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INTERVIEW WITH GUGU GURU

9/23/2016

1 Comment

 
One way I get to know a client’s nursery style is from looking at their baby registry. I can see if they are a modernist or romantic simply by seeing what type of baby products they have curated on their list. When I discovered Gugu Guru, a baby registry site that helps you customize your products based on your personal style, I found it refreshingly insightful.
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Gugu Guru takes much of the guess work out of creating your registry and replaces it with product recommendations matched to your personal lifestyle.
If you’re a new mom-to-be and haven’t yet heard of Gugu Guru today’s the day to discover it and discover your registry style. If you know someone who is a new mom-to-be do share this article with her – she'll thank you!

There are three simple discovery steps where you answer a few questions about your personal style. First you select the image that is most like your style for clothing, baby clothing and nursery design. Second, a products are selected for you from a database of industry experts and other moms. Lastly, select products from the recommendations and of course you can add a product from anywhere on the internet. Now, you’re ready to share the list with your friends and family.
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We caught up with the president and founder of Gugu Guru, Monica Banks, to pick her baby-on-the-brain about all things registry including how personal style impacts your baby product choices; her expert list of must-haves; and what else besides baby products millennial moms-to-be are adding to their registry.

Q&A With Monica Banks President & Founder

Moms know best – this mom knows what's best for moms-to-be

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Q: Where were you and what were you doing when you decided to create Gugu Guru?

A: I was working as a marketing consultant with a specialty in the mom & baby industry.  In my daily work, I saw that expecting moms were getting increasingly overwhelmed with the selection in the category; brands were fighting to break through the noise and get in front of the “right” moms that need their products and; retailers were struggling and scratching their heads to figure out how to deliver personalized service that scales. One day I saw one of those quizzes on Facebook, I think it was “What Disney character are you?” and I thought to myself, “They should really make something like that for baby registry – like a personality quiz with product outcomes.” That was my so called aha moment and the idea for Gugu Guru was born.

Q: How did you connect the dots that a user’s personal style could be factored in to make for a more customized baby registry?

A: There are just so many products – good products - being added to the market on seemingly a daily basis. Moms are increasingly selecting something like a stroller for their baby registries, based not only on functional needs but also based simply on how the product looks and if the mom would feel stylish pushing it down the street. The brands are taking notice too with many incorporating messaging about how a woman doesn’t have to lose her sense of style when she becomes a mom. Of course, every woman has her own sense of style for herself, for her baby and for her home décor, so we factored this in when we built the product recommendation engine for the site. Moms appreciate that we pare down the selection even more for them than other sites; if you say vintage décor is not your style, we aren’t going to show you Shabby Chic crib bedding.

Q: What is it that users love about Gugu Guru that other registry sites don’t offer?

A: The thing that moms love the most about Gugu Guru is first and foremost the discovery aspect. Even the most up-to-date and seasoned moms can find products on Gugu Guru that they have never heard of. We list the classic and new, emerging brands all in one place. Plus, moms know that every product in Gugu Guru is because it’s curated by our team of experts and other parents, and not because a brand paid us to list it. That makes moms feel more comfortable when building their registry and something that no other baby registry site can claim.

Q: How do you spot the best new products for moms-to-be?

A: Gugu Guru is comprised of a team of experts; many of us expecting or new moms ourselves. We all keep a close eye on the moms in our community, the general industry, print/online news and also social media because that’s our job. Of course, sometimes we just stumble upon things that are simply genius and we add them to the site.

Q: What are the most popular, must-have items for a registry?

A: The top five most popular items in Gugu Guru are:
Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack
Dockatot Deluxe Dock
Pampers Swaddlers Diapers
Summer Infant 4-Sided Changing Pad
Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump
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Boon Grass Countertop Drying Rack - Such great design you don't mind (as much) having all those dry baby bottles taking over your counter space.

Q: What special splurge items you love to see added to a registry?

I love when mom adds things to treat herself on her registry like,
  • A push present or just something to make her feel pretty. I am really into Tiny Tags right now and their personalized jewelry for moms.
  • Every mama needs herself a functional gorgeous diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag. My editor in chief loves her Newlie Louise bag.
  • A fashionable carrier – there are so many amazing ones out there. I am obsessed with the water color collection from BabyBjorn.
  • For the mama who likes to glam it up, Plum Pretty Sugar has gorgeous robes.  And if you’re expecting a girl, they have a super cute Mumma and Me line too.
  • Treating herself to Blue Apron or another food delivery service.
TINY TAGS
NEWLIE
BABYBJORN
PLUM PRETTY SUGAR
BLUE APRON

Q: Do you see that moms-to-be are not just looking for the best baby product recommendations to add to their list, but also baby room decor and design assistance?

A: From, personal shoppers to interior design assistance, personalized services are becoming very popular on the web as a whole. We know that our moms love design inspiration anywhere they can get it. Adding design services to their registry is something they would definitely welcome.

Q: What's your own personal kids design style?

A: Rory likes edgy, modern style. Fiona is typical girl – anything pink and elegant, but from clothing to bedding, comfort plays a big role in all her design choices.

Q: Do you have a social media style crush and/or favorite blog?

A: I have a style crush on Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam. 
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Q: Who is your go to home furnishing or décor brand when looking for pieces for the kids spaces?

Pottery Barn and Serena & Lily splashed with a lot of Target.

Q: As a mom who is working and raising children - how do you find peace with the quality time you spend on each, work and life? Or are they one in the same?

A: I’ve come to realize that there is no such thing as balance. We do the best we can do as working moms. Some days, I get closer to striking a balance than others.

More Inspiration From Gugu Guru:

Blog : @GuguGuru
Pinterest :
@GuguGuru
Instagram : @Gugu_Guru

Twitter : @TheGuguGuru
Facebook : @GuguGuru.Registry

1 Comment
Emily link
1/31/2018 08:02:05 am

New moms looking to try a meal kit service would love PeachDish! We source our ingredients from local, sustainable farmers - and tell you who those farmers are. We also have SuperFood and Quick Fix dishes; perfect for busy, healthy families.

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    Lisa Janvrin

    A self-starter in pursuit of all things smart, savvy and stylish.


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