In today's post (and several more to come), I want to interrupt the world-wide narrative coming out of St. Louis these days and focus instead on the many positive things that are happening here. To start, let me introduce you to a few people who have joined the CWE's TechArtista, a co-working environment located at 4818 Washington. Some of the 60 members are originally from St. Louis, but most have come from elsewhere and have decided to stay after graduation, putting down roots in St. Louis and growing their start-up businesses in a neighborhood they have come to love.
Melanie (Mel) Paticoff, above, signed on as a "member" as soon as TechArtista opened its doors last May. (Disclosure: Jim and I are partners in this venture). About ten days ago, Mel launched a Kickstarter Campaign hoping to raise $10,000 to fund Hearing Our Way, above right, a free magazine for children with hearing loss. Also shown in the photograph above is Sophie, a toy dog with a plastic cochlear implant that accompanies many children as they go into C.I. (cochlear implant) surgery.
Mel, who grew up on the North Shore of Long Island, learned at a young age that St. Louis is known around the world as the epicenter of listening and spoken language for children with hearing loss. Her cousin moved here with her mother (Mel's aunt) for several years to attend Moog Center for Deaf Education. Mel aspired to be a deaf ed teacher someday and kept a Central Institute for the Deaf brochure on her bulletin board during her high school years as inspiration. She enrolled in the deaf ed program at Vanderbilt, then transferred to Fontbonne University to complete her degree, and earned a Masters in Audiology and Communication Sciences (PACS) from Washington University Medical School, graduating in 2013.
While at Fontbonne, Mel attended some classes at W. U.'s Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. Because of that experience she decided to become an entrepreneur in the deaf ed arena rather than a teacher like most of her classmates. Mel became the founder and CEO of Sophie's Tales LLC, an education publishing company for children with hearing loss. The entrepreneurship program is also where she met Eric Hamblett, a founding partner of TechArtista. After working from home for the year following graduation, she was thrilled to find a place where there was energy and inspiration from others working on start-up businesses.
The photo above shows Launch Day (August 9th) of Hearing Our Way's Kickstarter Campaign. As of this afternoon, the magazine had achieved more than 50% of its $10,000 goal. Mel collaborated with members of TechArtista to put the campaign together, including video producer Luke Terrell (see the Kickstarter video here), and Eric Hamblett, above right, who helped spread the word and manned the website.
Hearing Our Way is a free magazine for families and deaf ed teachers. Following a successful launch of a first issue in April, distribution has reached 5000 in 49 states and 27 countries. The goal of the $10,000 campaign, which ends September 8, is to keep the magazine free, and cover postage costs. If Mel can grow the magazine quickly she can target more advertisers (she currently has 5 on board) and sponsors. The magazine, designed by Peggy Nehmen of Nehmen Kodner Creative, looks like classic kids and teen magazines. Mel decided against an electronic book in favor of something kids could hold in their hands. Hearing Our Way is printed locally by Trio Printing on Forest Park Avenue.
Hearing Our Way's mission is to support children and teens with hearing loss by providing an opportunity not only to read about others like them, but to connect with those who are experiencing similar challenges. Mel said that children are now graduating as young as Kindergarten-age from CID and other deaf ed programs around the country and entering mainstream classrooms. The magazine teaches kids to celebrate their differences and provides vital social and emotional support.
Val Johnson, second from left, has a bone-anchored hearing device for her single-sided hearing loss. She is shown at the Kickstarter Launch with her nieces and nephews. Val, who works at Central Institute for the Deaf, is also a creative contributor to Hearing Our Way.
Here's how Mel perceives her TechArtista experience:
"I feel so fortunate to have found TechArtista. These last three months have already changed not only my business but also my life. After graduation, I felt myself drifting away from my peers in deaf education. Even though many of us still lived in St. Louis and worked within the same field, their careers in the classroom and my work as an entrepreneur felt like worlds apart. Now, at TechArtista, I have friends my age who understand what it's like to forego a more traditional path, start their own businesses, and work independently. Through collaboration with fellow members and happy hours on the patio, I've formed friendships and connections that never could have happened if I were still confined to working from home. I am so grateful to go to TechArtista each day, where I am surrounded by creative energy, and there's always a friendly face right down the hall."
I asked Mel how she felt about her decision to stay in St. Louis. She said she LOVES the St. Louis spirit, which to her means she is able to get help with anything she needs. Mel continues to meet with a mentor she met in the entrepreneurial program who is active in the publishing business, and said she has felt welcome at St. Louis Publishers Associations meetings. She is constantly amazed at how easy it is to be part of the community – a bigger fish in a smaller pond, as many who have chosen to stay have found out.
You can give kids with hearing loss a Kickstart by contributing to Hearing Our Way's Kickstarter Campaign, no contribution is too small. To contact Melanie Paticoff visit her website.