by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer
Three local women have joined together to form the new business, Professor Child. Created from a desire to reach children dealing with traumatic or difficult experiences, Professor Child aims to develop educational tools based on peer support.
We believe in the power of children teaching children,” said founder Jenni O’Keefe. “We believe when children hear other kids’ stories they are able to relate and heal in a powerful way.”
O’Keefe partnered with Rory Kidder, a former public school teacher and tutor, and Sharon Richards, a licensed clinical social worker. With O’Keefe’s background in marketing and business, the partnership has thrived. “It has been rather smooth coming together, we are very respectful about what everyone brings to the table and rely on the expertise of each partner,” said O’Keefe.
After the death of her niece’s brother, O’Keefe searched for something to address the difficult feelings the child was experiencing. Coming up empty-handed, she knew there was a need to be filled. “I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I knew I wasn’t finding it,” she sad. “There are a lot of educational tools for kids, but the difference in our business is the relatable message to others who have gone through the same thing.
Using video as their first medium, the women began filming around their initial topic, divorce, a year ago. After comprehensive conversations with the parents, an unscripted discussion takes place with the children on film. “There is a lot of trust that needs to take place; there are lots of long conversations,” commented O’Keefe, “but we found many of these parents were already searching for something like this for their kids.”
Children and Divorce was released last month, and Professor Child has two films in post production: Siblings and Autism, and Children of Military Families. A third film on the topic of grief is being developed. Each film is accompanied by a workbook, which includes thought provoking questions and creative exercises.
“There is a different market for each of these films,” O’Keefe commented. “We see the films as being useful for three tiers: parents, therapists and teachers. With so many teachers we have spoken to, they are excited because the films would be an affordable option to hand to parents and kids. The therapists see it as a tool to use side by side with the therapy they are conducting.
“Responses have been fantastic, and sales are slowly coming in. We don’t have a huge marketing budget, most is word of mouth and reaching out to therapists and bloggers and support groups. What is exciting is the people have been searching for things like this, this is unique, this is what inspired us to create the business.”
Professor Child plans to have the next films completed in a few months, and will continue to seek out subject matter for future projects. “We want to continue to reach out to families and therapist who are looking for this type of tool. Eventually we would like to expand past films to other educational tools, we are not limiting ourselves,” O’Keefe concluded.
