It's not all fun and games at Uncle Goose, but it certainly is cool

For someone looking for a job in marketing, working at Uncle Goose, might be the equivalent of "taking the road less traveled" where you could end up making "all the difference".

Before "local" was cool and "craft" became associated with beer, there was Uncle Goose, the Grand Rapids-based, leading handmade wooden toy block manufacturer in the U.S.

On one hand, the creative, unique, artistic little wooden blocks are about as far removed from our digital world as any toy being made today.  On the other hand, it is exactly that quality that creates an online buzz, such as when Jimmy Fallon featured Uncle Goose blocks in his rendition of ‚ "Let it Go"  and ended up sharing his fondness for the toys to thousands on Twitter.

For Pete Bultman, president, "The social media stuff is nice, but more important is to stay on the growth curve. People think about working for a toy company that it is like the movie BIG. It is somehow fun and games" but Bultman says his company is focused growing the business, entering new markets and maintaining high quality standards.

As Bultman manages his team of 20, he is now looking for help to ramp up the marketing and social media efforts.  "I have been looking to hire but we are a smaller company. Many people feel like they need to go to Amway or Steelcase for a career.  More money and more benefits. But we offer more room to grow. The potential is far greater here to be on the ground floor and make a difference."

As an engineer, Bultmans says he is looking add someone to his team that will complement his manufacturing sensibilities and someone with a quality he describes as "uniqueness".

Bultman is a bit uncertain about the direction he will take when it comes to hiring. "Do I try to find someone out of school? Bring in someone clean to do the things the way I want versus a lot of experience?  I want talent. I want experience, I want energy. We are looking to for someone to bring some uniqueness to help us with growth. It might be marketing and sales or involved in social media."

What ever direction Bultman decides, it certainly will provide the individual with an opportunity to make an impact on a small business that is generating a huge buzz.

To learn more about Uncle Goose, you can visit their site here.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor.