Amy Norman

#potterybarnteen your service is the worst I have experienced in memory. 4 phone calls, 2 deliveries scheduled and both canceled by your system waiting for an item I Canceled on Tuesday. 1 13 year old disappointed that he cleaned his room and no bed is coming. #potterybarn

@tranglanimous @vntrlab @littlepassports (2/2) Early on we relied on our knowledge as mothers that it was really hard to find enriching activities for kids that parents feel good about and children are equally jumping up and down with excitement.

@AmyNorman_ @vntrlab @littlepassports Can you talk a little bit about the product design for Little Passports? There isn't a product similar to it before and so what did you look at for models?

Q2: @AmyNorman_ Growing up, you moved every 3 years. How did you translate your childhood experience and, now, your experience as a mother into the thriving business that is Little Passports?

@tranglanimous @vntrlab @littlepassports (1/2) We have been innovating since the beginning. There were no examples of subscription boxes or toys that address global adventures.

@vntrlab @Wharton @eBay @YPO @littlepassports @GoldenSeeds Leverage your school alumni networks AND look beyond them to your employer alumni networks. Go even further (e.g. your kid’s schools) to where there are people that can help you. I hired a C-level exec on the playground of my son’s elementary school. Think outside the box.

@AmyNorman_ @Wharton @eBay @YPO @littlepassports @GoldenSeeds What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs who want to start building or reworking their network?

Q5: @AmyNorman_ Your co-founder and close friend, Stella Ma, is also a mother and extremely successful woman! What role has your network (especially women) played in your success?

@vntrlab @littlepassports Our packages includes global stories and activities. The actual subscription lines vary by age, stage and interest. Our science kits are more activity-based and our World Edition includes chapter books highlighting the adventures of our characters Sam and Sofia.

@AmyNorman_ @littlepassports Can you share an example of what’s in a Little Passports package?

@vntrlab @littlepassports Little Passports has a number of fun things planned for the year ahead. We’re excited to be launching new products and have a very exciting announcement coming later this year, so follow us on our social channels (@LittlePassports) to stay in the know.

Q6: @AmyNorman_ What is on the horizon for @littlepassports ?

@vntrlab @Wharton @eBay @YPO @littlepassports @GoldenSeeds (3/3) My best advice is to keep adding in networks at every stage of your career and to set an intention to build your network. It takes time, effort and yes, courage to ask for help!

@vntrlab @Wharton @eBay @YPO (2/3) @LittlePassports has received investment and support along the way from @goldenseeds, an organization that provides early-stage funding to women, and my @YPO chapter who is a national leader in supporting female CEOs.

@vntrlab @Wharton @LauderInstitute (2/2) They have become investors and in one case, a board member. My Wharton/Lauder network continues to be a key alumni network to this day.

@vntrlab @Wharton @LauderInstitute (1/2) My two years at @wharton / @lauderinstitute were some of the best of my life! I was deeply immersed in international culture both studying in Argentina and Mexico, as well as back on campus with my international friends.

Q4: @AmyNorman_ You studied @wharton and @lauderinstitute , how did the interdisciplinary study impact your professional journey? What were some of the most valuable resources for entrepreneurship?

@vntrlab @littlepassports (2/2) On the flip-side, I got to take 15 minute breaks throwing a football with my son. I found that at the end of the day after trying to juggle work and family, I definitely needed to retreat to my bedroom for some quiet time.

@vntrlab @littlepassports (1/2)This year had a lot of challenges but also some really bright spots. Working from home with my husband and three boys distance learning, the kitchen was in constant use. It was 24/7 cleaning up after meals but somewhat successful in training the kids to do that themselves.

Q3: A lot of parents have had a difficult time during COVID lockdown (good thing they have @littlepassports Science Expeditions to entertain the kids)! What was your experience like as a mother and entrepreneur during this time?

@vntrlab @littlepassports (3/3) Our nationally-recognized brand offers five subscription kits and a line of complementary standalone toys, games and activities kits. Each subscription kit offers hands-on activities, exciting games, and stories that draw from science, nature, and global experiences.

@vntrlab (2/3) Through my experiences becoming immersed in new cultures and traditions at such a young age, I designed @LittlePassports to give children the opportunity to see the world in a new way.

I now live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Little Passports is based, with my husband and kids.

I studied Spanish and International Studies at the @LauderInstitute and before starting Little Passports in 2009, I had nearly 20 years of experience in general management, strategy, and finance from my previous leadership roles at McKinsey and eBay.

I am the Founder and CEO of @LittlePassports, a series of award-winning and one-of-a-kind activity kits designed to awaken kids’ curiosity about geography, culture, science and art for kids ages 3-9+.

Excited to join a twitter conversation tomorrow at 8am PST with Wharton's Venture Lab @vntrlab sharing my learnings and experience as an entreprenuer and leader!