Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Chiou.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m the founder of CodeSpeak Labs, which runs computer programming classes in PreK-12 schools in CA and NY and produces products that teach kids to code without a device. Prior to founding CodeSpeak Labs, I worked in tech where I was shocked at how difficult it was to recruit a diverse tech team.
I ran a nonprofit tech startup called Crisis Text Line that built the first nationwide SMS-based crisis hotline and built online tools for the media company GOOD Magazine.
Prior to getting into tech, I focused on innovating and expanding education models, particularly for low-income students. I’ve supported the creation of more than a dozen teacher recruiting organizations around the world through the Teach For All network and consulted for education and youth development nonprofits at the Bridgespan Group.
I graduated from Stanford in 2005, where I was highly envious of my peers who came to college already knowing how to code.
I have two young sons- 3.5 and 1.5 years old- who were the inspiration behind CodeSpeak Books, our series of Children’s Picture Books that teach kids the fundamentals of code through engaging stories.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely lots of challenges! Here’s a couple:
- I had spent almost a year in New York City building the CodeSpeak Labs business from scratch– first as an after-school computer science program, then expanding to classes during school across the city. I was still very much in the details, spending a lot of time in classrooms working with my instructors and our students and refining the program.
Then I got pregnant with my 2nd child. My husband and I are both from Orange County, and we knew we needed support from both sets of our parents to help with our kids, but I was very stressed about moving when my business was still in its infancy.
I hustled to recruit a General Manager who could lead NYC operations, and flash forward 2 years later, we’re now thriving in both locations.
- Another more recent challenge was with the publication of our first Children’s Picture Book: How to Turn Your Grown-Up into a Robot and other Coding Stories. A partner had offered to publish our first run of books to test the market, at no cost to us, which was very exciting. But then the partner fell through, and we had no publishing experience. The good news is we ended up running a crowdfunding campaign where we raised $25K (more than 8 times our initial goal!) — more than enough to do our first print run AND demonstrating market demand for this unique product at the same time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with CodeSpeak Labs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
CodeSpeak Labs teaches kids code, the language of the 21st Century.
We can help any PreK-12 school start a computer science program in under a month– our team of instructors can teach the course, co-teach with the school’s teachers, or train the school’s staff.
We’ve also developed a unique set of products based on our curriculum, all “unplugged” activities that don’t require a device. From our Children’s Picture Books for kids as young as 2 (for example, Robot Train’s Surprise Birthday Party http://amzn.to/2hONjHi ) to our Coding-themed Escape Room Kits (https://lockpaperscissors.co/hack-the-room), we specialize in creating new ways to teach kids computational thinking.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We’re working on publishing our series of Children’s Books and Activity Kits for large-scale distribution.
We’re also partnering with other organizations who have existing products and want to add a coding-themed element to it. Coding is an interdisciplinary skill, and technology has an impact on almost all aspects of our lives. We want to ensure that kids, especially those who might otherwise not be drawn to coding, get an opportunity to experience code in ways that are integrated with the topics and activities that they love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.codespeaklabs.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codespeaklabs/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/codespeaklabs
Image Credit:
https://www.beyondtheporch.com/
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