One Step Ahead Catalog, Lake Bluff

Twenty-six years ago, working mother Karen Scott had a light-bulb moment. She envisioned a one-stop children's clothing, toy, and furniture emporium. Karen and her husband set up shop in their garage, connecting new moms and dads to high-quality baby clothes, nursery furniture, and educational toys. They meticulously researched products before creating their own catalogue, and as a result watched their enterprise blossom into a lucrative online business. Today, One Step Ahead employs their own in-house design team responsible for exclusive labels of kidswear such as Cozy Cub winter wear Sun Smarties swimwear and summer gear.

Regular meetings with a Parents' Panel keep One Step Ahead designers in touch with the needs of modern parents. Seeking out their input has led the design team to create products such as a fleece-lined car seat for comfortably toting a baby in cold weather and a hanging closet organizer for managing a child's superhero identities.