Porch and Parish The Podcast
Our mission is to make sure every Zachary resident feels heard and engaged! Hosts Mike and/or Jen Gennaro facilitate candid conversations with local leaders, influencers and innovators in Zachary, Louisiana and beyond with the help of producer Mike Holt. New episode every other Monday at noon!
Porch and Parish The Podcast
The Toy Store Transformation of Brittany Anderson
Transform your perspective on entrepreneurship with Brittany McMills Anderson, the captivating third-generation business owner who traded her dental scrubs for the vibrant world of toys and pools. Brittany's journey from dental hygiene to taking the helm at Funtime Pools and launching the Zachary Toy Store during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic is nothing short of inspiring. Listen as she shares heartwarming stories from her childhood swimming competitions and unveils her unexpected prowess as a turkey caller. Discover how Brittany harmonizes her passion for dentistry with the demands of running two thriving businesses, all while keeping her playful spirit alive.
Step into the enchanting realm of Zachary Toy Store, where quality and creativity come to life. Brittany reveals her commitment to offering toys that are not only fun but also educational, ensuring a memorable experience for children and adults alike. From nostalgic Bunny Lulu key chains to innovative dual-level puzzles designed for family bonding, the store's diverse selection is sure to impress. We also spotlight standout offerings like reef-friendly SPFs with whimsical packaging and Duke Cannon’s distinctive men’s grooming line. Brittany's dedication to providing meaningful products for all ages is evident throughout this engaging episode, promising listeners a delightful peek into a world where play meets purpose.
Hey, it's Brittany Anderson with Funtime Pools and Zachary Toy Store. You're listening to Porch and Parish, the podcast. Keep listening what's up.
Speaker 2:Zachary. We are back with another exciting episode, broadcasting from our headquarters right here in downtown Zachary. Our team is planning content for the spring print issue of Porch and Parish and we would love to hear from you is planning content for the spring print issue of Porch and Parish and we would love to hear from you. If you're interested in placing an ad with us in 2025 or have a fun story, idea or event to add to the calendar, reach out to editor at porchandparishcom or give me a call 225-324-9515.
Speaker 2:Today we're joined by Brittany McMills Anderson, the third generation owner of Funtime Pools, bringing a whole new meaning to fun by making a splash in the toy business. That's right. Zachary Toy Store is now open. Brittany dipped her toe in the water I will never stop with the pool puns Of toy sales for more than a year before diving in headfirst on this exciting new venture in early 2025. Zachary Toy Store is much more than water. Year before diving in headfirst on this exciting new venture in early 2025. Zachary Toy Store is much more than water and outdoor play toys for kids. Today, we'll hear from Brittany on how she brought this vision to life so quickly and what shoppers can expect. I am Jen Gennaro, founder and editor of Porch and Parish, a wannabe comedian and your host for today. We bring you the best of Zachary and the development North region through candid conversations every Monday from our headquarters right here on Virginia street. This is porch and parish the podcast.
Speaker 3:Stay tuned, we will be right back with the lightning round from the latest Tik TOK viral sensations to time-tested playroom staples, zachary toy store offers a wide range of products designed to delight children of all ages. Zachary Toy Store is located at 4860 Highway 19 inside of Funtime Pools.
Speaker 2:All right, so we are back and, brittany, I did not send these to you because I want it to be totally off the cuff. That's scary. Okay, so this is the lightning round. What was your favorite toy growing up?
Speaker 1:Favorite toy growing up was anything Barbie. Oh really, I was a Barbie girl.
Speaker 2:But you're also like a daddy's girl and a hunter, right? Oh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:Big fisher, hunter, love all that too, but I didn't mind putting makeup on and playing with Barbie.
Speaker 2:Got it Okay, so this is a fun one. What is your hidden talent? I'm going to tell everyone real quick. While you're thinking that, when you came here a few days ago and you saw Mike's little turkey farm in the backyard, you began speaking turkey out of nowhere. So why don't you give us a little gobble gobble into the microphone?
Speaker 1:Yeah, so my dad had probably eight bourbon reds when my first daughter was born and they would follow her around like she was their cult leader and you could just and they would just immediately gobble back at her and it was the funniest, funniest thing ever.
Speaker 2:So every time we saw the turkeys we had to go they're so crazy they're like our own little hokey laugh track, like if the dogs say something or do something funny, then the turkeys like laugh and they're turkey yeah, they're, they're your, they're your punchline, they are, they totally are so do you have another hidden talent that you want to tell us about? Hidden talent? Can you juggle?
Speaker 1:No, oh, come on, no. Growing up I played the piano, but that's kind of fallen. You know what?
Speaker 2:We'll just leave this as a turkey caller. There you go. That's your hidden talent, All right. So when it comes to playing in the swimming pool, which competition would you win? Cannonball, high dive or holding your breath underwater?
Speaker 1:the longest as a kid, holding my breath under the water. The longest as an adult. I am a expert lounger, supervisor, drink holder, drink indulger.
Speaker 2:I love that, so underwater tea party yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Mine was the high dive. So I used to. You know, we had like a 10 or 12 foot ridiculously high high dive at Kenworth Pool in Baton Rouge, where I grew up swimming, and man, I just love those high dives. They don't make them like that anymore. No, no. That's a bummer. Anyway, that is it for the lightning round. We are going to move right on into these interview questions with Brittany Anderson of Zachary Toy Store. Brittany start first by giving us a brief history of Funtime Pools.
Speaker 1:All right. So Funtime Pools started. My grandparents opened Funtime Pools in about 1976. They were building themselves a pool and it just started rolling into building other pools and the store was building pools, selling chemicals, maintenance, and they pretty much were the only provider in Zachary. For a long time Before I was born, my dad bought Funtime Pools from them and continued to offer the same services, but he specialized in vinyl liner pools and he built a lot of the pools around old Zachary and I'm calling old Zachary like the Fenwood, like the established neighborhoods of Zachary. But in 2023, my husband and I bought Funtime Pools from my parents and we're continuing to offer the vinyl liner replacements, equipment repairs, pool chemicals, toys parts and water chemistry analysis in the store.
Speaker 2:So Funtime Pools is not going anywhere, Not going anywhere. So did you know? Did you always know that you were going to one day run this?
Speaker 1:Absolutely not Really. Prior to COVID, I was practicing dental hygienist.
Speaker 2:Oh.
Speaker 1:And I still have my license. I still work here and there as needed when I'm not needed at the store. But I was fully convinced I was going to be a dental hygienist and I still do love dentistry. But when COVID happened I saw an opportunity to help my parents out at the store and be more available for my kids and I make a really bad Miley Cyrus pun that I came in like a wrecking ball. Because, day one. I just started making changes and took over.
Speaker 2:Has that been difficult, like with the parent dynamic of seeing you step in and do it your own way?
Speaker 1:Not with my parents, which is crazy because I was a very headstrong kid. So I probably gave them lots of gray hairs, but with this they totally embraced it and were happy, as long as I wasn't trying to, you know, make them stand on their heads.
Speaker 2:Right, all right. So you started carrying a line of water and outdoor play toys to complement your pool business about a year ago. Was Zachary Toy Store always the?
Speaker 1:end goal At first. No, I've always had the most fun shopping for those items to bring in. I definitely when I started taking over the store, I would bring in a lot more of that fun stuff because it was fun to shop for. And then, when we no longer had a toy store, I really saw a need for it, not only for myself but other working families, and I missed having the toy store here, and so last year I went out and expanded, but I think I struggled getting the name out there that the pool store had more than pool toys.
Speaker 2:Right. It was kind of like hard to figure out how they both fit together.
Speaker 1:So at the beginning of the year, I decided to give the toy department its own identity and facelift and make it stand out differently than the pool store.
Speaker 2:So, while we're on that topic and I know I'm skipping ahead a little bit, but tell us about the modifications that you've made to the space.
Speaker 1:So we painted the inside pink and there's sprinkles on the ceiling and the door inside and outside is a bright mint green, tiffany blue, whatever you want to call it. And, um, putting some of our signage out in the front, that's still ordered and coming in a little bit at a time and just trying to make it look different than the blue pool store, sure, um well, how do you compete?
Speaker 2:with the convenience of online shopping.
Speaker 1:Uh, I think all small businesses are trying to tackle that in this, this environment, and I don't it's hard, I'll tell you that uh, there, it's such a gratification of the one click shopping. Um, and I am, I do, I do, as a small business owner, I worry about how that's going to affect us and if we're all going to be corporate at one point. But, um, I wanted to be able to take a text, a phone call and have your present ready, wrapped and just swipe your card and be done and out the door and your gifts ready to go, and so, so y'all offer free wrapping, we do so.
Speaker 2:If I call you and I'm on my way to this birthday party that I have to go to tomorrow, that I've completely forgotten to shop for Um, I'll call you and be like, hey, I need a gift for a three-year-old boy. Yep.
Speaker 1:My budget's $30 or whatever budget what they like, if you know what they like, if not, we'll pick something and we'll have it ready for you and you'll wrap it up, and then we'll both be surprised. I know Right, then it's like a, it's a surprise for you too.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's awesome. So free gift wrapping and y'all will kind of personal shop it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you don't have to cross your fingers on one day shipping anymore and then hope it didn't get damaged, and then you got to wrap it and we can have it all ready and we have it yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, that's a great option, especially for for things like the birthday parties or christening or you know whatever.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Um, all right, so you recently returned from Dallas market? Yeah, tell us about that.
Speaker 1:Uh so Dallas market is like Disney world for the retail industry. Um, it's like it's multiple buildings and it's like 18 floors of re retail shopping and each floor has its own like theme. Um, so like there's one floor, that's just Christmas one floor that's just kids toys Western, where it's just overwhelming and it's really fun. So of course, I had to visit every floor, even though I don't. I don't need any of that, it was just really fun.
Speaker 2:And you dragged your husband with you, right. He wanted to go, and then he regretted it. He wanted to go.
Speaker 1:He didn't regret it, he had fun and he was happy to go and he'd go back a million times with me. But at the end of day one he looked at me as we're putting our feet up in the hotel room and he's like I know why all the associates would give. It was like I had a toddler with me, because they would give him toys to play with while they discuss things with me. It was the funniest thing that is hysterical.
Speaker 1:He got to try everything, and I think that was the coolest part about market, was that everything I brought in I've put my hands on? Or at least seen it in my hands, and so him getting to try stuff out and he'd be like, oh, look at this, and so that that was worth it, because I really want to bring in things that are unique and, um, you know that aren't going to be breakable thrown out immediately. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:I get that, so tell us a little bit more on that note, like how do you curate the toys?
Speaker 1:Um, so it's multi-factor. Um, we, we ask our kids, we ask our friends, kids, we ask our friends hey, what do you think of this? What do you think of this price point? Um, kids probably give us the the realist advice. Um, they don't know anything about price. Yeah, when I look, when I look at things as a buyer, I'm looking for value and it being unique and I keep budget in mind. That's been a big, big thing of me. For me, and I'd say most of my toys average under $20. And that was a huge thing for me. I wanted value and budget toys because I mean, who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a toy? Now, there are some items I'm brought in that are worth that, but they're unique and special and for certain events.
Speaker 1:So one thing it's on order and it hasn't come in yet. It might be later in the year before it comes in, but like an animatronic stitch, no way.
Speaker 2:I'm not in this stitch trend, but my 14 year old is mentioning it.
Speaker 1:I'm like yeah, so uh, another one that's coming is an animatronic toothless the dragon.
Speaker 2:Okay, I don't speak that language.
Speaker 1:The real, toothless movies coming out. So that's, you know, but uh, so those are some things that I have ordered that hopefully come through. But but being able to see that kind of stuff was really cool, but most of my gifts I would say the average is under 20 and I really wanted that way. Kids like quality and quantity and so I wanted to combine the two.
Speaker 2:Yeah, quality is so important, especially, you know, we're just coming off of Christmas. How many parents can say they've already had to like throw out a toy that we spent you know 20 bucks on or whatever? I would rather spend $60 for something that they love that's durable, you know.
Speaker 1:And that's why I say it's multifactorial, because then when I look at it from a parent, I'm looking for an educational value and practicality. We don't want the little pieces everywhere and we don't want the mess making and like the little tagline I came up for Zachary Toy Store was learning and playing, and that's because learning is easier when you're having fun, and we wanted all of our toys to reflect that so that it wasn't just a meaningless toy and, like parents, saw the value in those toys too.
Speaker 2:Sure, but from what I've gathered so I spent probably half an hour in there a few weeks ago with you, ashley, and I did going through the catalogs and you were showing us some of the stuff which we put in a gallery on our website under that article. So it seems like it's a really good blend of educational, some nostalgic stuff and some unique finds. So tell us kind of about both ends of that spectrum, like the unique finds and the TikTok trends and all that stuff.
Speaker 1:Yeah, my girls really really get on the TikTok trends and they like the Bunny Lulu key chains which were really really hot. And so I had to bring those in. And then my preteen girls were they're into the Wrangler crossbody bags, and so, um, so I had to bring those in. And then, um, my preteen girls were they're into the Wrangler crossbody bags, and so we have those, and um, as far as like the educational viral ones, was the tracing pads that um the little BBs pop up when you trace the letter or the number, so that they know they did it correctly, and then they can reset it and start over.
Speaker 1:So it's reusable. And then, do you remember, it's about as big as like an iPad and it's for adding and subtracting facts and multiplying facts where, like, you click on the numbers.
Speaker 2:That's like ringing a very vague bell, so it's kind of like a nineties or eighties. Yeah, but come with you after this, let's see.
Speaker 1:But it's um no more flashcards. It's all on this tablet thing now, yeah, so that's so cool.
Speaker 2:And then, um, so there is some playroom staples, I like to call it so you know, like I saw a really nice little guitar tell us about that kind of selection, like a little electric mini guitar that's gonna play noises and be fun.
Speaker 1:And then, of course, you had to bring in the stick pony, because who didn't have a stick pony, right, um, except ours didn't? Nay and winnie and all that that there's two ours were in our head.
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, um, but yeah, we're just trying to bring in something for everyone and I'm I'm excited to hear feedback from the community and and if there's something that, hey, I'd really like you to see this in here, then, um, one item I'm really looking into right now is these puzzles, and the puzzles on one end is kid size puzzle pieces and on the other end is for adults, so that you can combine and it makes one picture at the end, so that the kids have their side of the puzzle and the adults have their end of the puzzle. That's so like just finding like unique things like that that you're not going to find in big box and you're not going to find on big web, and you're not going to find on big web.
Speaker 2:And you you mentioned a couple of pieces of apparel, so like the bags for the kids.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay, that's big for the tweens and the teens, right it?
Speaker 2:is, it is Um. And then you have tell us about the skincare and the SPF.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I'm really excited for the kids one to come in Um it's, so there's a clear option. So you know, not everybody likes glitter, but if you have one that likes glitter and shimmer, there is a glitter, shimmer SPF coming in. It's called like unicorn sparkle and sunshine is the company. But yes, they have a mermaid one and a unicorn one.
Speaker 2:And the packaging is beautiful. It is so pretty and it goes on smooth, right it does.
Speaker 1:It's not chunky like when you put on glitter, you know body paint or anything like that. It's very and it's reef friendly. So, it's biodegradable.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's so important.
Speaker 1:It is. It is Now the women's skincare I'm absolutely loving because it's an all-in-one product, so it includes all your serums and your peptides, Hyaluronic acid and all that and a sunless tanner. It's in the the morning is in is more of your SPF, but it has all that in there. And then in the evening you put on your sunless tanner with all of your serums already added to it.
Speaker 2:That's so great. I'm excited about that.
Speaker 1:And then y'all have something y'all have something um y'all are carrying, is it Duke cannon? Duke cannon for the men.
Speaker 3:My husband is obsessed with the um.
Speaker 1:Buffalo trace bourbon scent. Um, that's right up his alley, and so I really I greedily brought that in for him, cause he's obsessed.
Speaker 2:Sure, yeah, but I mean, you know, when your man comes back from getting his haircut or his beard trimmed and they smell so good and it's these products that they offer in these salons right and you guys are going to be carrying.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's so good and some chapstick that doesn't melt yes, so all my working guys, my dad included, they would put a tube of chapstick in their truck and it would melt. This one has like a really high melting temperature, like it has to be over 140 degrees for so many hours before it would melt.
Speaker 2:Okay, um, so do you have any exciting plans for the store, such as events or workshops or like seasonal things?
Speaker 1:We do and I don't have too many details to share, but March are? Um we're we're excited to bring back our pool chemical rebates this year, and they start in March. Um, so we're planning an event to celebrate our pool chemical rebates this year and they start in March. Um, so we're planning an event to celebrate our pool chemical rebates and um the toy store and? Um, I don't know for sure yet, but there may be some bunnies and pictures, and of course, our food truck, aji, is always out front Wednesday through.
Speaker 1:Saturday, I believe, um, but yeah, they're pretty addictive.
Speaker 2:Okay, yes, they definitely are. Um, yeah, and they're out there today, so great. I will be um carpooling with you back to the store. I have a few gifts to pick up, so if you could add one dream feature to the store, what would it be?
Speaker 1:That one was probably the hardest question you gave me and I thought about it for a long time. And there's a practical answer, and then there's, like the dream.
Speaker 2:No, tell me your Willy Wonka.
Speaker 1:answer my Willy Wonka is I want to be the destination, like I want your kids to get out of school and be like I want to go to the Zachary toy store. I want to go there. I want to be on your kids and on your minds to to come see what I have and play with it and let's open it up and try it and, um, let's see how it's going to work. And I want to be that go-to destination in Zachary.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm excited about that. Now, what's your practical answer?
Speaker 1:My practical is. I would love to renovate the building. We rent the building so it's really not in my budget but I would love to renovate. I love all the renovations going on in Zachary and things coming to life. That building was the old gross hardware and it's one of the. It's not the oldest building, but it's one of the older buildings in Zachary and I would just love to renovate it.
Speaker 2:But maybe one day. So, circling back to a previous question about the events and workshops and all that stuff, will you be offering seasonal things like for Easter baskets?
Speaker 1:Yes, so we just are setting up our Valentine's baskets. Our Easter baskets are always we did those last year but again trying to get the word out there that it's not just pool stuff in our Easter baskets. Our Easter baskets are always. We did those last year but again trying to get the word out there that it's not just pools to stuff in our Easter baskets but our Valentine's baskets. We're building those currently, plan to get some images out there for everybody and see how that's going to go.
Speaker 2:Okay, and how can people in Zachary and beyond support small businesses like yours?
Speaker 1:Come by, um call, stop by, uh, spread the word, share anything on social, but mainly we want to see you. We want you to come in, we want you to say hello, we want you to see what we have, we want to hear your feedback. Uh we want to hear what you think is the next cool toy and that we should think about bringing in. We want um, we want community involvement. We want you guys to come by and that's the way you can support most of our small businesses and keep us going.
Speaker 2:And small businesses want to hear from you. We want to hear directly from you. We don't want screenshots of rants you know like come tell us.
Speaker 2:We are, we exist for you. Yes, zachary toy store exists for the people of Zachary. So if you want to see some changes or you want to see some new products, tell us. Give, give feedback to Brittany and, you know, all these other small businesses. You can help make it better with positive, constructive criticism and feedback rather than you know bashing right. Okay, rant over, but I'm going to get down off my high horse here but um okay, so tell us address hours phone social all that stuff.
Speaker 1:So the toy store is inside of fun time pools. It's 4860 highway 19. Um, our hours are eight, 30 to five, 30, starting Monday, um, and Saturday from 10 to 1 um. Again, we take phone orders. We make accommodations for our customers. There have been times where I've stayed late just because a customer wasn't going to make it in time. Um, and we've always offered local delivery and we will continue, even for the toy side is offer local delivery, for I have some regular customers that don't drive and we'll always bring bring things out there.
Speaker 2:That is the benefit of of shopping small and knowing the owners of these stores.
Speaker 3:Like you can just text Brittany, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and on social you are Zachary toy store on Facebook. And yes, Zachary toy store.
Speaker 1:We are on Instagram. We have a website, zachary toy store. We are on Instagram, we have a website, zacharytoystorecom, and then, of course, it's all linked up with Funtime Pools, so FuntimePoolsLAcom and then Funtime Pools on Facebook. We actually have a VIP page on Facebook for the pool store and sometimes I will poll those VIPs and offer them some specials. So if you're not on the VIP page, I do post a lot of sneak peeks there.
Speaker 2:Great Well, that is it for this week's episode of Porch and Parish, the podcast with Brittany McMills Anderson of Zachary Toy Store. It has been a pleasure to have you here today. Make sure to stop by Zachary Toy Store on Highway 19, across from the Oldwyn Dixie future Aldi right yeah, and follow Zachary toy store on Facebook to see the latest and greatest offerings. Huge shout out to our community partners, like the city of Zachary, the East Baton Rouge parish library system and Breck parks, who stand with us in our mission to make make Zachary a place where every resident feels heard and engaged. Thanks to the generosity and support of our community partners, including Funtime Pools, the magazine podcast and everything you see online is possible and free because of them. Remember the three T's that make up quality of life Pick up trash when you see it, foster technology at any expense and embrace an attitude of tolerance for diverse voices to begin to engage everyone's talents in our community. Those diverse voices are the creative engines that will drive the future success of our economy. Have a great week, everyone.
