Have you ever struggled with finding a toy or any object to keep your kids entertained for more than a day? This episode features an inventor, business owner, and mom Abby Sullivan, who is also the founder of Wundernook, the patent-pending, modular building system that encourages open-ended play for children ages 3 to 10. It is a Scandinavian-inspired, modern heirloom constructed from sustainable materials in the USA. Wundernook's mission is to nurture the wonder of childhood while also simplifying the journey of parenthood.
Abby and I met at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth before we had kids. At the time, neither of us could have ever imagined what it would be like to be a parent. And I’m glad we reconnected because motherhood is a shared journey.
In this episode, Abby shares her insights including her realization that parents are imperfect humans too. She walks us through her journey as a mom wondering how she can keep her kids entertained while teaching them useful skills and growing with them. Abby offers her honest thoughts about being called an inventor and how she enjoys the world of imaginative play following a career in government – a place where a lot of us may not consider to be very imaginative.
If you are in the thick of it with your kids then join me for a free workshop specifically for moms who want to be more present while staying sane. Go to www.melissallarena.com/moms. It’s a one-hour gift for you, mom listeners, reminding you that you are not alone and you don’t have to do this alone.
Share this episode with a parent who has a child between the ages of 3-10. You’ll be a hero because Wundernook does tick a lot of parent boxes. You’ll also be an advocate to a mom who had an idea and went for it.
Abby Sullivan’s Biography
Abby Sullivan created Wundernook out of her desire to create toys for her kids in a way that they could bring a fresh appeal to her kids all the time. She wanted every square foot of space occupied by toys to have a purpose that would add value to her kids’ experience. She then set out to create something new that would not only nurture a child’s learning through play, but would also make life easier for parents, caregivers, and teachers at the same time.
Abby then created a modular building system where kids can build and create what they're interested in. It grows with them and evolves with their interests, their developmental skills, and teaches them STEM along the way.
Highlights
Creativity: If you have an idea, create a survey to see if other people would be interested in purchasing your solution.
Courage: It takes courage to make mistakes in front of your kids but it’s important for them to see how you have faced hurdles and become that model for them. It’s also important for our kids to see the full age-appropriate picture.
Curiosity: Learn about your suppliers and partners so you can make purchases in good conscience and celebrate brands that are operating in an ethical manner.
Inspiration: Abby saw a need in the market based on how things were going in her own household. She recalls giving her son a workbench for Christmas but he only played with it for six months. She realized they've got these single-function toys that are taking up space and there's no STEM learning.
Intentional: We don't have to accept everything that comes along. It's a choice. A lot of times the negative is coming, and we need to make that choice whether to listen to it and bring it into our consciousness and nurture that negativity. Or are we going to have a positive outlook?
Sustainability: Teach your kids to repurpose things. We've gotten into this crazy consumer society where something immediately breaks and you throw it in the trash. Wundernook teaches you that with the same materials, you can have so many different options.
The wonder of parenthood: Wundernook is a cool vehicle or tool to help parents step back into that world and get their toes into the water.
Learn: With Wundernook, you will notice how your kids have different ways of solving a problem because not everyone is going to think about something the same way. You also get to learn about how your kids approach challenges.
Persistence: Say yes to opportunities to help you grow. But also be ready to say no. It's a lot easier to give up than it is to be patient, be persistent, and push through. It's a skill you can use in business, and in parenting too!
If you enjoyed this chat, then tune into these two episodes:
Links to continue to learn from:
Website: www.wundernook.com Instagram: @wundernook Facebook: @wundernookplayWant to grab your free copy of the Courage Makerspace (™) Playbook?
Download the Courage Makerspace(™) here www.melissallarena.com/courage
Boost your courage in 7-days using the exact courage design tools that have worked for both me and my clients. Grab your free playbook instantly so that you can discover how to:
Figure out what makes you tick Be more accountable and not procrastinate Overcome imposter syndrome Stop caring about what others think Progress despite self-doubt Manage anxiety Ask for helpYou will have a step-by-step playbook to help you finally fulfill your life purpose! Do not miss out on this free opportunity as it will not be available for long.
Love An Interview With Melissa Llarena podcast?
You can now support my time in producing the show with Patreon. If you find that the podcast inspires you and you’d like to help support this labor of love, please consider supporting me on Patreon for a couple of dollars per month. You’ll get early access to my video-recorded episodes featuring unreleased guest insights; your name and/or business will be mentioned during an episode. You’ll also see how I have connected with powerful world leaders so that you can network more effectively in any field or help you pitch hard-to-reach guests on your own platform. Then if you are feeling extra generous for only $10/a month, you’ll get everything previously mentioned plus be invited to my monthly LIVE 30-Minute “Ball Juggling” Group Calls where I’ll field your business or work-life questions, podcast/guest questions, and share with you courage hacks and imaginative tips so you can feel sane, level-headed, and stay on track pertaining to your upcoming goals.
Want to continue the conversation?
Find me on Instagram! You can read my daily mini-blogs centered on the same three topics that my podcast features: creativity, courage, and curiosity. I believe that without all three it would be impossible to solve the challenges we were each uniquely made to solve. Wouldn’t you agree? I’m easy to find on Instagram @melissallarena
Rather keep it professional?
Let’s connect on LinkedIn. I encourage every single podcast listener to connect with me.
