I
had to keep myself very focused on the people & companies I was keen to
connect with during my visit. I’m awful in shops when it comes to bright,
shiny, beautiful things that draw my eye in. My husband says I’m an advertiser’s
dream! And even though I was exceptionally restrained, I still didn't get
around to seeing everyone I’d wanted to. The time just flew by. I did however meet
up with some really lovely people who run some exciting free-from companies.
I was there for two reasons; firstly to connect with people face-to-face, which I believe is so important in developing lasting relationships with the “real” people behind the products, particularly the smaller businesses, and secondly, it gave me a chance to research potential options for the online shop I ultimately wish to have running alongside this blog. It was always my intention to have a small online shop which would sell some of the products I had tried, tested and recommended on Sophia’s Choice. I’m one of those people who believes in selling products I am passionate about. I don’t just want to sell something because everyone else does. I want to sell products because I have trust in them and I have used them myself or on the girls.
Attending
an exhibition like this also gives you the opportunity to gather up a few
samples to try out of all the products which interest you. It astounded me the
people who literally came armed with a small hand luggage case on wheels! How
many samples were they expecting to take home? In fact there were a couple of
times I witnessed some people just diving into the sample bins to grab a
freebie! Samples, particularly for smaller businesses are expensive to produce.
It really surprised me the bullish attitude of some who obviously weren't there
to necessarily sell these products or make connections with the companies
concerned but just in it for a freebie. I suppose it’s horses for courses, but
let’s just say I wasn't dragging a heavily laden case behind me. Maybe I’m the
fool !
However, I did pick up some samples from some of the companies I’d like to look at selling in my online shop. The benefit of this too, is that you, my lovely readers will also get to benefit from what I think of them all over the coming weeks. For those of you who may be interested in who they are, we have:
Childs Farm Natural & Organic Children’s Toiletries
Pitta Patta Organic Baby Skincare Range
Naturally Cool Kids Children’s Free-from Skincare Range
Keep It Kind Deodorants for Kids and Teenagers (age 8+) containing natural
ingredients
Jack 'n Jill Natural Toothpaste for Kids
Mary Elizabeth Natural Organic Skincare
GreenFrog
Natural Soap Products (using soapnuts)
Ecozone
Household Products
Living Naturally Soapnuts Products
Organic Burst Superfood Supplements
Sun Chlorella Nutritional Supplements
So
it would appear that I am going to be a busy bee in the coming weeks, trying
out some of the above company’s products and sharing my findings with you all.
I’m
really very excited about what the coming months have in store for Sophia’s
Choice. It is slowly but surely growing and evolving with time. The blog will
remain as it has always been. I've a lot to share with you here so stay tuned
for lots more interesting posts which I hope you’ll enjoy.
So,
until next time my lovelies x
Looks like an interesting day out, I found Keep It Kind at the Vitality Show, my friend purchased one for her boy. Interesting company & a great idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah - It was very buzzy there and loads to see. I have given one of my samples to my nephew to try out for me and I'm going to get another friend's daughter to try the other spray deodorant out too. I think that the feeling is that kids, particularly teenagers like to have something which is just for them. As all the stuff on the market is predominately baby/child or adult based, there is definitely a gap being filled in the market for the teens. Green People's Oy range, and Naturally Cool Kids are trying to fill this gap. It will be interesting to see how it develops and what the Keep It Kind deodorants are like x
DeleteYou found some great brands, I am looking forward to the launch of the shop, I hope everything goes really well for you :) x
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Ana xx If all goes to plan I will aim to launch the shop in September after the kids holidays. It's all a big research exercise at the moment but I'm so excited at all the fab free-from businesses out there particularly the small ones. Looking forward to sharing it all on the blog xx
DeleteWe went last year and I think we picked the busiest time to go. It was a free for all then too which I too thought was very sad. I was pregnant at the time and on crutches with an broken ankle and didn't enjoy being constantly pushed around by people so I sadly never got to enjoy it. Maybe I will, have to give another go next year. I use the sun chlorella and love item - I look for wars to giving it to LO when he's a little bigger. I look forwards to what you think of all the other products.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy - Being pregnant and on crutches at an exhibition doesn't sound like fun at all ! Shame as it was a great day. I'd say definitely try again next year. I'm aiming to go to the Organic & Natural Beauty Show in June too. See what else is out there and worth looking at. You can mix Sun Chlorella in smoothies. This may be a way of giving your LO a small amount. Sun Chlorella would advise you too. They were really friendly xx
DeleteWill def try the smoothie idea thanks! My friend gives them to her two year old as sweets. Her LO chops them down like other kids would smarties. Lol
ReplyDeleteThe study revealed that mothers can pass on up to a third of the pollutants which may have built up in their bodies over a long period of time. Among the chemicals were phthalates, which are used in soap, make-up and plastics and were shown earlier this year to disrupt the development of baby boys reproductive organs.Thank You
ReplyDelete