My Best Sellers: Kazoo & Company

Music Makers are Money Makers at This Store

By Brenda Ruggiero
March 2009

At Kazoo & Company in Denver, a well-built team and outstanding customer service are the store’s key elements of success. Here’s a list of the top items customers are buying there.

Bontempi Trumpet by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Bontempi Trumpet by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC. With a shiny silver finish, this trumpet is world famous and perfect for the budding musician. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box. The trumpet has four keys.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver described the Bontempi trumpet as “the best toy trumpet around for a great play and price value” when naming it as one of her best sellers in January 2009. 9/10/2007 (MSRP: $15.00; Age: 3 and Up)

ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks - 16pc Large Red Block Set by SMART MONKEY TOYS

This set consists of 16 large red blocks (12” x 6” x 3”). ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks are an enduring classic that offers endless play possibilities because they are versatile and safe. The blocks are printed with non-toxic inks and with their water-resistant coating are strong and durable for years of creative play.
— ImagiBRICKS are a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly at the beginning of 2009. 10/27/2008 (Age: 2 and Up)

No-Spill Bubble Tumbler for Girls by LITTLE KIDS INC.

This award-winning bubble container prevents messy spills even when turned upside down. It includes a heart-shaped wand and 4 oz. of nontoxic solution. It’s top-rack dishwasher safe and comes in pink and purple. It is recommended for ages 18 months and up.
— “They truly do not spill,” said Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver. This tumbler was a big seller for her store in early 2009. 1/12/2006 (MSRP: $4.99)

Bontempi Saxophone, Trumpet and Clarinet Trio 16" by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

This boxed, musical trio includes trumpet, saxophone and clarinet with color-coded keys and a shiny silver sheen. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box.
— This shiny trio of instruments is a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in early 2009.
— Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, said in January 2010 that her Bontempi instruments “sell like crazy.”
— “[They are] great little instruments that sound nice,” said Nerice Kendter, owner of Busy Bee Toys in Doylestown, Pa., when asked by TDmonthly about best sellers in the music department. ( Watch Video) 9/10/2007 (MSRP: $45.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Maraca Shakers by WOODSTOCK CHIMES

The award-winning Woodstock Music Collection offers a wonderful assortment of nearly 100 different musical gifts from around the world that make playing music as accessible as a box of crayons. These little maracas come in assorted colors and are just 4.75" long.
— These maracas were shaking right out the door at Kazoo & Company in Denver at the beginning of 2009, according to Owner Diana Nelson. 1/6/2009 (MSRP: $2.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Egg Shakers by LATIN PERCUSSION

These new and safety-approved capless egg shakers provide kids with quick, delicate and responsive shaker sounds. Constructed of durable wipe-clean plastic and filled with non-toxic steel shot, the Egg Shakers make sweet, reliable and rhythmic sounds for kids and adults alike. "Our egg shaker is unique because of our patented design sealing process. Other egg shakers are seamed in the middle or have a glued end cap. In other words, ours is safer and has a better appearance," said Ray Enhoffer, director of R&D at Latin Percussion.
— "Shakers are the type of toy that might be selling in the music section. We get them from LP RythMix," said Tristan Hewitt, manager at Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle. “Everybody needs some egg shakers,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska. “They’re perfect for baby hands, and I sell them to lots of grown-ups for all kinds of things.”
— Two of 45 retailers told TDmonthly in 2007 that shakers from Latin Percussion are popular with their customers, citing sales of about 30 and 120 units monthly. Six percent of 68 retailers said in July 2008 that egg shakers are their top-selling musical toy.
— Egg shakers are “perfect for little ones to hold in their baby hands, and non-toxic,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, told TDmonthly of this best seller in her store in January 2009. “It's something simple and not too noisy for a parent; I think that's why they do well,” explained Sherry Peddie, manager of Applause Kids in Bracebridge, Ontario, in January 2010. 7/23/2007 (MSRP: $6.50; Age: 2 and Up)

Flying Turtle - Green by MASON CORPORATION

Flying Turtle - Green by MASON CORPORATION This winner of the Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy Award allows kids to hop on the injection-molded polyethylene seat, throw their feet on the steel handle bars and use their hands to swing the handlebars side to side. The momentum caused by the child powers the ride. A great indoor or outdoor toy, the Flying Turtle can handle tough play and up to 150 pounds. It even comes pre-assembled.
— Of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008, over eight percent shared that this item was the best-selling ride-on toy in their store.
— “Flying Turtles by Mason…we sell at least one a week,” Cassidy Conway, owner of Heights Toy Store in Little Rock, Ark., told TDmonthly.
— “We sell one or two a week,” Bob Colbert, owner of The Toy Box in Searcy, Ark., told TDmonthly.
— “Good enough for Montessori schools — good enough for your home,” Owner Diana Nelson of Kazoo & Company in Denver said of this best seller in her store in early 2009. 2/8/2006 (MSRP: $69.99; Age: 3 to 12)

Art Apron by ALEX BRANDS

This vinyl apron gives kids the freedom to be creative without worrying moms about the mess that results. It ties behind the neck and includes three oversized pockets in the front for supplies.
— This art apron was on the list of best sellers at Kazoo & Company in Denver at the beginning of 2009, Storeowner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly. 2/9/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 3 and Up)

4” Baa Baa Lamb by GUND INC.

4” Baa Baa Lamb by GUND INC. This soft, fleecy white lamb produces sheep sounds when squeezed.
— This little lamb is a top-selling toy at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in early 2009. 2/9/2009 (MSRP: $9.00; Age: 5 and Up)

Chubbie Truck by VIKING JUVENILE

Chubbie Truck by VIKING JUVENILE These trucks are sized just right for little hands, and are a great first vehicle for little kids. They have smooth, soft edges and working parts, and are dishwasher safe.
— This “little guy” truck was named by Kazoo & Company Owner Diana Nelson as a best seller in her store in January of 2009. 2/9/2009 (MSRP: $4.99; Age: 1 and Up)