Entrepreneurs: Sue Currie, Owner/Operator

Business: KidsGlow FunNotes
www.kidsglowfunnotes.com

The Product: In our world of modern technology, gadgets and e-mail, good old-fashioned mail is rare – yet it’s almost guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face. This is the idea behind KidsGlow FunNotes – a website where grown-ups can order customized character letters for children. The letters – from popular seasonal characters such as Santa or the Easter Bunny and more unique ‘fairies’ like the Tooth or Pawtty Fairy – offer a special treat to kids and can help boost self confidence and assist parents with developmental challenges. Recommended for children ages 2 ½ and up, these letters make a great gift or keepsake for framing.

How It Works:

KidsGlow FunNotes is simple to use. Parents (or friends, grandparents, etc.) fill in an online order form, choosing the character they want and answering questions on the child’s siblings, pets, friends, school name and teacher. There is also an area to include info on chores the child performs and special achievements and milestones for the year. The letter is customized for each child and detailed records are kept so that each letter is different. Each letter also includes a special gift such as stickers, crafts, recipes, colouring pages, rulers and pencils.

My Story:

With a background in recreation for the municipal government, I had always enjoyed my career working with kids of all ages, but knew that one day I’d like to work for myself. During my maternity leave for my second child, I realized that I could be an entrepreneur while still going back to my job (eventually) after I came across the idea of character letters online, almost by accident.

Recently, my daughter Sadie had graduated to the next level in her swimming classes, and was also being very helpful around her new younger brother, Sam. I thought she deserved a treat, so I wrote her a letter from her favourite stuffed animal, ‘Teddy’. Sadie was thrilled to read Teddy’s letter – especially because he knew all about her friends, brother, dog and her swimming graduation. She loved receiving and opening mail herself and she also loved the fun Dora stickers that were included in it as a little gift from Teddy.

I realized then that I could make this a business – if Sadie liked her letter from Teddy, surely other children would too. I quickly did some research and started developing a website and ideas for characters and their stories.

The Possibilities are Endless:

I really enjoy being creative and have amassed a huge assortment of characters to write letters from – for all different occasions and circumstances. The letters can offer kudos to kids for reaching milestones such as Pawtty training or assist with developmental challenges such as sleeping problems, accepting new siblings and even getting rid of the soother or security blanket.

For instance, the Pawtty Fairy letter can encourage a child to start the process with extra fervour. It includes a personalized letter, progress chart and stickers. In addition to the child’s letter, the parent is mailed a completion certificate from the Pawtty Fairy separately to give to the child after. The letter, chart and certificate can be a valuable tool to assist children in the learning process and can be specifically tailored if the child needs help with a specific problem area. Other letters include the Birthday Fairy, Soother Fairy, Sleepy Fairy, the Tooth Fairy and the Stork. Seasonal letters include Patch the Pumpkin, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Cupid, and Patty the Leprechaun – to name a few.

Looking Forward:

With a supportive husband and a challenging new endeavour that can be done around my kids’ schedule, I’ve really enjoyed the first two months of KidsGlow FunNotes. Already I’ve started building up a client base and have even had several repeat customers.

KidsGlow FunNotes is adding a Letter of the Month and Group Letters service starting November 1, 2006. Parents can have a letter delivered to their child each month from a different fairy or seasonal character. Packages come in 3 month, 6 month and 12 month increments. Parents are asked to give information each month to ensure the letter is up-to-date.

Character letters are an excellent surprise for kids and can offer positive reinforcement that supplements a parent’s ongoing encouragement. They make an excellent Christmas present idea for nieces, nephews and grandkids too!