Toys and Clothes for Babies and Children

Its feels like Christmas every morning when Sarah Tubb enters her shop in Harris Arcade, Reading’s oldest shopping mall.  She is greeted by a four foot giraffe and his colony of pals.

LifeLikeFriends is a child’s and adult’s wonderland of teddy bears, soft animals, wooden toys, baby clothes and lots more. So if you’re stuck for ideas this Christmas on what to offer the smaller members of the family – look no further. (And you’ll be pleased to know you can choose your favourites online if you can’t make it to the shop.)

As well as amazing cuddly toys, LifeLikeFriends stock organic baby grows, helping endangered species. ‘We’ve really got lovely things! This year we’ve branched out into wooden toys and jigsaws which are great for children to hold and get the feel of natural materials. We have gifts, baby bibs, comfort blankets, and developmental toys. 

We try and accommodate for all tastes; we have designer brands and also more reasonable items such as finger puppets and hand puppets for £3 - £5.’ says Sarah. Sarah previously worked as a bookkeeper, but the jump from figures to fury toys was not instantaneous. ‘I have always wanted to run my own business but never knew what it would be.

Even as a child I would grate different coloured soaps and sell them in empty Britvic bottles. After traveling around Australia for a year, I was uncertain what to do on my return. I noticed some really lifelike cuddly toys in a magazine and thought they were wonderful. After much brainstorming, I registered www.lifelikefriends.co.uk andm started the business from home. I created a website and eventually - opened a shop, when the concept was
proving popular!’ says Sarah.  As well as getting my shop, Bartercard was another boost to promoting my business.

I’ve had six good years with Bartercard. What I enjoy is sourcing products, but not necessarily in my area. With today’s ease of transport why restrict yourself to your region when you can source great personalized Christmas cards from anywhere in the country? I make Bartercard work for me. I’ve also purchased small items such as key rings and pencil sharpeners on Barter that I can sell.

‘I consult the E-Marketplace every few weeks and have picked up some great things there; furniture for our spare room, jewellery, a bass guitar and a few Xbox games for the rare occasions that I’m not working on my laptop in the evenings!’
 

Sarah has also bought clothing from Juliette’s Secret’s – even got stopped in the street to ask where she bought such an unusual skirt – and bought a new snowboarding jacket at one of the trade expos in Twickenham. So, what will be the best seller this Christmas? ‘Definitely our Meerkats. 

Everyone wants them. The penguins are out and the Meerkats are in! We simply can’t get enough. And then there’s always our giant teddy bear.’…. so loveable it’s almost un’bearable!

To all Members: Sarah Tubb would love to find packaging, jiffy bags and boxes for her mailing services, a new laser printer and lots more ladies clothes. Please get in touch if your business can accommodate.