Buddies Toys is a Sidney institution today. A huge success story that will inspire anyone who has a dream of taking control of their life, and the tenacity to pursue it. The story begins 25 years ago, with the desire for change. Jane Powell had been working in child care and her sister, Carol van Adrichem, in dental office assisting and office management. They started planning how to open a business so that they could find a way to take charge of their own work lives. Jane had two children and Carol was expecting her first.
They admit they were green around the business-edges and encountered a steep learning curve. “It’s hard to believe now, but we had to have our husbands co-sign our initial business bank loan and our first lease! We found space on Beacon and opened on April 1st 1989.” With very little stock, their early days were filled with making clothes for Troll dolls, selling stickers by the single square, and hand stamping each and every bag.
To grow the business Jane recalls making lists of what customers were asking for and trying to figure out suppliers they could buy from, and then resell at a good price. Annual trips to Toy Fairs in Toronto and membership in the Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS) have been pivotal to their business development. Jane and Carol have attended workshops hosted by the association and discovered business friendships that have developed across Canada: a great source for product knowledge and support.
In 2006 Carol left the business as an owner; “thankfully, after a break, she has returned to manage the Sidney Store.” Now Jane’s daughter, Lauren, who grew up in the business, is planning to take over the reins in the next few years. Lauren has a degree from UVic and is a mom of two bright children, Gabe and Sadie. She and her husband Jared are raising their kids in Sidney.
It’s been 25 years and Jane has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share: “I have learned that in a family business everyone may not be ready for transition at the same time but these differences, when recognized, can be planned around.” Jane is pragmatic that Lauren may discover her interests and strengths lie in other areas of the business. “It is very exciting for me to work with the next generation; they seem less encumbered by old traditions. Lauren is a mom of two preschoolers and we talk about how not to rush this precious time but how to make decisions that support motherhood and to seek support outside your own area of expertise.”
For Jane and Lauren “the future is exciting and in the hands and influence of young staff.” They have led to a change in how Buddies Toys handles their ‘garbage’ – “now we are recycling soft and hard plastic, mixed paper and cardboard. They also remind me to plan for personal time and I am appreciative of the energy they bring to the business. They are technically savvy and remind me to check Facebook more than once a week!”
Last year Jane, Lauren and Carol began a rebranding exercise with Holy Cow Communication Design. To celebrate 25 years in business, and with two stores under the name, perhaps it is time to bring those Buddies Bears out of the early nineties!
