Two pioneering women with a social consciousness and an entrepreneurial spirit have created a successful business with an environmental mission‑‑and a product you can cuddle up to, literally. In addition to entering the green marketplace, they’ve entered a new and groundbreaking territory‑‑the colorful, whimsical world of children’s toys.

These two imaginative inventors, based in Jupiter, FL, began making these quirky toys in their kitchens. Recently, they moved manufacturing to Tequesta, FL, where they are produced with local materials by a like-minded company. The characters are named after their five children and the family dog to round out the bunch to an even six. Slugs seem unconventional for a children’s stuffed animal, until you hear the rationale. “A lot of people don’t care for slugs and it seemed like the perfect match for what we were trying to teach. We feel that children can, and should, learn to love everything and everyone. Even slugs can be soft and cuddly.”

Smith, a former printing broker, and Hawkins, a family therapist, combined their professional experience to establish and develop their business. As with any green business in a continually changing marketplace, this creative pair has faced their share of challenges. “Our number one challenge in sourcing eco-friendly materials was cost.” Hawkins reveals, “Environmentally sound materials are more expensive than traditional fabrics. Also, it was tough trying to keep our product made inthe USA, but that’s really important to us. We really want to keep production here in the U.S.”

The attention and response thus far has been overwhelming. “When we attend green events, people are very encouraging and love the product,” Hawkins admits with an infectious enthusiasm. “A lot of schools have contacted us and asked us to create lesson plans for each of the topics we discuss in our books.” Of course, as the societal shift in personal responsibility towards our planet has increased, so has attention and praise for the green industry as a whole. “I think the attention green business has been receiving is great. Any movement towards people being more environmentally conscious is a positive thing.” Hawkins asserts, “When you have children, you want our world to be safe for them as they grow up. We have ways that we can do that and be responsible. The increasing education and publicity for the cause is just wonderful.”

With five children between these two enterprising women, and commitments to other non-profit organizations, how have they found the time to make Huggy Sluggy’s such a success? “Mothers seem to be born with a way of getting it done,” Hawkins proclaims with a laugh. “I think when something is in your heart, as this is for us, and when something really means something to you, it’s so much easier to get it done.”

A portion of each sale is donated to a non-profit organization. This year’s recipient is Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a volunteer-based zoo that takes in and cares for wild animals that are injured or were kept as pets. Every year, the non-profit will focus on a different cause discussed in their books.

“Eventually we would like to introduce new characters.” says Hawkins, her voice brimming with excitement as she talks about the future. “We want to get more educational materials out there that teachers and parents can use with their children. We’d like to have some local competitions within the schools, teaching and promoting children to be green. We want to encourage them to come up with their own earth clubs, within their neighborhoods, where they go clean up a beach or plant trees, go shopping and learn how to eat healthier. We’d love to spark up competition, having kids write in and tell us how they’re doing their part. That’s one of our big goals in the next year.”

With a passion for environmental education, a positive message and a unique, inspired product, these two entrepreneurs are surely on their way. There’s nothing sluggish about their growth, and if the past is any indicator of future success, the children on your block might soon be toting one of these cute, cleverly constructed creatures.

For more on Huggy Sluggy’s, visit http://www.huggysluggys.com