Rebelstork Emily Hosie

Introducing Emily Hosie, CEO of Rebelstork! We at Babesta have joined the "flock" and are now working with Emily's baby gear resale marketplace RebelStork, serving as a partner location where parents can drop off their pre-loved gear and earn Babesta credit for the trade-in. We love the opportunity she gives parents to sell their gently used gear so they can transition to what they need as their circumstances change! Good for the environment, great for NYC apartment! Check out our RebelStork partner page for more info on the company and how to do it: but now we want to get to know the brain behind the brand - and how this exciting opportunity came to be!

Welcome (back) to New York Emily!

What’s your go-to food when you come here? 

I ACTUALLY AM SO LUCKY AS MY BEST FRIEND (AND GODMOTHER TO MY CHILDREN) WHO LIVES HERE IS ALL THINGS TREND AND FOOD SO I DON’T EVER HAVE TO THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT FOOD BUT END UP IN ALL OF THE BEST PLACES.  I NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT A GREAT DISH OF CACIO E PEPE AT BARBUTO. 

 

What do your children look forward to? 

RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF MY KIDS LOVE SEPNDING TIME AS A FAMILY TOGETHER.  THEY ARE STILL SO YOUNG (1.5 AND 4.5) AND I REALIZE THIS TIME IS SO PRECIOUS SO I AM TRYING TO DO MY BEST TO MAXIMIZE “TOGETHER TIME” AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 

 

When you’re back home: give us the skinny! Your fave Eat/Drink/Do in Toronto with kids? 

TORONTO IS SIMILAR TO NYC IN TERMS OF HAVING SO MANY GREAT RESATAURANTS AND PARTS TO HANG OUT IN.  WE LOVE GOING TO THE PATIO AT TERRONI IN SUMMERHILL FOR PIZZA OR PASTA.  THE COOKIE TREND IS STILL STONG IN TORONTO AND STOPPING BY A CRAIG’S COOKIES FOR DESERT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.  VISITING THE SPLASH PADS IN THE DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOODS IN THE CITY IS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING.

 *note to readers: splashpads are water play areas at parks! Cute name!

Tell me a bit about your background – what was the road to here? 

MY BACKGROUND IS IN RETAIL.  I HAVE A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR ALL THINGS RETAIL AND WHEN I BECAME A MOM I SAW A LARGE VOID IN THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE. 

 

How did you come about the idea for Rebel Stork? What inspired it? 

I WAS INSPIRED BY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.  MY SON DID NOT LIKE HIS SWING AND WHEN I TRIED TO SELL IT ON A DO IT YOURSELF MARKETPLACE I DID NOT HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE (THE HAGGLING, THE MEET UP HASSLE, NOT GETTING PAID THE AGREED UPON PRICE ETC.).  I SET OUT TO BUILD A SAFER, MORE CONVENIENT WAY!  REBELSTORK WAS BORN!

 

Love the name! Tell me about it! 

I WANTED A NAME THAT WAS DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.  I REMEMBER I WAS ON THE ELIPTICAL MACHINE AT MY GYM WHEN IT CAME TO ME.  I WROTE IT DOWN IN MY PHONE AND LATER THAT EVENING I PURCHASED THE DOMAINS AND THE REST IS HISTORY.

 

Any tips for parents who are looking to trade in their goods? 

I THINK WE OFFER LOTS OF INSIGHT ON REBELSTORK.COM THAT WOULD BE SUPER USEFUL TO A NEW SELLER.  OUR REBELSTORK RESALE REPORT IS PUBLISHED EVERY YEAR AND IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.  TELLS YOU WHAT BRANDS ARE TRENDING (BOTH IF YOU ARE BUYING OR SELLING) AND GIVES INSIGHT INTO THE 2ND HAND MARKET FOR BABY GEAR.  ANOTHER GREAT TOOL IS REV™, OUR PROPRIETARY PRICING ALGORITHM.  IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOUR BABY GEAR IS WORTH SO IF YOU SELL IT WITH US (OR NOT) YOU HAVE A PLACE TO START THE PRICING (THINK KELLY BLUE BOOK FOR BABY GEAR).  OVERALL, IT’S GREAT TO BE INFORMED AND TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SELL IT FOR.  SELLING GEAR SHOULD BE EASY AND HASSLE FREE.  SO THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP IS TRY REBELSTORK, YOU WILL BE VERY EXCITED TO MAKE SOME EXTRA MONEY, GIVE BACK TO MAMA EARTH AND TAKE YOUR TIME BACK TO DO THINGS YOU LOVE (I.E. SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY).

 

Last question: We love easy ways that we can make a positive impact, so we thank you for the opportunity to partner with you on The ReLuvable™ Collective - How will this change the way people think of gear?

THE WAY PEOPLE THINK OF BABY GEAR IS EVOLVING NOW.  WE ARE ALL TRYING TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY AND GIVE BACK TO MAMA EARTH WHERE AND WHEN WE CAN.  BABIES GROW, FAST!  THE AVERAGE FAMILY SPENDS OVER $17,000 TO GET READY FOR A NEW BABY.  SELLING QUALITY USED AND BARELY USED PRODUCTS TO ANOTHER FAMILY MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.  BOTH GENERATION Z AND MILLENNIALS VALUE SECOND HAND AND WE SEE IT WITH EVERY NEW PARTNER, NEW MARKET AND NEW PARENT WE BRING INTO OUR FLOCK.  THEY APPRECIATE THE SERVICE AND FEEL GREAT ABOUT GIVING BACK.  IT'S A WIN/WIN!