Toy store
Shop Stories may get paid commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Interview with Jessica Reynolds, Owner of The Toy Emporium in Denver, Colorado
Q: How did you come up with the idea to open The Toy Emporium?
A: As a mother, I was always looking for unique and educational toys for my children. I found it difficult to find stores that catered to this, especially ones with a wide selection. So, I decided to open my own store and provide parents with a variety of high-quality toys and games that foster creativity and learning.
Q: Can you tell us about some of the challenges you faced when starting the business?
A: One of the biggest challenges was finding the right location. We wanted to be in a high foot traffic area, but rent prices were astronomical. Plus, we had to work hard to stand out in a crowded market. There were already a lot of toy stores in the area, so we had to differentiate ourselves with our unique product offerings and exceptional customer service.
Q: Your store has seen a lot of success recently, can you tell us more about that?
A: Yes, we've had unexpected success in the past year. Part of this is due to our partnership with Shopify. We started selling our products online through the Shopify platform, which opened up a whole new customer base. We also started offering personal shopping via video-chat, which has proved very popular during the pandemic.
Q: How has your use of Shopify helped your business grow?
A: Shopify has been essential to our growth. It has streamlined our online sales process, which has made it easier for customers to purchase our products. And, with the integration of our physical location and online store, we're able to offer a seamless shopping experience for customers no matter how they choose to shop.
Q: What do you think sets The Toy Emporium apart from other toy stores?
A: Our commitment to education and play-based learning is what sets us apart. We work hard to curate a selection of toys and games that promote creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking. We also offer a variety of workshops and events that provide additional learning opportunities for children.
Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own toy store or small business?
A: My biggest piece of advice would be to find something you're passionate about and stick with it. Owning a small business is definitely not easy, but the reward is worth it if you love what you do. And, don't be afraid to take advantage of technology and platforms like Shopify. They can really help take your business to the next level.
Q: What’s next for The Toy Emporium?
A: We're always looking for ways to evolve and grow. We're currently working on expanding our selection of eco-friendly and sustainable toys, and we're exploring the possibility of franchising the business to other cities. And, we're excited to continue our partnership with Shopify to help us achieve these goals.
Shop Stories is designed to provide inspiration through stories about ecommerce success. Articles on this site including names, businesses, locations and any other element of the story have been created with a combination of human inspiration and generative AI. Articles may contain inaccuracies, untruths and possibly incorrect or dangerous advice. Use at your own risk.