My First Years

Founded in January 2010, My First Years specialise in personalising baby gifts for the fashion conscious consumer.
 
The company launched online with the view that a gap in the market existed and has become one of the UK’s fastest growing baby gift brands. My 1st Years has attracted a large celebrity following with many of the celebrity babies wearing their products.
 
THE IDEA
 
The idea for the company began in March 2009, when its founders, identified a gap in the market for fashionable but affordable personalized baby gifts. The idea arose as a result of the founders finding nothing unique enough on the market to buy for a baby.       

Prior to the My First Years launch, the market was polarized between low quality 'cheap' products and the unaffordable 'designer' end of the market. Having researched the market thoroughly, many customers were in desperate need of a more affordable, personal gift.
 
The idea was born, and My 1st Years launched with the aim of becoming the No. 1 Baby Personalization brand.
 
GETTING STARTED
 
By December 2009, the designs of all products were confirmed and suppliers were all sourced to ensure the highest quality gifts were sold to the end customer.
 
The website launched with the My 1st Years different categories - My 1st Shoe, My 1st Outfit, My 1st Bear & My 1st Accessory.
 
 
SPREADING THE WORD
 
With a minimal advertising budget, My 1st Years had to rely on enlisting customers by gaining editorial, not advertising. With a week until the launch of website, My 1st Years received editorial in Vogue on its ‘Top 20 Spring/Summer Baby Gifts’ pages. This was great exposure and inevitably led to hundreds of enquiries pre-launch. The response was fantastic and even before the website had launched, customers were requesting many different products to be sent as gifts.
 
THE BEGINNING
 
For the first six months the business was run from a small office with all stock and machinery inside. This was run very well considering the space available and orders were processed and dispatched daily from the premises. Over the last 6 months the business has grown out of the original offices into a distribution centre where the operation can work more effectively.
 
 
PRODUCT RANGE
 
Although seasonal gifts are introduced at different times to the website, the core product range remains the same. The products can all be personalized online and sent straight to the customer or direct to the recipient.
 
All products on the website are sourced with two intentions in mind – quality products at affordable prices.
 
At the heart of the product range remain the necessities – Outfits for newborn babies. Customers can mix & match the individual products in order to make a gift set. The introduction of trendy baby shoes has provided a natural extension to these products, and in addition to classic outfits, shoes, bears & simple accessories have become firm favourites.
 
All products ordered on the website arrive gift wrapped with the luxury gift boxes attached with a large white bow free of charge.
 
 
BRAND VALUES
 
In spite of its swift growth, My First Years retains a firm grasp of its core values & identity. It is focused on providing the highest quality products for its customers and offering something personal with each transaction. Within the distribution centre, staff are constantly scrutinized in order to ensure quality at all times.