Blue Springs, Missouri Woman Finds Quick Success in Down Economy

Feb. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- In an economy full of layoffs and downsizing, Blue Springs entrepreneur Amy Berridge has found a niche for a successful new business. In one year, Berridge has successfully grown All About Kids, a children's consignment sale, into one of the Eastern Jackson County area's top consignment sales.

"Moms are trying to stretch their budgets further than ever before. I wanted to help meet their needs by not only giving them a place to find great bargains for their kiddos but also an opportunity to make some extra money by selling the things their kids no longer need," said Berridge.

Berridge began to form plans for All About Kids after consigning and volunteering at another local consignment sale. With her event planning background and love for children, Berridge decided to combine her skills to form All About Kids in spring 2010. After a strategic marketing campaign, her initial sale in April 2010 found great  success when approximately 1500 customers visited the event and sales reached over $25,000. Her second event in fall 2010 doubled in size when she had 150 individuals sign up as consignors, and profits rose.

"I expected the sale to grow, but I never dreamed it would double in size in just 6 months. That just shows how budget-conscious our society is right now," said Berridge.

This spring, Berridge will hold her third sale at the Kansas City Sports Lodge and hopes it will be the largest yet. In the past several years, Berridge has seen several other smaller consignment sales begin, but eventually fizzle out. She's now one of the third largest sales in the Eastern Jackson County area, competing with Just Between Friends in Lee's Summit and Kids Closet in Blue Springs. As a local business owner, Berridge attributes much of her success to the sale's organization & quality merchandise, her knowledge of the community, and the commitment to Kansas City area families. As a local business, All About Kids helps local charities. Much of the clothing that is not sold during the three-day sale is donated to charities such as Rachel House Pregnancy Resource Center and IMPACT Ministry Family Resource Center of Eastern Jackson County.

"All About Kids is designed to give back to the community. Through the generous donations of our consignors, we’re able to restock two local clothing closets twice a year. It’s a great feeling to be a part of something much bigger than what it appears on the surface," commended Berridge.

About Children's Consignment Sales

Over the past six years, there's been a recent surge of interest and "buzz" about children's consignment sales around the country. Sales are typically large, indoor events that span over several days and encourage individuals with outgrown, gently-used children's clothing and items to sell them at the sale. Individuals sign up as consignors, and receive a percentage of the profits of their sold items. As each consignor volunteers or helps with the sale, they receive more and more profit from their sold items.

"Before starting All About Kids I consigned and volunteered at other sales. I was able to sell enough of our kids' outgrown clothes that I could buy their current sizes with no out-of-pocket expense. Volunteering also earns you early shopping privileges, so I was always able to find the best deals, said Berridge.

Consignment sales are especially helpful for families looking for nice children's clothing and toys, without the "new clothes" prices. Sales also benefit families with baby items such as strollers, cribs, dressers, toys and other infant items they'd like to sell, yet would rather not mess with a garage sale on their own. As Berridge identified the opportunity to start a sale in the Independence, Missouri area she quickly saw the sale was meeting many needs of Kansas City families.

"The All About Kids sale has helped provide for my family. Not only can I gain extra storage when I sell my girls' outgrown clothing, but I also walk away from the sale with a few hundred dollars in my pocket," said consignor Carrie Steller.

About All About Kids

Berridge's next All About Kids sale will be open to the public Friday, March 25 through unday, March 27 at the Kansas City Sports Lodge, off 40 Hwy in Independence, Missouri. Items such as clothing, furniture, toys, high chairs, strollers, books and other baby and children's items will be available. For more information about times and becoming a consigner, please visit http://www.AllAboutKidsKC.com.

# # #

All About Kids is a bi-yearly children's consignment sale in the Kansas City Metro area. The sale offers a great selection of gently used, quality merchandise. Infant and children's clothing, furniture, toys and more are available.