Our Story
Where It All Began
In 1985, our mom, Jan Childress, set out to solve a problem—and ended up building a brand that has spanned 4 decades and 2 generations. A working mom with a background in graphic design and sewing, she was determined to breastfeed her baby, even when at the office. From this determination, she created a nursing bag that allowed her to pump at work and care for the milk until she arrived home. It was functional, smart, and made with a whole lot of heart—just like her.
From her sewing machine to parking lot trade shows, Jan did it all. What started in our garage has grown into a business trusted by millions of families—and every stitch was guided by one belief: family comes first.
The Family Legacy Continues
Today, we’re proud to carry on what our mom started—still family-owned, still women-led, still working around the chaos and joy of raising kids.
We’re Jan’s daughters—Kate and Sarah—and we grew up right in the middle of the J.L. Childress journey. Our family packed orders in the living room, organized invoices in the staircase banister, and took customer calls in between softball games and snack breaks. We may have traded the garage for an office and added an amazing team of people, but we’re still hustling like day one.
Now with our own kids in tow, we’re growing this company the same way it began: with heart, hustle, and hard work. We design gear to make parenting on-the-go easier, so families can focus on what really matters—being together.
We’re the Childress family – it’s nice to meet you!
What We Believe
We believe that the right products can make it easier to embark on family adventures, big and small, and that great design starts with real parenting moments. We’re proud to be:
- Family-Owned & Women-Led – Our small business is WBENC-certified and proudly mom-run.
- Built to Last – We strive to provide dependable, high-quality products. As a member of the Baby Safety Alliance, we ensure every product meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards.
- Thoughtfully Designed & Trusted for 40 Years – We design every product with detailed care and firsthand parenting experience. Tested by real families and built to solve real challenges, our products reflect 40 years of trusted experience. As the inventors of car seat and stroller travel bags, we’re proud to specialize in this space— protecting the gear that protects your kids.
- Here For You – Our caring, U.S.-based customer service team is always ready to help. We're parents too, so we know the chaos, the checklists, and the nerves that come with adventuring with kids. Whatever you need—we’ve got you.
Our Family of Brands
J.L. Childress has grown from a kitchen-table business into a trusted global supplier, serving families, retailers and wholesalers with proven expertise, innovation, and operational excellence.
Under this umbrella, we’re proud to offer a growing family of consumer brands that speak directly to today’s parents and caregivers:
- J.L. Childress: Travel Happy – Our flagship brand, helping families travel smart, safe, and with smiles all along the way.
- Disney Baby by J.L. Childress – Practical and playful products for everyday family adventures… designed with a touch of Disney magic.
- Stay tuned for new brand announcements coming soon!
As we grow, our mission stays the same: to amplify the joy of parenting by making family adventures - whether around the block or around the world - a little easier.
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