Meet Innovative Women Mary Ellen Young and Sandra McDonnell co-founders of Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence and Authentic Me.
1. How/why did you begin your business?
After co-founding and leading the non-profit organization Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence (www.hgna.org), we saw a need for additional resources to promote the social and emotional development of adolescent girls. We created Authentic ME to develop a book and bracelet kit which promotes self-awareness and skill development in a fun and engaging way. The hemp bracelet is a creative way to reinforce the learning.
2. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
We never published a book and had a steep learning curve. We joined professional organizations, attended a toy trade show, visited toy and bookstores, and asked a lot of questions to anyone who would help us! It’s really amazing how helpful and supportive most people are.
3. How do you define SUCCESS?
We feel successful every time books are sold but more importantly, we want to make a difference in the lives of girls and we know our book does that. Consequently, success for us is doing the work we enjoy and knowing we are helping others.
4. If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
To build a platform and start marketing the book well before the publishing date!
5. What makes you an innovative woman?
Mary Ellen’s visionary and business skills have created the foundation of HGNA and Authentic ME, and Sandra’s creative and writing skills have buoyed the organization and business. Together, with a combined passion for empowering girls to embrace their authentic self and take charge of the relationships in their lives, we are hopefully innovating a new dialogue in the adolescent girl world.
To learn more about Mary Ellen and Sandra visit www.authenticme.biz or connect on Facebook or Twitter.