Meet the Magic Beans team: Sean Carufel, Web Customer Support

Just as all of our customers are individuals, so are our brilliant staff members. This series of blogs is here to introduce you to the kaleidoscope of personalities that makes Magic Beans an extraordinary baby store, and one we hope you’ll return to again and again!

Q: Tell me a bit about what you do at Magic Beans.
I work for the customer service team here, taking phone calls and orders, helping people on live chat, and answering any emails that might come my way. You’ve got a question, I’ve got an answer!

Q: Describe a bit about your training process. What was your favorite part of learning about baby gear and toys?
Magic Beans believes that having solid product knowledge is the key to success. When I was first hired, I started in the Brookline store for about a week to get hands-on experience with the products, and then moved on to our office. It was really great getting to know all the employees but especially working with customers face to face, getting a feel for the kinds of toys/baby gear people love and the questions they often have.

Q: What do you think makes shopping at Magic Beans better than your average web retailer?
We try really hard to bring that in-store experience to the website. Oftentimes, when you’re working with a website, they send a generated response that reads as cold and maybe even robotic. We have real people talking with you, with a personalized response to everything that comes our way! I think people truly enjoy and appreciate that.

Q: One of the many services we offer parents-to-be is their very own Baby Registry concierge. Talk a bit about how you walk expectant parents through the registry process, and what situations you’ll help them navigate.
Often times they have an idea already of what they are looking for, so I like to just fill in the blanks for them. I also like to give recommendations of what might be good for them. Not only that, but it’s good just to have a conversation with them, figure out where they live, what they like to do. It helps us connect deeper with our customers than they might expect, and helps them weed out the things they might not necessarily need.

Q: Let’s get a bit into some autobiographical details: where did you grow up? Are you from Boston? If not, how did you wind up living out here? What do you love about our town?
I just moved here this past September with my girlfriend after living in Rhode Island for my entire life. I do miss RI, but I have to say I’m really glad we made the move to Brighton. The city, the people, just the simple change in lifestyle I think was something I really needed. I’ve always loved Boston (huge Red Sox fan!) so it was perfect.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of work?
My biggest hobby is dabbling in sketch and improv comedy, similar to something like Whose Line is It Anyway and SNL. I’m taking comedy classes at ImprovBoston (shoutout!) and have been in different comedy groups for the past couple years. A friend of mine from my last group actually just moved out here too, so we’re looking to start getting some gigs.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show of all time?
If we’re talking all-time, then I have to go with LOST. That show came out at a really important time for me. I didn’t really know who I was or where I was going in life and a lot of those same themes played out in the show. I was a ridiculously huge fan: my friends and I often had viewing parties and we would each pick one character and that was our identity (I was Sayid). I just really fell into the storyline and the depth of character development was something I hadn’t seen before. Truly one of the best.

Q: Let’s talk about your favorite products: what’s your favorite stroller at Magic Beans?
When I first started here at Magic Beans, the Bugaboo Bee3 had just come out. It was one of the first strollers I really got to know because it was often the one I had to answer questions about the most! I really like the color options, the spacious basket, and the very easy fold. Bugaboo always makes solid products and I think they did a remarkable job with the Bee3.

Q: What other baby gear do you always recommend to new and expectant parents?
A couple things that I like:

1. Wubbanubs: A lot of parents like these. It gives the child their pacifier but also a nice little animal friend as an addition. They come in many different animals and look cute! Plus, they help the baby keep the pacifier in her mouth.
2. Boon Naked Bath Tub: I like this because it’s one of many products we carry that grows with the child. I love the fact that it comes in different colors (just white is so boring!) and you can shape it accordingly so it cradles the baby safely and comfortably so you can get to cleaning!

Q: What are your go-to toys to recommend for customers shopping for birthday presents?
1. Personalized Name Stool: This is such a great gift for a girl or boy, especially when you are not sure what to get them. They make each one by hand with only the best materials. It also helps them learn letters and of course, their name, in a cool little puzzle. These things are wonderful.
2. Pound and Roll Tower: Melissa and Doug make quality toys that often have multiple uses and this toy is no different! It helps kids develop their hand-eye coordination, and helps them learn about colors. I like that there is really no one way to play with this. Even if they don’t use the hammer, they can always just drop the balls through the sides or bang them together to make wonderful music!

Q: What toy at our stores would you have been begging for as a little kid?
Pretty much anything from LEGO. It was one of my favorite toys as a kid and honestly it still is (I absolutely do not have a LEGO Millennium Falcon in my apartment, nope) so I am glad it still has booming popularity!

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working for Magic Beans?
When I joined the Magic Beans family, I was immediately welcomed with open arms and given all the support I needed. It was what really made me want to work here and I still feel the same camaraderie today. Everyone here also really cares about the customers, helping them get what they need and actually listening when they have something constructive to say. It’s that true human connection we provide that I think is a wonderful Magic Beans staple and I’m pleased to be a part of it.

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