We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda Kaake. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our Mission: Fostering creativity, self-expression, and exploration in our youth through an accessible art curriculum, ensuring every young artist has the power to paint their world.

Creativity is essential. It distinguishes us as humans and has been critical to our survival since our early days living in caves. Creativity is not only crucial for individual success but for societal and economic growth as well. This is increasingly recognized by studies and statistics. Our world problems can only be solved by creative minds, and what better place to foster that creative process than the visual arts class?

I’ll never forget watching an art class of kindergarteners working intently on their projects. It took me a moment to notice that there was humming. All around the class, in their own little worlds, students were humming as they drew. I don’t know that there is another class where this would happen. They were in what some would call ‘the zone’ or ‘flow.’ It was absolutely beautiful.

Then came the first graders and the second graders. Less and less humming. By the time they hit 5th grade, so many become self-conscious and insecure. It seemed that by middle school, most decided they weren’t artistic, so they stopped trying to be creative. I’ve even heard parents say, ‘My son is not creative; he’s good at math.’ It’s disheartening to see people label themselves and each other so inaccurately.

It seemed like my own children were encouraged to remember facts rather than understand how those facts came to be. It was more important for them to learn what day the Declaration of Independence was signed rather than the problem-solving skills of the minds who wrote it – the strategic thinking skills that were, in essence, creative.

I have only vague memories of lessons from elementary school. However, the few things that I truly absorbed were lessons that included an art project. When integrated with art, the retention of a subject significantly improves. Creative methods like drawing, storytelling, and music make learning more engaging and memorable. Art helps students connect emotionally with the material, boosting understanding and recall. This approach not only makes education more enjoyable but also deepens comprehension and encourages long-term retention.

“Visual arts provide young people with the tools to think outside the box, solve problems, and unleash their creativity. By placing a greater value on the arts, we can cultivate an educational environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

MoxieBox Art has been a passion project, a true gift from the Universe! My love for kids, art, learning, and mindfulness has always been a driving force. I enjoyed taking art classes and assisting in my children’s art classes. Previously, I had been working with homeschoolers, crafting 2-3 art lessons per week. While I found joy in it and believed the lessons were beneficial, I also realized they required significant effort for just a few students. Then, one day, inspiration struck: why not package these lessons into kits to make them accessible to more children? It was one of those ideas that lights you up and keeps you awake at night.

I thought my lessons were different because they each had several important aspects.

• The lessons were fun and engaging, designed to let kids express their feelings and preferences. I always included questions during the planning stage to help them explore their creativity.”
•  The final project was always a ‘Wow!’ Kids were proud and parents were impressed. While I emphasize that the process is more important, the captivating final project is what would get the kits into more hands.
•  They were truly educational. Students were learning about art elements, design principles, artists, and cultures while creating, not through memorization.

Often lessons have one or more of these aspects, but to have all three, every time, would be crucial. And because I was learning as I went, It was easy for me to build the lessons for different age levels as I learned. I would start with Kindergartners but, as I was working, I would get ideas of how to add more concepts for the older grades and finally on to high school.

I was so excited with the concept of the ‘art kit’ that I decided to develop a solid plan. Reflecting on past business ventures that didn’t succeed, I now see them as crucial steps toward my present success. Reflecting and looking inward, I listed the reasons for their failures and recurring patterns. To ensure the success of this new venture, I realized I needed a partner instead of shouldering everything alone, as I had done previously.

I reached out to my friend, James Warner, who shared a similar ‘serial entrepreneur’ background with me. He expressed his interest but emphasized the need for a meaningful connection to feel inspired. With subscription boxes gaining popularity and no art-focused options available at the time, it seemed like a promising opportunity. However, after delving into the significance of art and creativity, and acknowledging its undervaluation in the education system—often due to funding being tied to testing of core subjects—Jim decided to join me, and together we founded Moxiebox in 2017.

With love and positive energy infused into every step, MoxieBox experienced rapid growth, soaring from 17 homeschool subscribers to over 2,000. We were soon piloted in an elementary school lacking an art teacher, and now, 12,000 and 20,000 young people create a MoxieBox art project each month. Every moment of this journey has been filled with joy; it never felt like work. I firmly believe that by staying true to our mission, prioritizing spiritual and emotional growth, and embracing gratitude every step of the way, we’ve achieved beyond our wildest dreams.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Part of MoxieBox’s success is due to a complete transformation of my entrepreneurial philosophy. Mentored by a successful businessman – my father—I initially thought corporate success required a mindset of masculine intimidation. However, this approach always felt like a struggle, as it didn’t align with my true spirit.

Shortly before the start of MoxieBox, I began searching for meaning in a spiritual sense. I began meditating and finished Reiki Master Teacher training. Although I never planned to become a Reiki healer, I did work with friends and volunteer occasionally. The purpose of my training was to understand myself, my patterns, and my habits. I needed to learn to express and embrace my authentic self.

I learned that, by embracing our uniqueness, we can confidently express ourselves in the world and create something new. The lessons of appreciation and forgiveness have been my greatest gifts. One book in particular helped significantly – ‘FORGIVENESS: Journey to a Clear Place’ by M. Lori Torok.
My business partner and I, sharing a positive and hopeful outlook on life, were drawn together by the belief in the magic of our business. While each of us pursues our individual paths of self-development, we are united by a shared philosophy and ideal. We both wholeheartedly believe in our mission and feel a loving energy that envelops our business.

I believe continuous growth is crucial. It’s essential to read, learn, and stay present as much as possible. We make decisions all day, every day. This mindfulness and awareness helps us to make the right decision. Finding a teacher, mentor, or books that lead us in discovering our authentic selves is essential. I often refer to my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, “Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen.”

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

We prioritized starting small to navigate challenges gradually, avoiding major errors. Gradually, we elevated our product quality and standards before considering expansion. Our approach went beyond merely ‘selling’ our product; we focused on fostering relationships and prioritizing communication. We never wanted clients, we wanted partners.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://moxieboxart.com
• Instagram: @moxieboxart
• Facebook: moxieboxart
• Youtube: Moxieboxart

Image Credits

Jennifer East