Be kind. Encourage compassion. Inspire creativity. Nurture courage. Grow your mind.
This year was a big year for Curious B.E.I.N.G.s. Yes, we grew our product line and expanded into Curious B.E.I.N.G.s, but that’s not all I’m here to reminisce on today. Today, I express gratitude for how we’ve grown as a brand and celebrate the ways, both big and small, I think we’ve made this beautiful, colorful world a better place. Following the outline we provided in a recent blog post, will you reflect with me?
First and foremost, we’re thrilled to celebrate three years as a small, woman-owned business since the launch of “Guion The Lion.” We are extremely grateful for all the influencers, teachers, schools, local retailers, guest bloggers, partners and customers who have shared our products and helped spread our message and mission this year. Thank YOU for helping us inspire the next generation of Curious B.E.I.N.G.s–one post, one kid-friendly activity, one purchase, one partnership at a time.
We are grateful to for the opportunities this year has brought us, particulary the privilege of visiting and sharing our message with schools, like Delano Elementary School. We’re heartened by the outpouring of support and encouragement from our community–ranging from messages on social media to emails telling us that “Guion The Lion” is a child’s favorite bedtime book, as well as news that “Guion The Lion” has been selected as favorite book of a class’s star student and picked as the book for another classroom’s mystery reader. We even inspired a song written by our safari guide, Promise, that blends English and Swahili. How cool is that! All of these bring our team so much joy and fuels our passion to continue the journey!
At the heart of our brand is our commitment to kindness. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to spread this message of kindness by donating over 750 copies of “Guion The Lion” to various schools and classrooms. Additionally, we contributed $2,500 to Down syndrome research in 2023. Our hope is that the message of “Guion The Lion” and our support for Down syndrome research makes a difference in making the world a more inclusive, colorful and kind place.
We did get curious this year! In an effort to expand our product line, we excitedly polled a group of educators to explore what type of resources would be most beneficial to them and their classrooms. The result? The NEW Curious B.E.I.N.G.s Pilot School Program, which includes lesson plans for educators to use in their classrooms.
Inclusive instances are our favorite! We embraced several holidays that champion inclusion and celebrate all abilities, including Down Syndrome Awareness Month, World Down Syndrome Day, Autism Acceptance Month, International Day of Disabilities, World Hello Day and Disability Pride Month. Beyond these celebrations, we’ve consistently shared several resources and activities for parents and teachers aimed at fostering an understanding of inclusion on our blog and social media accounts. These efforts reflect our dedication to building a world that acknowledges and values EVERY individual’s unique contributions.
Last but certainly not least, this year has been marked by some courageous steps for our brand and business. A significant milestone was the launch of launching Curious B.E.I.N.G.s, an expansion that saw our product line grow to include Random Acts of Kindness Cards, A Story Coloring Book, three Mindful Activity Books, and the introduction of Swahili and Spanish translations of “Guion The Lion.” These initiatives were driven by the realization that our mission extends beyond a children’s book—it’s about sharing a broader message and inspiring a wide spectrum of encouragement and learning. Each step reflects our commitment to reaching more hearts and minds in impactful ways.
All in all, 2023 was a year of growth, including both highs and lows, and we’re excited to continue inspiring the next generation of Curious B.E.I.N.G.s in 2024. Happy New Year!
