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

Alright, Deanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As an elementary special education teacher, I witnessed firsthand how, even at the ages of 8 and 9, children were grappling with debilitating anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. When I became a mother during a pandemic, my perspective on traditional child-rearing shifted drastically. I needed to find a solution that would help instill a positive mindset and a strong inner-voice during early childhood, not only for my students but also for my two little boys, for whom I had big dreams.

Shortly after giving birth to my second son and while on maternity leave, I experienced severe postpartum depression—something I hadn’t anticipated after my first pregnancy. During those crucial early months, I struggled to keep afloat, barely surviving each day. The overwhelming combination of sleepless nights, the high-pitched cries of a hungry baby, and a defiant toddler left me feeling empty and incapable.

Throughout my nine-month journey with postpartum depression, I began a consistent practice of reciting positive affirmations in the mirror, working to rewire my brain toward a more positive outlook. Through routine mirror talk and meditation, I started to meet the person I wanted to be as I fought for my mental health. I came to believe that my pain had a greater purpose: I wanted to equip my children with tools for resilience, coping skills, and a strong inner-voice, knowing they would inevitably face mental health challenges themselves.

As I brainstormed how to create such a tool, the idea of a holiday advent calendar came to mind. The nostalgia and warmth of this tradition resonated deeply with me. I recalled the exciting feeling I had every morning as I hung the daily ornament on the wall-hanging tree. As an educator, I understood that children need engaging methods to learn, so I designed The Mindset Tapestry to mimic the wall-hanging calendar I used with my family 30 years ago.

This format was perfect for children to practice self-affirmation and to look at themselves in the mirror, deepening their connection to their own minds. With interactive elements like tactile affirmation tags, a child-safe mirror, and sensory components, I knew the design would resonate with kids, serving as a wonderful vessel to teach positive affirmations and a routine of self-love. The wall-hanging format made sense, acting as a focal point in any room and encouraging the entire family to be intentional about their mindset, practice gratitude, and dream big every day.

Deanna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a mother, educator and founder of The Mindset Tapestry. I have a Masters Degree is Special Education and taught third grade for almost a decade, the last 3 during the pandemic, as I had my own children.

I went into teaching for two reasons: 1. I love kids and the idea that as their brains develop, they are constantly learning, growing and becoming the individuals they are meant to be. Having the responsibility and privilege to be a part of that is inspiring and motivating. I have always wanted to make a positive impact. 2. I love to challenge myself creatively. I saw teaching as a way for me use my creativity to help kids who do not learn in a traditional way. Growing up, I really struggled to learn math because in the 90’s/2000s it was traditionally taught as rote memorization. I am such a visual learner that it was difficult for me to retain the information and truly understand the concepts. As a teacher, I was always teaching my students to “draw pictures” to outline their thinking, especially if I could detect they didn’t learn the “typical way”.

I would have never guessed that one day I would start a company and be an entrepreneur. However, now that I am, I am able to pursue both of these passions that initially led me to pursue a career in education. I created The Mindset Tapestry to help children, empower their parents in this movement, and to begin mental health practices from an early age. Our society does not put enough emphasis on mental health, especially in the school systems and in early childhood. We start this education too late and wait for adolescents and adults to show signs that they are struggling before we intervene. Instead of teaching coping skills, how to instill a positive mindset, encourage exercise, meditation and healthy eating, we wait for individuals to hit rock bottom and then typically prescribe medication. My mission is to make mental health a focus during childhood and really embrace children who they are at their core, so that they can live purposeful and authentic lives.

Deanna Blasi DeAndino is the Founder + CEO of The Mindset Tapestry Self- Affirming Mirror Talk for Kids. The Mindset Tapestry incorporates a unique blend of mirror talk, affirmation tags, and beautifully illustrated caregiver cards, making it an interactive and invaluable resource. Its user-friendly design ensures ease of use, providing a practical solution for instilling confidence, self-esteem, and self-love. Beyond its individual benefits, The Mindset Tapestry serves as a catalyst for strengthening the bond between caregiver and child. It fosters deeper connections, establishing a foundation of love, trust, and acceptance within the family dynamic. Get more info at https://themindsettapestry.co/

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I love a good pivot! I am such a believer that if something isn’t working for you anymore, there is no reason to stay in a situation. I believe that it is usually a sign that you are growing and evolving when you need to make a change or shift. I think a lot of people fear change, and I totally understand how that can be overwhelming and scary. Generations before us taught us to pick a career and stay at the same company for 30+ years.

My first career pivot was when I switched from working as a creative design assistant in the fashion industry to becoming a teacher. Growing up, I always wanted to be a fashion designer and I envisioned a long career in New York City in the garment district. However, when it came time to actually do it and I had a few NYC fashion internships under my belt, I really did not resonate with the culture. I loved the hustle and grind and creative aspects of it, however I felt a need to do something more fulfilling. I wanted to help other people and that is when I decided to go back for my Masters in Education.

The second career pivot I made, was about 8 years into teaching, post- global pandemic. I had my own kids and my perspective on raising children began to shift. After experiencing severe postpartum issues that led me to create The Mindset Tapestry, I knew that this would be another shift in my career. This time, I wanted to help kids on a larger scale and provide parents with the resources to assist in their children’s mental health journey.

I believe all of my experiences and career choices have led me to this moment.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Manufacturing was probably the most daunting process of starting this business. I knew nothing about making a product from scratch. For me, I needed to trust my manufacturing partners, because I was investing so much of my own money. I scoured the internet and after a year, I was still struggling to find a trusted and reliable source.

One of the things I did in the beginning was message individuals and founders on LinkedIn who had either similar products to the one I planned to produce, or had products in a similar field. This was incredibly helpful because through those conversations I was able to piece together what materials made the most sense for my product as I formally designed it. It was also on one of those calls that led me to multiple factory contacts so I can start ordering samples of the product. Eventually, one of those contacts deemed to be the most reliable and ultimately the manufacturer I decided to partner with.

Although it is still early on, the biggest surprise I have had is the shipping cost! I was blown away by the cost of shipping, as I was so focused on the cost of manufacturing the product. I learned that it is definitely more cost-effective to order your inventory as early as possible so that you leave room for the slowest form of shipping. I also learned that it is worth it to look into a freight forwarder if you are shipping overseas.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themindsettapestry.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themindsettapestry/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-blasi-deandino-aa5403221/

Image Credits

Ashley Macadam Scaduto