It has been observed and fairly quite proven for decades now, that crisis boosts innovation and squeezes human’s creative juices all for the drive for survival..and yes, that includes in the global scale, such as the current pandemic, Covid19, we all are sailing on the same storm.
Being in a babywearing business, what does that mean to us?
First and foremost, I am a carrying consultant, maker and retailer of slings. And I won’t deny that pandemic hasn’t affected my babywearing business at all–coz it did..so bad.
EcoSnuggles, my humble sling business of 5 years now, is and has always been composed of a one-man team. I sew the slings myself, scout and buy materials, manage social media accounts, prepare everything. And as a fulltime housewife and mother, with no help, juggling everything plus other things on the side, most of the time, it kinda feels too overwhelming. With that, I can only sew few slings at a time, and most often I can’t immediately reply or answer inquiries. So, how did the pandemic affected my sling business? Though there is an increase awareness in the use of baby carriers in our country, still majority of parents prefer to do in-arms carrying especially when confined in their homes, and that baby carriers and carriages are most often associated for outdoor activities. Another is that, buying slings is somewhat least of a priority in majority of Filipino households. With the current stunted cash flow due to loss of jobs or skeletal workforce system caused by pandemic, money is first and foremost allocated for food, water and medicine. Well, I am not generalizing that sling market has gone really low, but for small-scale sling maker such as I am, there is little to none monetary returns.
So, to survive this pandemic, i have opened my sling business to other brands, local and international, as a retailer and a marketing affiliate. Looking back, pre-corona, I wouldn’t ventured into this but other brands even opened their doors for such possibilities to increase marketing and sales. I think, it is safe to say, for me at least, that for sling businesses to survive and succeed this pandemic crisis, is that we work together through different marketing schemes. Not to mention that now, more than ever, shops have gone online as potential buyers now have more access to e-shopping system.
As a babywearing consultant, all of my supposed activities and planned events were cancelled due to quarantine. Aside from the fact that I cannot go out easily to meet with clients in-person (because I always bring with me my kids, as I do not have anyone to look after them), my clients too can’t meet with me because of the same reason. Regular, monthly sling meets where I would meet babywearing enthusiasts, noobs and curious parent, wherein I bring with me all the slings sent to me by slings brands, from here and abroad, for prospective clients to try on and see if it fits their lifestyle and other needs, now has been put onhold. As a carrying educator, it is no brainer that teaching the skill of using baby carriers is best when done in-person. However, with the current situation, we now have utilized the use of internet to do virtual slings meet then follow-up with a sling tour where slings are passed on from one client to another (yes, slings are washed, ironed and sanitized before the next user). We now use online platform to do babywearing classes and workshops! And yes, even Babywearing events! Last year, 2020, I have organized the first ever babywearing conference online (July, 2020), and also spearheaded the first Asian Babywearing Virtual Meet (October, 2020)! Who would have thought that we can actually come together, islands, countries and continents apart, just to celebrate our passion in babywearing? I still feel all giddy and excited when I click on the ‘start video’ knowing that I will be talking and discussing babywearing to hardcore passionate babywearers all over the world?
Surely, pandemic has taken a lot of lives, has snatched us a lot of opportunities but it has also created new possibilities and creations..and I am positive that these wonderful tech-celeration and innovation in the babywearing business will never be the same again!
oh by the way, before I forget!!!
I am inviting you to come and join the Asian Babywearing Virtual Meet 2021 (Year 2)!
It is FREE and OPEN to all for admission!
Just click on the link and join the group: Asian Babywearing Virtual Meet 2021
See you there!!!
Babywear Smart 