Introducing Featured Wholesaler – eco ike

In addition to recently launching our featured online store profile section, Retail Minded is excited to introduce to you our new featured product section!

Dedicated to linking independent  retailers and wholesale professionals together, Retail Minded will review products on a weekly basis and then share with our readers details on the product, the brand, the story behind the product, how you can purchase this product, and more. It is our hope that we will introduce wholesalers and retailers who may not otherwise know that each other exist. If you have a product you would like featured on Retail Minded, please email us at nicole@retailminded.com.

I am excited to introduce you this week’s featured wholesaler, eco ike. Founded in March 2008, eco ike supports a happy and healthy world for children. New mom Faith Mosser had just welcomed her first baby when she realized there was a miss in the marketplace for environmentally friendly while still cute childrens clothes and products. Shortly after, Mosser welcomed her second baby, eco ike. Based out of Pittsburgh, eco ike is an adorable assortment of onsies, t-shirts, totes and more for earth friendly families. Wholesale prices begin at $11 for onsies and t-shirts, offering a great mix for childrens boutiques, earth conscious stores, gift shops, online specialty stores, and more.

The presentation of eco ike doesn’t just stop at the product, though.Not only are their products made out of organic materials, but their packaging is “green”, as well. Each product is very simply labeled with a recycled tag that states a fact about our environment. For example, the tag I reviewed said “Did you know that it takes 1000 years for a plastic bag to decompose? Please recycle!”. In addition, care instructions are provided on the tag that offer environmentally savvy ways to wash the garment. In my particular case, the shirt I received said “Help the planet – wash cool – line dry!”. I was impressed by the touch and feel and style of the product, but the packaging sold me on this great product line! Even the ribbon they use for packaging is 100% biodegradable – how great is that? It really shows they are dedicated to the reason behind the brand.

Let’s hear from founder Mosser herself to learn more about eco ike, how you can carry eco ike in your store, and more.

When did you first begin your business? I began my business in March of 2008.

What inspired you to begin your business? After the birth of my son, I began work on my next baby: the launch of eco ike.  Always an environmentalist, my passion for the environment only strengthened as a new mother.  Armed with a mission to encourage people to go green {in the cutest way possible}, I founded eco ike as an environmentally-friendly children’s clothing and products line.

How do you currently market your services? I have a blog, newsletter, facebook page and I twitter.  I have also participated with several blogs in eco ike giveaways, and I have participated in celebrity “gifting”.  Some of the celebrity moms that have received eco ike onesies & tees are Brooke Shields, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Garner, Gwen Stefani, Heidi Klum and Tori Spelling.

Where is your product sold? I sell my product through my website, http://www.ecoike.com as well as other websites: MotherEarthandBaby.com, VannyBean.com, and several children’s boutiques including Oasis Child in Laguna Beach, Picket Fence in Pittsburgh, and Ona Boutique in Pittsburgh.

Who is your target market of consumers? Mom’s buying organic baby/toddler onesies or tees.  I’m also noticing that a lot of my customers are grandma’s and people buying newborn gifts.

Who is your target market of retail outlets? Green/organic boutiques and high end children boutiques.

Who do you consider if your direct product competition? There are many companies putting out organic onesies and tees… right now our design & style really differentiates us from the competition!

Why should customers want your product versus the competition that is out there? eco ike is a completely “green” company.  Our packaging & tags are made from 100% recycled paper, our tees are 100% organic cotton {a lot of green companies are not using organic cotton} and the inks we are using are water-based.  We mean it when we say that, “Green is our thing!”.

Where do you see your product / brand in 1 year? 5 years? I would like eco ike to be a national brand, found at high end outlets nationwide.  It is important to me and the brand that parents understand what they are putting on their children.

To learn more about eco ike, please visit www.ecoike.com. All press and wholesale inquiries can be directed to Faith Mosser at 412-901-4043 or faith@ecoike.com.