Budsies
 | |
| Founder | Alex Furmansky |
|---|---|
| Products | Custom stuffed toys |
| Website |
budsies |
Budsies turns children's artwork into custom stuffed animals.[1] The company's vision is to let children be the designers of their own toys.[2]
Company
Founder Alex Furmansky initially thought of the Budsies idea in early 2013 in an effort to memorialize his younger sister's artwork. The company formally launched in September 2013 to a positive reception by the blogger community.[3][4] The company has sold more than 8,000 Budsies since its launch.[5]
Budsies' target demographic is children ages 3 to 10. Children's artwork the company has received and transformed into physical form has ranged from puppies, chickens, robot, monsters, and rainbow colored hearts, to a s'more. However, Budsies has also fulfilled orders for adults and has created likenesses of video game characters, selfies, and adult artwork.[6][7]
Furmansky appeared on the April 10, 2015 episode of the reality competition television series Shark Tank to pitch Budsies.[5][8][9]
Method
Customers submit their artwork to Budsies by taking a photo of it with their smartphones and sending it to Budsies via e-mail or text message.[10] Orders for the custom plush toys are placed via the company's website and fulfilled within approximately 5 weeks.[11]
Philanthropy
Budsies organizes art days and provides free toys through organizations including Easter Seals, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.[2][12] Therapists also utilize the donated toys during speech therapy sessions.[13] The company also donates art supplies and Budsies to school districts to encourage creativity and host art contests.[14]
In 2015, Budsies partnered with the Boca West Foundation to bring the artwork of 60 children at Florence Fuller Child Development Centers in Boca Raton, Florida to life.[15]
Gallery
-
A photo of a couple turned into Budsies toy dolls
-
Boy holding his drawing and matching Budsies plush toy
References
- ↑ "About Budsies: Turning Children's Drawing Into Stuffed Animals". Budsies.
- 1 2 "Kids' original sketches become cherished plush toys". TODAY. 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "Entrepreneur’s confession: a smile can sometimes outvalue a business plan". Technorati. 2 June 2014.
- ↑ "Budsies: New Florida Company Turns Your Drawings Into Adorable Stuffed Animals". Miami New Times. 20 September 2013.
- 1 2 "Budsies bring kids' drawings to life". Sun Sentinel. 2 April 2015.
- ↑ "Kids add their own design to stuffed animals". CNBC. 20 August 2014.
- ↑ "Bringing children's dreams to life: Team of artists transform doodles into real-life cuddly toys". Daily Mail. 26 November 2014.
- ↑ "How this entrepreneur got his startup 'Shark Tank' ready". Upstart Business Journal. 26 March 2015.
- ↑ "Company turns artwork into stuffed animals". WPBF. 6 April 2015.
- ↑ "Review: Budsies bring art to life!". The Charlotte Observer. 12 July 2014.
- ↑ "How It Works". Budsies.
- ↑ "Foster children in Troy program cope with loss, hope for adoption". Detroit News. 24 August 2014.
- ↑ "Easter Seals Presents 'Budsies' to Children". Eyewitness News Local WEHT WTVW. 10 July 2014.
- ↑ "Teacher of the Year Creates Model for How To Host A Drawing Contest for Your School". Budsies. 24 May 2014.
- ↑ "Children Draw Pictures of Stuffed Animals". WPTV-TV. 3 March 2015.