Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Logee.
Christina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Montreal, Quebec, but I lived most of my adult life in Calgary, Alberta. I brought my children to Disneyland when they were very young for a family vacation and fell in love with Orange County. We made it a yearly trip and I started dreaming of living here one day. I made that dream come true in 2023, when I purchased Little Freebirds. Little Freebirds has been a unique, tiny baby and kids clothing shop in Laguna Beach for 22 years. I am proud to carry on the legacy of eco-friendly, natural fibre focused kids wear. I kept all of the bestsellers, and added many new brands that were requested by the local community. I brought in baby and kids sunglasses that are BPA, phthalate, lead and latex free, that is also polarized, made in Italy and $30 or under. I spent more than 25 years in the optical industry and believe in high quality sun protection for kids, and this brand exceeds my expectations. At Little Freebirds, I focus on affordable quality. I created a shop-able website to expand the reach of our little store. We carry clothes from newborn to size 10 years. I ship all over the US, fulfilling orders for parents, grandparents, and friends and family. I can send birthday and Christmas boxes too!
My kids are 20 and 25 years old, so I am not dressing my own kids, but instead work with requests from locals. Providing what tourists to Laguna Beach and locals who live here really want and need for their kids. I love people and I love to help my customers find the perfect gift, or outfit for a special occasion, or even just their new favorites. My regulars come in with stories about their kids and grandkids wearing the clothes they bought at Little Freebirds on repeat because they feel so soft on their skin, and wash/wear so well. I am also so lucky as to hear stories of customers who bought clothes for their kids here in the early years and now buy for their grandchildren. It is truly a community kids store.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth, or simple. Legal Immigration from Canada to the US is not simple or straightforward. I had to buy the store outright before I was able to apply for a visa to be able to live here. Meaning that I could own the store without being allowed to live in the US. While that can make sense for immigration, it is a very difficult hurdle to work around. The banking system protects itself by refusing non residents to have a bank account, which means I had to be a great problem solver just to get a business bank account! I had no credit in the US, having only Canadian credit, so all purchases needed to be cash driven. I had trouble getting any paperwork competed because it required residential address info and only allowed US addresses. I was also discouraged from travelling back and forth from my home to my store while undergoing the application process, so the store went for having an experienced owner on site 5 days a week, to only staff for our very busiest months that year.
I also had a lot to learn about kids clothes when I first bought the store. Since my kids are now adults themselves, I had lost track of what was cool for babies, and children. While I was excited to learn something new after having been in the same industry for decades, I was unprepared for how little I knew about kids retail in California. I had a lot to learn!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before I owned Little Freebirds, I was a business coach for optometry clinics, a part time professor teaching the opticians course and the president of the regulatory board in my province in Canada. I was also a professional speaker across Canada, speaking about leadership and communication. I love my previous industry, though it is very different here in the US than it was in Canada. Now I am happily selling baby and kids clothing in Laguna Beach! I love creating and supporting a sense of community. I am increasingly involved in the community, as I love creating and supporting a strong sense of community.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Resiliency. Adaptivity. Perseverance. Creative thinking and problem solving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littlefreebirds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlefreebirds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlefreebirdslagunabeach
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-freebirds-laguna-beach?osq=Little+Freebirds
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/christinalittlefreebirds
