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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Did you know that toy sales in the United States represented over $21 billion in 2011? That's a lot of happy children!
An innovative new Utah company has entered the competitive toy market and is already making a splash. SideKix, headquartered in Lehi, has created a brand new line of toys that can be used in a variety of ways, all designed to help children play. When you first glance at a SideKix in its zipped up form it looks like a fun little ball with a clip. Of course kids can take the clip off and use it as a hacky sack.
But unzip it and flip it and — voila — you have a darling stuffed animal with a pouch where treasures can be stored. Think about when you were a kid and wanted someplace safe to put your special things. A toy like this would've come in handy. This is another great example of the innovation coming out of Utah and why we were named third overall for innovation and entrepreneurship.
SideKix creator Aubren Johnson says these toys are designed so kids can kick'em, zip'em, flip'em, clip'em or stick'em. In their ball form, kids may wonder what animal it will become. Once it's flipped, they can use magnetic paws to attach it to their bike or a locker.
Aubren and her business partner, Tara Memmott, value hearing what kids have to say. They pride themselves on getting the names for their SideKix from kids. Kids can submit ideas for names or new animals on the website, sidekix.com, and when they're printed, the tag will say their first name and what city they're from. They're also donating proceeds from each of their five SideKix lines to children-run charities.
SideKix recently attended the New York Toy Fair and there's international interest in the product. They're already in 30 states and hope to be in all 50 within the next few months. Companies like SideKix are one of the reasons Salt Lake City has been named a top city for young professionals.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
SideKix 3940 N. Traverse Mtn. Blvd., Ste. 200 Lehi, UT 84043 1-800-789-8772 www.sidekix.com
