ABOUT OUR PRODUCT TESTERS, OLIVER & NATALIE:

I opened Spring in April 2006.  I started the store with my wife, Margi, after being inspired by the birth of our first child, Oliver.  In 2004, when Oliver was born it quickly reshaped our world.  As is so frequent with children, Oliver’s birth dramatically changed our priorities.  After all, he inspired us to start a business, and he played an integral role in the venture as our Product Tester.
 
With the presence of a vulnerable newborn, we quickly schooled ourselves about the many dangers present in homes – those beyond stairs, outlets, and edges; and we adjusted our lifestyle accordingly, especially in the way we managed our home.  This change started with using natural cleaners and evolved into scrutinizing every household purchase. 

We quickly realized that our needs were poorly served by existing retail channels.  We found limited, unsatisfactory options for buying green and healthy household products; not to mention, shopping became very inconvenient as we had to shop many stores.  Most disconcerting was that so many of the offerings, even at “natural” retailers, often contained harmful ingredients.  Out of this quest, to protect Oliver’s health and development, an idea was born. 

We set out to start a store that offered convenience through a wide array of healthy, effective, and green household products; an inspirational experience that both enabled and encouraged people to consume wisely.  Spring would offer people quick, accessible ways to green their living spaces and improve the health of their homes. 

We handpicked our products and chose only those that met our high standards.  This is where Oliver came in.  As our product tester, he quickly emerged as our filter to put products through: If a product was not good enough to use on or around Oliver, it was not good enough to be sold in our store!

In 2006, Oliver became a big brother to Natalie.  The both of them keep us motivated, inspired, consistent, and focused on our mission.