On the 9th August 2003, Cottontails opened it's doors - which means this year we celebrate our 21st birthday! Here are a few memories from the past 21 years - from the very beginnings in our little high street shop, all the way to today and our plans for the future...
2003 - 2009 On the high street...
We opened the high street shop in the summer of 2003 and two years later the website followed... In the early days we sold a lot of baby clothes, but from the very beginning Moulin Roty was an important range for us. Humphrey rabbit was often on hand to help and featured a lot in my early blog posts (before social media was really even a thing... imagine!)
2009 - 2014 Over to Herefordshire...
By 2009, the website had become the heart of the business so when I moved to Herefordshire I decided to close the high street shop and focus online. For the next few years I worked SO hard with the website, and managed to grow a significant mailing list, get a fair bit of coverage in the press and was even voted 'Best Toy Shop' by The Guardian in 2012. I worked from a garden office, my spare bedroom & then a little rented unit on a nearby farm - and wherever I was, Rudolph rabbit came with me.
2014 - 2020 Bunnies & Yoga
In 2014 I branched out a little bit and began training as a yoga teacher - I wanted to try something new and hoped this would fit alongside my Cottontails life. By 2017 this had (somewhat unexpectedly) taken over as my main income but I endeavoured to keep going with my little toyshop - not least by launching a range of handmade rabbits. In 2016, dear Ralph came on to the scene - and has played a key role in Cottontails ever since...
2020 - 2024 Hopping along...
For the past few years I've been juggling Cottontails with other roles which has been an up and down experience - it's nice not to have the financial pressure that exists when the website is my only income, but it's hard to find the time for the fun creative stuff. BUT I'm still here, still adore my little toy shop, and still have Ralph to around to help out when things get too busy...
Our 21st Birthday.... and the future!
After years of juggling I'm gradually pouring more energy into the little toy shop I love so much. I feel a bit like I've come full circle and arrived back at the beginning - full of the enthusiasm, energy and hope I had 21 years ago. So, expect to see some new things happening over the next couple of months... And until then please join Ralph and I in a glass of sparkling carrot juice. Here is to the next 21 years!
Follow the Cottontails socials for lots of bunnies and smiles...
