Member Spotlight: The Toy Tree
The Plano Chamber membership team is thrilled to present our monthly Member Spotlights! Each month, we will be highlighting different Plano Chamber of Commerce members to continue connecting our members with each other and the Plano community at large.
The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight, The Toy Tree. Heather Wagemann, our Membership Engagement Manager, asked Owner, Greer Kemp, a few questions about her store, Chamber membership, and their role in the community.
1. What would you like readers to know about The Toy Tree and what you specialize in?
We are a hands-on toy store with expertise in customer service, product knowledge, and gift wrapping. Owning The Toy Tree is so much more than simply selling toys, we hope to become a staple in the community. We care about the customers who shop with us, and we aspire to be the local toy store children remember as they get older. We have a passion for children, child development, and families spending quality time together without screens and technology taking the place of family connection and human interaction.
Debbie has extreme knowledge in what works well with children, she has a background in special education and has five kids and twelve grandchildren of her own. Greer has a background in psychology with an emphasis in child development and speech pathology. We decided to open this store because we are truly passionate about people and helping others.
2. Why did you choose to join the Plano Chamber of Commerce?
With Plano being the community our toy store serves, we want every opportunity we can to spread the word and provide a fun, hands-on experience for the families that live in Plano. We know the Plano Chamber of Commerce is a fantastic resource and it is important to us that we are involved in as many things possible that help support the amazing community that is Plano.
3. Tell us about your involvement in the community.
Even though we are only 3 months old, we have hit the ground running with charitable donations and “giveback” partnerships. We have donated to schools and churches in the surrounding area, we have teamed up with donations for Emily’s Place, and we are currently working on a partnership with Children’s Medical Center in Plano. These are just a few of the things we have been able to get involved with in the short few months we have been open. We cannot wait to see what the future holds!
4. What is your favorite part of your current work environment?
The toy industry is fun! The Toy Tree is a fun place to work, shop, and play! Currently we have a minimal staff and we hold each other in high regard. The Toy Tree staff has worked together previously and we are so excited to be reunited again, we have truly become family. We are passionate about what we do, and with that commonality, it is impossible not to enjoy our day-to-day work life. On top of a close-knit staff, our customers and their kiddos make The Toy Tree what it has become. It is impossible to have a bad day when you see an adorable little one dressed up in a costume or pushing our child sized shopping cart around. When you see kindness, wonder, and excitement through a child’s eyes, it makes The Toy Tree a magical place to work.