This Is 4 Kids is a local Facebook page dedicated to keeping families in the loop on Guelph and area community events and activities.
Gillian Bailey, a mom of three, started the page in 2014 with her partner Cem to help families stay connected and save time and energy by curating events in one spot.
“I loved the Guelph community and knew there was a lot going on for kids and families but didn’t know where to find information. I was missing great events happening on my doorstep and thought it would be fun to let friends and family know about my event findings,” she said.
Bailey has lived in Guelph for the past twenty years, and shared that Guelph has always felt like home to her. She moved to Guelph from Oxford, England and is originally from South Africa.
After completing a diploma in business in 2012 she took a chance and started This is 4 Kids, a hobby that quickly evolved into an affordable and alternative option for local small businesses to advertise.
“This is 4 Kids is about keeping families up to date about Guelph community events, businesses and organizations. We provide a listing of all things family and children related in Guelph and surrounding areas for parents and a platform for businesses and organizations to let people know who they are, where they are and what they’re doing,” said Bailey of her Facebook page.
Over the last few years the page has grown to over 2,000 members, and has become a hub for families to find fun things to do in and around Guelph, as well as to find coupons or special offers only available through Bailey’s page.
Bailey has been able to include her own children in the running of her business. Her oldest son Forest operates data entry, 10-year-old Tor is the creative and ideas man, Bailey’s partner Cem functions as the designer, and their 14-month-old daughter Manara enjoys attending events with the entire family as an event tester.
Bailey hopes to continue to strengthen her relationships with local businesses and continue to grow This is 4 Kids.
“We have an engaged following who give their comments freely on the businesses they have enjoyed and who spread information amongst each other through sharing and tagging on the Facebook page. I see this “virtual word of mouth” as the key to our business success,” she said.
To find out more you can find This is 4 Kids on Facebook, or visit their website.
