Two young business partners who both hold down full-time jobs are hoping to raise funds for charities that support children during the Christmas season.

Now heading into a third year of business, Heaven Sent Baby Boutique opened in January 2011 and caters exclusively to newborns and toddlers.

The store, located next to Pasta Basta and Off The Wall Hobby Shop on Elliott Street, is owned by Joy Hunt and Niketa Lambert and managed by Erika Daniels.

Together they offer an array of inventory ranging from diapers to formula and clothing.

The business owners work together at Hunt’s Food & Supplies Ltd.

Said Ms Hunt: “Our passion for children keeps our creative juices flowing”.

She was pregnant with her first child and looking for supplies when the two of them decided to join up for a new business venture.

“This journey has been interesting with the economic downturn. The process was fun and they decided a baby and toddler boutique would be an exciting entity to invest our time in,” she added.

Together she said they “stay optimistic about the future”.

“We follow trends and are always researching the latest baby products to bring to the Island. The team travels frequently to find products all over the world,” said Ms Hunt.

It was just a matter of time before they decided to profile their child-customer base by hosting a casting call held earlier this year that saw 95 children audition who were eventually narrowed down to 54.

The children left out of the line up will be featured in future promotions.

And part proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda.

“We will do something every year to promote the children and each year the proceeds will be given to a children’s charity,” Ms Hunt added.

“By purchasing a calendar you will help us to help others, promote our youngest generation and our beautiful Island.”

Just in time for the Christmas season, the calendars are on sale at Heaven Sent Baby Boutique, Hunt’s Food & Supplies Ltd and The Supermart on Front Street.

The project was put together by the store owners, Basic Beauty Studio and BNK images.

Children were selected to pose for scenes for every month of the New Year, all dressed in Heaven Sent Boutique clothing selected by the store’s manager.

“We met our models at various locations over the island and they were photographed by Kondwani Williams owner of BNK Images.

“The shoots were directed by Donika York of Basic Beauty Studio. We enlisted Joceine Butterfield, who also works in education, for her creative touches as well.

“The calender boasts beautiful images of Crystal Caves, Botanical Gardens, the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, GiMi flower shop, Fort Hamilton, Shelly Bay, Nine Beaches and Inner Beauty Kids Spa.”

And the children, she said, “were excited throughout the process and loved every minute of it from the casting call to seeing the finished product”.

“Our mission is to promote our children and to show them that the sky is the limit. The most rewarding feeling of it all was seeing their reactions when they had the actual calendar in their hands,” said Ms Hunt.

None of the children or their parents were allowed to see any of the pictures until the calendar was produced.

And plans are already underway to feature even more children next year.

“We are in full support of nurturing our rising stars and youngest generation. We strongly believe it takes a village to raise a child,” said Ms Hunt.

“The calender will be produced annually and the proceeds will be given to different charities that assist children annually.”

For more information e-mail heavensentbda@yahoo.com.