The babybuds story

babybuds^® is online baby giftopia, selling innovative gifts for babies, new mums, siblings and dads throughout Australia and New Zealand.  Established in 2002, babybuds started as a home business and has grown to a business with 20 staff and a New Zealand licensee.   The novel idea for babybuds developed when creator Charmaine Papallo gave birth to her daughter Olivia in 2001 and was inundated with gifts of fresh flowers and designer baby clothes from family and friends. This experience planted the seed for the innovative baby clothing bouquets that are the secret behind babybuds success.  Read more about us over the last 4 yrs ( media page link).

Future

The  internet is continuing to grow each and every year and I don’t see this slowing down for us particularly as the Y generation move into the “baby arena”.  Our challenges will be continuing to evolve our business to a generation that I am not a part of.  We have already begun to plan for the future generations, our first step was to create our Pebble range of baby clothing, which is a natural cotton and wool blend fabric. 

We are currently sourcing and developing more “eco” friendly products and half way through developing an environmental policy for our company.  The goal is to create a carbon neutral business, my strategy for doing this is to firstly educate myself on how to do this and to start to make small steps regularly to ensure we are heading towards out goals.

My long term business goal is to create an international company that is synonymous with baby gifts. Whenever anyone knows that a baby is born that they immediately think of babybuds.  That the babybuds brand has grown and is known for its beautiful yet practical products that continues to innovate and to operate in a way that is family and community conscious.

Telstra Women's Awards Finalist

Becoming a Finalist of the Telstra  Womens Business Awards is and amazing recognition for the past 6 years of hard work.  For me it really confirmed that we have achieved a high level of innovation and service for an Australia company.  It is a celebration of women balancing work and family life.

Work/life balance

I am most proud of is having built a profitable business whilst providing flexible work conditions that support mothers

babybuds continually supports women and their choices regarding whether to return to work.  babybuds employs all sorts of women, from women who have been full time stay at home mums for 10 years and are just returning to the workforce to those who wish  to return to full time work.  babybuds provides work from home options, school l hour positions, part-time and full-time options and combinations of these options. 

 My  business philosophy is to always challenge what we do to do it better.  I work very hard to filter this philosophy to staff, via our monthly staff newsletter, staff competitions and staff functions.  Staff are rewarded for innovating and improving, it is part of our culture and the way staff conduct.

Charities  

I am committed to the following charities;

1.     Exodus Foundation – find out more link……

2.     CMRI – babybuds also works with the CMRI, we donate 20%          from each sale by CMRI members to the CMRI. Find out more……

3.     The Cancer Council – Find out more…...

A sense of community is very important for me personally and I have brought this into my company.

Our gift range and services are growing

We've  been expanding to ensure we have beautiful gifts to suit all budgets.

Our range now includes: bouquets, toys, sibling products, luxury services.

books and pregnancy gifts.  We've also created some delightful special baby

occasions gifts perfect for christenings, baby's 1st birthday, Fathers Day,

Mothers Day, baby's 1st Xmas & Easter. (links) 2 or 3 key photos.

babybuds®  strives to ensure that customers and those who receive babybuds products get a "wow" feeling when they see and receive our products.  We aim not to deliver great service but legendary service to all of our customers.  babybuds®  will not be satisfied with providing anything less than this.

Customers enjoy our high level of service and efficiency.  We will go the extra mile to ensure next business day delivery nation wide.  If you would rather browse, touch and feel our products before purchasing we have a range of quality retail stockists that happily stock our products.

Showroom

Our new Showroom recently opened in 2008. Being close to both North Shore & Mater hospitals means you can pick up gifts on your way to visiting the new mum.

babybuds Buddy

In 2007 babybuds introduced a Buddy Rewards Club.  By becoming a buddy our regular customers can enjoy many benefits, such as discounts, special offers and upgrades.   Becoming a babybuds buddy is simple, simply register and monthly specials will be emailed to you each month. 

E-Newsletter

Sent monthly and includes great updates & specials ( link to previous Enewsletters).

babybuds blog

The babybuds blog has been included to help new mothers speak and hear about issues which affect their lives and families from the time of pregnancy to the baby's first birthday (0-1yrs) e.g. hospital preferences, baby bonus, how to rest & sleep after baby, family support, how to celebrate baby's 1st birthday, how to involve siblings and other family members, christenings, the importance of reading from a young age etc....

We also value your feedback regarding new products and how we can improve. So feel free to keep in touch.

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Charmaine Papallo

Charmaine@babybuds.com.au