IT'S A KIDSWORLD MAGAZINE

It’s A

A BUYER’S REFERENCE GUIDE

February/March 2020 Double Issue Volume 63

Behind the Scenes with Disney Star AVA KOLKER

TRADESHOW CALENDAR RETAIL REVIEW: JBF

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 1

2 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

New York Ilene Oren & Company IleneOrenShop.com (212) 563-5020 Los Angeles Shayna Masino Sales shaynamasinosales.com (213) 689-4950

T2Love.com CoziiUSA.com

3 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

HOW CAN YOU EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS? SHOWCASE IN IT’S A KIDSWORLD MAGAZINE

PERSONALIZED STRATEGIC MARKETING PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE!

Email Blasts direct to 6000 retailers nationally

Gain immediate exposure to key buyers

Socia Media Shout Outs

Consistently showcase your brand message for a stronger response

Print Ads For Market Distribution

Don’t miss even one buyer on the tradeshow floor

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT caryn.kidsworld@gmail.com 4 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

@its_a_kidsworld

facebook.com/KidsworldMagazine/

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 5

From the Publisher

NEW YEAR NEW STRATEGIES 130 Rio Vista Drive, Norwood, NJ 07648 Phone/Fax: 201.969.1600 Email: caryn.kidsworld@gmail.com

Dear Readers, This time of year always motivates me to clean house... literally, and start fresh.

New Year means new beginnings. A time to reevaluate what is working for me both personally and with work, and then revamp. Start new and make things better.

This year I will be focusing more on bringing a larger social media aspect to It’s A Kidsworld, benefiting both our marketing partners as well as our readers. We will be showcasing up to date information and trends to our readers via Instagram and helping guide the industry in a more timely fashion, offering manufacturers an outlet for immediate sales. It’s A Kidsworld will be giving even more exposure to manufacturers and connecting them to those savvy retailers who are already utilizing social media as a buying tool.

We will continue to bring you top industry trends and information straight from the runways and trade shows to ensure you are always in the know. We will also continue to bring you insight from industry influencers themselves as we have in our Power of the Influencer Feature. In this issue, we’re proud to collaborate with young Disney star Ava Kolker who shares with It’s A Kidsworld her journey of success and her fashion style and choices.

PUBLISHER/CEO Caryn Salomon VICE PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER David Salomon EDITORIAL INTERN Shayna Isabelle Salomon ART DIRECTION/MAGAZINE LAYOUT Christine Décary ParallelBranding.com

If you would like to receive a digital copy of It’s A Kidsworld or would like info on how to showcase or be featured in our pages please contact Caryn at caryn.kidsworld@gmail.com

So if you have not done so already, please like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ KidsworldMagazine/ and follow us on Instagram: @its_a_kidsworld.

And if you are ready to gain maximum exposure for your business and take advantage of some new marketing strategies we are her for you!

Happy Shopping!

Caryn Salomon Publisher/CEO It’s A Kidsworld kidsworldmagazine @its_a_kidsworld 6 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

ON THE COVER DISNEY STAR AVA KOKLER

Clothing & Accessories

CHILDREN’S’ CLUB NY #1608 CONTACT US: Sales@AmericanJewel.com 844-539-3533

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 7

News

Spring/Summer 2020 trends presented by Atlanta Apparel brands: DIFF Eyewear, Fidelity Denim, FREYRS Eyewear, Harper Wren, Gemelli Jewelry, Gentle Fawn, Glamorous, Lucy Paris, Matisse Footwear, Sadie & Sage, Vintage Havana and Zaxy.

SNIPITS

ATLANTA APPAREL KICKS OFF 2020 WITH NEW DATE PATTERN, NEW SHOWROOMS, NEW PRODUCT CATEGORIES & NEW PROGRAMMING January 28-February 1, 2020 Market Showcases Children’s Autumn 2020 / Winter 2021 Atlanta Apparel showcases a new date pattern, product offerings and buyer programming at its first market of the year, January 28 - February 1, 2020. In addition to its return to January, the market starts a new date pattern with a five-day market for showrooms and three-day market for temporaries. Top men’s offerings add to the women’s Spring / Summer 2020 and Children’s Autumn 2020 / Winter 2021 collections shown in more than 500 showrooms and temporaries. Complementing these updates is the launch of a new year-long education series designed to prepare retailers for the new decade.

8 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

“The January Atlanta Apparel Market is an opportunity for fashion retailers to position themselves for success in the new year and the new decade,” said Bob Maricich, CEO of Atlanta Apparel producer International Market Centers (IMC). “This market’s trend-driven products ensure retailers will have the right merchandise for success, while our new programming series provides actionable insights for growing and improving their businesses in 2020 and beyond.”

For more information please visit AmericasMart.com

+ 1-407-869-1410 hello@chocokids.us chocokids.us Children’s Club NY Booth #8045

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 9

Trendy Clothing & Accessories for Little Fashionistas

CHILDRENS CLUB BOOTH #1540

Rosie Burno | sales@daintygirlaccessories.com | DaintyGirlAccessories.com 10 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

Special Report

MEET AVA

It’s A Kidsworld goes in-depth with Disney star Ava Kolker — Photos by Demarest Photography And Embrace Beauty Photography

been acting practically since the day she could walk and is best know for her role on former Disney show Girl Meets World.

She is currently playing the part of Olive Rozalski on Sydney to the Max. No stranger to fashion, Ava has also walked LA Fashion Week in 2015.

It’s A Kidsworld had the pleasure of interviewing Ava to hear more about her journey as well as finding out more about her fashion style of course!

3. If you weren’t acting what would be your other career choices? I would definitely be a singer or something else in the entertainment field, but has to be in this industry.

4. You got your start being on Girl Meets World and now you are on Sydney To The Max, how has it been like being on one Disney project to the next? It’s been so incredible. I started on Girl Meets World when I was just 6 years old, so I feel like I grew up on the Disney Channel.

I can’t believe Disney believed in me twice. I am so grateful and love every single minute of my journey being able to be on two amazing family shows, and doing what I love most every day of my life.

1. What inspired you to start acting? I just remember that I wanted to act my whole life. We have video of me when I was 2 years old wanting 5. Tell us about to entertain and make your character people laugh. I was always ‘Olive’ in Sydney Making faces, dancing, To The Max? and doing little skits and I love playing having everyone sit down Olive. She’s so Instagram: @avakolker 577K Followers to watch me. I know it’s fun and quirky.

TikTok: @avakolker 107K Subscribers maybe a little cliché but She’s Sydney’s Twitter: @realavakolker 13K Followers I think it’s what I was b e s t f r i e n d , and always is born to do.

100% invested very now and then we encounter 2. What is your favorite part about in S yd n ey’s someone extra special who has acting? I love being able to affect people’s middle school that “IT FACTOR”. That’s how emotions. It’s so amazing being able to c h a l l e n g e s . we feel about California native Disney move a room, make people laugh, cry, S h e h a s 4 star Ava Kolker. At just 13 years old Ava be terrified, and take them on a journey brothers and seems to have it all... success at acting by telling an entertaining story. I want so she loves alongside many famous celebrities, and to be a story teller and take people out being at her best now she’s currently embarking on a of their own lives and give them a little friend’s house away from her busy family. new singing career to add to the list of break from their worries.

She’s very loyal, and her many accomplishments. Ava has

AVA KOLKER

E

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 11

Special Report a little nerdy being the president of the safety preparedless club, but unapologetically herself.

6. How is it working with the cast and crew of Sydney To The Max? It’s amazing.

We’re like family. Ruthie is so multi talented and Jackson and Christian are super fun. Of course it goes without saying that Caroline Rhea and Ian Reed Kesler are comedy geniuses and I get to learn so much from them. They give me great advice and suggestions, so I think they help bring the best out of me.

7. Who is your biggest inspiration?

I definitely think Lady Gaga is one of my biggest inspirations. She’s so unique and confident and brilliant and can act as well as she can sing. It’s hard for me to fathom someone being one of the very best in the world at their craft with more than one talent. It’s really inspiring.

8. Which actor would you dream to work with and why? I would love to work with Lady Gaga for the reasons above but I would also love to work with Will Smith.

I met him at an event and absolutely love his spirit. And I am a huge fan of everything he does.

9. What is your dream role and why?

My dream role is definitely to be a superhero in a marvel film or in a musical like the greatest showman. I am studying martial arts and working on my black belt so I can be ready if it ever came my way.

I want to put it in the universe so that I can hopefully land that dream role one day. We will see…

10. Advice you would give to upcoming young actresses/actors? I would tell them to be ready for a very difficult journey full of rejection and disappointments.

If you expect that, you don’t let it get to you as much. Enjoy the journey, and

Be yourself and love what you love regardless of what trends are popular.

12 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

Special Report

“Work on your skills, and get better and better and try to find what makes you unique and become the best at it. It’s all worth it when you get the role that will change everything. Stay with it, and have fun!”

the audition for the sake of the learning, and move on to the next with the same enthusiasm and excitement as the last.

Work on your skills, and get better and better and try to find what makes you unique and become the best at it. It’s all worth it when you get the role that will change everything. Stay with it, and have fun!

11. How do you describe your fashion style? I would say my fashion style is changing I like to follow trends, and add my own personal spin to them.

12. Do you rely on a stylist in your personal life? Yes, I work with TCStyleLa a lot. She really knows me and helps me look my best for red carpet events, plus it’s nice not to take the time to shop amongst everything else I have to do.

13. How do you find your fashion trends?

I look at Pinterest, and red carpet trends from artists and actors I admire. I get lots of ideas that way.

14. Do you share the same fashion sense as the characters you play? If so, which ones and how? I would say probably not. I love how Olive dresses, very colorful and bright. My style though is a little more muted and edgy.

15. Where do you shop for your clothes?

I shop at Brandy Melville, PacSun, Forever 21 and Windsor Fashions 16. What are some of your favorite brands? Brandy Melville, PacSun, Forever 21 and Windsor Fashions

in her career through her acting, singing and modeling but also a well rounded and grounded everyday 13 year old. We cannot wait to watch what the future holds for this superstar and how she influences her young fan base.

17. What accessory can you not live without? Right now, I’m into fun belts and chains.

18. Do you consider yourself a fashion influencer to your fans? I am not sure, but I hope they like my style.

19. Do you use social media to showcase your style? Yes, I definitely do. I am very active on Instagram and am trying to post more on Tik Tok. I just took over my own Instagram account when I turned 13 so it’s a process.

20. What advice can you offer your fans to showcase their own style?

I think they should wear what makes them feel confident and beautiful no matter what other people think. Be yourself and love what you love regardless of what trends are popular.

Ava Kolker proves not only to be a triple threat

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 13

Trend Report

Fall/Winter 2020/21

TREND FORECAST — by Nicole Yee + Ania Witkowski, Trend Editors, Fashion Snoops

Fashionsnoops.com provides practical forecasting and trend information for fashion professionals.

APARTMENT

14 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

YELLOWSUB

Set in the mysterious dim of a noir film, Afterglow pulsates in the energy, glitz and glam of urban nightlife. A time when the only light source streams from a buzzing neon fixture, luminous street lamp or glowing city skyline, this moving picture captures the after hours of a hidden speakeasy, tiny jazz club or decadent hotel lobby where hushed conversations take place under the muffled din of nightlife. Hatching schemes and spinning stories, our young noir lead dresses to the nines in velvet, sequins and silk.

A more tailored and less ostentatious take on the ‘80s, the aesthetic still drips in decadence with a nod to rock’n’roll. Expect to see new interpretations of special occasion from crushed velvet matched sets to bedazzled cardigans to animal print and satin dresses.

STEFANIA TROISOEURS

AFTERGLOW

STEFANIA BARDOTJUNIOR

MOQUE

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 15

CREAMIE

DOLCE AND GABBANA

APARTMENT

Trend Report LALI

JACK DAVIS APPAREL

OAKS OF ACORN

MONNALISA

PLEASE

Tucked into the mountains, surrounded by statuesque trees and limitless sky is where Great Smoky sets the scene. Inspired by one of the great American landscapes, the Great Smoky Mountains (named after the always present morning fog) is dotted with campgrounds, some dating back to the 1930s. It is here that our young explorer enjoys their imaginary world infused with color, imagination and a bit of kitsch. The cabins a bit retro, the colors a bit bright and the patterns a bit too busy, the look combines functional gear with layer upon knit layer. Expect to see bold intarsia, funky animal motifs, plaids paired with polos and slouchy knit beanies. It is the utility of explorer gear meeting the coziness of a cabin dweller and the quirky, mismatching of an absent-minded academic.

16 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

MABLI

GREAT SMOKY

LE PETIT GERMAIN

APARTMENT

MINIKID

QUERIDA PHILIPPA

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 17

JKONGES SLOJD OAKS OF ACORN

Trend Report IMO IMO

KIND

Inspired by the interconnectedness of humankind with a special focus on humanistic therapies, Kind explores the ways in which people are different from other species— their creativity, humor, play and psychological growth. The likeness that binds us both consciously and subconsciously. With an emphasis on the intrinsic nature of beings, Kind delves into processes like art therapy where creative expressions like drawing, painting, collage and sculpture are conduits to probing the emotions and psychological state. Playful and experimental, this new movement of psychological retreat and exploration manifests itself in apparel that hugs, comforts and excites the wearer through tactile materials, soothing color palettes and demonstrative details.

Expect to see oversized fits, materials that warm and soothe and details that spark emotion.

NAOMI WEAR

LALI

TUC TUC

STMA STEFANIA MARRA TUC TUC

THE MIDDLE DAUGHTER

18 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

LALI WE LOVE SHAPES

OILILY

HUST AND CLAIRE

MINIKID

KINDERKIND

INFANTIUM VICTORIA

MAYORAL

SKYSPACE

When considering the near future and new nature, one only needs to visit the very now Naoshima, a remote island in Japan. Exquisitely curated with sculptures, installations, art museums and hotels, the oasis of awe-inspiring structures feels like it could only exist in the future as there is nothing in this world to compare.

Staying true to the clean lines of the island’s architecture, the silhouettes are stark and straightforward with daring proportions, a modern functionality and a touch of Tokyo street edge. Outerwear is key, updating proportions of classic peacoats, adding new layers to trench coats and new materials to denim jacket silhouettes. Crisp shirts are layered and tucked into a variety of wide-leg, cropped or baggy pants.

MINI KARDI MINIKID

Visit www.FashionSnoops.com to learn more IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 19

Retail Review

JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS IT’S A KIDSWORLD sits down with owners Chris Silverglade, Jamee Kohn and Julie Whitehead of Just Between Friends. This trendy boutique better known as JBF, is located on the North Shore of Chicago in Deerfield, Illinois and they share how they keep this 13 year old store relevant to their customer base and prevail as the local go to store from girls to young adults.

What was the inspiration for opening your store? Twelve years ago, we looked around and realized there was a hole in the market because there wasn’t a store in our town catering to girls and juniors. We wanted to create a store with a friendly, welcoming environment and the latest trends where we would want to take our own daughters to shop. As we started buying for juniors, we realized it overlapped the women’s market and expanded our concept.

What type of retail shop are you? JBF is a friendly, fun boutique specializing in clothing, dresses and accessories for girls, juniors and women. Some of our top lines include Aviator Nation & Spiritual Gangster.

How do you differ and stand out from other retail stores? We are unique in that we carry all the top lines that our customers are looking for which can’t be found anywhere else in our town. We’re the only store around where moms and daughters can shop together. We also have a lot of personalized services that we offer to our customers. including shopping after hours by appointment to accommodate working parents and girls’ busy schedules, and allowing customers to take dresses home on approval to try on in the comfort of their own homes before deciding to purchase.

20 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

How do you find the latest trends for your store? We are moms of middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college girls who help us keep our finger on the pulse of trends.

Our girls are quick to tell us what the next trend is. We travel to L.A. and NYC to find the latest trends on both coasts.

We have also attended shows in Atlanta, Las Vegas, as well as Chicago.

What are some of the typical occasions that people come to you for? A big part of our business is outfitting middle schoolers and high schoolers in special occasion dresses. It is the one category that is really difficult to purchase online.

We have a great reputation for making girls feel good about themselves. We’re never pushy and believe our customers when they say they won’t wear

it. We have a relaxed, fun and inviting atmosphere where girls like to come and shop or just hang out with their friends.

How important is social media to your company? Social media has taken our business to the next level. We use local influencers & our customers to help drive business to our store through our social media accounts. As soon as we post something new, our phones start ringing.

We keep up with what’s hot in social media. For example, on MLK Day we ran a promotion where customers received 25% off their purchase if they created a TikTok in our store. That promotion doubled our sales from MLK Day the previous year where we ran a straight sale.

Do you have an e-commerce website?

We abandoned our e-commerce website a few years ago. With a quickly turning inventory and a lot of new skew numbers, it was hard to keep our website updated.

We’ve found social media to be a better way to reach our customers.

“As soon as we post something new, our phones start ringing.

We keep up with what’s hot in social media.”

Is any of your merchandise personalized?

We recently held a painting event in our store where our customers could purchase a denim item and have it painted with their initials or a symbol of their choosing. It was a big hit and we sold a lot of denim. Personalized necklaces were a big category for us the last few years, but our customers haven’t been as interested more recently.

What are important categories for your store & best selling-brands? Our best-selling brands change from year to year. Currently, Aviator Nation is our top-selling brand for all age customers.

Our best-selling categories for our store at the moment include: special occasion dresses, sweat suits, lounge wear, jewelry and travel bags.

How do you source your merchandise & what shows do you go to? Most of our buying for kids merchandise comes from the Children’s Club shows and the NYC Kids Shows in New York. We go to New York about 4 times a year. We also go to Los Angeles Market Week twice a year and regularly attend STYLEMAX in Chicago.

How do you reach your core customer base? Social media is the most important advertising tool for us to reach our customer base. We use Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. We also do email blasts to advertise

sales and we have an in-store loyalty program that rewards repeat customers and allows us to reach our target customer by text to announce sales or items of which they’ve expressed interest.

How do you use influencers to drive business to your store? We hire local high school girls to work for us and model on our Iinstagram and Facebook. The local middle school girls love to come in and create TikToks in our store. Once these pictures and videos post, our phones start ringing.

How do you manage to keep your company updated? Our store has always been ahead of the trends in the midwest.

Doing our buying in New York and LA helps us see what’s coming. We also listen to our customers and pay a lot of attention to social media.

social media to grab the attention of the customers. It has helped us stay relevant and popular. We’ve had to increase the categories in our store that are difficult to purchase online. Special occasion dresses are a category that is hard to buy online and our large selection keeps customers coming in.

What do you see as the future for JBF? That’s a good question. We hope to continue to be the place in our area where girls love to come shop and hangout.

Keeping up with current trends combined with their creative social media savvy and strong personal relationships, the owners of Just Between Friends prove that it’s still possible to flourish in today’s retail environment.

Instagram: @jbfxo | Tik Tok

How have you seen your business change over the years? We’ve seen a lot of brick and mortar retail businesses around us go out of business in the last few years. We are constantly battling department stores, outlets and online retailers. We have increasingly turned to

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 21

Trade Show Calendar

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR FEBRUARY-AUGUST 2020 February 1-5

February 23-25

March 29-32

New York International Gift Show NY NOW Jacob K. Javits Convention Center / Pier 94 1-800-272-SHOW (7469)

Midwest Children’s Show At Deerfield, Embassy Suites, Deerfield, IL (248) 478 1732

KIDZ at STYLEMAX 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 470 Chicago, IL 60654 312-527-7759

www.midwestchildrensapparelgroup.com

www.nynow.com

www.kidzatstylemax.com March 7-9

February 5-7

Northwest Kids Show Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Seattle, WA

April 1-4

FN PLATFORM Las Vegas, NV

magiconline.com/fn-platform

www.northwestmarket.org

www.jpmababyshow.org

February 9-11

March 8-10

April 5-6

Children’s Club Javits Center New York City 212.759.8055

Midwest Children’s Apparel Group: The Livonia Children’s Show Embassy Suites, Livonia, MI 847.945.4500

www.ubmfashion.com/shows/ childrensclub

www.midwestchildrensapprelgroup.com

Midwest Children’s Show At Deerfield Embassy Suites Deerfield, IL (248) 478 1732

JPMA Baby Show Dallas, TX

www.midwestchildrensapparelgroup.com

March February 9-11

Kids Market NYC

April 14– 18

Playtime New York Metropolitan Pavilion 125 W 18th Street, NY

nykidsmarket.net

playtimenewyork.com

LA Kids Market 110 East 9th Street 6th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90079 213.630.3600

Atlanta Apparel Market Children’s World AmericasMart Atlanta, GA (404) 220-3000

February 19-20 PLAYTIME SHANGHAI Expo Pavillion Shanghai

February 25-26 The Children’s Great Event Shoe Show The Marriott Teaneck Teaneck, NJ (718) 769-4251

www.tcgess.com

March 8-11

californiamarketcenter.com/kids

April 22-24

March 19-20

PERU MODA Lima – Peru

Midwest Children’s Apparel Group: The Indy Children’s Show Embassy Suites North, Indianapolis, IN 847.945.4500

www.perumoda.com April 30- May 2

www.midwestchildrensapprelgroup.com

ABC Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show Grand Sierra Resort - Reno, NV

March 24-27

www.allbabyandchildsec.com

Toy Fair - Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York

Dallas KidsWorld Market 2100 Stemmons Freeway Dallas, TX 75207 214.744.7444

www.toyfairny.com

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

February 22-25

www.americasmart.com

May 8-10 FIMI Valencia, Spain

www.fimi.es (continued)

22 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 23

Trade Show Calendar May 19-21

June 14-17

Licensing Expo Mandalay Baby Convention Center Las Vegas, NV

LA Kids Market 110 East 9th Street 6th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90079 213.630.3600

www.licensingexpo.com

www.californiamarketcenter.com/kids June 23-26 Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market 2100 Stemmons Freeway Dallas, TX 75207 214.744.7444

www.dallasmarketcenter.com

July 11-14 Swim Show Miami Beach Convention Center Miami, FL Tel: 305-262-4556

www.swimshow.com June 10-13 Atlanta Apparel Market Children’s World AmericasMart Atlanta, GA (404) 220-3000

www.americasmart.com

August 9-11 KIDZ at STYLEMAX 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza - Suite 470 Chicago, IL 60654 312-527-7759

www.kidzatstylemax.com

To submit trade show information please email caryn@markitdirect.com Show dates for all listings are subject to change

24 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 25

26 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 27

Influencer PWR

POWER OF INFLUENCERS “In-flu-encer: A person or group that has the ability to influence the behavior or opinions of others: The influencer is the individual whose effect on the purchase decision is in some way significant or authoritative.” —Cambridge Business English Dictionary©

20,000 FOLLOWERS Insta @kendallbeaulieu TikTok @kendall.b102 YouTube @kendallbeaulieu VSCO @kendallbeaulieu What are your favorite stores to shop at and why? I totally love PAC Sun, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Hollister and H&M. There are so many different looks I can put together and they are great for dressing up or just to head out with my friends.

Do you have any favorite brands you like to wear often?

I usually am always in Ivory Ella (save the elephants) and Brandy Melville.

T

he INFLUENCER is creating an unstoppable surge in marketing trends. We are seeing everything from fashion to toys being promoted by those with the most “followers”. IAKW speaks with a popular influencer to find out how she made her way into this everpopular industry.

What and who is your inspiration for your style? I love the style of Addison Rae. I also love the look of Kylie Jenner.

Do you consider yourself a trendsetter?

Yes sometimes I do. I will buy what I like and sometimes my friends follow along.

28 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

Do you consider yourself an influencer and what does that mean to you?

Yes I do consider myself an influencer I love doing reviews from items I receive and I was just given the opportunity to work with Amazon and I’m super excited for what lies ahead.

I do honest reviews and if I don’t like something I will tell you but that also goes along with if I love then I like to tell everyone how great it is.

How did you grow your followers and how long did it take you to gain that many followers? I gained my followers by using my Instagram story and hashtaging many things in them. I was also putting myself out there in an honest way. It took about 1 1/2 years.

What steps did you take to become an influencer? I first started my reaching out to companies not all would send me the product for free but they would give a great discount. I currently am getting products sent to me for free, I try them out give honest reviews and sometimes get some great discount codes for my friends!

What do you do currently to bring yourself more followers? Currently I am trying collaborate with some new companies for gain different groups of followers and that’s one reason I’m so excited to work with Amazon.

Do you ever have personal contact with your followers? My mom doesn’t let me, although if they are kids and they come up to me that’s fine.

Do you offer any giveaways? If so how often do you have them and how do your followers get involved? I just started and am working on doing a monthly box this year so at the end of every month I will

“Don’t take things personal and don’t let anyone dull your sparkle!

There is enough shine for everyone!” everyone is different and just being yourself is good enough, What social media platforms do you use regularly? I use Instagram, Snap Chat, YouTube and VSCO. What social media platforms do you use to promote products and which you use yourself? I use vsco, Sanp Chat, You Tube and Instagram story to promote what I use.

Do you have different accounts for your private life and when you promote?

Yes I do use different accounts. do a giveaway of some of my favorite products. So far my January box consists of a bottle of sugar Bear hair, sugar bear vitamins, a super cool tarte lipstick that I love an Ivory Ella tshirt and my new favorite body wash. My plan is the last week of every month do a live and instagram story show that months favs and have them like and answer questions and one person will win the box. The box will be different every month.

Where does your style come from? Who are your inspirations? My style comes from myself for the most part but my inspiration is from Addison Rae. Why do you think your followers continue to follow you and take your advice in suggesting products and brands?

I think they can relate to me because I am just a real kid.

What do you want your followers to know about? I want them to know that

Do you post to promote certain brands?

If so how many? Yes I post to promote about 6 different bands that I use regularly now.

What is your favorite brand to promote?

I love promoting Sugar Bear Hair and White with Style

continue what I’m doing and I’m not sure what the future holds but I love how confident it mades me as I have been going along. Plus it’s a lot of fun to try so many new brands and products.

Do you see yourself being an influencer as a lifelong career? I would love to be a lifetime influencer but I want to be a teacher too so I would love to do both.

What is one message you’d like to share with your followers? Don’t take things personal and don’t let anyone dull your sparkle! There is enough shine for everyone! We can all be anything we want all we need to do is put our mind to it!

How many times do you post on your social media platforms? What is the socially acceptable amount of times to post for each platform? I post about 4 times a day to different accounts maybe 2 posts a day per account is acceptable I honestly don’t know lol.

Do you put in time and consideration about the flow of your feed and if the colors coordinate? I try to but now always.

Where do you go from here for yourself on social media... where do you expect it will lead you in the future? I plan to

IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 29

30 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

Children’s Club NYC Booth #1654 • Summer Place Atlanta Showroom #13S-333 (706) 229.8254 • cheers@brownbowen.com • www.BrownBowen.com Brown Bowen and Company IT’S A KIDSWORLD | 31

Clothing & Accessories

32 | IT’S A KIDSWORLD

CONTACT US: Sales@AmericanJewel.com 844-539-3533