Savvy Moms Find Family-Friendly Designer Recycling Niche

Every parent anticipates that when that bundle of joy comes home from the hospital, that little bundle will need a bunch of, well...stuff.

What many don't anticipate is how much stuff. Clothes, toys, and special items change for every stage of those ever changing needs.

Alison Murphy, co-founder of Be Green Kids Consignment Sales mused, “Here I was living in this apartment and suddenly I was tripping over high chairs and toys. It all felt crowded.”

She began talking about this with Meredith Brown, her sister-in-law and co-founder of Be Green. They lamented that typical mothers would buy tons of expensive items their babies just had to have, only to use for a few weeks and then give away. Brown, concerned about the environment, complained that she was throwing so much away.

“Neither one of us wanted to have a garage sale because we both lived in apartments and it was so much work for one person with a baby,” said Murphy.

Brown heard about huge consignment sales.  “She made $30 on her first attempt at selling her children’s things. But she felt great recycling and purging the clutter. So I tried one and I made a little money. We started talking together and realized we could do this better.” 

Be Green was born.

Their mission statement is well articulated in all aspects of their business: We want families to recycle, reuse, and reduce the impact that our families have on the environment and these seasonal consignment sales promote this lifestyle. It doesn't matter if you are “light green” or “dark green,” wherever you and your family fall on the “Green Scale” you can positively benefit the environment by making a few lifestyle changes. 

Murphy never thought that recycling would become her livelihood but the seasonal sale company, now in its second year, has grown by leaps and bounds. 

Starting out in the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Hall in Middletown, each sale has grown so much that Meredith and Alison have moved the spring and fall sale to The Pennfield School Gym. 

With more than 120 consignors, the sale attracts buyers from all over the tri-state area.

“We anticipate about 15,000 items at this sale,” Murphy said, noting that they like to limit the size to add to the seller’s experience.  “Some of these large consignment sales have too many people selling way too many items. The sellers don’t make enough to want to come back.  But we want both our buyers and sellers to feel successful because our largest clients are our sellers.” 

All consignors, in addition to earning money, are allowed to come earlier than other shoppers so they can have first picks. If consignors volunteer at the sale, they can earn even more money on their items.  “Volunteering with us is a great way to come to the sale without consigning,” Murphy said.   

While the sale is profitable for all involved, it also promotes “Green Initiatives.” 

“Making sure we were green-friendly was very important to my sister-in-law, says Murphy. In fact we have a great section on our (website) devoted to being green!” 

After the sale, if items do not sell, most sellers opt to donate unsold items to Child and Family Services of Newport. They also help Child and Family put together a tag sale to make additional money on items donated. 

Murphy, also an owner of an event management company called Total Event Solutions, is used to managing large scale events. "This year we have sought out community involvement through the Pennfield School’s Oak Club students will help provide supervised childcare while shoppers shop," she said. "It’s a great service to shop in peace, a great way for the students to volunteer and raise funds at the same time."

There will also be a bake sale and a premiere signature event for expecting and new mothers.  This event is sponsored by large national and local sponsors who provide samples of items new mothers may need.  

“It’s a fun experience and a good business because my hours are flexible with my young daughter. Meredith and I are doing something special to help moms, our community and our planet. Everybody wins being green,” Murphy said, as she sorted her own items to sell for the upcoming sale.   

WHAT: Be Green Kids Consignment Sale

WHERE: , Portsmouth

WHEN:

* Friday April 29 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for consignors and 6 to 8 p.m. for new and expecting mothers
* Saturday April 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for public sale
* Sunday May 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for public sale

* www.begreensale.com
* Find Be Green Kids Consignment Sale on Facebook

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