Blossoming Babies

Kristen Harper’s love of dressing up her kids led her to open the online boutique, Blossoming Babies

Moms like Kristen Harper love dressing up their kids. After months of searching to find the perfect accessories for her daughter, Ava, Harper decided to turn that passion into a profession. “I was finding that hair accessories on the market at the time were extremely overpriced, and so generic,” Harper recalls. “My creative side took over and told me that this would be the perfect hobby to occupy my new downtime as a stay at home mom.”

In early 2009, Blossoming Babies was born. “The name came from the idea that literally before my eyes, my newborn sleepy baby was blossoming into a little person with an actual personality,” Harper says.

When Harper launched Blossoming Babies, she wanted to make sure she provided fun, affordable and cost efficient accessories, gifts and novelty items. Though she began Blossoming Babies gearing all her items towards baby girls she eventually decided to broaden her selection and create products for baby boys, toddlers, older kids and even adults. “I catch myself on a regular basis grabbing one of my daughter’s Blossoming Babies headbands or clips for my own hair,” Harper laughs. “We also now offer hair items, hats, onesies, tutus, rompers, neckties, bowties, mustache pacifiers and much more!”

All of Harper’s products on Blossoming Babies range from $3 to $25 with most items being around $10. Harper also offers custom items that are priced according to material, cost and time. Most of the materials Harper tends to use when creating her products are cotton, chiffon, silk, tulle, grosgrain and burlap. “My favorite part about creating and offering new products is seeing the reaction of those who have purchased, or received the items,” Harper says, “When I open emails and messages of appreciation and excitement over the products it makes what I do so much more enjoyable.”

Since the launch of Blossoming Babies, Harper says she has focused on appealing to a larger age range and researching popular trends so her products stay current.

“There are plenty of companies and stores out there that offer items in the category that I do, so I knew standing out was going to be a challenge at times,” Harper explains. “Some items first offered when I started have been phased out to make room for the new. Even kids’ fashion has a cycle and rhythm to it.”

Kristen Harper, founder of Blossoming Babies

With the holiday season quickly approaching, Harper has been focusing on putting together several new holiday products and offers. “This holiday season, I was able to spend more time focusing on adding additional items, product development and vendor/craft shows,” Harper says. “I now have added a variety of fun legwarmers, hair pieces, holiday ties, suspenders and more to accentuate the perfect Holiday attire for little ones.”

Blossoming Babies is also offering a holiday discount now through December 21 that allows anyone who places an order on the website using the code CINCYCHIC will receive 15% off their entire order. You will also be able to catch Blossoming Babies new holiday items at the annual Milford High School Craft Show on Saturday December 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Harper hopes over the next year to continue growing the business and add new employees. “My overall goal is to have a storefront location in the Old Milford or Montgomery area in the next few years,” Harper says.

To learn more about Blossoming Babies, visit www.blossomingbabies.com or like Blossoming Babies on Facebook.