Wednesday, August 17, 2016

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!

82 comments:

  1. We saw these at Mommycom in Washington DC. I would love to try the universal straw tops.

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  2. I'd love to try the straw tops. It's a great idea!

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  3. Hmmm. Snack bags, eh? We go through a lot of those.

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  4. Would love to try the straw tops for my granddaughter. What a great idea!

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  5. These silicone tops look like a great idea to bridge the gap between sippie cups and regular topless drinking cups. Brilliant idea, I wish your company the best.

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  6. The Universal Sippy Tops seem awesome!

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  7. Straw tops and snack bags both sound great.

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  8. I like their universal sippy tops and the straws. I love that their products are BPA-free.

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  10. Would love to try the SILISKIN SIPPY CUP.

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  11. I've seen these before! Such a cool idea and how neat that she uses the same platform just from the other side!

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  12. I really like the reusable snack bags.

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  13. I think the snack bags would come in handy!

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  14. I've been obsessed with this brand for a while and have been stalking them all over social media, but I haven't tried them yet. I'm most interested in the universal straw tops and the reusable snack bags!

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  15. I've been obsessed with this brand for a while and have been stalking them all over social media, but I haven't tried them yet. I'm most interested in the universal straw tops and the reusable snack bags!

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  16. I would love to try the The Silibib® - Silicone Baby Bib.

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  17. I'm most interested in the Universal Straw Tops. this would help my son transition from sippy cup to a regular cup.

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  18. I'd like to try the Siliskin® Glass Cup for Kids 6oz - 2pk {Tart}

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  19. I like the Siliskin Glass Cup for Kids

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  20. I would like to try the snack bags

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  21. I would love to try the universal sippy cup cover.

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  22. I"d like to try the SILISKIN® SIPPY CUP

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  23. Id like to try the reusable snack bags.

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  24. I am excited to try the silicone snack bag, it is even dishwasher safe.

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  25. The Siliskin Universal Straw Tops look like something that would make my life easier!

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  26. I would also like the glass cup for kids.

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  27. I would love to try the Siliskin® Universal Straw Tops. Seems so great for keeping kids drinks from spilling out, and keeping bugs away lol.

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  28. I love the clear Silimap! My son loves geography and he'd love this!

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  29. I think the Silispoons are super cute. Billie R. kekagel@yahoo.com

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  30. I would love to try the straws! My son is really only good at straws in cups right now and I think silicone is the best!

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  31. Id love to try the Siliskin® Glass Training Cup {8oz} for my 6 month old daughter. Her Dr just told us yesterday to start introducing sippy cups.

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  32. I like the Siliskin® Glass Training Cup. Great idea.

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  33. I love reusable snack bags so would love to try these.

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  34. I would love to try the SILISKIN® GLASS CUP FOR KIDS 6OZ - 2PK {SEA}

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  35. The Siliskin Reusable Silicone Straws would be what I would like to try.

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  36. The universal sippy tops look really handy!

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  37. I like the SILISKIN® GLASS CUP FOR KIDS 6OZ - 2PK {SEA}

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  38. I like the way the straw lids are designed. This would be so handy alone.

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  39. I would love the Siliskin Glass Cup for Kids. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net

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  40. I would like to have the SILISKIN® REUSABLE SNACK BAGS to see how they work. I think these are awesome.

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  41. I liked the SILISPOONS™ and the SILISKIN® REUSABLE SNACK BAGS.

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  42. I would love to try the SILISKIN® UNIVERSAL STRAW TOPS and the reusable snack bag!

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  43. I would love to try the Universal Straw Tops.

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  44. SILISKIN® REUSABLE SILICONE STRAWS

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  45. I would love to try the SILISKIN® REUSABLE SNACK BAGS. They look awesome! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  46. Siliskin® Glass Training Cup {8oz} for my niece

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  47. I'd like to try the Silispoons. I think those would be good for my son.

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  48. the silicone straws look amazing!! I hadn't seen them before this post and Id love to have those for my LO

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  49. Everything looks great and super useful, but I would also love to try the SILISKIN REUSABLE SNACK BAGS! These would be be great for my kiddo's!

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  50. The SILIMAP looks really cool for when my son gets older.

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  51. I like the SiliBib in the Spice color. I also like it in the Fresh color. I also like their straws.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  52. I would love to try the SILIBIB® {SPICE}.

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  53. I would love to try there Siliskin® Glass Training Cup {8oz} greaseballs80 at yahoo dot com

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  54. I would love to try the Siliskin Glass Training Cup for my little one
    Thank You for the chance

    Fiona N

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  55. I would love to try their Siliskin Sippy Cups. These look like they would have no leaks or spills!

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  56. I like the idea of the straw cup cover, very useful.

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  57. I like the universal sippy tops

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  58. The straw tops and snack bags look neat!

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  59. The universal sippy tops look great for my 8 month old. I often forget to bring a bottle. :C

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  60. I'd like to try the Silikids Silispoons.

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  61. i would love to have some of the silicone utensils

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  62. I'd use the reusable snack bags.

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  63. The SILISPOONS look really neat!

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  64. The sipitops are absolutely genius!

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