Tiny Bird Organics

Tiny Bird Organics

Written by Beth Wade Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Children’s shop promotes earth-friendly styles

Tiny Bird Organics was hatched from Jenny Rasmussen’s love for birds and nature. Along with her sister Kate, Rasmussen first opened the store, which sells organic and fair-trade clothing and toys, as an Internet business in 1996.

It was while researching environmental science for a class at the University of Texas that Rasmussen learned a granule of pesticide could kill a bird, sparking her interest in changing her lifestyle and the things she bought.

“I tried to find a way to not have to use chemicals on my lawn. Just like everyone else, I used fire ant killers,” Rasmussen said, “In 1996, it was hard to find anything organic.”

The Web site began as an informational source for organic gardening tips and home remedies, but grew into a retail shop with organic baby clothes, cloth diapers and toys. Rasmussen slowly added to her stock as she saw a need to provide an organic choice to parents.

“I don’t want to press people [into using cloth diapers] unless they are already interested, because I wouldn’t want anyone to tell me what to do,” Rasmussen said. “You’ve got to do what’s best for you and your family.”

However, she is quick to point out alternatives to disposable diapers and mass-produced toys. She began buying fair-trade and organic toys for the safety of her own children before realizing others would want the same option.

“I feel these toys give customers confidence that these items are safe. A lot of times parents don’t even know there is an alternative, because there is so much advertising for name brand products and foreign made toys,” Rasmussen said. “They don’t realize there is something different out there.”

Last year, Rasmussen opened the Tiny Bird Organics retail shop on Sam Bass Road to provide people a place to see the products and shop. To better balance her time between her children and the business, she recruited the help of Chris Gagnon, who maintains the shop and helps with sewing clothes and diapers.

Her business started with a desire to find a way to help save the environment and blossomed into a place to find chemical-free clothing, as well as toys for children and even dogs.

“It is exciting finding new products and I like having unique items,” she said. “I do take customer suggestions and I’m always adding new stuff.”

Jenny Rasmussen’s tips For protecting the environment

• Use boiling water to kill fire ants instead of chemical pesticide
• Buy organically grown foods
• Eat less meat
• Use diatomaceous earth, tiny shell particles, to kill fleas or other parasites
• Use vinegar instead of household cleaners
• Check the Internet for natural or organic remedies

Tiny Bird Organics, 2591 Sam Bass Road, Round Rock, TX, 512-341-0042 • www.tinybirdorganics.com