Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Takahashi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After teaching preschool and elementary school for over 25 years, I wanted to create a space for families to offer their children enrichment experiences in topics they might not encounter at school. I also knew so many homeschooling families who are excited for their children to become well-rounded people, and I know I have skills to pass on. I was lucky to learn many arts from my Mum, aunts, and grandmother and it brings me joy to be able to pass these on to the next generation. Handcrafts and being creative supports balance in a way that is similar to mindfulness, meditation and yoga. I found these go together to help us all be fuller people. I am happy to share what I have learned with others.
As I began offering storytelling, mindfulness, yoga, and the arts for kids, adults were asking me for art experiences. My first mission was to support families to create balance in their lives while dropping their children off for enrichment, but I soon found another way to support adults to find balance in their lives- and the Creativitea Nights began. Two Thursdays a month I offer art exploration gatherings that include tea, togetherness, and mindfulness.
Has it been a smooth road?
I am trained in education and understanding child development, in the arts and in yoga and mindfulness, but I am not trained as a businesswoman. I am learning as I go. Getting the word out has been an interesting ride. Often families would share how excited to come to the studio, but their schedules would not always allow for their consistency, and so the business has been up and down, which made me rethink opening the studio full time. Now I have classes on specific days so that I can still have a regular job and keep this about spreading joy, vs needing to sustain me and my medical coverage and retirement.
Tell us more about your work.
I am proud to be offering small group experiences. I really feel strongly that we learn in community and when we connect with others. The studio classes are intimate to foster this connection and deep learning. My classes emphasize personal wellbeing, self-care, positive self-talk and the journey vs the product. In this way, I hope to offer experiences that help people learn new things, but also help them see themselves as someone who is capable- of skills, but also of trying new things, of taking risks and of being graceful with themselves in the process.
My Parent’s Night Out events are also a bit unique. I created a special curriculum called Storytelling around the world, Yoga, Imagination and Mindfulness and also many fun art experiences. So the night offers parents downtime or me time and the kids get three rich interactive experiences in one fun night.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think supporting homeschooling families is a big place to be. Many families are looking forward to creating a rich educational experience for their children and having more options that are less traditional is my hope for the community. I think it is important to share skills and exchange what we each excel at and offer it to the next generation. More mentorship experiences and hands-on learning will help kids gain skills that will stay with them and add to our society as they grow up and take their place in society as dynamic people.
Pricing:
- $20 per hour class for children
- $18 sibling pricing
- $25 adult Creativitea nights
- $40 for three hour Parent’s Night Out
- $75 for two siblings Parents’ Night Out
- $100 for three siblings Parents’ Night Out
Contact Info:
- Address: 4640 Jewell St. #220 at Emerald
San Diego, CA 92109 - Website: http://thegratefuldandelionatelier.blogspot.com/
- Phone: (805)452-4595
- Email: jtkteconleche@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @thegratefuldandelionatelier
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegratefuldandelionatelier/?eid=ARDKDt5R3Ya34eiulzY5QcRgvcb1EE5BB1A6steYMvZtEYOw3pHTu7BpaFH9ff37gFvqtnsx4zsVB-2h
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grateful-dandelion-atelier-san-diego
Image Credit:
Bailey Bernardi, Kelly Quigley
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