to present one of Australia's best known business women, Janet
Holmes-a-Court with a Tots Stuff Kaloo product at a business
breakfast. We held a display at the Kidz Expo at the
Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne and we are a finalist in the
Waverley Leader Business Awards.
We have also just imported our
first product, a fabulous puzzle game called LONPOS 101.
Refer to our link for more details about the game.
Consequently, as well as our retail branch, Tots Stuff is
also now a wholesaler.
Tots Stuff moved to a bigger and
better location during February 2006. We are now located at 5
Hamilton Walk, Mt Waverley, 3149. Our new number is 03 9807
8000.
Our shop is larger so we have
been able to add an area for carers to sit and have a coffee while
their litttlies have a play in our fenced off play area. A
great location for casual get togethers with friends.
We offer coffee, cold drinks,
sweets, gelati, clothing, pre-school activity sessions and circus
themed birthday parties.
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