All About Us
"Our mission is to educate and provide safe and affordable baby and children's
products to members of our community and visitors alike, in an environment that
is family friendly to our guests, volunteers and employees."
WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED STORE
We are proud to be an independently owned store. Owner, Cheryl Courson, is a proud
mother of a 5 year old daughter and 3 year old son. All of the employees in our stores
are mothers and fathers of babies and young children, and you will probably see
some of them if you visit our store, or hear them in the background on the phone if you
call us! As mothers and fathers of young children, we understand current products
and want to help and support the families and visitors in the Naples area.
WE ARE NOT YOUR TYPICAL STORE
If you come by, please do not expect us to look like any typical big box retailer or even
a standard children's store... we are different, and we know it. You will find our store
filled to the brim with an extensive collection of everything for babies and kids. You will
probably be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of inventory available, but I assure you
that we have it well organized and everything has it's place. If you are looking for
anything in particular, we will be happy to help you find it. We also know that our store
is a treasure hunt, which is why you will be able to find little treasures around the
store, such as our Penny Deals. Once our customers familiarize themselves with our
environment, they appreciate the fact that there is a large selection to choose from.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY
We are as philanthropic as a non-profit as a business can get. We have donated over
$250,000 in-kind goods to local charities such as Helps Outreach, Grace Place,
Sunlight Home, Kids to Kids, Hope for Haiti, Children's Advocacy Center, Collier
Pregnancy Center, and many more.
But beyond that, we give many individuals the opportunity to provide for their
expanding families. Through our volunteer Twinkle Co-Op program, in the first 4 years
of business, we have helped over 256 families get the baby gear, accessories,
clothing and toys they needed for their growing children and families. With the Twinkle
Co-Op program, volunteers may help out in our store in exchange for $12/hour
in-store credit which they can then use to get anything they want in our store.
Countless mothers, fathers, family members, friends, and moms to be have
participated in our program. In this current economy where job opportunities are
scarce, we are told we are a godsend to so many, since baby is coming no matter
what, there are things that you absolutely have to get, and they are going to continue to
grow.
We have also paid out over half a million dollars ($500,000) to thousands of families
in the community for their gently used things -- many of whom are very happy to get
some extra cash, especially in their times of need, or to trade in their things for the
next size up or next level of toys and gear for their child's development.
WE HELP PEOPLE RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO AT A CONVENTIONAL EMPLOYER.
Our little store is proud to give at least 15 jobs for the local community.
We hire pregnant women who are, more often than not, turned down at other
employment opportunities because of their inevitable upcoming maternity leave.
Actually we love having pregnant employees and volunteers in our store because they
love "nesting" in our store!
Many of our employees are mothers of young babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
They are allowed to bring their kids to work with them. Some of them have their
mothers and husbands able to help out with watching the kids. However, sometimes
family members can't. With daycare expenses running about $150 - $250 per week
on average, a mother employed elsewhere may have to miss work, or the costs of day
care may not make working worthwhile in the first place. Here, mothers do not have to
worry about who will take care of their children, and are able to return to work sooner
and make more money that they actually get to keep (rather than pay it to a day care).
In addition, mothers in America often have to return to work much sooner than
mothers in other countries, leaving their babies in the care of others. In our store, we
allow mother and child to continue to be with each other. The benefits are endless, as
mothers can continue to nurse their babies and provide them with nutrition and
immunity that can not be duplicated anywhere. Bonding between mother and baby
can grow to last a lifetime.
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US
We hope that you have a better understanding of what we try to do, and therefore
understand us and our store more. If you like us, you are also welcome to join us! We
always welcome anyone (above age 16) to volunteer for our Twinkle Co-Op program
and/or fill out an application.
Thanks you.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Courson
products to members of our community and visitors alike, in an environment that
is family friendly to our guests, volunteers and employees."
WE ARE A FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED STORE
We are proud to be an independently owned store. Owner, Cheryl Courson, is a proud
mother of a 5 year old daughter and 3 year old son. All of the employees in our stores
are mothers and fathers of babies and young children, and you will probably see
some of them if you visit our store, or hear them in the background on the phone if you
call us! As mothers and fathers of young children, we understand current products
and want to help and support the families and visitors in the Naples area.
WE ARE NOT YOUR TYPICAL STORE
If you come by, please do not expect us to look like any typical big box retailer or even
a standard children's store... we are different, and we know it. You will find our store
filled to the brim with an extensive collection of everything for babies and kids. You will
probably be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of inventory available, but I assure you
that we have it well organized and everything has it's place. If you are looking for
anything in particular, we will be happy to help you find it. We also know that our store
is a treasure hunt, which is why you will be able to find little treasures around the
store, such as our Penny Deals. Once our customers familiarize themselves with our
environment, they appreciate the fact that there is a large selection to choose from.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY
We are as philanthropic as a non-profit as a business can get. We have donated over
$250,000 in-kind goods to local charities such as Helps Outreach, Grace Place,
Sunlight Home, Kids to Kids, Hope for Haiti, Children's Advocacy Center, Collier
Pregnancy Center, and many more.
But beyond that, we give many individuals the opportunity to provide for their
expanding families. Through our volunteer Twinkle Co-Op program, in the first 4 years
of business, we have helped over 256 families get the baby gear, accessories,
clothing and toys they needed for their growing children and families. With the Twinkle
Co-Op program, volunteers may help out in our store in exchange for $12/hour
in-store credit which they can then use to get anything they want in our store.
Countless mothers, fathers, family members, friends, and moms to be have
participated in our program. In this current economy where job opportunities are
scarce, we are told we are a godsend to so many, since baby is coming no matter
what, there are things that you absolutely have to get, and they are going to continue to
grow.
We have also paid out over half a million dollars ($500,000) to thousands of families
in the community for their gently used things -- many of whom are very happy to get
some extra cash, especially in their times of need, or to trade in their things for the
next size up or next level of toys and gear for their child's development.
WE HELP PEOPLE RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO AT A CONVENTIONAL EMPLOYER.
Our little store is proud to give at least 15 jobs for the local community.
We hire pregnant women who are, more often than not, turned down at other
employment opportunities because of their inevitable upcoming maternity leave.
Actually we love having pregnant employees and volunteers in our store because they
love "nesting" in our store!
Many of our employees are mothers of young babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
They are allowed to bring their kids to work with them. Some of them have their
mothers and husbands able to help out with watching the kids. However, sometimes
family members can't. With daycare expenses running about $150 - $250 per week
on average, a mother employed elsewhere may have to miss work, or the costs of day
care may not make working worthwhile in the first place. Here, mothers do not have to
worry about who will take care of their children, and are able to return to work sooner
and make more money that they actually get to keep (rather than pay it to a day care).
In addition, mothers in America often have to return to work much sooner than
mothers in other countries, leaving their babies in the care of others. In our store, we
allow mother and child to continue to be with each other. The benefits are endless, as
mothers can continue to nurse their babies and provide them with nutrition and
immunity that can not be duplicated anywhere. Bonding between mother and baby
can grow to last a lifetime.
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US
We hope that you have a better understanding of what we try to do, and therefore
understand us and our store more. If you like us, you are also welcome to join us! We
always welcome anyone (above age 16) to volunteer for our Twinkle Co-Op program
and/or fill out an application.
Thanks you.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Courson
Twinkle Twinkle Little Store
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| SPECIAL THANKS TO: www.rent-baby-equipment.com www.baby-equipment-rental.com www.thenewparentsguide.com Praise FM http://365thingstodoinnaplesfl.com/ PLEASE VISIT OUR FRIENDS: Real Seafood Co. Restaurant of Naples Dinosaur Playground - indoor playground Regal Car Rentals - serving SWFL Airport & area Eco-Baby Cloth Diapering Service |
| Owners Brent & Cheryl Courson, with 5 year old daughter Jade and 3 year old son Kai. |
| 239-262-5904 4910 Tamiami Trl N #106, Naples, FL 34103 Monday - Saturday 9:30am-6pm 239-354-0033 Just south of Pine Ridge Rd, in the Outback Plaza. Sundays 12pm-5pm |
| "Our mission is to educate and provide safe and affordable baby and children's products to members of our community and visitors alike, in an environment that is family friendly to our guests, volunteers and employees." |
| My Twinkle Twinkle Little Store Story: I was born and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan. My wonderful parents were able to provide me bountiful learning, travel and life experiences. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 2003, double majoring in Economics and Communication Studies. I was recruited by Target Corporation as an Executive Team Leader right out of college. After working at a Target store in Michigan, I was transferred to the (now closed) Bonita Springs Target store as the Executive Team Leader of Guest Service, and then the Naples Target store as the Executive Team Leader of Human Resources. Working management in big box retail required regularly working 70 hours a week, regular evening, overnight and weekend shifts. I continued to work at Target with my first child, Jade. She was in daycare which was very expensive, and finding care for her on the evenings and weekends was very hard because my family is still in Michigan. When I became pregnant with my second child, Kai, I realized a major change was needed. Hence the idea of Twinkle Twinkle Little Store was born. I wanted a place where I could be with my kids and put my energy and experience to use. I also wanted to be able to be a great place to work. Since I was formerly an HR Manager, I saw first hand how difficult it was for other mothers to balance their work life with their family's needs. I also know that it is almost impossible for a pregnant woman to secure new employment when she is already showing since most employers won't hire someone they know will be out on maternity leave shortly after being hired. At Twinkle Twinkle Little Store, I feel differently. I welcome my employees to bring their children to work with them. I say, if they are pregnant, even better, because they can relate to our customers, have great insight, and their nesting organizational skills are excellent! There are quite a few lucky parents who I have been able to hire, however unfortunately I can't always hire everyone who is looking for work. I still want to help out others parents in need, which is why I created the Twinkle Co-Op program, where anyone can volunteer their time in our store to help organize, clean and hang clothing, and in turn they earn $12/hour in-store credit to get anything they need in our store, plus they can bring their kids with them too. With my strong passion to help other families in the community, Twinkle Twinkle Little Store supports local education initiatives, including donations to Sea Gate Elementary, Eden Florida: School for Autistic Children, Helps Outreach, Golisano Children's Museum of Naples, and numerous other causes. My mother-in-law recently battled breast cancer, and is thankfully in remission, and we support the Susan B Komen foundation. Recently, we discovered that my son, Kai, has Osteogenisis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease. The genetic disorder causes his body to improperly make collagen, in turn making his bones brittle. He has been in a cast as much as he has been out of a cast this year, and I am even more grateful to be able to have him with me at the store and have the ability to work with his rehabilitation and physical therapy after each fracture he has. On a happier note, my daughter, Jade, has just started Kindergarten, and is blossoming and learning so many wonderful new things each day, and making new friends with her schoolmates. When you shop at Twinkle Twinkle Little Store, you are supporting a huge network of families, organizations and causes for the betterment of the entire community. Thank you. Sincerely, Cheryl Courson Owner of Twinkle Twinkle Little Store |