We’re very pleased to introduce our first Retailer That Rocks, Ms. Song Pardue of  Pickles & Ice Cream:

Pickles & Ice Cream is a franchise maternity shop which offers the best selection of hip, trendy maternity apparel imaginable.  They also sell a wide array of pregnancy accessories from BellaBand to Skincare, postpartum mommy accessories like ShrinkxHips and Belly Bandit, and other mommy-helper items like Lilypadz, NoseFrida and Milksavers.  And of course, they sell baby gifts, diaper bags, nursing bras and sleepwear.

Owner Song Pardue told me a little about her customers:  “Our mommies are real mommies! They shop us for special occasions and baby showers, but most of them are shopping to dress for everyday life! Our mommies want to look good AND be comfortable. We believe in stocking our stores with fabrics that feel good, wash and wear well, AND look and fit well! It is possible….we do it every season at Pickles & Ice Cream.”

The franchise has been in business since 1997, and Song opened her very first store in September 2002 in Dallas, Texas.  In March 2004 she opened her second store in Plano, Texas. Finally, in April 2005 she purchased the entire company and became the Franchisor.  In January 2007 Pickles & Ice Cream launched their Ecommerce site.  Altogether Song now has 3 company stores and 6 franchisee locations.  Talk about a success story!

I asked her in our interview this week what it was that made her want to make retail her business.  “I have always wanted to own and run a business for as long as I can remember,” she told me.   “I also knew that my business had to be in something that I personally enjoyed and had a knack for. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with Brady that I saw a serious void in the Dallas retail market….fashion maternity apparel. So, I seized the moment and grabbed the market.”

“I would say the biggest challenge has been juggling being a mom and running a business. Both are full time jobs but there’s still only so much time in a day. Balancing home and work is always a juggling challenge,” she said.  But she went on to talk about the rewards of owning her own business, saying, “The greatest reward for me has been the relationships I have made while in the business. My franchisees and I all have this little network and support system too. I am so proud of the women I get to work with everyday. And when I see them succeed, I get goosebumps.”

Song is certainly a great businesswoman, and I asked her if she has advice for other women who are considering starting their own businesses:  “I have lots of advice, but if I had to choose one truly foundational bit of advice, it would be to do hours and hours and hours of research. Flood your brain with knowledge. It could be the best investment you ever make in your business!”

UpSpring Baby is thrilled to be working with such an outstanding, motivated woman!  You can stay plugged in to Pickles & Ice Cream by becoming a Fan of their Facebook Page.

Here is Song with her team of franchisees:

And some of the Pickles & Ice Cream stores:

If you are a retailer and would like to learn more about UpSpring Baby’s products, contact Gillian Robb:  gillian@upspringbaby.com.

Photo:  CNN/AFP

A local Montessori school has sent out the following request for clothing donations for babies and toddlers.  If you have anything your children have grown out of please consider dropping it off so that it can be immediately sent to Haitian earthquake victims:

Our own Robin Eissler is working with aircraft going to Haiti, through Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the Dominican Republic. They are sending 25 flights a day, and they got word yesterday that there is a desperate need for baby clothes. Without a way to wash, the babies are getting sick from wearing dirty clothes.  Whatever we gather to send, Robin will overnight the clothes to Fort Lauderdale and the children will get them within 24 to 36 hours. All baby clothes can be brought to the office. We also have a collection jar in the office that Robin can use to buy medical supplies, as they are also sending doctors and supplies on their planes.

Community Montessori School
500 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Georgetown, TX 78626

School Website