We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Clarissa Robyn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Clarissa below.
Clarissa, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Something amazing happened to me 20 years ago. I had a revelation. I remember the moment vividly, like someone had just shone a light in front of my eyes, revealing a truth I had never thought to realize before. This truth was in seeing young children for what they are, the makers of the future. I realized at that moment that the understanding that I had of children was not in line with their abilities and potentialities. At that moment, the light that shone so bright would guide me into the work that I would eventually turn into a career- working with children in the classroom, studying natural child development, and guiding young children, including my own, for many years as a Montessorian. My training has been extensive and my experience for the last 25 years is nothing but enlightening. The discoveries I have made and presently get to make, day to day, are remarkable. I feel honored to share what I have come to know as the natural and authentic way of being with children and families that are searching for that close connection, that further understanding, and that shine that reveals the potential in every child.
Fast forward to 2020, my company, Star Path Montessori, came to life that Summer after the first shocking and challenging months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In an effort to support families in need of connecting and providing a continuous Montessori education during quarantine, with the knowledge I gained in my many years of experience in and of Montessori, guided a handful of families in setting up for, understanding, and supporting their child in the now daily home learning environment. With its acceptance and success amongst families, along with a desire for more connection and support, I was inspired to turn this guidance of families into a longer-term program. I developed a unique system of Montessori guidance for families, with supports for parenting at home which included a year-long online consultation program.
As spaces began opening again and children headed back to in-person school and care, I realized that families still longed for the connection and knowledge they were receiving by belonging to the Star Path community. To help, I then turned my focus to providing a physical space for families to connect, gather, learn, and grow together, all while having the support of a certified and experienced Montessori guide in their journey of parenting. In Spring 2022, this dream became a reality, and Star Path, providing this such space, opened its doors and welcomed families into its in-person gathering space.
Star Path Montessori’s systems of support are designed to allow me the opportunity to partner with families during the most rewarding, and often challenging, times of their journey in being pathmakers to their child(ren)’s development.
Star Path wants to reach families who are looking for an engaging experience for their young child during non-school times when these opportunities are typically few and far between. All classes are Montessori-inspired, and structured following Montessori’s key principles of accessibility, independence, and optimal participation.
My focus as founder and creative director is in advocating for children, helping to change how they are viewed in society, and how society prepares spaces for these young and capable learners. One way Star Path does this is by allowing more families the opportunity to experience Montessori, without the big price tag of school tuition, in a beautiful, authentic, Montessori environment that can be accessed by many. Star Path partners directly with families to support them in their journey, and guides their learning through what can be one of the most challenging times, but is also the most beautiful time. Star Path helps others understand how to assist the young child by liberating their abilities, therefore making the path they are on a brighter one!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a Montessori educator with 25 years of teaching experience, currently as Lead Toddler Guide at Walnut Park Montessori School in Newton, MA. I received my 3-6 Montessori credential from the American Montessori Society in 2008, and received my 0-3 Montessori credential from the Association Montessori Internationale in 2018. I hold a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland (2022) and a Bachelor of Arts degree, in Modern Dance, received in 2003, from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. In my career as a Montessorian, I have held a variety of positions, which include lead guide, assistant, administrator, counselor, parent coach, speaker, and now business owner. Always a life long learner and student!
As Founder and Creative Director of my company, Star Path Montessori, I am able to combine my many years of experience as an educator, and artistic background, in helping families embrace the beauty of Montessori in their daily lives. Star Path Montessori is a comprehensive Montessori community that helps the child along with the grown-up through services crafted to provide opportunities in gathering, learning, and growing together. Available are child-geared, creative expression classes of yoga, art, cooking, and movement, all designed following Montessori principles. To assist grown-ups, services available include in-home design and set-up, one on one coaching in parenting, and virtual community consultation groups.
What I am most proud of with Star Path is in having created something that is ‘out of the box’ new but so desired. The concept is catching on quickly, and it feels wonderful knowing my idea is helping many families, and bringing Montessori to light and accessible to many!
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
*Building a Bond*
Communication and proactive efforts are something I truly believe in, in the way we interact and build relationships with one another. Since day one, I have invited people to join in my journey by sharing as much as I can, when available. This transparency has allowed me to gain the trust of my audience, and many are still enthusiastically a part of my evolution. I engage in routine pockets of correspondence with my members, keeping them abrests of happenings at Star Path through a variety of outlets, including daily postings on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and sending weekly newsletters. I provide a high touch exchange with text messages and sending action shots of them and their child in an activity. I offer exchanges through emails, and by setting up Zoom meetings to chat. I make myself available to answer questions and offer support in whichever way they may need. I position myself as a friend, someone trusted they can reach out to, lean on, and even cry with. My attention to each child and the family provides a comfort which surrounds my brand, and helps its members feel its holding hand in partnership.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
*Community Connections*
It’s been just a few short years since founding Star Path, and growing it into what it is today, still growing steady each day! Just recently I made the decision to move locations, to be closer to the community that I live in. This switch has made a tremendous difference in the awareness of and general inetrest in Star Path. Since moving Star Path to Dedham, I have started participating in many local events, spearheading community gatherings, guest reading for library stortytimes, and facepainting at Family Fun Nights for the public schools. Each of these engagements gets me closer and closer to more and more community members, including other local small business owners, fellow educators, parents and caregivers, etc. I love my community, I want to give back to my community, and through Star Path I can create opportunities to engage young children in activities that nurture their minds and expressions, which ultimately helps us all. What they say is right, “news travels fast.” The more people engage with Star Path at these events, the more they notice how Star Path is providing opportunities for children in the community, the more they share this news, and, voila! Star Path is shared out, and new clients find themselves walking in to Star Path!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.starpathmontessori.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starpathmontessori
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starpathmontessori
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-robyn-31b570210
Image Credits
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