The Change

Learn how the founders of Hip Baby integrate sustainability into their business.

What's 'green' and 'red' all over?

The hopeful answer to the cheeky title of our commitment is simple: all business and commerce of the future! And it all begins in our own backyard while recognizing that it is an ever-shifting journey. When we began with Twice Shy seven years ago, we were a little naive in that we had one goal; to produce organic clothing that appealed to our sense of style. As we progressed, and networked with other like minded business, our eyes and minds began to open to all the issues that surround a more value-based business. Many of the issues were outside of our financial and logistical capabilities and accepted that you can only do so much with what you have and remain a vital business. Now we find ourselves free of some of the constraints that originally held us back and able to slowly implement the knowledge we've acquired. 

Six months after opening Hip Baby we participated in the Climate Smart program as we were interested in how small business can be greener. It was a great experience and would certainly recommend the program to anyone interested in the same. At first it was hard to imagine what effective changes we could implement since it seemed we were on such a small scale but any change is good when you realize that it can be multiplied to other businesses.

The little changes were as simple as running all electricity through power bars, contacting Bullfrog power to begin that discussion (we will be switching soon), recycling all cardboard and paper waste, creating paperless catalogue for wholesale of Fig clothing, striving to purchase the most eco-friendly and local products, etc. But our greatest challenge as a retail store is dealing with shipping. How do we make all the wonderful products we sell, which come from all over the world, greener? Honestly, that still eludes us but we're beginning to engage our suppliers in that discussion.

Fingers crossed.

And with regards to the 'red' in the title, well, we strive to treat our staff with the respect and admiration we would expect from any employer. We start them with a wage above that which you find in the retail business and engage them in ways to make them feel contributive to our business. We listen to them when they speak and we always say thank you before we leave for the day. It's the small things.

We also reach out to our community with monthly cloth diapering workshops helping parents learn about this eco-friendlier alternative to disposable single use diapers. We have a diaper changing table and nursing area allowing moms to be comfortable in our retail environment while creating an un-pressured but informed shopping atmosphere.

Finally, the irony that we are in the kids business does not escape us with regards to the future of our planet and how we do business, after all, it's these kids who are going to inherit this earth. As entrepreneurs it is imperative to help preserve for the next generation something worth inheriting.

And our eyes and minds remain open as we move forward toward a greener and redder future. 

Click here for more information on this commitment