If kids are our future, then it’s up to us to give them a well-rounded education and help them grow to be healthy, happy individuals. They will be the next generation to start new businesses, develop the ones we already have, and build upon the foundation of the Flint Hills. If it’s up to us to raise them up, then we should celebrate the establishments who never let them down.
After being open for a week, founder of IeDiscoveries—Kasey Kile Wilkinson—presented her business in July 2019 and was the Peoples Choice Winner for StartUp MHK. In between adapting to covid restrictions and working to open a new facet of ieDiscoveries, she shared a little bit about the business for those who’ve never been.
ieDiscoveries is a unique space that inspires learning through play. Our space encourages children of all ages (yes, all ages!) to engage with one-of-a-kind materials, solve problems, think creatively, and have fun. With play sessions, birthday parties, team-building events, and camps, ieDiscoveries has a little bit for everyone!
What inspired you to open ieDiscoveries?
As an educator for over 15 years I saw the need for a space for families to gather, build relationships, and have fun! Building relationships is at the heart of a community and I saw a lack of indoor offerings for families to build those relationships with children. Furthermore, I wanted to allow families to explore a different type of philosophy of education with a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) focus.
How has ieDiscoveries pivoted to adapt to COVID?
After being closed for almost three months I knew that our business framework would not allow us to be sustainable during the pandemic. I decided to become licensed with KDHE as a school-age program. This allowed us to enroll children over the summer for a summer camp and then we changed again to become a hybrid learning site. As of January we transitioned again to slowly re-open our doors in a similar fashion to our original business framework with a new addition in the works. We are opening a premier mother, baby, and child gift shop.
ieDiscoveries fills a need in our community that helps families explore education and grow their relationships. It is important that we support businesses like ieDiscoveries that go above and beyond for our children.
