To most people, the similarities between the professions of civil engineering technician and owner of a children’s boutique would appear to be non-existent.

However, to Tayna Swan, the proprietor of the Cranberry Kids Gift Co. Ltd, the two careers are not as far apart as you would think.

“As many differences as there are between the two, there are some related components. Things like accounting operations, purchasing, delivering and inventory. Then there is customer service. It doesn’t matter if you are talking to the (Ministry of Transportation) about a large contract; it doesn’t matter what the sale is, you still have a responsibility to that customer. It’s not that big a stretch.”

Swan opened her stylish store this past June at 54 Main Street East, the former home of Huntsville Electronics.

The store caters to children ages eight and under and offers such items as spa baby bath tubs, slings and nursing covers, certified organic baby products, a great new selection of toys and gifts, with a layaway service available.

The idea for the business was based on two necessities: her need to be there for her baby and her perceived lack of available goods in the area.

“I thought about the need for a kids’ store several years ago and didn’t really play on the idea too much because my background is in civil engineering and construction, and I had been in that industry for 10 years. That was doing well and I felt it would be a bit of a risk going into a business I didn’t really know. I put it aside until I had my child 21 months ago. In the process of getting ready for her birth as well as the time afterwards, I felt I was making too many trips to other areas to get products I wanted or needed. I wanted more options.”

This, along with the notion that the long hours needed to work in the construction industry, make Swan take a longer look at her ideas for a children’s boutique. “It was a no-brainer. It was a situation of putting two and two together. I also had about 10 years of retail experience before I went into the construction field, so I had a good grasp of what I was facing.”

Swan said she chose the name Cranberry Kids because she felt it reflected the Muskoka theme well and gave her some avenues for marketing.

“It took several months of brain-storming and the name changed several times. The reason why I took this name in the end was it reflected the elegance of the business but also it was something I could play up with branding and use in future promotions.”

She said that she wanted a shop that would not only provide her customers with the products they needed, but give them a sense of what they could do for their baby’s surroundings.

“I wanted it be a boutique style but you could get the necessities for your child as well. I wanted it decorated so that people could come in and immediately get a vision of what they would want for their child’s room.”

The store hours are Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Cranberry Kids Gift Co. Ltd at 789-7543 or visit their webpage at www.thecranberrykids.com.