Play + Purpose

Many female entrepreneurs take steps to become business owners, trying to earn income while also raising their children. Tara Kennedy Kline, founder and owner of TK’s Toy Box, found herself in this exact situation.

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but my passion for the toy industry began after my boys were born, and I realized I needed to have a business that allowed me to raise my kiddos while still earning an income.”

Her inspiration came naturally once she found her niche. “I love being a business owner. Being my own boss and creating my own destiny. As soon as I realized that there was a space I could fill in the toy industry that would allow me to continue to raise my kiddos while working with the toy manufacturers and charitable and corporate giving programs I had formed relationships with, I knew I had to take the chance and go for it!”

Tara describes her businesses: “I currently own three businesses that focus on toys in vastly different ways. TK’s Toy Box is my original business which concentrates on sales and distribution of high quality, educational toys to charitable and corporate giving programs. Snapo Toys is our own brand of construction blocks which we manufacture right here in Reading, Pa. and Throw Dat! is our novelty and custom carnival supply company.”

She continues, “In each one of my businesses, our focus is to create and deliver joyful experiences to everyone we work with, from our employees and sales partners to our customers and the people who receive our products. Our company motto is ‘When we give, we receive’, and we continue to give back to the people, organizations and the planet in any way we can.”

Tara has garnered inspiration from many sources, but when asked to narrow it down she replies,” My parents were my first and biggest mentors.” She also credits the inspiration to become a business woman to Lane Nemeth, the founder of Discovery Toys: “I strive every day to be the successful Mother, Entrepreneur and Leader she is.”

When asked if there is an “aha” moment or experience that defines who she is, Tara reveals, “Yes. It was the day I received the phone call at my dog grooming salon that my baby brother had died from a heart attack. He was 20 years old. I didn’t even take the call the first time the phone rang because I was ‘too busy’. My sister was babysitting my two very young sons IN MY OFFICE so they could be with me, but I hadn’t seen any of them all day long and I had been working 14-hour days all week because it was the week before a holiday.

“In that moment,” she confides, “I realized that no time on this earth is promised and my kiddos needed more of me than just occupying space together. That’s when I decided to sell my grooming salon and focus on creating more joy and connection.”

Learn more about TK’s Toy Box at https://www.tkstoybox.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ TKsToyBox. 2

By Phyllis McLaughlin, Freelance Writer

What advice do you have for women who are considering starting their own business? Of course, you can! And Build Bridges.

How can women support each other in such endeavors?

By joining and creating networks like this one and being active in them. We also need to be willing to support one another. Our time is valuable, but strong connections are priceless. We need to invest in each other.

How do you stay grounded?

Hahahahaha! If it ever happens, I’ll let you know. Just kidding. I am constantly learning, taking classes, reading, joining mentor groups, networking and also taking time to literally ground myself. Journaling, meditation and practicing mindfulness – it all has to balance for me, otherwise I get completely overwhelmed. And no one functions at their highest level when they are overwhelmed.