More than just a children's brand; we are purpose-led

About Philly & Friends

Philly & Friends is an award-winning purpose-led children's lifestyle & toy brand on a mission to add a drop of colour and diversity to the playroom while empowering literacy in underprivileged children.

We create beautifully crafted children's books, dolls, puzzles, cards, wall art and products designed to instil confidence and self-love through the power of representation. All our products are based on Philly & her wonderful friends.

Social impact is at the heart of what we do. For every product sold, we sponsor a book into the hands of an underprivileged child.

Founded in 2019, Philly & Friends was inspired by my daughter, whose nickname is Philly. I wanted to create a black children's character that kids everywhere could love and identify with. One who is strong, confident and happy, goes on adventures, laughs from within and loves wholeheartedly with tight hugs and lots of kisses.

When I had my daughter in 2017, I found few quality children's books that featured a black or minority ethnic main character. At the time, less than 1% of children's books in the UK featured a Black main character.

Philly & Friends was born out of a desire to see children grow up to see beauty in themselves and others, to believe they can be anything they want to be. I firmly believe representation matters - all children deserve to see themselves and others represented in the books they read, the toys they play with, and the media they consume.

This is where our thoughtfully designed, educational and empowering children's products come in. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Lots of love,
Vese.xxx

MEET PHILLY

Meet Vese Aghoghovbia

Our Founder

Selected as Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch by Natwest & The Telegraph. Winner of the 2021 Consumer & Luxury Rising Star of the Year award by Black British Business Awards. A Start-up ambassador for Start-Up Loans UK, a Small Business Inspirator for Holly & Co, winner of The Breakthrough Fund by The Break Social, and IFundWomen & Vista ReferHer UK Grant Winner. Vese has combined her strategic and problem-solving skills while unearthing her creativity to bring joy to the hearts of little ones, the Baby & Child industry, and the food & drinks industry.

She is an ex-Baby & Child Specialist at Notonthehighstreet. Also, a Chartered Engineer with over ten years of work experience in Strategy, Operations and Customer Experience working for FTSE-100 Engineering and Technology firms.

She has been involved in conversations about Entrepreneurship, Diversity in the Playroom, Career Transitions, Parenting/Motherhood speaking on various platforms, including BBC and Norton Rose. Contributor to Parenting Magazines such as HuffPost Parent, Mother Mag, and Absolutely Mama Magazine.

 

If you would like to get in touch with Vese for interviews, speaking engagements or Author Visits, please contact Kome O at collaborations@phillyandfriends.com 

All children need to see themselves and others represented in the books they read, the toys they play with and the media they consumer

Vese A