Here's What the Media is Saying About TAGGIES™

Moms Crafted a Baby-Booming Business

Creative Pair Took Silky Tags to the Top

Seven years ago, Julie Dix and Danielle Ayotte were stay-at-home moms, shuttling kids to soccer practice and setting up play dates. Now, the two run a multimillion dollar company called Taggies that is rapidly spreading into a global enterprise.  And it all got started with a child's blanket ... Since meeting in a play group in 1999, Dix and Ayotte have developed Taggies to include a diverse product line sold online, through upscale catalogs such as RedEnvelope and at boutique children's stores throughout the USA and in several other countries. Products include not just blankets, but everything from books to soft blocks to stuffed toys, items geared toward infants and toddlers, all featuring the signature satin tags.

-USA TODAY

Moms Who Mean Business

An Idea So Simple - and Yet So Smart: Give a Baby a Toy Covered in Tags

Dix, a stay-at-home mom of three in Massachusetts, took colorful, satin ribbons and sewed them onto a new blanket so they protruded, like tags ... voila, in 1999, Taggies was born ... Starting with craft fairs, with family doing the packing out of their basements and garages, the two expanded to boutiques and then got into mass production. Today, with 23 employees, Taggies is a virtual empire, its toys, pillows and soft books carried online and in giant retailers.

-People Magazine

Meet the Mompreneurs

Many an expectant mother has embarked excitedly on her first expedition to a baby-gear emporium only to break out in a sweat at the overwhelming array of must-have products. Blinded by brightly colored plastic, dazed by dozens of strollers and high chairs and cribs, she would be excused for running from the store and hoping for hand-me-downs. Fast forward just a few months, though, and the same mom can be found expounding on the design flaws of her stroller, wishing her diaper bag had a couple more pockets and surfing the Internet for the latest and greatest gear. And if she doesn't find what she's looking for? Maybe she'll make it herself … Mompreneurs, as they have come to be known, have created an endless variety of kid-inspired products--motherhood, apparently, being the mother of invention. Julie Dix was inspired to create Taggies, a line of tactile blankets and books, when she noticed that her toddler son often preferred playing with the tags on his toys to the toys themselves.

-Time Magazine

All Systems Grow

Tag team: For Julie Dix and Danielle Ayotte of Taggies, joining forces with a licensor to sell their satin-tagged toys was the perfect growth strategy.

-Entrepreneur

One of the hottest products of the year!
-Victoria Pericon, The "Savvy Mommy," CBS News

Parenting Picks: Best books, music, and software

My First TAGGIES™ Book: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Spiders with smart footwear and goofy grins set the stage for this favorite song. Ribbon tabs let your baby turn the pages herself.

-Parenting Magazine

Tag, You're It!

Toss the TAGGIES™ with your baby. This colorful plush ball rattles when rolled, and it's covered in unique labels. Introduce your baby to Mother Goose rhymes with My First TAGGIES™ Book: Hey, Diddle, Diddle. Each soft page has its own label for your child to rub.

-Parents Magazine (special Baby Edition)

Toys for Every Age: the most fun a growing baby can have!

Creep along. Got a pokey crawler? Gently roll the Toss the TAGGIES™ ball across the floor and watch her scoot after it.

-Babytalk Magazine

The A Team: A well-chosen board can supercharge your management

"The board helped give us our direction in everything from financing to marketing and our internal structure," says Ayotte ... The directors' advice ... has since guided the 23-employee company's expansion, both at home and into other countries ... As Taggies' founders discovered, a board can be one of a small business owner's most effective tools.

-Business Week SmallBiz

From Babyhood to Kindergarten

When Julie Dix met Danielle Ayotte at their children's playgroup, the acquaintances had no inclination a booming business would emerge.  ... In 1999, Taggies Inc. was born, and like their children, has grown considerably over the years, from selling out local craft fairs to international distribution ... "We've juggled kids and the business all the way," says Danielle. "It makes us feel good how happy the Taggies make our kids and we wanted to make other kids happy!" Thanks to clever time management, which includes working around their kids' schedules, they're both still immersed in day-to-day operations of their 23-employee company and are looking forward ot years of continued success and friendship.

-INC.com

Taggies sewing up sales with baby-blanket concept

A few years ago Julie Dix noticed her baby was fascinated by the petite, satin tags found on most stuffed animals. Inspired, Dix, a former primary school teacher, stitched up a baby blanket covered in the shiny tags and brought it to her playgroup. Danielle Ayotte, a fellow playgroup mom, was so impressed by the "special and unique" blanket she asked Dix if she wanted to go into business together … In 1999 the pair opened Taggies Inc., initially running the business from their respective basements, using personal funds to jump-start the company and doing their own sewing … “The word-of-mouth phenomenon has been so incredibly strong for us," said Ayotte. "That showed us that the product was selling itself. That made us even more convinced that we were on to something good."

-Boston Business Journal

Play Ball!

Heads up: This isn't any ordinary game of catch. When you aren't rolling the toy back and forth, your baby will love to touch, nibble on and otherwise explore the textured tags on the plush Toss the TAGGIES™ ball.

-Fit Pregnancy

IN THE NEWS: MOM-TREPRENEURS!
LOOK WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A MOM HAS A GREAT IDEA!
“I thought my baby was the only one obsessed with tags, but I was wrong!” Julie Dix laughs. “When other moms saw the blankie I sewed extra tags onto, they oooh’d, ‘Can I have one, too?’  I was making them for free when Danielle Ayotte said, ‘You know, people would buy these!’” -Woman’s World

THE QUICK & SIMPLE WEEK: SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY
CHILD’S PLAY
Tiny fingers can’t resist touching and tugging this happy-faced plush pillow, which is rapidly becoming a hit across the country.
-Quick & Simple

This soft and cuddly fleece 'feelie' book is based on the popular Taggies 'interactive blanket.' Sleepy hands will not let go of this comforting book of bedtime rhymes -- perfect for anytime.
-Scholastic Parent & Child

It always seems that children would rather play with the box than the gift in the box, the pots and pans rather than the play kitchen, and the tags rather than the lovable stuffed animals. Instead of getting frustrated by this notion, Danielle Ayotte and Julie Dix created a company around the things young children like to play with. Taggies manufacturers blankets, pillows and plush toys decorated with tag-like strips of fabric in an array of vibrant colors and interesting textures. Taggies products start at $7.50. For more information, call (508) 885-3535 or e-mail questions@ribbenz.com.
-Chicago Sun-Times

It's hard to say which is better -- the super-soft material of a Taggies
blanket or the comforting textures of the many brightly colored loops of
ribbon around its edges (the "tags"). Children will love the Big TAGGIES™
fleece security blanket (an 18-ince square for about $24), and they will
play, finger, and chew on the tags that surround it for hours. It's a great
comfort item for your little one. The little ones who tested the item for us
loved the soft-cover book "My First TAGGIES™ Book: Sweet Dreams" ($12.95) and the plush smiley face toy ($15) -- both with the multitude of tags of course! Taggies can be found at retail stores as well as online at www.ribbenz.com.
-L.A. Daily News

Cuddle up: Hand a baby a blanket and she’ll eventually work her way to the tag. Something about that satin material and looped design keeps young ones occupied and content. That’s why Julie Dix and Danielle Ayotte created the Taggies book series, knowing that babies would take great interest in the soft book’s surrounding tags. Joining two existing titles this holiday season will be My First TAGGIES™ Book: Princess ($12.95), which is the perfect gift for anyone hoping to get an “awwww” out of the gift-witnessing crowd when the present is opened.
–Tribune Media Services Holiday Gift Guide

A fun time for babies
Any mother can tell you that babies love those silky-soft tags, whether
on their clothes, blankets or mom's shirt. A mother who noticed this now has a line of blankets, pillows and toys that feature different textured and colored tags all around, giving wee ones plenty of rubbing choices. The items, called Taggies, retail for $7.99 to $59. They're available at
Gretchen's and New Baby Products in Atlanta, some Swoozie's gift shops and at www.ribbenz.com.
-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Babies - even the smart ones - are fascinated with tags. They reach for them, examine them, suck on them, love them and probably dream of them. The rest of the toy may as well not exist; it's all about the tag. In addition to security blankets with lots of satiny tags, Taggies also makes plush toys, pillows and books. And yes, they're good for the kids by promoting visual and fine-motor development!"
-Chicago Sun-Times

A favorite book to share with infants and toddlers.
-Scholastic Early Childhood Today 

GIFT OF THE DAY!  BIG TAGGIES™!
You can give Baby a blanket or stuffed toy, but chances are he or she will only have eyes for the tag. A young mother and early childhood teacher noticed that babies always seemed to take great interest in tags, and she got the idea to sew satiny ribbons to the edges of blankets. Before you know it, your little tyke will be rejecting presents altogether in favor of the boxes they arrive in!
-Austin American-Statesman

Skip the toy; give ‘em tags! Many babies like the tags so much that a mom invented a great product to satisfy that intense interest. ribbenz.combine infants’ fascination with tags and their need for a security blanket. These soft blankies are completely surrounded by a border of different textures for those busy hands to explore.
-The Orange County Register

Object of Our Affection...

"It's one of the cardinal rules of babydom: Give a tyke a toy - any toy- and the kid will gravitate towards the tags. Every time. Seriously. Just ask any parent. That's the brilliance of this line of fuzzy blankies called Taggies. The fleecy fabric is lined with tags of different textures and colors. So you know it's guaranteed to be a baby or even toddler's best friend. Since Taggies are machine washable, they'll also be a parents best friend. Don't you wish they came in an adult size, too?"

-Arizona Daily Star

A brilliant idea: Moms Julie Dix and Danielle Ayotte decided to capitalize on the fact babies love to rub soft, satiny tags. The pair joined forces to create soft Taggies blankets, plush toys and other products covered with fun tags that appeal to the tiny set.
-The Des Moines Register

Label-laden Taggies Snag Infants' Attention

Give a toddler an expensive toy and often he'll play with the box instead. Give a baby a blanket or stuffed animal, and chances are he'll go for the tag.  Julie Dix, a preschool teacher in Massachusetts, noticed that her baby seemed to prefer playing with tags rather than toys, so she created a blanket edged with tags. It was so popular with the under-3 crowd that she and a friend, Danielle Ayotte, began a business called Taggies to manufacture just that: blankets, books and toys with tags. There's a whole line of Taggies blankets and toys now, but those cute little blankets that started it all in 1999 just can't be beat. They're made of soft fleece in pretty pastels printed with patterns such as moons, clouds or hearts. Bordering the edge of the blankets are the stars of the show -- many different tags printed in wonderful colors and prints. It's these tags that steal the hearts of little ones. They love to feel them and chew them and rub them with their hands. The tag designs are fun to look at, and with the multitude of tags to choose from, it's hard to decide which way to chew first.

-Louisville Courier-Journal

Our little 7-month-old tester just loved this Taggies. She loved the little fabric bits that hang off the felt.  Our mother of the tester really liked the triangle because she could attach it to the stroller, car seat, etc. 
-Grandparents Magazine

Snug as a Bug: Purchasing the Right Blankets for your Newborn

A blanket's material and texture are important tools for enhancing an infant's sensory skills. Julie Dix, a young mom who noticed the great interest that her baby had with the satin tags on her toys and clothing, and her friend, Danielle Ayotte, founded Taggies out of her living room six years ago. These soft security blankets are iParenting Media Award winners and feature assorted looped tags adorning all sides, letting baby rub and explore all of the tactile designs.

-iParenting Media's Pregnancy Today

Soft and Sweet for Little Feet

A new idea from the "classic" so many children (and parents!) have come to love, TAGGIES™ Toes are a super comfortable, fun way to dress up your little one's feet, and it keeps them busy, too!

-Preemie Magazine

Snuggle buddy! Based on the premise that babies adore the satiny feel of blanket edges and certain clothing labels, Taggies’ soft fleece blankets are edged with “tags” of satin and grosgrain ribbon.
–Fit Pregnancy

Editors’ Picks!
Customers looking to provide a simple and comforting toy for their new baby may find it with the Taggies line. These products play up to the fact that children are comforted by a soft touch. In fact, this is the type of toy that is so simple yet so familiar that it could easily end up being a child’s “security blanket.” The soft, pastel plush is perfect for rubbing, squeezing and cuddling, and the ribbon tags sewn around the edges encourage babies to touch and feel the various textures.             
-Playthings

Gifts Your Kids Will Love!

Everybody remembers the security of a special blanket, especially its comforting satin edges. Each Taggies blanket has a square of fleece outfitted with delightfully textured “tags” to provide a soothing tactile pleasure for little hands.
-Canadian Living Magazine

Holiday Headquarters: Gift Guide Top 15 Pick!
Why Taggies? Well let’s start with the company founders... they are moms! Who knows babies and children better than moms? Then there's the dedication to their products - it shows in the quality - and when it

comes to safety, this company is on the job. From the blankets to the books - plush toys and Taggies for little toes - Taggies delivers. The fabric is soft to the touch making it gentle on baby's skin. The tags are colourful and vary in texture making them very tactile and soothing. Taggies doesn't stop there - their Random Acts of Kindness Program puts Taggies into the hands of those in need - in fact Taggies have been donated to Canada's Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Anyone who has ever had a security blanket will understand why Taggies is such a hit with moms, babies, and toddlers.
-Canadian Parents.com

From Taggies’ beginning, Julie Dix and her partner, Danielle Ayotte, have made a conscious effort to help children in hospitals and social service programs through donations of their special security blankets.
-City Parent Baby (Toronto)

Must-Have Labels for Babies…
Forget Gucci and Burberry, the labels our little ones love the best are just that – labels. Based on the theory that babies just love to rub and suck the satiny tags on blankets, Taggies comforters come in many shapes and sizes, but all are hemmed with labels of all colours and textures. Taggies are one of America’s best-selling baby gifts.
-UK’s Pregnancy Baby & You Magazine

Label queens ….and kings will love Taggies. The brainchild of one smart mum who saw how her baby preferred playing with the washing labels on her blankets to the blankets themselves (sound familiar?).  The fleecy blankets and toys in this new range are edged with satin ribbons in different colours and textures. Tiny fingers find them irresistible!
-UK’s Mother & Baby Magazine

NO. 3 BEST-SELLING CHILDREN'S GIFT PRODUCTS LINE IN THE COUNTRY!
- Giftbeat Magazine

These soft baby booties (TAGGIES™ Toes) come lined with silky tags, as the company’s founders realized several years ago that their babies were more interested with the tags adorning baby blankets and toys than the products themselves. The booties recently won the iParenting Media Awards Best Products of 2005 competition. This marks the fourth time Taggies, Inc. has won an iParenting Media Award. 
-ToyDirectory Monthly

Two mommies started Taggies, a collection of blankets, rattles, and pillows that are covered in a multitude of tags. The just-released plush-toy collection features enough labels to make a Chanel bag blush. The critters are soft and colorful, and each makes a different sound: rattle, bell, or crinkling fabric. How clever!
-DailyCandyKids

It's Play Time! Tuck this guide into your purse or pocket for stress-free holiday shopping. Taggies, a twist on the old-fashioned security blanket, are edged all around with the small, satin swatches and textured tags that little ones love to rub. Taggies, Inc., started by two moms in Spencer, Mass., also offers toys and books based on the same high-touch design approach.
-The Pocono Record

What types of gifts are best for baby's first Christmas?  A popular blanket with Erie area babies is the "Taggies" - a small fleece blanket with a variety of tags sticking out of it. Because, as any parent of a small child can tell you, often time the child's most favorite part of a toy or blanket is the tag.
-Erie Times-News

Tagged for success! … while some companies are doing away with tags, Taggies put the focus on them. The toys are loaded with tags to be tugged and played with.”
-Elmira Star-Gazette

Tags sewn onto blankets catch a baby's eye, hold his interest. The tag team of Julie Dix and Danielle Ayotte have come up with a touchy-feely product that babies have wrapped around their little fingers.
-Jackson Sun

Gut instinct, good advice, hard work, good product: Recipe for Success!
-Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Modeled after the popular Taggies baby blankets, My First TAGGIES™ Book: Sweet Dreams is a soft fleece picture book with eight different looped ribbon tags to rub and pull and chew. The point here is not the plot line, but the delightfully cuddly feel of the book and the interactive tags. Designed to be tactile and visually stimulating, each tag has a different print or texture, much like the satin edges of blankets or clothing labels that so intrigue babies and toddlers. A gentle and safe way to introduce the very youngest “readers” to the world of books.
-Amazon.com editorial review

Feel the warmth of baby animals with this soft and cuddly Taggies cloth book! Made with Taggies' renowned vision and features, this adorable animals book has three spreads – kitten, bunny, and puppy – that wish each critter sweet dreams. Outside, the Taggies book has a soft, blankety cover for gentle touching, while inside, each colorful page is marked with looped ribbon tags for little hands to grasp. After seeing them all bed down for sweet dreams, your little one will know that their sleepytime will be just as comforting.
-Barnes & Noble.com editorial review