Kickfurther Merchant of the Week: Silikids

This week's Kickfurther Company of the Week is Silikids, which makes silicone kitchen ware.  I have the pleasure of interviewing the co-founder and CEO, Stacey Feeley.  For those who do not know, Kickfurther is an innovative source of financing for companies that need money to purchase inventory.  Kickfurther investors (people like me, and maybe you) crowdfund the inventory purchase and then return the inventory to the company, which sells it on consignment.  As the inventory sells, investors are repaid, with a profit.

Q:  Tell me a little bit about your company.  When did it start, where are you located?

A:  Silikids was formed in 2006 in Los Angeles, CA.  Its main offices are now located in Traverse City, MI.  Silikids is the first mom-founded brand focusing on children’s products made out of SILICONE. The company combines need-based innovation with the technological advantages of SILICONE, offering an alternative to plastic wares found in the kitchen. Silikids' designs are safe, modern and practical.  SILICONE products offer superior function, while being easy to use and clean.  The Silikids mission is to be the alternative to plastic, and to bridge the gap between great design and affordability so as to  improve the way we live! A win-win for all!

Q:  I notice on your website that your team is all women.  Did you all know each other before Silikids?  Do you think that the fact that Silikids is women-owned and women-operated makes a difference?

A:  Giuliana (also a co-founder) and I have known each for 16 years and were friends prior to forming Silikids.  Matt Dawes, VP of Sales joined our team last year and has been a great addition to a team of mostly women.  Being a women-owned business has proven to have its benefits and challenges and overall it just fell into place that the team members were mostly women.

Q:  So, why is plastic bad, and silicone good?  I notice that you are putting silicone tops and covers on glasses.  Is that really safe for kids?  If I don't  want to use glass, can I put your tops on plastic cups? 

A:  I believe there is a time and place for plastic, but not necessarily at the table.  Plastics contain toxic chemicals (such as BPA and BPS, which are endocrine disrupters that mimic estrogen-like hormones linked to heart disease, cancer, autism, diabetes and many more diseases) that can leach into the foods and liquids we consume.  They have the most adverse affects on young children whose bodies are still developing and have a harder time eliminating substances from their bodies.  While some plastic items are now BPA-free, the chemical used to replace BPA in those plastic items, known as BPS, has proven to be just as harmful.

There are also serious environmental impacts due to plastic use.  Americans alone throw away 35 billion plastic water bottles a year and only a small portion of those actually get recycled. Silicone has the benefits of being non-toxic and incredibly easy to clean.  It it does not harbor bacteria or mold, it’s hypo-allergenic and has an extremely high temperature resistance (meaning it won’t break down like plastics). It  does not fade or scratch, it is microwave safe, freezer safe and dishwasher safe.  It is also extremely durable and meant to last so that it can be reused over and over again.

For those parents who do not want to use plastic sippy cups or drinking cups, we have some items (such as our glass cups) that have a silicone sleeve with built in shock absorbers and silicone tops that are assembled onto a glass to give the glass inside added protection.   This is a great way to transition kids to a "big kid" cup.  We have also released an all silicone (minus the glass) sippy cup and cup set as well.

Q:  Your website says you will recycle your products once a consumer is finished with them.  How long can I expect your products, for example your universal straw tops, to last in normal usage?  Also, can I put them in the dishwasher?  

A:  All items are dishwasher safe. If you find you have outgrown one of the Silikids items and would like to recycle it we can do that for you.  Most recycling facilities are not set up to recycle silicone; however we work alongside specific recycling facilities that can. Our Siliskin Tops (if used properly) should last forever. We have since gone through a few versions to improve durability and strength.

Q:  How did you first hear about Kickfurther, and why did you decide to use them?

A Kickfurther team member reached out to us last year.  The platform seemed like a great way to help finance inventory needs that were backed by PO’s.  The steps were pretty simple and we could set our own terms which was very unique.

Q:   So far, do you think it was a good choice?  Would you recommend it to other businesses?  Why or why not?

A:  Yes, it was a great choice for us and I would recommend it as a great tool for PO / inventory financing. 

Q:  From the viewpoint of a business, do you see any downside to Kickfurther financing vs more conventional methods?

A:  The difference (not necessarily a downside) is that you have to keep the backers up-to-date and build out a campaign.  Pretty easy to do!

Q:  Have you considered, or do you use Kickfurther from the investor side?  Would you recommend that friends invest via Kickfurther?

A:  From an investor standpoint, it's a much better return than what you’d see in a savings account etc.

Q:  With companies like yours it surely is, you've paid promptly.  So, I  understand you are sponsoring a giveaway.  What products do you have for our winner?

A:  We can do a giveaway for the following:

2pk Siliskin Cups
Siliskin Straw Tops
Siliskin 6pk of Reusable Silicone Straws
Siliskin Snack Bags

Q:  I'd like to thank Stacey for being with us today.  You can learn more about Silikids on their website.  You can check out their facebook page or follow them on Twitter or Instagram.  If you want to invest and support a company like Silikids, use my link and you get $5.00 toward your first investment.  If you have a company that needs money to purchase inventory, use my link and I get referral credit.  Good luck to everyone with the giveaway!

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