Empress Avenue chats with Peggy Crawford, founder and owner of Peggalish Baby Designs! “Peggalish” represents stylish, affordable luxury when it comes to accessories for babies and moms. Peggalish started when her first child was only a year old and has grown into a thriving business! Peggy tells Empress Avenue how she juggles her role as entrepreneur, wife and mother of two little ones. **mention this interview and receive a FREE posh wipes clutch with every $50 spent!
My wife and I have nothing but praise for this product. We also dispense your medications from international fulfillment centers that are approved by the regulatory bodies from their respective countries.
Describe your most recent business success and tell us about your next big goal! – Peggalish is still a rather young company and (financial) success is yet to come. I do, however, feel a little heart flutter whenever I see a random stranger’s stroller with a Peggalish luxury blanket on it! It’s so pleasing to see that someone has chosen to wrap their most precious bundle in something I made. I often have customers express how their Peggalish blankets still look so great, wash after wash, and that of all the blankets they have, its their ‘go-to’ item.
Give us the ‘inside scoop’ – what does a day in your business life look like?– I don’t really have a ‘typical day’. Our kids are still so young and their needs take priority. My aim is to make sure they are well looked after and when orders come in, I just work that into my daily ‘to do’s’. Lists are essential for me. I start each morning with writing out a sticky list of priority ‘to do’s’. I find this usually works.
… if you truly love what you do and dream big, success in a monetary way is very tangible.
What types of customers are in your business ‘pink book’ and who are you looking to connect with?- I’m looking to bring luxury to every day people, like me. Parents who crave style and function when it comes to everyday essentials.
If you were not doing this job, what is your plan B? Are you still chasing your dream job?- There is no Plan B for me. I love doing what I do. I truly feel that I’m not chasing a dream, I’m living it.
Do you think it’s important to love what you do, or make good money?- Both. I think if you truly love what you do and dream big, success in a monetary way is very tangible.
Is owning your own business as glamorous as it sounds?- No. LOL! It’s hard work. It’s easier to be an employee of a company and not have all the responsibility involved when it comes to running a business. But I’m enjoying the process. I love learning as I go along and even when I have setbacks I treat each one as a stepping stone.
Where did you get your education? Tell us about this experience.- I’m a Capilano College Graduate, trained as a legal secretary. I worked in law firms for 12 years and then craved a drastic change – something creative and fun. I started taking some aesthetics classes and stopped during pregnancy. Although I found it fun, I wasn’t sure it was my passion. About a year after my son was born, I decided to dive head first into Peggalish. I’d say I’ve been pretty much self-taught on this business venture.
What celebrity do you look at for style inspiration and why?– Tori Spelling. I love her style. It’s posh and pretty.
What are your favourite stores to shop at for the perfect work wardrobe?- Bodacious. I’m a curvy woman and owner, Lorna Ketler, carries a wide range of flattering, quality items that suit my personal style. It’s a pleasure to shop there!
Where do you manufacture your products? How did you source the correct manufacturer?- For quality control purposes, I make each and every item myself. So far so good. I’m happy with the quality and able to keep up with the demand.
What are your plans for expansion?– My kids come first. My youngest is only 2. So when she reaches school age, then I’ll be able to go for it when it comes to expanding.
Stay true to yourself and your brand and never sacrifice on quality.
What is your favourite travel hot spot?- I say it each and every day: “I love where we live!” (SECHELT, BC). I don’t really have a strong desire to travel anywhere else now that we’ve established our roots here in our own vacationland. The Sunshine Coast has so much to offer and so much for us as a family yet to explore.
What business book would you recommend for our book club?– No specific book but I found the Vancouver Business Library at Waterfront Station, downtown to be very helpful. The service there is fantastic and they have a wealth of practical information that I found most helpful when it came to starting up my own business.
Keep your workspace organized and personalized. Make sure everything has a home. If your workspace is tidy, you can think better and accomplish more.
Can you offer any advice for new graduates looking for a job or new entrepreneurs?-Be firm in your focus, but willing to bend along the way. Accept constructive criticism and treat this as something to learn from. Find your passion and reach for the stars!
Peggy Crawford, Peggalish Baby Designs
