Press/P.R

Tuesday April 5th 2011 – The Savvy Mom Gift Guide:
Maxwell Designs’ Diaper Bag:

It’s a toss-up as to what weighs more in the first year: the babe or their mandatory bag of supplies. Canadian-made Maxwell Designs’ diaper bags offer well-designed, hand- made bags with beautiful graphics, created from organic cotton. Roomy pockets, insulated bottle holder, and anti-macrobial properties are among the interior features and Maxwell Design diaper bags also double as messenger bags

http://www.savvymom.ca/index.php/special_edition/the_savvy_baby_shower_gift_guide/gallery/27_savvy_baby_shower_gifts/#startGallery

A diaper-changing Guinness World Record?

Tri-Cities parents will compete in the Great Cloth Diaper Change on World Earth Day

Coquitlam NOW March 25, 2011
Maggie Chilton (left) and her son Shia, as well as Angela Salehi and her son Kylan, will be taking part in the Great Cloth Diaper Change.
Photograph by: Paul vanPeenen, Coquitlam NOWTri-Cities parents are vying for a Guinness World Record by participating in a global diaper changing challenge.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011 is happening on World Earth Day (April 23) in nearly 400 communities across the globe. The goal is to set a world record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously.

At 9:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, more than 9,800 international participants will tuck their baby’s tush into a cloth diaper. In the Tri-Cities, a diaper-changing event will take place at Kinder Café in Port Coquitlam.

Port Moody mom Angela Salehi hopes many families will take part, since each location needs at least 25 participants to qualify for the record-setting challenge.

“It’s a huge, exciting thing to happen. We’re very excited that it’s happening in Port Coquitlam. We’re inviting everyone from the Tri-Cities to come and join us … We’re all local businesswomen who use cloth diapers and want to promote it,” said Salehi, owner of Ripe Baby Food.

“Grandmas, grandpas, brothers, sisters, parents, step-parents — everybody’s involved.”

Maggie Chilton, owner of Port Moody-based Toots n’ Tots, said cloth diapers will be available for sale at the event.

“They can come in a regular disposable diaper if they want to, as long as they get changed into a 100-per-cent reusable cloth diaper,” Chilton said.

“I’m going to be supplying the biodegradable compostable wipes. It’s World Earth Day, so we’re trying to encourage people to either not bring any because we’ll supply the biodegradable wipes or bring their cloth ones.”

To qualify for the challenge, the rules require an official timekeeper and check-in person, as well as a supply of photos, video and signed documentation to verify that all

guidelines have been met.

“It’s to raise more awareness of the benefits of cloth diapering and bring more awareness of the environment and the damage that we’re doing to it unknowingly or knowingly,” Chilton said.

The diaper changing challenge will also serve as a fundraiser. Half the proceeds will go to the Real Diaper Association, a non-profit organization. The remainder of the funds will be donated to Charlene Reaveley’s family following her death in an alleged hit-and-run accident last month. The 30-year-old woman left behind her husband and four children between the ages of one and 10.

“That’s a very serious local issue and concern that’s happened. We want to make sure that we’re supporting them as well,” Salehi said.

“When we were looking at opportunities and charities and issues that we wanted to support, that was top of mind for many of us.”

For more information or to register for the Great Cloth Diaper Change, visit www.maxwelldesigns.ca, www.ripebabyfood.com or www.greatclothdiaperchange.com. Information is also available on Facebook by searching for the event “The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011 Event – TriCities.”

Participants must sign in at Kinder Café, 2020 Oxford Conn., no later than 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 23.

© Copyright (c) Coquitlam Now

Read more: http://www.thenownews.com/news/diaper+changing+Guinness+World+Record/4502259/story.html#ixzz1I9S0OmPv

Press/P.R:

The Now – Febuary 18th 2011

Port Moody mom Maggie Chilton, owner of online baby store Toots n’ Tots, will host a free cloth-diapering seminar this Wednesday in PoCo.
Photograph by: Paul vanPeenen, Coquitlam NOWBundle up those baby bottoms in cloth diapers to help save money and the environment.
So says Maggie Chilton, a mom who’s hosting a cloth-diapering seminar in PoCo next week.
As owner of online baby store Toots n’ Tots, Chilton touts her family-run business as a top resource for all things cloth-diaper related.

It all began four years ago when Chilton ditched the disposables and switched to cloth diapers for her son, Maxwell. Now she continues to use cloth with her second son.
“It’s just become a way of life,” said the Port Moody mom. “A lot of it for me was environmental. We used to live in the north, in Terrace. I was even more eco-friendly up there because we can see how beautiful the country is. The last thing you want to do is start to spoil it.”

A disposable diaper takes about 500 years to break down, Chilton said, not to mention the plastic packaging it comes in.
Along with the environment, cost is another reason to consider cloth.

“In a two-year period, you’re probably going to be saving at least $1,500 to $2,000 depending on how often you change a baby,” Chilton said. “People don’t change babies as often as they should. They recommend in the first few months, you change newborns about 10 to 12 times per day. But people who are using disposable diapers, a majority of them are cost conscious. They may leave them in a disposable diaper slightly longer than they should because they don’t want to keep spending money.”

However, some people can also be deterred by the initial investment for cloth diaper supplies, Chilton added.
“Cloth diapers are astonishingly cheaper. You can save thousands,” she said.

“You’re looking at about $700 to $800 start-up fee, but that’s everything you could possibly need for cloth diapering from birth to potty training.”

Typical supplies include a stock of 12 diaper covers with 36 washable inserts or, alternatively, 36 stuffed pocket diapers. Fabric selections for inserts include hemp, bamboo, microfibre and organic cotton. The appropriate choice depends on the baby’s sensitivity and the parents’ preference.
Parents will also need a pail that snaps shut to store dirty diapers for up to three days.

“There’s no smell at all,” said Chilton, who also sells handmade wet bags for storage.

Aside from economic and eco-friendly elements, cloth diapers offer an esthetic appeal.

“When you look at a baby or little toddler in a cloth diaper, they’re just so cute because you can get colours and prints,” Chilton said.
“I have two boys. It’s great for me because I can get prints with trucks on them or spaceships. It’s fun. You can get colours from black to blue to red to hot pink to green — everything.”

Chilton wants to share her cloth diaper know-how with the community through a series of free seminars. The next one is planned for Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Kinder Café, located at 112-2020 Oxford Connector in PoCo. To register, call 1-888-420-1017 or e-mail info@maxwelldesigns.ca.

jmcfee@thenownews.com

© Copyright (c) Coquitlam Now

Testimonials

We just received your wet bag today in the mail – thanks so much! It’s adorable. I’ve been using a plastic bag for our cloth diapers when we’re out and about, so I can’t wait to use this.
We actually bought one of your diaper bags from the store and it works great. It goes everywhere I go – Gini, Baby on the hip.

(I) picked up my parcel yesterday (due to major snow/wind storm here) and I really love it. I think it’s also going to make a great day bag after all this having babies business is done! My husband was also very impressed with the quality and fabric of the bags. Thank you so much for working with me to find the bag I wanted.
All the best! – Marina, Terrace.

Thank you so much, Maggie! I picked up the package at the post office today. Love, love, love the wetbag and the Raspberry Applecheeks dipe! Super sweet. Thank you!
Emily

My package arrived yesterday and I absolutely LOVE my bag and change pad!! Thank you so much for your timeliness and quality products! I will definitely recommend your bags to anyone I know in search of a great change bag. Jennie, Ireland

I love my diaper bag, and you made it so fast I couldn’t believe it. I really like the colours and style, great job! Penny.C, Nova Scotia

I love all the designs, it was hard to choose just one! Jackie.F, Vancouver, B.C.

I had searched everywhere for a baby carrier/sling that wouldn’t hurt my back, be comfortable for more than half an hour and for something that my husband could also use. After 5 different types I finally found your sling and I LOVE IT! Ann.N, Ottawa, Ont.

I came across this site and found it easy to navigate. Maggie (the owner) was friendly, helpful and accommodating to my requests in creating a bag that fit my needs. My friends were quick to comment on the quality of construction. Sharon, Terrace, B.C.

If you are a wholesaler interested in carrying any of Maxwell Designs products we would love to hear from you! Please send me an email at info@maxwelldesigns.ca.

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Press & P.R

Here is just a peek at some of the press we have received, click on the links for the full write up.

Proud sponsor of “Ditch The Disposables 2″

http://www.marketmommies.com/_blog/Featured_Mom/post/Maggie_Chilton_-_Maxwell_Designs/

Featured Mom

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-rss/northern-bc-business-features-maxwell-designs-128101.php

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, CANADA, December 09, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ — Northern BC Business is currently featuring Maxwell Designs http://www.maxwelldesigns.ca as a business in Northern British Columbia creating opportunity with their unique and distinctive products. Operating from Terrace, BC, Maxwell Designs creates, manufactures and ships their eco-friendly baby products of diaper bags, slings, change pads and clothing all over the world. With new retailers signing up each day, Maxwell Designs is truly an innovative and unique company in Northern British Columbia

http://theecofriendlyfamily.blogspot.com/search/label/Eco-Friendly%20Products

Let’s talk diaper bags
I was recently introduced to a bag I had never seen before. It is from Maxwell Designs, created by a Canadian stay-at-home mom.
I have not seen this bag in person and do not own it. I can tell you what I have seen and know of it though
These bags are hemp and messenger style, so no “looking like mom”. Not that being a mom isn’t great, but really, I don’t want my diaper bag to scream “LOOK I’M A FRUMPY MOM!” Even though most days I feel like it I want to look put together even when I don’t feel like it (and am probably sporting spit up on my shirt), so I can imagine that this bag would help with that
The great and unique things about these bags is that they can be completely custom!

http://northernbcbusiness.com/2009/11/25/business-profile-maxwell-designs-prince-george-bc-canada/

What are you doing to be new and innovative?

There are a few other players in the eco-friendly diaper bag market but I have tried to take mine to the next level and make them both eye catching and modern. I use lots of colours and provide a unique service where you can “Make Your Own” bag. This way, there won’t be hundreds of other people with the same bag as you.

Who has been your most unique customer?

All my customers are unique as 95% of them want to choose their own fabric. I have sold very few of the same bag so far.

How important is technology in your business?

Technology is not a huge factor for me. I use a basic sewing machine (that doesn’t mean to say that if I had the money I wouldn’t buy an expensive machine with all the bells and whistles!). I do rely on other companies to promote my business online, make labels, print business cards, and provide marketing supplies.

Where is your most remote customer? How did you find them?

I’ve filled orders from South Korea and Ireland. They found me online through Google web searches – searching for “best diaper bag”