What do we do with all this stuff?

Our names are Susan and Michelle and we are the co-founders of The Big Red Wagon. We are two busy moms with six kids between us and constantly on the run just like many of you!  We are not only business partners, but we are also sisters-in-law and great friends. And as great friends do, we talk on the phone all the time. One of our many topics is keeping up with all the things busy moms have to do which then leads to keeping the house clean which then leads to all the extra stuff we have that our kids have outgrown! We always ended up asking the question “What on earth do we do with all of this stuff?”

From Garage Sales to The Big Red Wagon!

We tried everything from garage sales to consignment stores to buying and selling online. Finding little success with these options, we knew there had to be a better way. After doing some research, attending a similar type of sale, and talking with family and friends that were experiencing the same issues, we decided to create The Big Red Wagon in May 2008 and have our first sale in August of 2008!

Every journey starts with the first steps!

Our goal was to bring families together to sell and buy new and like new maternity, baby, kid, and teen items. We wanted this sale to be the answer to the question, “What on earth do we do with all of this stuff?” Sellers would have the opportunity to clear out all of the things their kids had outgrown and make money. And buyers would have an opportunity to purchase these new and like new items at a fraction of the retail price (and save money)…all under one roof!

We also wanted to give sellers a way to donate their unsold items and get the tax benefit without having to do anything extra. Along the way, we've worked with several charities.  Our request was that they would make sure all of the donated items would go directly into the hands of local families in need.  As our first sale approached that August of 2008, the word was spreading fast and sellers were registering daily.

We had several exhibitors and sponsors that were family friendly businesses signing up to participle in the sale as well. We were so excited and hopeful that our expectations would be met and we would fill the space at the Medina County Fairgrounds.

Oh, how we’ve grown!

Since the overwhelming success of the first sale at The Medina County Fairgrounds, we added a second location for in the spring of 2009 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.  In 2009, we quickly realized that we could not meet the demand for people requesting The Big Red Wagon sales in other areas.  That was when we made the decision to franchise the business and in 2010, we sold the first franchises!   We now have several locations and look forward to adding more!

So, why the name The Big Red Wagon?

When we were thinking of different names for the company, we imagined all of the stuff that would be available to purchase at the sale.  As we were talking we said, "People will need to bring their "Big Red Wagons" to the sale and load them up with all the great things they find!!"  We both stopped and said "That is it...The Big Red Wagon!!"  

So, that is how we came up with the name!!  Over the years, it's been so great to see all the people bring their big red wagons to the sale and fill them up with great bargains!   We look forward to seeing you with your big red wagon at the upcoming sales!