Today, we’d like to introduce you to Juliana VanLaanen.
Juliana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Best friends from childhood, Samantha and I founded 2MamaBees originally as a small backyard Etsy shop where we hand-built window boxes and porch bed swings. As our confidence in DIY and design grew, we expanded our Etsy shop selection to redeveloping playhouses. 2MamaBees brand of playhouses launched in October of 2021.
The inspiration behind starting 2MamaBees came from the lack of quality products in the market. Being mothers, we went through the never-ending cycle of broken and poorly made toys; after years of throwing away plastic toys and squeezing into a playhouse that could barely fit our three-year-olds, let alone us, we finally had enough. We wanted to be engaged in our kid’s playtime and to be able to comfortably play for longer than 10 minutes.
All 2MamaBees products sit almost six feet in height, so parents can comfortably stand inside. Bringing families together through our products was the inspiration and is still the driving force behind our brand.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although our journey has been blessed, it has also come with a lot of hard work and difficult decisions.
The largest challenge we faced was aligning 2MamaBees with our core brand promises. Our first run of 2MamaBees playhouses launched in October of 2021 and were sourced from overseas. Although we were happy with the products and spent over a year designing, testing, and sending the products through quality control, we felt that overseas sourcing did not align with the true vision we had for our brand.
In year one, we went back to the drawing board and brought all our manufacturing to America, an extreme risk that, at the time, was a make-you or break-you moment. Luckily for us, this decision has paid off ten-fold. We are now completely aligned with our brand promises; domestically sourced lumber, domestically manufactured products, always giving more than we are taking environmentally, and creating heirloom quality products for families to generationally enjoy.
Not only has transitioning to domestic manufacturing opened many doors for us within the big box industry, but even more importantly, it truly feels good to stand behind 2MamaBees, knowing we are creating American jobs, utilizing American-managed forests, and giving back to American Non-Profit Organizations.
We’ve been impressed with 2MamaBees, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
We approach the design of all 2MamaBees products with an unwavering commitment to every facet of play. We dedicate months to perfecting every detail, driven by our mission to make playtime with parents readily accessible.
Our playhouses all stand almost six feet tall to ensure parents can comfortably join the fun. It is a reflection of our belief that play is best enjoyed together. What truly sets 2MamaBees apart is our commitment to quality craftsmanship. Our products are proudly manufactured in America by skilled Amish artisans. Each piece is meticulously crafted, receiving the personal touch of multiple hands to ensure unmatched quality.
We do not just create toys; we construct heirloom pieces designed to be cherished and passed down through generations. Finding ways to involve sensory play, motor development, and environmental consciousness is also very important to us, which is why our stove handles click, our faucet knobs turn, our play food can be cut in half, and our window boxes can be used to plant real herbs or flowers.
Our level of success is truly measured by the customer’s feedback through photos, messages, and videos. It is extremely impactful to see our products in customer’s homes being cherished and well-loved by their families.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2mamabees.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2mamabees/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2mamabees
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/97189608/admin/dashboard/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2mamabees
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/2mamabeesinc/
