Tiny Changes keeps budget, environment in mind

Robynn Frey and Heather Hedges started their own business to help families save money while saving the planet.

Frey, of Silverdale, and Hedges, of Poulsbo, opened Tiny Changes in September. The eco-friendly resale business sells maternity and children’s clothing, equipment and supplies. Tiny Changes is the only local retailer of Happy Heiny’s reusable cloth diapers, according to Hedges.

Hedges said she and Frey got the idea to start Tiny Changes when they were sorting through their children’s clothing one day. Frey has four young children, and Hedges has three of her own.

“As we started looking at our piles of clothes, we decided there had to be a better way,” Hedges said. “We work so well together we decided why not give it a try.”

Frey and Hedges, who both have husbands currently serving on the USS Nebraska, said they decided on a resale business because with seven children between the two of them, they have the experience to know how pricey children’s clothing and products can be.

Frey and Hedges sell their goods through in-home parties and product demonstrations. Hedges said a host or hostess can call and set up a party. The host or hostess tells Frey and Hedges what types of clothing and products they are looking for as well as clothing sizes and the Tiny Changes ladies select the best pre-owned merchandise they have to bring to the party.

Hedges said Tiny Changes will buy maternity and children’s clothing at the in-home parties too. She said they only accept clothing, equipment and supplies in great condition and people who purchase items from Tiny Changes can rest assured they are receiving quality merchandise.

“A lot of the things still have tags, but some are gently used,” Hedges said. “Everything is steam-cleaned when it comes in.”

Tiny Changes also sells Happy Heiny’s reusable cloth diapers. Frey said she used to use disposable diapers until Hedges showed her cloth diapers.

“It really opened my eyes,” Frey said.

Hedges said the Happy Heiny’s cloth diapers are one size fits all and go from birth to potty training. They have a Velcro clasp that can be adjusted to fit any size and the diapers come in different colors and prints.

Hedges said her husband was skeptical of cloth diapers, but when she showed him how much money they were saving by using the Happy Heiny’s diapers, he quickly became a fan.

“It’s so much more economical,” Hedges said.

Frey added that cloth diapers are more hygienic for little ones because some disposable diapers have chemicals in them and the Happy Heiny’s cloth diapers are chemical-free.

Tiny Changes also uses recycled clothing hangers and gives customers reusable bags when they make purchases. Frey and Hedges also e-mail home party invitations rather than send paper invites in the mail.

“We do a lot of little things to help the environment. Our name reflects that,” Hedges said.

Frey said customers tell them Tiny Changes prices are “more reasonable” than other resale businesses.

“The feedback we’ve been hearing from our customers is that we’re lower than the local consignment shops,” Hedges said.

For more information about Tiny Changes or to schedule a party, e-mail tinychangesresale@yahoo.com or call Hedges at (360) 535-4263 or Frey at (360) 536-3604.

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