Taking Fun With You! Interview With Peter Hart of Wildkin

Wildkin is a company that is well known for its sleeping bags, nap mats and messenger bags for kids. These unique and original products have allowed kids to take the fun with them on any trip. This company started small and is a leader in the kids sleeping bag field. When Peter Hart, Wildkin’s owner, left the corporate world in 1997 when he had decided it was time for a change in his work life. One goal that he wanted to reach was that his work would be more family centered and oriented. So when he acquired Wildkin in 1999 he knew that is was going to be a family effort and something that would be centered around families and for his family. According to Peter, “Because we were buying an existing business, it was a question of finding one that seemed the right fit for our goals and talents, and gradually transforming it to match our vision.” Peter knew Wildkin would be a great opportunity for him and his family and one that he knew he could succeed in with his experience in sales and distribution.

Wildkin was originally a company that provided backpacks and sleeping bags for kids that were inspired by commercial cartoon characters like Madeline and Curious George. As time went on Wildkin eventually dropped the commercial cartoon theme and switched to original artist inspired patters that were unique and original. “We started with a single artist and 3 themed prints: Fireman, Astronaut, and Ballerina, in sleeping bags and backpacks. Quickly gratified by the response, it wasn’t long before we phased out of the licensed characters altogether and began building a stable of themed prints. Each year since then we’ve added more artists, more prints and more product categories.” Wildkin now has 25 patterns and 8 product categories with more coming in 2009. The Wildkin company realized that the family unit today is always on the go and always has somewhere to be. With these products children are able to take their gear and toys with them in the duffle bags they sell as well as carry around a sleeping bag just in case. This is where Wildkin’s tag line of “Take the fun with you!” came from. These products are so versatile that a child really can take the fun with them wherever they go. Wildkin products don’t just stop at sleeping bags and nap mats but they also sell wallets and messenger bags which are good for the older kids. With Wildkin products Mom is able to get in on the fun too! They make duffels and carry-alls for mothers to keep their kids and themselves all in order and on the go.

Now that Wildkin has reached to many in the United States they are reaching out internationally Peter Hart reports, “We already have distributors in Canada and the UK, and have sold directly to Australia, New Zealand and Central America. We continue to field international inquiries and will likely extend our distribution network over time.” With this ever growing and developing company Wildkin is able to pride themselves in high quality product and their unique creations for kids. When asked about what he was most proud of his company accomplishing Peter Hart answered, “Though backpacks and, for that matter, every one of our products have been around in the marketplace for a long time, we are told over and over how happy parents are to find these products in a form that appeals to the imagination of a child rather than being tied to the latest movie or cartoon character.” Wildkin allows a child to find a unique and original product that suits them and their one of a kind personality.