Merchant Spotlight: Kimbo Educational

Q: How has the Kimbo Educational online store continued the long-running tradition of excellence set by the original founders?

Elaine Murphy (Director, Sales & Marketing): Great question! We feel that the on-line store has enabled us to reach new markets. Kimbo has long been the #1 educational children's music company, offering valuable resources to schools, libraries, and health care agencies. The Kimbo web site has helped us to introduce our quality music to a wider range of customers; thus helping us to tap into the parent and grandparent markets, as well as introduce our line to numerous prospective dealers, both in the U.S. and overseas.

Q: Since the company's founding in 1958, how has the company evolved to meet the changes in education and music culture?

Elaine: Kimbo has always specialized in music and movement, especially for early childhood. That hasn't changed, and, in fact, these resources are more in demand than ever. Exercise, fitness, and laying a foundation for good health are essential to the well being of young children. The issues of obesity and nutrition are part of proactive, timely initiatives such as Michele Obama's White House Task Force Action Plan; and Kimbo has hundreds of products to support those goals. As the years went by, Kimbo has continuously expanded its line of almost 400 titles by rounding out their product offerings. Kimbo releases new titles each year, adding to their line of learning fun CDs, popular dance and fitness CDs and DVDs to motivate kids to get up and move, special needs activity recordings, multicultural CDs, and singable songs. Of course, our music has evolved as tastes have become more sophisticated, but we do continue to offer our classic best sellers, along with diverse, and fresh new sounds. We count on our professional authors and our own research to keep up with the updated demands and trends of education.

Q: In what way does music provide a solid foundation for education in young children?

Elaine: When we learn experientially, through music and movement, learning is strengthened and it is more fun! Products such as Moving to Math, Smart Fitness, Smart Foods, Start Smart Songs for 1s, 2s & 3s, and Rockin Reading Readiness lay a solid foundation for valuable skills. Concepts and information, set to music, teach literacy, math, nutrition, and more. Brain-based movements stimulate brain cells and increase learning.

Q: What improvements have been made to special education tools that encourage children to express themselves with confidence?

Elaine: Not only are the activities and music motivating, simple and repetitive, the lyrics include important messages to boost self-esteem. This is essential for all children, of course! Kimbo products are child friendly; they are always easy to use and designed to help children to be successful. That is why they are so popular with educators.

Q: You have won many awards for your eduational products -- what is it about your products that has led to this kind of recognition?

Elaine: Kimbo has a strong team approach. Our Music Director, Dennis Buck, is a well-known, professional musician, music teacher, and music producer. Mr. Buck is based in New York City and has resources to hire talented singers and create great music. Our authors are all educators and work closely with our Music Director, as well as key Kimbo personnel, including Kimbos President, James Kimble. Furthermore, we attend an annual early childhood show and a dealer-manufacturer show, both of which give us an opportunity to listen and learn what do the end users need and want, what do they like, how can we provide resources to support their work, and how can we support the large network of dealers who offer our products, both here and abroad.

Q: Your downloadable fitness and active play products provide an easy way to access your product lines -- how has this technology helped your business?

Elaine: Listen and learn is key to selling our CDs. Our MP3 samples help our customers to become more knowledgeable about our products. If you can hear it, you will know if it is right for you. Now we make it easier to buy CDs by offering numerous titles which can be downloaded easily and quickly. Customers no longer have to wait to have products shipped; this is really useful when there is a deadline involved or when a customer wants to make a quick purchase because they are excited about a CD or DVD.

Q: How can parents easily incorporate your excellent activity tips at home, despite their normally busy schedules?

Elaine: Kimbo makes it easy by providing a guide with every product, which can be referred to as time permits. The activity tips are user friendly and fun, but truly offer value and expand on the lessons and activity routines found on each product. Even the singable songs offer extension activities and literature links (references to books which can be found in their libraries or book stores). Play a song, sing, dance and move, and then go to the guide to further enrich each musical opportunity.

Q: What do your workshops and concert presentations offer customers that other products may not? How do parents benefit from hosting such an event?

Elaine: Kimbo artist, RONNO, along with his co-author co-presenter, Liz Jones Twomey, as well as our many distribution artists and workshop consultants, are all knowledgeable educators who are top specialists in music and movement. Kimbo products are always entertaining and make learning easier for children. Kimbo is proud to have these top professionals in their music family - Singer/educators: RONNO, Michael Plunkett, The Learning Station, Gaia, and Author/Educators: Georgiana Stewart, Dr. Pam Schiller, LeAnn Haggard, William Janiak, and more.

We cant forget the fun aspect when parents and kids enjoy live concerts and learn experientially from workshop presentations. Plus, they will go home with a take-away handout loaded with additional activity ideas and valuable information.

Q: Which products or workshops have received the most attention in your store? Why do you think is so?

Elaine: Especially in demand are CDs that feature popular dances, routines using a manipulative such as bean bags, parachutes, ribbons and rhythm sticks, and singable songs. Kimbo also offers a large line of distribution products, and a huge line of must-have CD and DVD resources to meet the needs of dance teachers and schools.

Q: What else would you like to tell us about Kimbo Educational?

Elaine: Kimbo has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Parents Choice, Dr. Toy, NAPPA, iParenting, Oppenheim, Directors Choice and the Teachers Choice. Kimbo is a long-standing member of the National Association of School Supply and Equipment Association, a professional organization of manufacturers, dealers, distributors, manufacturer reps and more.

Kimbo is a family-owned and operated company. It was founded by the late Bob Kimble and his wife, Gert Kimble, who still serves as C.E.O. The proud tradition of quality childrens music and great customer service is still going strong as the Kimble sons, Jim, President, and Jeff, Vice President, head up the company today.