This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!
Interview with Karin Granå – organizer of the bi-annual Stavanger Kids Sale. Read on to learn more about the brains behind this fantastic idea!
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
What brought you to Stavanger?
I worked in Stavanger during the summer of 2001 while my boyfriend (now husband) and I were students, and I had wanted to come back ever since. I was thrilled to move to Stavanger in 2005 when my husband got a job here.
How long have you been here?
I’ve been in Norway for over 10 years, and in the Stavanger area for 5 of those years. I initially came to Norway as a student (University of Bergen), but my year abroad has become more like a life abroad!
Do you find that you have integrated into the culture and lifestyle here?
Yes, absolutely. I love it here. It helps that my husband is Norwegian and I have a close relationship with his family. Also, my mother’s family is Norwegian, so I grew up with Norwegian traditions.
Do you have any advice or tips for foreign mums living in Stavanger? How about for mums preparing to move to Stavanger?
The large expat community in Stavanger makes it easy to meet other expats and to get involved in any number of activities. There are lots of activities for moms and young children—baby music, swimming, play groups, lillegym, åpen barnehage, etc. Once you get involved in one activity, you meet lots of other moms and learn about all the other activities in the area. It doesn’t take long before your calendar is booked!
The challenge for expat moms (and all expats, really) is to not get stuck solely in the expat community. Those who move strictly in expat circles really miss out on learning about Norway and Norwegians. Get to know Norwegians and Norwegian traditions. Learn the language–even just the basics. Learn to appreciate Sundays as family days (instead of shopping days as in the U.S. and other countries). Buy some great outdoor gear (rain gear is a must!) and take advantage of the outdoors in all kinds of weather. We can all learn a lot from Norwegians about how to balance work and family—they seem to have it just right.
What do you like best in Stavanger?
I love that Stavanger has all the conveniences of a small city (including an international airport) but with spectacular nature at our doorstep (beaches, fjords, forests, mountains, lakes, and parks abound). I also like the international makeup of the area.
What is Stavanger Kids Sale all about?
The Stavanger Kids Sale is all about families selling and buying gently used children’s and maternity items. Sellers can earn money on items their families have outgrown, and shoppers can find fantastic deals on quality products for their kids (and moms-to-be, too). In so doing we all contribute to a better environment by creating less waste. It is a positive experience for everyone!
What made you start this?
It all started with a conversation I had with my Uncle John over two years ago. We were on a family vacation in the U.S. After I showed him the great deals I had gotten on new clothes for my kids, he asked me if Stavanger has some good second-hand shops. That question eventually sparked my idea to start the sale.
I originally thought of starting a second-hand store. But I still had my kids at home with me, and starting a store wasn’t possible. Still, I couldn’t just sit on my idea. So, I did some research about consignment sales in the U.S. and then started making a plan for my own sale. I am an organizer by nature, so I took the idea and ran with it!
How much will it cost sellers to set up a booth at the sale?
Absolutely nothing. Actually, the sale is set up like a store. We group clothing by gender and size, and all other like items are placed together, so it is easy to find what you are looking for.
Anyone can participate as a seller or volunteer. Sellers get 70% of their earnings. If they volunteer to help out for 3 hours at the sale, they get 75% of their earnings. Sellers and volunteers get the added benefit of shopping the pre-sale the evening before the sale opens to everyone.
The process is easy: Sellers prepare and price their own items (using price tags they can download from our website) and drop them off at Madla bydelshus the Friday before the sale.
Is it a cash-only sale?
Up until now it has been. But at the September sale, we’ll have a bankcard terminal, so shoppers can pay with their bankcards.
Will the items be of good quality/condition?
I stress (and stress and stress) to the sellers that their items must be in good condition. The sellers know that we toss to the side any worn, dirty, and stained items that we come across. I am pleased that the Sale has gained the reputation of selling items of great quality.
About the Sale
The next Stavanger Kids Sale will be held at Madla bydelshus on 11 & 12 September, from 10:00-16:00 both days. Many items will be 50% off during the final two hours of the sale (12 September from 14:00-16:00).
The sale is held twice a year (usually September and March).
Check out the sale’s website for lots of information about the sale. It has detailed information for sellers, volunteers, and shoppers. You can see photos and news coverage from past sales. Sellers can download a Step-by-Step guide about how to prepare, price, and tag their items.
Thank you Karin, for your time and effort in organising this sale and for doing this interview. Looking forward to the sale!!
1 comment
Lani Cantor
Sep 12, 2010
Hei Karin, that was a really good point about breaking out of the expat community and getting to know Norwegians as well. Do you have any advice on doing this? I know a lot of people find it difficult.