We recently connected with Melissa Boettger Boettger and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa Boettger , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 15 years in various learning environments. I started off my career working with newcomer children to Canada. Their parents were learning English while I took care of their children. I got to learn so much about different cultures and languages and I knew that whatever learning environment I was in I wanted to make sure my curriculum was diverse and inclusive.

Fast forward a few years and I was supplying in kindergarten classrooms and I noticed a lack of representation in our learning resources. I knew I could help with this. That’s when I came up with the idea to make colour conscious playdough. It took lots of trial and error to make sure I got the tones as accurate as possible. I knew when I was starting this I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just something that would be played with a couple of times and left in a drawer, I wanted it to be educational. That’s why my colour conscious playdough comes with a resource guide, with books, questions, videos and more to start or continue on people’s antiracist journeys.

What started off as just an idea came to fruition with the school board purchasing for their classrooms, being in stores, many new products that promote diversity and inclusion and workshop opportunities.

Melissa Boettger , 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?

I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 15 years working with newcomer families to Canada for about ten years. I also am a mom to two boys. Raising antiracist and inclusive children is a passion of mine and I am constantly trying to create new and different products that promote these things because there is not a lot out there.

When I was supplying in the Waterloo region I found there were not a lot of toys/books and other inclusive resources out there and knew I could help. I think for a lot of people knowing where to start can often be overwhelming and I am here to help. My colour conscious playdough comes with a resource guide to get you started and on my social media pages I share inclusive books for children and adults, play setups and lots of other resources. Some of my products that are available are coloured and colour conscious playdough, diversity pegs, inclusive sensory fillers, book/playdough sets and more! Since I am also an educator I love doing workshops and courses as well. Its wonderful to see the children learning and enjoying with the products I have created. It brings me so much joy.

I am most proud of the resilience I have shown throughout my time as a business owner. It is not easy and its even harder to do something that really isn’t out there. I have lot’s more ideas for inclusive products and collaborations that I can’t wait to see come to life.

Several of my products I make donations to local organizations. Giving back is really important to me. I think it’s important to note that it is never to early or too late to start on your antiracist journeys.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think what helped me build my reputation in my market is being consistent. It truly takes time to develop trust and solid relationships with customers and people that you are working with. I attend a lot of events and markets in my community and I think people have gotten to know that my products are high quality and have got to know me as well. Sometimes it’s not all about the sale but truly making people feel seen and heard. I have been privileged to hear people’s personal stories about racism and other challenges. Communication is so important and through my business people can share their experiences, are able to own their mistakes and are passionate about change to make our world a more inclusive space for everyone.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

As much as I loved my career as an Early Childhood Educator I knew I was feeling really burnt out and I needed a change. About five years ago I quit my full time job as an ECE and moved down to supply. I always thought that this would be what I would do for the rest of my life working full time and I never would have dreamed I would have my own business.

The first couple of years as a supply I worked consistently. Then I came up with the idea for my business and gradually I spent less time in the classroom. This year I quit my job with the school board because I realized it no longer made me happy. This year I have done a few workshops and it always makes me happy when I get to spend time with the kids.

I feel so grateful and happy that I get to focus my time and energy into my business these days and have a more flexible schedule to spend more time with my children.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://togetherinplay.ca
• Instagram: @together.in.play
• Facebook: Together_In_Play
• Linkedin: Melissa Boettger
• Twitter: @togetherinplay
• Yelp: Together In Play
• Other: Pinterest: Together In Play
  Etsy: TogetherInPlay

Image Credits

Passionately Curious Educators for the one picture of the child making the portrait