It took a lot of effort and hard work to bring back the opportunity they deserve.”įor starters, the field’s needs weren’t being met. “There was a strong core that was surviving. I take on something that’s been struggling and work to improve it-revive it,” Hobbs says. Looking in, as outsiders with loads of business experience, it was clear to Hobbs and Holland that the job of revitalizing the failing company would be a daunting one. And yet they still stayed connected because of their deep love for what Discovery Toys had been in the past, and had the potential to become again.” “The consultants were promised, then overlooked and underfed for many years. “We’ve had to overcome the mistakes of the past,” Holland says. Admittedly, one of the most difficult has been rebuilding the trust of the field. It’s a validation that we’re going in the right direction.” Mountains to ClimbĪs was to be expected, rebuilding has not been without its challenges. And now, when people see us, they say they’d love to work with us again. “For a number of years, we didn’t even send anyone to the international toy shows. “People want to work with us again,” Hobbs says. It’s a testament to the respect for the way Discovery Toys was built. One of the exciting things about being involved with the resurgence, he says, is that people within the direct selling industry are genuinely happy to see them succeed. “It left a lasting impression on me, and I wanted to do everything in my power to help prevent people from ever having to be in that situation.” “As a lawyer and a businessman, I worked with a women’s cancer group, where I saw a lot of moms who were forced to choose between poverty and not staying with their children,” Hobbs says. Coming from a family of lifelong teachers, Hobbs caught the spirit of the mission and saw great potential in the company’s ability to help further his other passion-helping women succeed financially. So in stepped Hobbs, who had eyed the company for several years before taking over in 2007. “They learn about maybe five toys to start with, and then their knowledge base grows from there.” “Our educational consultants become experts who are ready and eager to help parents strengthen their bonds with their children,” Hobbs says. When parents peruse the aisles in a toy store or a discount mart for the perfect educational toy, they are often left to languish, because the same level of expertise about what toy is best suited to a child’s specific needs is a rare find. “You can read 1,001 books on various child development topics, but no place else has the type of discussion of the problems and solutions to help further learning.” “Our products are designed to provide an answer,” says Jeremy Hobbs, Chairman of Discovery Toys. The company serves a very serious need parents have to talk with someone and get feedback about their child’s developmental progress. The party plan system works well for them, because the educational consultants need the small setting to help parents learn how to play with their children. On the Upswing… Againĭiscovery Toys may be uniquely matched with the direct sales model in a way few other companies are. Although it was a rocky road at times, many consultants chose to stay, and throughout it all, they had their mission to see them through. Then ownership changed hands again to another group, who some say didn’t quite understand the value of what they had acquired or the beauty of what made it so successful. And within two decades, the company’s worth shot up to $100 million, when it caught the eye of an industry giant, Avon. That single, solitary goal led a team of dedicated educational consultants to grow the company to an estimated $5 million in the first five years. Her mission: to foster an environment where parents and children could grow and learn together in play. It was 32 years ago that early childhood educator Lane Nemeth set out with a small loan to create a company that would soon become an icon in the direct selling industry. Today, Discovery Toys shines as a beacon to guide others who have lost their way. Now, what has emerged is tantamount to a young startup-but with the added benefits of being a seasoned pro. And yet, before it was completely snuffed out, a small band of renegades swooped in and fanned the flame. But there was a time when their candle was flickering, teetering on extinction. Their flame is growing in intensity now, after many years of near-darkness. Somewhere along the way, Discovery Toys lost their spark. BY DSN Staff | J| read / Feature Articles Look again! Once floundering, Discovery Toys gets an infusion of fresh energy to usher in a new generation of parents and children playing together.
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