DC: What are your names, majors, and graduation years?
Parsons: Elaine and Mat Parsons, MBA program 2022.
DC: Which Dingman Center programs have you been involved with?
Parsons: Pitch Dingman Competition 2021 Fearless Ideas Competition Grand Prize Winner, 2021 Terp Startup Accelerator Program, and weekly Dingman Friday Participant.
DC: In two to three sentences, how would you describe your startup?
Parsons: We create products for parents to teach their children how to recognize and understand emotions. These tools will equip their children with self awareness and relationship skills to navigate through life.
DC: Now that you’ve completed Terp Startup Accelerator this past summer, what’s next for your company?
Parsons: Our plan is to launch on Kickstarter Oct. 22nd in order to get support to launch our company. Our goal is to raise $5,000 dollars so we can batch order our book, doll, and puzzles.
DC: Can you describe your typical day as a business owner?
Parsons: Putting out fires – I feel like a typical day is solving all of the things that have not worked out over the week!
DC: What’s the most important thing you are working on right now, and how are you making it happen?
Parsons: Without a doubt the most important thing we are working on is our book. We really believe that this book will be a great bridge for parents to start teaching their toddlers how to recognize and understand emotions.
DC: As a business owner, how do you define success?
Parsons: For our business success is helping as many kids as possible. Our two goals are:
1. Teaching toddlers that these strong emotions they are feeling is ok.
2. Donating holiday toys to kids who can’t afford them.
DC: If you could give advice to any aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Parsons: Read…Read…Read…The two books Lean Start Up and The One Page Marketing Plan have been our best friend.
To learn more about North Star Creations, please visit the website here.