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

Jelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

Promoting my online program initially posed a considerable challenge, especially in the aftermath of widespread struggles with online programming during the COVID era. Many families were hesitant to try my program due to their previous negative experiences with online schooling during the worldwide “shutdown”. I encountered people questioning why anyone would want online programming, and some advised me to “start a YouTube channel and just hope for the best”. It was tough to convey the unique value of my program. It took extensive research and testing of various lesson plans and an all-in dedicated effort to craft a signature feel for my program. After a few months I was blessed to have families signed up in seven different states and two countries.

One heartwarming moment that motivates me involves a family in California that shared their experience. During a lesson, their daughter was engaged and responding to various prompts with her mother seated beside her. Her father entered the room and was talking loudly. He turned and apologized to me on the screen for interrupting to which his wife responded “it’s pre-recorded, she can’t hear you”. He’d assumed I was conducting live sessions and expressed his excitement. Learning that their daughter was engaged and about his assumption was a truly validating moment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello there! I’m Jelly Malenga the owner and lead teacher behind Learn With Jelly, and I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself and what sets my brand apart.

My journey into this industry began with a passion for working with children. I began working with children at the age of twelve when I became a Red Cross certified babysitter. Since then, I’ve worn various hats, from a Vacation Bible School instructor, a camp director in two countries, a private and outsourced nanny, bus monitor, childcare teacher, assistant director, special education paraprofessional, assistant teacher, and elementary school associate teacher. Through these diverse roles, my aspiration has always been to empower as many families as possible by providing quality care, education, and support. Recognizing the challenges many families faced with online programming during the COVID era, I set out to create a unique online program that would not only address these concerns but also provide an engaging and enriching experience.

Learn With Jelly offers live and on-demand enrichments that are being utilized by individual families, homeschool groups, community organizations, and even a few private preschool programs. I take great pride in the diversity of my audience and the positive impact the program has had on children’s education.

What sets Learn With Jelly apart is the meticulous testing of various lesson plans to ensure they are not only educational but also captivating. Learn With Jelly is your one-stop destination for a comprehensive preschool experience, offering on-demand circle-time, engaging Spanish lessons, lively music and movement sessions, interactive cooking classes, and stimulating digital learning games. Dive into the enchanting world of virtual bedtime stories, join exciting virtual playdates, and now, experience the magic of a live primetime preschool class with Ms. Jelly. To enhance early literacy skills, we’ve introduced phonemic awareness books, personally crafted to make learning a joyful and educational adventure for young minds. I’ve worked hard to cultivate a signature feel for the program, making it stand out in the crowded online learning space.

Learn With Jelly is more than just an online program; it’s a community dedicated to making learning enjoyable and impactful. Whether you’re a parent looking for innovative educational solutions or a supporter of quality children’s content, Learn With Jelly is here to inspire and educate.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Launching my business was a dream fueled by passion, and I turned to social media to fundraise for the initial capital. The overwhelming response from family, friends, and even strangers left me moved to tears, witnessing the incredible kindness and generosity that resonated with the vision of creating a meaningful educational program. Their support not only provided the financial backing needed but also served as a heartwarming testament to the shared belief in the positive impact of my endeavor.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely, the driving force behind my creative journey is a mission to make a positive impact on as many families as possible. While I have plans to expand with an in-person program, the heart of my vision lies in the online programming. The on-demand nature of the lessons allows families in every time zone to access a full and enriching experience, breaking down barriers and ensuring accessibility for a diverse audience. Running my online program has been a truly rewarding journey. My goal is to foster a love for learning and create lasting memories for children and their families worldwide.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.learnwithjelly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnwithjelly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learningwithjelly615
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@learnwithjelly