Introduction: A New Mission - From Corporate Leader to Hero Builder: A New Mission.
After 31 years of building and scaling businesses, I walked away. Not from success, but towards something that matters more: our children. I've "burned the ships" on my corporate career to launch The Scrubbing Squad, "The Hero Community for Children."
This wasn't a snap decision. It's something I've seen and felt for years. At 55, my passion for helping children has become more important than any commercial success. It's time to build a "profit with purpose" business for the next generation.
The Problem: We're Failing Our Children
I saw it with my own children. And many children today, they are using popular learning apps, but are frustrated. The apps don't understand them, their culture, or how they learn. It is a one-size-fits-all approach, and it is failing children.
Millions of children are being left behind by educational tools that are built for one type of learner. As highlighted by research from organizations like 21K School, Go2Rose, and Prestans, these systems expect all children to learn at the same pace, which simply doesn't work.
The "digital divide" makes this problem even worse. Billions of children don't have reliable internet access at home, creating huge barriers to learning. On top of that, many educational technologies have hidden biases that can harm children from diverse backgrounds.
The Scrubbing Squad Difference: Creating a Third Safe Place
"Everyone else builds educational apps. We make heroes."
This is our promise. The Scrubbing Squad is a "Hero Community for Children" where they can learn, play, and grow. It's a safe space, a "third safe place" between home and school, where every child feels like they belong. Inspired by the same ethos that Starbucks created around the third place between work and home.
We are building for every child, every culture, every ability.
This means:
- Real cultural understanding: Our AI adapts to each child's unique background
- True accessibility: We have low-bandwidth modes and universal design.
- Generational wisdom: We include grandparents in the learning journey.
I created the first version of The Scrubbing Squad as a book series in 2004 while vacationing in Italy. Twenty-one years later, I've gone all-in, spending the last year updating and developing our proprietary character development framework.
This isn't just about technology; it's about a holistic approach to child development that respects and celebrates every child's unique journey.
Deep Dive Research: The Need for Personalized Learning
The research is clear: the consequences of children being left behind by inadequate educational systems and the digital divide are profound and far-reaching.
Studies highlighted by UNESCO and Technology Review show how a lack of access to appropriate digital tools and culturally relevant learning experiences leads to significant disparities in academic achievement, social-emotional development, and future opportunities.
The one-size-fits-all model in education is increasingly recognized as a relic of the past, failing to address individual learning needs and circumstances, as noted by the NY Post and ScienceDirect.
Personalized learning, enabled by advancements in technology and AI, offers a powerful solution, allowing for adaptive learning paths that cater to each child's unique pace and style. Research from IOP Science emphasizes that this shift from one-size-fits-all to personalized education is crucial in the era of AI.
This technological advancement, combined with a burning passion for impact, is precisely why now is the time for The Scrubbing Squad.
While many excellent charities, such as Little Lives UK, Save the Children UK, Barnardo's, and Action For Children, work tirelessly to support disadvantaged children, The Scrubbing Squad offers a unique, proactive solution.
We are not just addressing the symptoms; we are building a foundational community and a personalized learning experience that empowers children to become heroes from within, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose that traditional systems often miss.
Building in Public: Our Journey, Your Invitation
This isn't just a business; it's a movement. I'm building in public, and I'll be sharing every step of this journey: the mistakes, the wins, the challenges, and the lessons learned. My commitment extends beyond profit; through The Scrubbing Squad Foundation, we're reinvesting 50% of all profits to serve children in their communities, amplifying our impact globally.
If you believe our children deserve better, I invite you to join us, as a parent, educator, investor, or NGO Organization who believes children deserve better, I'd love to connect.
This is a profound moment, and this is the most important work I'll ever do.
Heroes Start Here: Report for Duty!
Join us in reimagining childhood and building a world where every child can become a hero.
- Join the Waitlist: Be the first to know about our exciting new initiatives and resources at scrubbingsquad.com.
- WhatsApp Community: Connect directly with us and other like-minded individuals. Join our WhatsApp community for exclusive updates and discussions.
- Follow Us: Get exclusive content and channel drops by following us on all social media platforms!
Let's celebrate the unsung heroes in our children's lives and build a brighter future, together. "Heroes Start Here."
With gratitude,
