Twenty Years, Five Leases and a Bathroom Office
Twenty Years, Five Leases and a Bathroom Office
Twenty years ago, I opened a baby store with no retail or business experience, maxed-out credit cards, and suddenly, I was a single mom with a husband deploying to Afghanistan. Here's what kept us going.
Some letters just need to be written. A real, honest, from-the-heart note to the people who made Posh Baby possible.
That's you, by the way.
I'm about to sign my fifth lease for our store. And this time, I paused. About twenty years ago I opened a baby store with no retail experience, maxed out credit cards, no safety net, and a husband who was deployed to Afghanistan weeks later. I had a baby, and a business I didn't fully know how to run, and more than a few moments of wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into. I figured it out as I went, and with some help and support along the way. My baby is now 22. And somehow, against all odds, here we are.
We opened our doors not knowing what would come of it. Still standing, still stocking the tiniest, most adorable things, still loving what we do. And the reason we're still here? It comes back to you, every single time.
I have to tell you something about our team, because they deserve every word of it. I may own this place, but Lacy, our manager, is the heart of it. After 15 years, she is the face of Posh Baby - the one who remembers your name, your story, your baby's due date. She, along with our incredible team past and present, are the ones who get to experience something truly special with you.
They get to hear the news, often before almost anyone else. The pregnancy announcement, the adoption journey, and the surrogacy story still unfolding. They watch the belly grow visit by visit. And then one glorious day you walk back through that door with a tiny new person bundled up in your arms, and I promise you, there is nothing like that moment. Nothing. Some of you have even sent us pictures from the hospital and home, and we have cherished every single one.
We celebrate every milestone with you, even the bittersweet ones. Moving up to a convertible car seat. The first birthday. Each one is a little reminder that the clock is ticking and they're growing up, which is the whole wonderful, slightly gut-punching point of this business.
Also, for those of you whose little ones have already outgrown us, whose babies are now running around in big kid shoes and backpacks, we think about you, too. The fact that you're still here, still cheering us on even when you no longer need us? That is something we will never be able to fully put into words. It means the absolute world.
For those of you just beginning this journey, welcome. You have no idea the adventure ahead of you, and we are so honored to be even a small part of it.
We also hold a quiet, special place in our hearts for those whose journeys have included loss. You are not forgotten, and you are so loved.
This journey looks different for everyone, and every single version of it matters to us.
We love the surprise visits. When you pop in just to say hi, or when there's news of another baby on the way and we get a little more time with your family. We had one incredibly special family who had been with us since nearly the beginning and has brought five children through our doors. Five babies. Five car seats. Five times we got to be part of something so big and so precious. We are beyond grateful.
So, here is something we want to say clearly, because it matters deeply to us: you didn't have to choose us. In a world full of big box stores, fast shipping, and endless online options, you made the active, intentional choice to support a small, local, family business. That is a rare and beautiful thing. It is not lost on us, not even for a single day. Every time you walk through our door or click over to our website, you are choosing people over overnight convenience, and we are so incredibly grateful.
Whether you're just starting this journey, somewhere in the beautiful chaos of the baby years, or on the other side watching your kids grow tall, you are part of our story, and we are so glad you let us be part of yours. And if someone you love is expecting or just starting out, we would be so honored to welcome them into the Posh Baby family too. We may be a small local store, but our door and our website are open to everyone, wherever you are.
Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for choosing us, again and again.
All our love,
Natalie, Erik, Finn, Lacy & the whole Posh Baby crew
P.S. If you ever want to say hi, or share a good or bad experience, I'm the one who voluntarily exiled myself to the back . . . in the office that used to be the store bathroom. I'm mostly harmless back there, placing orders and searching for new products. Fair warning though: if I wander out and offer to demo anything, just smile politely and find someone else. I spent years on that floor and knew how to demo every stroller, car seat and carrier we carried, but those days are behind me, and Lacy has strongly suggested I stick to what I'm good at. Apparently, that's placing orders from the bathroom office.
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Hi Natalie. I was just thinking about you today and decide to google you. I have no idea of the little small business project you did with my student team at Portland State when your baby business was in its infancy was at all beneficial, but you’ve obviously figured things out now. I’m beyond happy to see that you kept at it and are still making your dream happen.
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