Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Angel Liang.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
With my academic and research experience, I’ve been privileged to engage with the latest and most innovative studies and information. However, after becoming a parent, I was struck by how many of my non-academic friends, now parents themselves, were frustrated with their daily parenting challenges. Despite being capable professionals, they struggled with their new roles, dealing with temper tantrums and managing big emotions and communication barriers.
Typically, evidence-based research takes a long time to reach the general public. Information that is widely known today has often been available for decades, confined to academic and research circles. Without popular media bringing this information to light, it often remains inaccessible. Even in education, many effective strategies are not widely implemented due to lengthy legislative and bureaucratic processes. I felt a strong need to bridge this gap and make relevant information accessible to the public, but I understood how challenging it would be at the governmental or school level.
Additionally, the intense focus on academic success in parenting sometimes overshadows what truly matters—values and character. Teaching children kindness, resilience, a positive growth mindset, and mindfulness become an afterthought, although crucial. Many societal issues today stem not from a lack of intelligence or technological sophistication but from a lack of humanity and empathy.
In light of hate crimes, school shootings, and social injustice, I am even more committed to changing the future trajectory of our next generation’s well-being. My mission is to raise awareness of mental well-being, embrace diversity, and foster empathy.
Reflecting on what can truly make the world better, I decided to take action. Why not bring evidence-based strategies from clinical and research settings into practical use for families at home? Why not make learning fun and enjoyable while teaching valuable life lessons that will help children become successful and valuable members of society?
I believe that teaching essential skills like emotional regulation and communication early on can prevent more serious issues later. These skills need to be taught to children and families now rather than waiting for small problems to grow into larger ones, causing more pain and requiring more effort to resolve.
Our vision is to continuously work towards improving our communities, creating better living conditions for the next generation. Tiny Sprouts® is like a seedling that continues to grow, eventually branching out to form a healthy, organic ecosystem. This ecosystem includes not only our various products but also our commitment to promoting educational philosophies and contributing to society. We believe that Tiny Sprouts® will grow into a mighty tree, bringing more greenery and vitality. We look forward to the future, hoping that our efforts will create a positive impact on a global scale, ultimately achieving our grand vision of improving the environment and benefiting the next generation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of entrepreneurship has certainly had its share of challenges. Our company has encountered three major struggles along the way: production, people, and marketing.
Empower Empathy™ was launched on Kickstarter in November 2021 as the first board game of our company to transform evidence-based strategies from clinical and research settings into practical and engaging methods. Three years of rigorous research and product development were spent on overcoming severe challenges as we hit the pandemic. Despite the significant production hurdles of border closures, supply chain disruptions, impacting timelines and resources, and high freight inflation, we’re determined and grateful that we overcame and successfully brought our flagship product to the market without much delay.
Finding the right people to collaborate with has also been a task that is crucial but easier said than done. Assembling a team that shares the mission and brings the necessary skills is no small feat. Fortunately, we are blessed with the addition of Dr. Rupert Yan to our team, where our synchronicity of vision is unparalleled, and the power of expertise and creativity is exponentially elevated. With his deep passion for education, outstanding instructional abilities, robust knowledge of technical sciences, research background, and serial entrepreneurial experiences, Dr. Yan is poised to propel us into the next era of global mental wellness by exploring innovative ideas and focusing on cross-disciplinary exploration and integration, providing new growth momentum for Tiny Sprouts®.
As the first board game to combine evidence-based strategies with tabletop gaming, we face challenges in breaking into a new niche market. This unique fusion requires significant effort in marketing and educating potential customers about its benefits. Our strategy involves clearly communicating our game’s dual purpose through compelling content and success stories and providing accessible educational resources like workshops, videos, and webinars. We also use various marketing channels, including social media, influencer partnerships, and conventions, to boost visibility and interest. We are fortunate to find many key players who are keen to help bring this mission to fruition.
Building a community for players to share experiences and strategies is crucial for fostering loyalty. By focusing on robust marketing and education, we aim to attract and retain an audience that values the blend of strategic learning and immersive gaming.
Despite these obstacles, each challenge has provided us valuable lessons and opportunities for growth, making the journey all the more rewarding.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tiny Sprouts, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As an educational psychologist, I am also the founder and CEO of Tiny Sprouts®, an educational and technological innovation company that specializes in transforming evidence-based strategies into practical applications and pedagogical programs. My background in research and vast teaching experience enables me to delve deep into the pool of education and research realm. In this era of revolution and innovation, Tiny Sprouts® strives to bridge evidence-based strategies from the clinical and research settings into a practical & fun way for families to play while learning valuable life lessons.
Tiny Sprouts® is like a budding seedling, rapidly growing into a vibrant, flourishing tree. Our flagship product, Empower Empathy™, is the first branch of this growing tree, as sturdy and essential as its trunk. This toolkit, which includes a cooperative board game and teaching guidebook, launched successfully on Kickstarter in November 2021, aims to enhance children’s emotional intelligence. Through this game, we strive to help children better understand and regulate their emotions, strengthen their empathy, improve their interactions with others, and solve social dilemmas in everyday life.
Our vision is to continuously work towards improving our communities, creating better living conditions for the next generation. As a seedling that continues to grow, Tiny Sprouts® will eventually branch out to form a healthy, organic ecosystem, which includes not only our various products and services but also our commitment to promoting educational philosophies and contributing to society. Our hope is that this virtuous cycle can become a continual growth process that is akin to the ripening of fruit as it matures and falls to the ground; the fruit not only provides nutrients to the soil’s microorganisms and animals but also nourishes the new seeds within the fruit. Every product is the result of our rigorous work and dedication, and each ancillary supports our original mission.
Since our first inception, we have received 7 major awards in the toys and gaming industry. Empower Empathy™ has been endorsed by 8 U.S. professional associations, including the California Association of Marriage Family Therapy, the U.S. Association for Play Therapy, the California Teachers Association, the National Association for Bilingual Education, the California Counselors Association, the Association of Resource & Special Educators Plus, among others. Our game is currently played in 26 states and 18 countries worldwide. Empower Empathy™ not only makes its way into the Harvard University daycare center but also juvenile detention centers CASA, and many other local yet significant organizations in several states. We are also working on expanding our game into more school districts and clinician’s offices as well as to many more families across the world.
We believe that Tiny Sprouts® will grow into a mighty tree, bringing more greenery and vitality. We look forward to the future, hoping that our efforts will create a positive impact on a global scale, ultimately achieving our grand vision of improving the environment and benefiting the next generation.
We invite you all to join us, witness the growth of Tiny Sprouts®, and help sow the seeds of hope for the next generation, creating a better future together.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Los Angeles, often known as the “City of Angels,” is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. I feel a certain affinity to this city because of our shared name, Angel. I love how the diversity is reflected in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, cultural festivals, and a wide array of international cuisines in places like Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Koreatown. I especially love how LA is a cultural hub with a wide variety of museums and art galleries. One of my undergraduate degrees is arts & performance with emphasis on performing and visual arts. The burst of creativity around here always sparks new perspectives and inspirations for my own work. The innovative culinary scene in LA here is truly a foodie’s paradise. I love experiencing and tasting different ways of preparing a basic ingredient, might it be traditional, fusion, or something completely out of the box. From high-end restaurants to food trucks, this city offers endless choices of culinary exploration from all over the world.
As we all know, LA is infamous for its heavy traffic congestion and long commute times. The city’s vast size and reliance on cars can make getting around a stressful and time-consuming experience, especially during peak hours. While there have been improvements, public transportation in LA is still not as comprehensive or efficient as in other major cities. This goes hand-in-hand with overcrowded beaches and popular attractions, especially during peak tourist seasons. This problem, unfortunately, detracts from the enjoyment of these sites for both visitors and locals.
Pricing:
- Professional Version (English/Chinese): $79.99
- Family Version (Chinese): $42.99
- Super-Sized Version: $399.00
- Superhero Sticker Pack: $5.00
- Interested in our workshops? Contact us directly at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mytinysprouts.com and www.EmpowerEmpathyGame.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mytinysprouts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mytinysprouts
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mytinysprouts
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/mytinysprouts
- Youtube: www.YouTube.com/@mytinysprouts
- Other: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/310377/empower-empathy
Image Credits
Tiny Sprouts, LLC
