We recently connected with Vanessa Lee Abraham and have shared our conversation below.

Vanessa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?
I believe it was in ninth grade when I discovered the value of self-awareness. It was a multi-stage process that required repeated nudges and dedicated time to explore my feelings, thoughts, and behavior. Once I got it, I never understood, after having life-changing moments in elective classes and on camps that focused on personal growth, why most people neglected this essential aspect of their lives. I was fortunate to encounter some caring teachers who understood the impact of social and emotional development on student well-being. One such teacher facilitated a class that served as a safe place for self-discovery, where students from diverse backgrounds gathered in a circle to discuss topics that were meaningful to us. The masks came off and we were able to see past the facades. My insightful and empathic Humanities teacher had us discovering ourselves through a series of thoughtful activities and interactive journal assignments. I was also involved with a number of organizations that sponsored weekend retreats and camps, including ones that focused on developing leadership and I couldn’t get enough of them. These experiences had such a positive impact on my teenage brain and heart and helped me find the “Real Me.” I wondered why all young people didn’t have access to these kinds of opportunities and what stopped schools from making self-awareness a priority in the curriculum.

I kept a journal of the experiences and activities that significantly influenced me and this record ultimately became my companion in my professional life as I developed a social and emotional curriculum for ages twelve to fifteen.

Vanessa, love having you share your insights with us. Can you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversation?
Smile Inside’s first incarnation was as a handbook full of compelling activities for those who cared as deeply as I did about the well-being and personal growth of youth. Over the years and after a number of pilot programs when I lived in Australia, the curriculum took shape with a focus on sixth through ninth grades and on the following topics: Focus & Listening, Empathy & Respect, Self-Talk, Self-Exploration, Emotions & Coping, Problem Solving & Decision Making, Goal Setting, Group Dynamics, and Esprit de Corps through Service Learning. My teacher training at Ohio University revolved around alternative approaches in education which informed the exciting and interactive methods used in the program. The profound experiences and reflections help young people come to realizations about themselves and their relationship with others and the world. These unorthodox approaches work well because the topics are explored in unique and engaging ways in a safe, structured environment and the participants are able to open up and go on an experiential self-discovery journey, together. Smile Inside evolved into being a private service provider for agencies and schools in Australia, but a move back to Ohio in 2015 led to reinventing itself as a provider of resources for those who work with kids, tweens, and teens. Smile Inside has continued to expand with other products such as an emotional literacy game called “Feel” in the Blanks and services including artsy workshops.

If Smile Inside had the influence to make a radical difference, it would advocate widely for reformation in education on many levels. I like to imagine how our schools and communities could transform if we made well-being a priority. I would like to see our leaders put emotional and mental health first when it comes to policies and allocating funds.

At the moment, inspiring just one heart at a time to create a ripple of change is the path. Smile Inside will continue its own transformative journey by creating and providing tools to enhance emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and social awareness for all ages.

Would you mind opening up about the multiple revenue streams in your business and how they fit together?
Smile Inside has created a variety of avenues to spread peace, love, and happiness through its products and services, which allows for a number of income streams. At first, trying to show up as much as possible seemed like a good idea via shelves for hire in shops and booths at festivals. Over time, it became apparent that spreading the business too thin didn’t make financial sense so a decision was made to focus on one brick and mortar location and limit the number of events attended. The Northside Marketplace in Akron is where Smile Inside lives 24/7/365. This location is an entrepreneurship cooperative where over 100 local vendors have small spaces to sell their products – think mini food court meets maker market with a collaborative marketing mentality. Entrepreneurial education is offered and vendors are encouraged to host workshops. Smile Inside displays products at events with the aim to educate visitors about SEL (social and emotional learning), most recently at an Educator’s Symposium at the Akron Public Library and the Aspiring and Ohio’s New Educators Conference hosted by the Ohio Education Association. Next month, I will be at a Play Therapy conference. Smile Inside products also travel with the Northside Marketplace Mix booth that tours select local festivals, mainly in the summer months.

Smile Inside products are also available for purchase online via www.smileinside.us and digital lesson plans and programs are sold through TeachersPayTeachers.com, a very popular website in the world of education. The two activity handbooks, Smile Inside: Experiential Activities for Self-Awareness Ages 12-13 and Smile Inside: Experiential Activities for Self-Awareness Ages 14-15 are on Amazon. “Feel” in the Blanks, our feelings-themed card and dice game, has secured shelf space in two toy shops so far and there are plans for greater distribution via the wholesale route.

Additionally, private online tutoring is available to students in second to eighth grades, where I integrate SEL (social and emotional learning) when needed. I also facilitate artsy self-discovery workshops and professional development trainings, customized for various groups of all ages.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://smileinside.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmileinside/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesmileinside
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smileinside/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesmileinside
• Other: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Smile-Inside

Image Credits
Shane Wynn Ilenia Pezzaniti