What started as a school project ended up becoming so much more. California teens Sofia Migliazza, Erin Rogers, Lauryn Hong, and Ella Matlock all happened to take Jeff Montooth's economics course. Every year, Jeff assigns a big project. And that is to create a business that would help the world become a better place.
However, the assignment was slightly changed up based on the condition of the world. Typically, students have more class time to work on it. "This year, due to the lockdowns and quarantine, I decided to broaden the scope of the project to include charity businesses as well," Jeff told CNN. "I wanted to make the project as relevant as possible and allow kids the opportunity to create something real and give back to their community. I also had to be flexible because my students were all dealing with a variety of different challenges and to try to continue with business as usual didn't make sense."
The girls bonded together and thought of a brilliant idea — a coloring book. But not just any coloring book. This one would be centered around COVID-19 and give back to charity.
The coloring book also happens to be educational. The girls got together to create characters that teach kids how to stay safe. Even though we're all aware of the CDC protocols, some people are still a little hesitant to follow them. With this fun reminder, children are encouraged to embrace safety more.
The coloring book is 28 pages long. Throughout, kids are introduced to characters like Al E. Gator, Sam the Snail, and Wally the Narwhal, all who remind children (and adults, too) that we're all in this together. As an added benefit, each coloring book comes with a face mask to further the mission of safety.
But it's not just a book — the young women started their own company. The company is called Be the Change Coloring Co., and its overall mission is reflected in the company name. Each book costs $5, and 40% of the profits go to charity, meaning that these students are truly making a change in the world.
Jeff has seen many types of projects throughout his time, but this is one that has expanded into so much more. It's a great model for future students, especially those who feel as if their age may prevent them from making a difference. It's proof that companies don't necessarily have to be so hard to launch.
"I am very proud of them and as a teacher this is the ultimate goal," he said. "I hope that this project can serve as a model for what we can be doing during this time that continues to help students be creative and work toward goals that are relevant and meaningful." He was willing and able to help his students bring their idea to life.
According to Erin Rogers, each girl had a very important role when it came to assembling their first coloring book. Having it be a true team effort only solidified their business. "Lauryn starts writing the books and then we start making the drawings, which is where Sofia and Ella come in," she explained.
"They make the drawings and activities for the coloring books and then after they're all finished with those, I import the photos into Photoshop to combine the words and photos to make the pages," she continued. Speaking of their first coloring book, they're already working on their follow-up. It seems like they've already gotten into a great rhythm to create multiple titles.
Especially because they've already developed their characters. And the more character development they have, the more of an audience they'll build. The sequel is currently called "Stand Up for Your-Shell-ves," and it focuses on Sam the Snail.
The book, much like the first, will also talk about important topics kids need to know. The company's goal is to have Sam help educate others on racism and discrimination, both which are also big topics of discussion for 2020. Thanks to the Black Lives Matter movement, more people are recognizing how much of a disadvantage Black people have, based solely on their skin color.
Based on the company's website, its goal is to let the customer choose the charity they want to donate to. "We are giving the option to donate 40% of your purchase to the organization of your choice," the girls explained. "But each book is focused on a different one. The main goals of this project are to educate young kids on the extreme issues of today and give back to our community."
"Through the wise words of Al E. Gator, Sam the Snail, and Wally the Narwhal, we hope to help kids understand what's happening around them right now," they continued. "Thank you for all your support!" You can buy their coloring book for yourself directly on their site.
It's a purchase that's tough to say no to. Not only is it entertaining and educational, but it's a cute way to support a charity you care about. So many charities out there are hoping to change the world for the better, much like these four young entrepreneurs.
Even if coloring books aren't your thing, their story should serve as a reminder that young minds everywhere are trying hard to change the world for the better. Teens today have proven that they care about activism and social change. It's refreshing to know that the world is in good hands, and that young individuals are set on making big improvements.
It's also a reminder that a business doesn't need much to start up. All you need is a great idea and a team to support you. It's good to see that none of the girls are trying to take all the credit for their hard work. They acknowledge that all four of them put in time and love.
Expect to see even more from Be the Change Coloring Co. They have a lot of great topics they can dive into, and they seem to have developed an incredible business model. Plus, they're a reminder that anyone can sit down and color. It's actually quite a relaxing hobby, especially during these times.
