We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fatma Wahedi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Fatma, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

At Young Explorers, we’ve intentionally built a space that goes beyond the traditional toy store model, redefining what a toy store can be. Unlike big-box retailers that focus purely on transactions, we create a community-driven space where families play, create, and connect through hands-on experiences.

Rather than simply selling toys, we inspire kids to think beyond just buying—to imagine, create, and even sell their own. Through our Junior Entrepreneur Program, we showcase and sell toys and products made by young creators, giving kids the opportunity to see their ideas come to life in a real retail setting. Many of the decorations in our store were even created by students, reinforcing the idea that creativity has a place beyond the classroom.

We’ve seen firsthand how this hands-on approach teaches kids valuable real-world lessons. One young entrepreneur initially priced her handmade products high but noticed they weren’t selling. After observing customer behavior, she returned a month later, lowered her prices, and quickly sold out. Encouraged by her success, she made more, this time adjusting her pricing slightly higher based on demand—an incredible early lesson in business strategy. Another child tapped into the growing trend of mystery toys—where customers don’t know exactly what they’re getting until they buy it—by packaging her handmade items as surprise mystery sets, which sold out immediately.

We love seeing our young entrepreneurs learn through trial and error, experiment with new ideas, and develop problem-solving skills in a way that feels natural and fun. These are lessons they’ll carry with them far beyond our store.

At Young Explorers, families don’t just shop—they discover, connect, and create lasting memories in a space designed to inspire curiosity and community. By blending retail with experiential learning, we offer something truly unique, setting us apart from the traditional toy store experience.

Fatma, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The Young Explorers Story
The story of Young Explorers began in Kuwait in 2017, inspired by my deep passion for working with children. My journey started as a children’s photographer, but I quickly realized that what I loved most was the connection and engagement with kids, rather than being behind the camera. This realization led me to organize my first winter camp, which turned out to be an incredible success. Parents repeatedly told me that this was my true calling, and I knew I had found my path.

Determined to create a space where children could learn through play, creativity, and exploration, I drew on my background in early education and child development, earning certifications from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Large Center Director qualification from Colorado State. I partnered with a talented architect to build my dream location—a center with four independent areas designed to foster hands-on learning and meaningful experiences. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced us to close our doors, leading my family to relocate to Boulder, Colorado where I was born and spent my early years..

Bringing Young Explorers to Erie
When I discovered the historic building on Briggs Street in Erie, I immediately envisioned its potential as a community-driven creative space for kids and families. Erie felt like the perfect place to put down roots, contribute to the local community, and build something truly special. Young Explorers officially opened its doors as a toy store, creative hub, and gathering space where families can explore, create, and connect in a way that goes beyond traditional retail.

What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
Unlike traditional toy stores, Young Explorers is an interactive space where families don’t just shop—they engage in hands-on experiences that foster creativity and curiosity. We offer:

A carefully curated selection of high-quality toys that inspire open-ended play, creativity, and problem-solving.
Interactive classes and workshops for toddlers, kids, teens, and even adults—blending art, science, history, and culture in a way that makes learning fun and engaging.
A Junior Entrepreneur Program, where young creators can design and sell their own products in our store, teaching them real-world business skills through hands-on experience.
A welcoming community space where kids can play, explore, and experiment—whether it’s crafting their own keychains, discovering global traditions through art, or learning about famous artists in an immersive way.
At Young Explorers, we’re redefining what a toy store can be—a space that sparks creativity, builds connections, and nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit in young minds.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the impact Young Explorers has on the children and families who walk through our doors. Whether it’s seeing a child light up with excitement while creating their own project, watching a young entrepreneur gain confidence as they sell their first product, or hearing parents say how much they appreciate having a space where their kids can learn and grow outside of school, these moments fuel my passion every day.

What I Want People to Know
Young Explorers is more than just a store—it’s a community, a creative space, and an invitation to explore, play, and imagine. We believe that learning happens through doing, and we’re committed to providing unique, enriching experiences that inspire curiosity and connection. Whether you’re stopping in for a toy, a workshop, or simply to explore, we welcome you to be part of our Young Explorers family.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The journey to Young Explorers has been anything but easy—it has been shaped by challenges, setbacks, and moments that tested my strength in ways I never expected.

In 2020, when the pandemic hit, I was forced to close my business in Kuwait, ending what had been a dream brought to life. After investing so much time, money, and passion into creating a unique space for children to learn and explore, it was devastating to see it come to an abrupt end. With strict COVID restrictions still in place and schools in Kuwait operating online, my husband and I made the difficult decision to relocate to Colorado, where I had spent my early years.

I was eager to bring my vision to life again, but just as I was beginning to plan, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of launching my business right away, I had to shift my focus to my health. During treatment, I continued working with children, substituting at a school—staying connected to my passion even when my own plans had to be put on hold.

When I was finally ready to launch my business again, I encountered yet another hurdle—the zoning regulations in Erie. My original vision was to create a dedicated children’s space with minimal retail, much like what I had in Kuwait, but the town’s rules made that nearly impossible. Frustrated but determined, I took a step back, leading a small homeschool group of four two-year-old girls, while trying to figure out how to build the space I envisioned within the town’s regulations.

Eventually, I found a solution that blended my passion with a workable business model—a community-focused retail space that allowed me to comply with zoning laws while still offering interactive experiences for kids and families. With the unwavering support of my husband, parents, and siblings, who continuously encouraged me to go after my dreams despite the setbacks, I opened Young Explorers.

Even today, I’m still figuring out how to make a small business profitable in a world where I’m competing with Amazon, Target, and Walmart. But every day, I remind myself that resilience isn’t just about overcoming one challenge—it’s about adapting, pushing forward, and finding creative ways to keep doing what you love.

Young Explorers is more than just a store; it’s the result of perseverance, passion, and the belief that even the toughest obstacles can lead to something incredible.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The book Profit First by Mike Michalowicz has been incredibly useful in shaping my approach to managing finances as an entrepreneur. It helped me rethink cash flow, prioritize profitability, and implement a system that ensures financial stability while growing my business. The simple yet effective strategies in the book have made a significant impact on how I allocate resources and plan for the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youngexplorersco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngexplorersco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngexplorersco/

Image Credits

Meghan Childs Photography – www.megchildsphoto.com