 Thu, Aug 28, 2008 05:07 AM
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2008-07-18  Business | Talent draws Kiz Toys to Forsyth
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| | by Bob Pepalis | |  |
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| (SPECIAL/www.gwinnettherald.com)
Kiz Toys will utilize its patent-pending anonymous user access security thorugh the use of USB keys like this one on a concept design for a KizMoto car. The security will help keep the child safe while interacting with a virtual version of the car online. (click for larger version) |
July 24, 2008 | 08:58 AM
www.gwinnettherald.com
CUMMING – Local talent in the Ga. 400 corridor helped bring Kiz Toys to the south Forsyth-Alpharetta area.
"I think the main reason, we believe this to be a very attractive area for an up-and-coming company like this," said Chris Moreau, chairman and CEO of Kiz Toys. "We believe it's going to be a very attractive place to get a lot of good corporate type employees."
Being a little bit north of heavier traffic near Windward Parkway made it more attractive to Moreau and his cofounder, Ashley Johns, both of whom are from the area.
With The Avenue Forsyth open and commercial property filling up along Ga. 141 and Ronald Reagan Parkway, more quality employees will be attracted to the area, he said.
Members of the board of directors include experts in their own fields, such as former Atlanta Brave pitcher Phil Niekro, to help make the toys educational.
Moreau said when children think they are playing, they're having an educational experience – the basis of all Kiz Toys' product lines. That should make parents comfortable with the brand.
People such as Sam Hunter, a Merrill Lynch vice president and stock exchange member also have been brought on board.
Moreau worked for Wachovia, Sara Lee and is a former CTO for Blockbuster, leaving big corporations about 10 years ago. Since then he's held CTO and CEO positions in Dallas and Atlanta.
"I've either been building them or running these companies as an entrepreneur," Moreau said.
While he's been building data warehousing and data centers, Kiz Toys has a different mix and he's not just a "tech hand."
Johns works on back-end operations, making sure the company has designs that work and that it has what it needs to do the job. His masters degree in architectural engineering helps.
Corporate headquarters may be in south Forsyth, but the creative team works in Charleston, S.C. Kiz Toys' relations with SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) brings in designers.
"We've been pulling a lot of our talent from that mecca," Moreau said. "The creative style of their mind likes to work in an area like that."
The company employs about 40 people, with 60 percent creative and 40 percent corporate.
Kiz Toys also looks to open offices in Hong Kong to monitor the safety of the toys and its offshore relationships.
"We physically flew there, met with factories. We are doing this to make sure we're monitoring safety, quality," Moreau said.
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