Melbourne Mamma - Fashion | Food | Family | Fun | Shopping

Your local guide to the best fashion, food, family fun and shopping in Melbourne

Meet the Retailer

Getting to know Helle from Lucas Loves Cars

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Today we’re getting to know Helle from Lucas Love Cars.

 

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1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I think I am a pretty typical Mum. Our family is loud sometimes and probably on technology too much. Before I started Lucas loves cars I worked for a great company, behind a computer all day. I love to be a bit creative when I have time, knitting, baking or occasionally quilting.

 

2. Describe Lucas Loves Cars in one sentence?

We are an online store for Mums who love quality and have kids obsessed by cars, trucks, trains and all things that move. …

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Getting to know Debbie from Story Mama

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Today we’re getting to know Debbie from Story Mama.

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1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a married mother of one very active little boy. Before Story Mama I was a senior operational manager in a wholesale division of one of the big 4 banks. Before kids I loved fine dining and travel… post kids I am content with reading when I can and maybe a cheeky glass of chardonnay now and then. Before I had children I worked as a Project Manager and obviously had more time to do whatever I wanted to do. But I love being a Mum, in particular a working Mum, and wouldn’t change a thing.

 

2. Describe Story Mama in one sentence?

The go-to online store for recommended picture books for little kids….

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Getting to know……Kathy from Hummingbird 60

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This week we’re getting to know Kathy from Hummingbird 60 in Northcote.

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a Mum to 5 year old, Ava and am juggling both a career with a Financial Institution and Hummingbird 60, a partnership with my gorgeous sister Penelope.

 

I love to travel and have travelled the world except for Africa, that is definitely on my Vision Board.


 

2. Describe your store in one sentence?
We at Hummingbird 60 like to call ourselves a Gallery for Women, we want to make you feel as though you have stepped into a painting and are happy to spend every minute in it!

 

3. What do you sell?

We mainly sell ladies clothing then we have a splash of giftware, accessories, jewellery and a small range of children’s wear.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Our Philosophy here, thanks to Mother Teresa is ” Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier “. It’s seeing this that makes us Love what we do!

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite labels for little ones?
Munster/Missie, BIG By Fiona and of course Rock Your Baby for that special little person in your life.

 

6. What are 3 of your favourite labels for women?

Our own label Hummingbird 60 (of course), Indigo and Sass & Bide


7. What’s one item you can’t live without?

Leggings!!

 

8. What’s one item your kids can’t live without?

Being a girl shoes, shoes & more shoes!

 

9. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

If not pinching from Hummingbird, would have to say Melbourne’s GPO.

 

10. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Marketing for a luxury hotel chain.

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

In Summer would have to the beach & the zoo and in Winter Scienceworks!?

 

 

You can visit Hummingbird 60 at 244 High Street, Northcote or visit them online at www.hummingbird60.com.au

Getting to know……..Natasha from Book Bonding

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This week we’re getting to know Natasha from Book Bonding in Niddrie.

 

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?
Before Book Bonding, I was a secondary teacher (English, History and Politics) which I loved immensely for 11 years but the afterhours corrections made life difficult to ‘switch off’. I met Mark, my husband, when I was 30 so married late but glad I did because it gave me time to kiss and discard a few ‘frogs’! He really encouraged me to follow my passion of opening a bookstore. We’ve no children of our own, though Mark has a 18yo son James who I get on well with. We recently got 2 King Charles Cavalier pups  named Jasper and Chobe and are absolutely adorable. My passions apart from reading are finding treasure trove places to eat or markets to visit, theatre (writing, directing and acting), collecting teapots and travelling (having been to over 25 countries so far on African, Asian and European continents).

 

2. Describe your store in one sentence?
Inviting and child friendly, Book Bonding has an interesting array of adult and kids’ books plus knowledgeable, passionate and helpful staff to help you find the right book!

 

3. What do you sell?

Children’s books – from young bubs through to teens, adult fiction, plus a good range of adult non-fiction such as biographies, cookbooks, family, etc plus other non book related gift ideas. We also hold five adult bookclubs, host author events, and sell to local schools.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Interacting with passionate readers and novice readers, listening to what they’ve enjoyed or sharing what I have just read, helping someone find the ‘right’ book, creating our monthly newsletter, reading proof (prior release) copies of new books that you know everyone is going to love, or just gossiping about book related things!

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite authors or books for kids?
Oliver Jeffers – his illustrations are divine and he always has an interesting take on a story.

Lauren Child – from her younger reader Charlie and Lola series to her older reader Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort books – she has a wonderful humour and way of storytelling.

Classics such as Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood series or Roald Dahl’s funny stories – they never lose appeal and the stories are always well loved

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

My passport and a good book – that way I can travel anywhere!

 

7. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

I love Venus Day Spa, Ascot Vale if I want indulgent beauty treatment, anywhere that sells Devonshire tea, T2 (I collect teapots) or otherwise farmer’s markets are so fun and full of surprises

 

8. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Working overseas teaching English or in an orphanage, or proof reading novels for a publisher – getting paid to read!

 

You can visit Book Bonding at 409 Keilor Rd, Niddrie or visit them online at www.bookbonding.com.au

Getting to know…..Felicity from Funk Melbourne

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This week we’re getting to know Felicity from Funk Melbourne in Moonee Ponds….

 

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1. Tell us a little about yourself?
I have been managing and owning my own business for a decade now collectively. I started out in the retail industry as a teenager and have progressively worked my way up to owning and operating my own retail and online business after completing a University Degree in Economics at La Trobe University, Melbourne. The opportunity arose for me to acquire the business that I had worked in while completing my uni degree and I thought to myself, ‘Let’s give it a shot’, as I didn’t particularly see myself stuck behind a desk and computer for the rest of my life.

 

2. Describe your store in one sentence?
Funk Melbourne is truly a ONE STOP GIFT SHOP – there really isn’t any need to look no further.

 

3. What do you sell?
Fun, unique, gifts with a difference. We have the biggest collection of unique, novel gifts under one roof. Funk Melbourne can help you with baby to birthday, travel, kitchen, jewellery, homewares, retro, housewarming, gift for him, gifts for her, children’s gifts, teenager’s gift and everything in between. Mother’s day, Father’s day, Christmas gifts, kk gifts, office kk’s, work colleagues and everything in between. Come instore to check out our range or visit our website. We are leaders in the giftware industry. You will always find the newest release and hottest products at Funk Melbourne first. And that’s a guarantee! Spare the headaches and save time and be sure to visit us first. We are always there to help you out.

 

4. What led you to opening Funk Melbourne?

After finishing my Bachelor of Economics I realised that my passion lay in retail. This was and is my calling. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to offer prospective customers something so much different than what the ‘Major’ retail chains bring forward. A door opened to give me this opportunity and I ‘ran’ with it for the last 5 years and am enjoying and looking forward to the future.

 

5. What do you love most about what you do?
I think the best part about my business is that I truly do love conversing and engaging with my customers. I love having a chat and finding out how they are doing and what person they need to find a gift for and being able to fulfill their needs. And also being able to offer my customers a point of difference when they are looking to buy their loved ones, friends and colleagues, gifts.

 

6. What are 3 of your favourite labels for kids?
They are always changing, but at the moment I love Rock Your Baby’s range of children’s clothing. Their range is affordable and stylish. Tiger Tribe is also one that tops the list. They do everything from playful Magnetic Play Books and educational Toys to practical backpacks and insulated lunch bags that mums are loving. I have just introduced Skip Hop to the shop and have had an exceptional response as there are limited stockists in the Moonee Ponds or north western areas of Melbourne. Skip Hop is a global brand recognized by discerning parents for innovation, great design and the highest quality in the baby products business. I am very proud to be able to represent this brand instore.

 

7. What’s one item you can’t live without?

I think that the one the thing that I cannot live without at the moment are the environmentally friendly Envirosax designer reusable bags. These bags are stylish and hold a maximum of 20KG (tried and tested, and also a little nicer than the ‘green bags’ when doing shopping other than grocery). They truly have been the best investment, especially when out and about and ‘BIG’ chain stores charge for plastic bags. Have one in you bag, never pay for plastic and help the environment.

 

8. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

The place that I most like visiting is my local pet shop. Obviously not for me, but for my little one, ZOE, the naughty 1 and a half year old staffie that still gets copious amounts of toy that literally are destroyed in less than 20 minutes. But I keep going back and buying more. Staff are fantastic and know that I am just too weak… In my mind I am helping stimulate such an uncertain economy so it’s justified right?? (Come see me instore if you have any issues and we can discuss). Otherwise, ANYWHERE that is able to do a fantastic pamper package. Massage and facial here I come.

 

9. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

As I get older, I find that there is an increasing need to help the elderly. Maybe that will be my next calling. Only time will tell.