Kids Store Success Stories [2024]
The kid's store business is a large market attracting millions of annual global sales and steady growth. If you plan to start a kids store business, you can specialize in clothing, toys, and accessories or sell all of these in one store.
Research the local market to discover what is appealing, and find the best suppliers. Define a business model and apply for applicable licensing. For kids apparel stores, a physical storefront acts as an anchor and helps build a local customer base. An online store will help you reach a wider market as you supply to those outside your locality.
In this list, you'll find real-world kids store success stories and very profitable examples of starting a kids store that makes money.
1. Trunki ($12M/year)
Rob Law, founder of Trunki, came up with the idea for a ride-on suitcase for kids while browsing through a department store during his time as a product design student. He realized that ride-on toys wasted a lot of space and decided to create a suitcase that maximized internal space while also entertaining kids. After facing setbacks, such as a failed licensing deal and a humiliating experience on Dragons' Den, Law persevered and turned Trunki into a global brand, selling over 4 million suitcases in over 100 countries.
How much money it makes: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 80
Trunki CEO and Founder Rob Law turned his innovative ride-on kids suitcase design into a global lifestyle brand, selling over 4 million suitcases in over 100 countries and earning £9.5 million in 2019, by understanding his customers and prioritizing customer service and reviews.
2. Continuum Games ($3M/year)
Greg Hughes, the founder of Continuum Games, Inc, came up with the idea for his business when he developed a card game called Discombobulation. Wanting to pursue his passion for games and toys, he quickly expanded his product line and launched a specialty toy distribution network. Today, the company generates $250k per month in the offseason, and up to $600k per month during peak season.
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 8
Continuum Games, Inc. President Greg Hughes started his toy and game distribution company with a $5 wholesale card game and today generates an average of $250k per month in revenue, rising to $600k in peak season from a combination of manufacturing and distribution of over 40 games.
3. Confidently Mom ($3M/year)
Rachel Ritlop launched The Confused Millennial during a quarter-life crisis after being fired twice at 25. Within three years, her lifestyle blog for millennials reached over 2 million people and generated 6-figure annual revenues, focusing on content creation and consulting.
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
How many people on the team: 1
Discover how Rachel Ritlop's lifestyle blog for millennials, The Confused Millennial, generated 6 figures annually, reaching over 2 million people in less than 3 years, leading to a $10k per month consulting business.
4. Dexpel ($1.44M/year)
In 2009, Sarim, a programmer and digital marketing expert, started Dexpel with a budget of $2,000 and a small A3 printer, laminator, and cutting system. Frustrated with the limited customization options available when shopping for apparel and merchandise, Sarim researched manufacturing processes and discovered that he could create these items in-house. With the introduction of an online customizer, Dexpel became the first company in Pakistan to offer this feature, leading to rapid growth and expansion into a full-fledged facility with over 30 employees. Their revenue has grown from $2,000 per month to $165,000 per year, but Sarim measures success by the team and product line growth.
How much money it makes: $1.44M/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 10
Dexpel, a Pakistani custom print store, grew from a budget of $2,000 for just a few vinyl customization products to over 200+ unique products and $165,000/year in revenue, by prioritizing online sales and developing in-house technology for order fulfillment.
5. RedTedArt ($264K/year)
Maggy Woodley, the founder of Red Ted Art, started the blog as a way to make some extra income while staying home with her kids. She initially tried selling pop art canvases but discovered a love for blogging and crafts. Through dedication and perseverance, she built up her blog and now earns a full-time salary through various revenue streams such as automated adverts, pre-roll ads on YouTube, and sponsored projects.
How much money it makes: $264K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 1
Discover how Maggy Woodley built Red Ted Art, a crafts blog that now generates $22k per month through various revenue streams, including automated adverts, sponsored projects, and publishing books, all while keeping the projects accessible and easy to replicate.
6. Snappy Socks by Shoespender ($120K/year)
After losing an UGG boot and numerous socks to the notorious "laundry monster," professional clown-turned-mom Danielle Ferrantello invented Shoespender and Snappy Socks—products designed to keep kids' shoes and socks from going missing. Now tackling 3,000 parties a year with her entertainment business, she aims to ease the lives of thousands of parents.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 3
Snappy Socks and Shoespender founder, Danielle Ferrantello, created patented baby products to solve the problem of lost socks and shoes, with 80% of sales from online sources and a 52% gross margin.
7. Prodigi Kids ($42K/year)
While dining out with her 18-month-old daughter, Karen Braveheart witnessed a spaghetti-fueled disaster and decided to design a truly childproof plate, leading to the creation of Adi plate and launching Prodigi Kids after raising $400,000 in seed funding.
How much money it makes: $42K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400K
How many people on the team: 1
Prodigi Kids CEO Karen Braveheart raised $400k to develop the Adi plate; a suction plate for babies engineered to stay in place, and is working to grow production and market share despite the challenges faced due to COVID-19.
8. The Little Teepee Company ($24K/year)
Jane and Louise, the founders of The Little Teepee Company, came up with the idea for their business after searching for ideas for their children's sleepover parties. They discovered a lack of teepee sleepover services in their area and decided to create their own. They launched The Little Teepee Company in September 2019 and have since attracted customers through Google searches, email campaigns, social media, and word-of-mouth referrals. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they have adapted their business model to offer a no-contact drop-off service and have seen a surge in bookings.
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
How many people on the team: 0
The Little Teepee Company founders created an extra special sleepover business in 2019, generating around $2000 per month, until the pandemic hit and resulted in cancelled bookings and refunds, but they adapted their business model and now attract customers through Google searches, email campaigns, Instagram and Facebook marketing and word-of-mouth referrals.
9. Summerfield's Toys ($19.9K/year)
Matthew Fiore, a senior in high school and passionate LEGO lover, came up with the idea for his business, Summerfield's Toys, when he realized that he could turn his love for LEGO into a profitable venture. After starting with selling LEGO Minifigures from his own collection, he expanded to reselling LEGO sets and individual bricks, leveraging platforms like eBay and BrickLink to attract customers worldwide. With a focus on customer service and a growing network of distribution channels, Matthew's business has seen exponential growth, making $1.6k per month and paving the way for a promising future.
How much money it makes: $19.9K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
How many people on the team: 0
A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.
10. Dolly Thompson Baby Boutique ($15K/year)
Marlene Reid, founder of Dolly Thomson Baby Boutique, was inspired to start her business while working as a Health Visitor and receiving frequent requests from new parents for affordable, high-quality baby clothing. Recognizing a gap in the market, Marlene launched her online store and has seen impressive success, generating $1250 in monthly sales. She hopes to expand her product line and support new mothers in her local community in the future.
How much money it makes: $15K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3.5K
How many people on the team: 1
Dolly Thompson Baby Boutique founder Marlene Reid discusses how she created a one-stop-shop for affordable baby clothing, with the business already seeing $1250 per month in sales since launching earlier this year by establishing an impressive online presence using Google My Business and Shopify, largely through digital and social media marketing.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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