Animaland: A whole lot of fun in franchising

Who would have ever imagined that her daughter’s love for stuffed animals would evolve into something bigger – say, into a promising business opportunity?

Ma. Belinda Dy went into franchising as she brought into the country, the first create-your-own-stuffed-animal craze pioneered by Animaland, an internationally established, mall-based group of retail stores and kiosks that allow stuffed-animal lovers all over the world to create and dress their own stuffed-animals.

"We’ve discovered the possibilities when we were shopping in the US and saw young and old alike, beaming happily and carrying cradles with stuffed toys inside. Then, we found out that it’s a do-it-yourself thing. My daughter fell in love with the idea, thus, inspiring me to bring home the concept," said Dy Animaland’s Chief Executive Bear in the Philippines.

She continued, "definitely, there’s big money in franchising, especially with Animaland since this is very unique. Animaland is the first complete create-your-own-stuffed-animal business in the country, which gives guests an unforgettable experience of personalizing their stuffed toys. This is very interactive and I believe our guests, from ages 2-100, would love to get involved into something that is created by their own hands."

With the help of our Junior and Senior Bear-builders, a guest goes through eight interactive stations: choose your animal skin (with over 40 animal skins to choose from); stuff your animal (our fluff is fine and hypo-allergenic); make a wish for your animal (where you put the wishing star inside your animal); hear your animal (where you could record your personalized greetings or your own choice of songs); fluff your animal (where your animal takes an air bath to get clean); dress your animal (choose from our wide range of outfits – swimwear, rocker, fashionista, etc. – and accessories); name your animal (where you can christen your stuffed animal and even get his own birth certificate); and the last station, take home your animal, where you’re given a cradle to carry your new friend.

Very soon, Animaland will open other highly-interactive stations such as the animal salon (complete with wigs and other hair accessories), animal hospital (for broken or worn-out animals), animal nursery (for baby animals), and animal eye clinic (for guests who want their toy’s’ eyes customized).

For this adorably cute idea that appeals to 0 to 100 year-olds, Dy did not hesitate to invest in America’s Animaland, which is also famous in the United Kingdom, Australia, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

"The entire process, in itself, is enticing and interesting. So, that alone is already saleable. More so, with franchising particularly if it’s a global brand, you are assured of international standards that boasts of quality service. Also, with the help of our mother company in the US, we are able to support franchisees all the way, starting from day one – from the operations, training of personnel, inventories, to advertising, and marketing. Meaning, less worries for beginners in the business as we guide them every step of the way," Dy explained.

In fact, in the short span of time since Animaland Philippines was established last December 2005, Dy has been receiving overwhelming feedback from guests, most of them are returning ones.

"It’s addicting. You’d fall in love with the process because it’s like giving birth to your own baby. And each animal, which would roughly cost P500, to P1,500 with accessories, is a collector’s item because every one of them is a limited edition animal as new items get in every season.

Spotted cuddling their own Animaland stuffed animals were celebrities Ai-ai delas Alas, Mike Defensor, Aiko Melendez with her hubby Martin Jickain, sisters Gelli de Belen-Rivera and Janice de Belen, Desiree del Valle, Jericho Rosales, acoustic singer Paolo Santos, Maui Taylor with her boyfriend Bryan Revilla, newscaster Arnold Clavio, and a lot more.

But more than the figures and prestige, Dy said that Animaland’s main goal is to provide an interactive entertainment experience based on love and friendship that connects people to stuffed animals and to one another; that with Animaland’s stuffed-animal-friends, Dy hopes their guests would be able to spread more love and joy to humankind.

A member of Francorp, Animaland is open for franchising. For inquiries, you may call 563-7881 or 561-2380. Or visit Animaland at the 3rd level of City Walk 2, Eastwood City, fourth level of Shangri-La Mall, and 3rd level of Powerplant Mall and soon at Toy Kingdom at the Mall of Asia.