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Meet Missy Gibson of Grow Kid Grow in Silverlake

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Gibson.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was a touring musician up until I had my son at 38. And although I continued playing in bands (and still do), I wanted to provide some stability for my son. I had worked doing part time sales, bartended and waited tables. In 2008, I left one of those part time sales jobs to co-write the score for an LA musical (The Next Big Thing, by Jeff Favre) and act in the play as well. Once the play closed, I began job hunting, but I had no luck. So decided I would create my own job and open a store. I grew up in the Detroit area and years ago, I opened a vintage clothing store during a summer in Northern Michigan. I also had many booths through the years at flea markets and the like. And I have always loved thrift shopping! So making the decision to open “Grow Kid Grow” felt very natural for me and I felt our neighborhood really needed this kind of store. I had worked part time for a print & design company in downtown in the past, and had worked with 2 great guys there. They became my now “silent” partners and together we opened the store initially.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When the store finally opened, my son was three. That was a tough year. I worked a lot of hours. Before we opened there was so much to do (and still is)! So often I would work all day, go home to see my family for dinner, then return to the store to work until all hours. Sometimes, I didn’t even make it home. We used to joke about the cot I was going to set up in the back. I was pretty darn exhausted! But I’m lucky to have my husband, a great dad, and huge support too. On top of this, I was playing in 3 bands and trying to be the best mom I could be. It was A LOT!

After about a year, I was able to hire a store manager and part time employees, some of whom were also my babysitters. This was a huge step! Indeed, it takes a village!

I also got married in 2009, the same year I opened the store. I remember people asking me how I did that and I would say “you know, it just kind of came together”. Then one day, my husband stopped me and said “Please stop saying that, I don’t think you realize it, but while you were opening your store, I nearly planned our entire wedding. It didn’t just ‘come together’”. I felt really bad when I realized that I was so caught up in Grow Kid Grow, I hadn’t even noticed his efforts.

In 2013 we became a family of adoption, bringing home our baby girl, at 2 days old, I was grateful to be able to take a 2 month maternity leave (working outside of the store). But that was only because I had an incredible store manager & 2 great employees to boot. During this period, I would pick up bags of laundry to wash and huge bins of clothes to price. I would sit in my living room with my new born and a bottle, surrounded by bins of clothes, and a pricing gun, pricing away, then drop off the next day and start all over again

I don’t think starting your own business is ever a smooth road. You learn so much as you go and just have to build resiliency it requires a lot of tenacity, patience and flexibility. But in the end, I love my store & I love my customers & serving our community. I’m very grateful.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Grow Kid Grow – what should we know?
We are a Children’s resale store. We carry both new and used items, sizes 0-16/18 (small adult). We carry clothing, shoes, books, toys, baby gear, maternity wear and much more! I feel our selection really represents our neighborhood, which is comprised of a lot of artists and musicians and is extremely multi-cultural. Our selection is therefore quite eclectic. We carry amazing vintage items as well as European brands, stuff that is handmade and just darn cool! We also love to support local artists and in doing so, carry all kinds of handmade children’s items. The other thing I should point out, is that we have a super cool selection of new gift items as well. Our array of new toys, puzzles, games, craft kits, art supplies and science kits is vast and unique, featuring such brands as Seedling, EeBoo, Haba, Hape & Plan toys. In fact, the 1st week of June (& 1st week of Nov), we come back from market and our store will be brimming with new gift items, some you won’t find anywhere else! It’s a perfect time to stock up for birthday parties! We even offer free gift wrapping! And have an awesome selection of letterpress cards for only $2 each!

We offer trade terms for used items, that can be used toward used and some new items in our store. In the fall, we will also be offering cash terms. It’s best to call us and we’re happy to explain our buying procedures.

We specialize in customer service and kindness and LOVE our customers! We’re always happy to help you in your hunt, pull overflow from the back in the sizes you desire, help fit you with the perfect baby sling or make recommendations if needed.

There’s so much we’re proud of, but mostly we’re just proud to be that store where you come first, when you need the perfect outfit or gift. I should also point out that we’re proud to serve the wide demographic that we do. Our customers range from the famous and wealthy to families who are really struggling financially. I feel we have something for everyone with a wide range of pricing.

Cool stuff that sets us apart includes the fact that we carry such a wide range of sizes (0-16/18). Often parents find something for themselves in addition to shopping for their kids. We launder a good portion of our inventory, unlike your average resale store. We host an annual Costume sidewalk swap in October, where you can trade old customers for costumes new to you! We’ve also hosted book & toy swaps. Through the years we’ve hosted live music, writer’s workshops, parenting workshops, craft fairs, storytelling, book signings, trunk shows, sample sales and puppet shows. We’re looking forward to co-hosting a Hair for Hope/ locks of love event with our dear neighbors Fandango salon in the near future as well.

The other cool event we offer each month is our Parent’s Selling Night on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Some of our working parents expressed an interest in a night like this, as they’re typically always working during our regular store hours, so we happily obliged.

The event is from 6-8:30pm and folks can bring ONE grocery sized shopping bag of children’s clothes (we accept books, toys & shoes as well) and we go through it while they wait, 1st come, 1st served basis. We also serve wine & snacks!

Lastly, we’re proud to have just opened our own Vintage etsy store, which will feature our most unique and treasured vintage children’s items at great prices.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Kindness and caring. It’s hard work being a parent and we like the idea of our store being a refuge for parents. A place they can come by for a smile, hug or conversation. A place where their kids can play safely at our train table while they shop. A place where we will even entertain their children if need be. A place where they can change their baby’s diaper, or be provided with a comfy arm chair and bottled water, if they are breast feeding. For us, I feel like it’s always been more about the relationship than the sale. When you truly care about people, take care of them and put that relationship first, they want to come back.

Pricing:

  • Our average price is still $5!!!

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Salomee Viezel; smiley tree by Carol Powell

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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