When a new grandchild arrived to visit, North Park’s Sarah and Rudy Wyles were frustrated by the selection of rental baby gear in San Diego. Inspired by an opportunity, the couple started Toddler’s Travels (toddlerstravels.com), marketing its wares to visitors. Sarah, a physical therapist for more than 20 years, says the learning curve has been steep. “We thought with San Diego being such a tourist destination, especially for families with young children, that it was a perfect opportunity for a part-time business,” she says. “Unfortunately, several others saw the gap in the market and started businesses as well within the last year.”

To get started, Sarah took classes at SCORE, where she says Dick Leslie and Bill Pope have been very helpful. “SCORE is such a great resource for people starting out in business as the volunteers are retired but successful business people who share their expertise at no charge,” she says. A friend and neighbor, Frank Gaselum (millionsofcolors.com) helped build the company’s first Website and an upgrade is in process. Toddler’s Travels also offers high-end baby products, primarily those recommended by Consumer Reports, making sure everything is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Rentals range from bouncies and toys to strollers and coolers. Strollers start at $8 a day; $40 a week. Rudy delivers and sets up the goods.

Sarah says week-long packages, where the customer gets choices, are proving most popular. For example, in a $165 package, a customer can pick four items from a selection that includes a foldaway crib, bassinet, stroller or jogger, car seat, Exersaucer, big bag of toys and a bath tub.

“It really takes the stress and hassle out of traveling with babies and toddlers if the gear is waiting for families here rather than carting all that stuff with them,” Sarah says. “Airlines are now starting to charge for any extra baggage so they’re paying for it anyway. We’ve networked with some other companies who also provide services to families with young babies such as Baby Proofing Pros; 12 of us give out brochures with all our respective businesses on them. Most of our customers are either renting a beach house or are grandparents who have grandchildren coming to visit. With the summer we are now beginning to get more regular customers staying at hotels as well.”