How it all began........

With a brand new site comes a BLOG. The idea is to write a fun BLOG every once in a while.

I can hardly wait to tell you who is behind Hippe Girls and how our amazing adventure started nine years ago. I'm Gwen, and together with my husband Ronald I went to the Chamber of Commerce on March 3, 2014 to officially register Hippe Girls. What an exciting moment that was! After 13 years of working as an employee, it was time for something new. I really wanted to start my own business, a dream I had held for a long time. As a mother of two daughters at the time, one of whom was only in elementary school, it seemed ideal to combine work and family. Of course motherhood came first, but I also longed for something for myself. Not just being a mom for a while, but also an entrepreneur with creative freedom. And in the process I got the chance to pack beautiful orders and make our customers happy.

I knew exactly which products I wanted in the webshop. So I purchased glue guns, ribbon and hair pins, and in every spare moment I was busy making hair pins, diadems and rubber bands. But in addition to all those beautiful hair accessories, I was also eager to offer children's jewelry. After all, I love jewelry and especially on children it always looks so cute. For hours I searched online and approached companies if I could shop their collections. Honestly, when you are still "new," you really have to have a long breath.

But I'm not the type to throw in the towel. Eventually I found a brand and we started expanding from there. Zebra school bags also came in and could be sold online. Yes, the store was finished and filled with a great assortment. And then, on May 28, was the day The day I clicked the "put your shop live" button. WOW! My shop was live and I could have screamed from the rooftops with joy.... and of course I did! 😄

And then the waiting began... Until the first order came in. My parents were the ones who placed the very first order. So sweet! After that, more and more nice orders followed from family, friends and acquaintances. We soon started running fairs and markets. From there we added more and more products and our assortment grew tremendously. By now I don't do everything by myself and we have a lot of help. In 2016, we realized that Hip Girls had taken over our entire house.... It was time to move. And suddenly the perfect property came along, right across the street from our house.... how beautiful can it be! Within one week we had the keys and the big move began..... long days, but within a one month we were completely over. WOW! I clearly remember the first real day at work, looking around from my desk and barely able to comprehend that this was all "mine."

After 9 years, we thought it was high time for a new web shop environment. It was quite an undertaking to move some 4,000 items, but we got it done. And how! I am so proud of the result. Everything we wanted in a new shop is there. A loyalty program, a great chat feature, a wish list and so many other great features.

Okay, one more personal addition.... So I'm Gwen, and at the moment I'm writing this, I'm 42 years old. I have been with my husband Ronald since October 2000, and together we have three beautiful daughters. We live in Velserbroek, next to Haarlem. I am creative, inquisitive and always busy. Finding a balance between work and home is sometimes a challenge, because as an entrepreneur you are never really free.

Besides my family and Hippe Girls, another dream has come true. I have always been someone who loves organizing parties and outings, enjoying the good life and having fun. Last summer, Hip Tipis was born.

Hip Tipis offers complete themed sleepover packages, so you no longer have to worry about organizing an unforgettable sleepover for your kids. These packages really include everything you need: teepee tents, sleeping gear, lights, bed tables.... We arrange it all for you. And the best news? The kids who come only need to bring their pajamas and a toothbrush!

Our theme packages are now temporarily even more complete, because with every theme package you get our delicious popcorn surprise package for free. That's going to be feasting time!

And best of all? After the party you don't have to worry about anything anymore. We do the laundry for you. You pick up the package on the day of the party, prepare everything at your leisure and bring it back the day after the party. It couldn't be easier!

Well, enough about me... Oh, and without all my sweet and loyal customers, Hippe Girls would never have become the success it is today! I am so grateful that I get to do this. So have fun shopping!

Love,

Gwen