S2 E8: Dreams in Motion Children’s Museum of South Bend
In this deeply moving episode of Diary of a Dreamer, join special guests representing the Children’s Museum of South Bend. Born from a profound loss, the museum was created to honor the founder’s young son, offering a space where children can explore, learn, and let their imaginations soar. We discuss how this interactive, affordable museum has become a beloved community hub, turning grief into a legacy of joy, creativity, and endless possibilities for families.
Read the Transcript
00:00 Tasha: Welcome to Diary of a Dreamer, where resilience unlocks your potential. I’m Tasha Eizinger, and each week I’ll bring you powerful stories and practical insights from my own experiences and inspiring guests. Whether you’re facing challenges or chasing dreams, this podcast is your go-to for motivation, building confidence, and practical tips for transforming obstacles into opportunities. Let’s dive into today’s episode and start turning your dreams into reality. 00:58 Tasha: So for everybody that’s listening, I’m sitting here with Shannon and Emily from the Children’s Museum of South Bend. It’s a super cool place that I think everybody needs to know about. So that’s why I, of course, had to interview you ladies. So kind of walk us through a little bit of how it got started and that whole process. 01:36 Emilie, founder of Children’s Museum of South Bend: Yeah. So unfortunately… It started because my little boy passed away when he was almost six. He loved children’s museums. He just had such curiosity and creativity and such a spark of life and just absolutely loved being at museums. And so we were looking for a way to memorialize him, and that just seemed like a natural fit. We needed one here, and we knew that it was something that he would love. So that’s how we started in 2018. And it started with a community interest meeting, and it was clear that people really were looking for a space for their kiddos along these lines. 02:07 Tasha: And it’s a beautiful space for kids, and I think it’s a really beautiful way to honor your son. 2:15 Emilie: Thank you. I feel like we tried to build it so that everything in there felt like something that he would have loved. That was really important to me as we were designing it. Well, we would have gotten along really well, because I loved all of it. That’s a lot of fun. It’s fun. 02:37 Tasha: It’s fun being there, even as an adult, actually. Very cool. Oh, I love being there. So I think sometimes people know that they want to do something. So starting a children’s museum seems like a huge undertaking, setting aside the motherhood aspect of processing, but actually developing the plan and putting the plan in place. And I know that sometimes I’ll tell people with my book series, I know… Like, how to type it in Microsoft Word, but where do you go from there? Right? 03:04 Emilie and Tasha: Oh, that’s a big undertaking, too, absolutely. I will say it’s probably not something I would have ever even contemplated doing if I hadn’t lost my son. It just wouldn’t have felt possible. And I had to be in a kind of a state of insanity to feel like it was something that I could manage… feel like I had no sense of fear. I had no sense of like… Is this going to flop? It didn’t matter. It’s probably almost like a compulsion. It was a serious drive that had to be done. And I don’t care if it’s perfect. It has to happen. I’ve made this commitment at this point to my son, and I’m going to see it through. 03:43 Emilie: And it was also, I mean, it was lifesaving for me. It gave me something to focus on at a time when I really, really needed something to focus on. And then even, you know, even after the first couple of years, you know, going into the pandemic, it gave several of us. It gave us something to focus on at that time. 04:01 Tasha: Yes. Such a hard time for everybody. And also, how do you have a museum during the pandemic? 04:10 Emilie: So the way we opened was kind of right in the middle of the pandemic, and we opened for bubbled groups. So we asked people to rent out the entire space and to come in with people that they already felt comfortable. Like their own little cohort. Yeah. So we allowed them to kind of design who they wanted to be in the museum with. And it worked, you know, I mean. 04:26 Emilie: And we were really anxious to get to the point where we could start opening our doors for walk-ins, especially because it’s not feasible for every family to come in for $75. Right. A pop. So it was really important to us to be able to open our doors at a much lower price point. But, you know, it allowed us to at least get started. 04:45 Tasha and Emilie: Well, it was probably kind of, I don’t know the word, but it was almost good that you eased into it instead of, you know, all this planning. Yeah. And time and processing and then just dive in head first. It might’ve been too much, I feel like. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it was like a soft open, so it was kind of an easy way to get started, I would say. And then to keep adding too, because I know you keep adding to the museum as well. You do. 05:12 Tasha and Emilie: How did it first start? Like, what did you have in there in comparison to now? Yeah. I mean, I think the biggest change is we’ve changed up some of the building areas and added some of the engineering equipment. But there have been a few things that we’ve had to take out that haven’t really worked or haven’t taken a lot of, either were too difficult to maintain or kids didn’t show a lot of interest in them. Usually both. Usually it’s like difficult to maintain and hard to, or not as interesting to kids. We remove it. But so it’s been a learning process for sure. It’s been a learning curve. And kids are honest. Oh, yeah. Yeah. 05:50 Emilie: Well, and I mean, on the flip side, we’ve gotten a few things that we were like, this is horrible. Why would anybody want to play with this? And the kids are like, wait, you took it away? That was my favorite. And it’s like, there was like nothing to this. But, you know, I mean. I love that. 06:09 Tasha and Shannon, employee of Children’s Museum of South Bend: I love the honesty of kids. Oh, yeah. They let you know. Oh, my goodness. So, Shannon, how did you get involved with the Children’s Museum of South Bend? I met Emily at a fundraiser. And I think I’ve seen you at . So, Shannon’s like your right arm at this point. Oh, right and left arm. We’re better together. Yeah. I love that. So, met her at a fundraiser. Was it for the museum? Mm-hmm. And she was like, okay. And then you’re like, hook, line, and sinker have to be involved. All the way in. Yeah. She really was. All the way. Right from the start. That’s like your personality, too. Totally. Like, you’re the exact same personality. You don’t tiptoe. No. 6:45 Emilie: She did not tiptoe in. And she came right in. And in so many ways, she was just exactly what we needed at that point. You know, she really just. Yeah. We had done a lot of planning, a lot of research, a lot of talking to community partners. And she just came in and was like, we need a fundraiser now. Well, you can see it. We have like. She was like, no, we’re going to do it right now. 07:16 Shannon: So we got the key and then we went in and we had just a crew of us that were going to pull up carpet. And we were like, these masks are so hard to find. Because the pandemic was happening, but it was not. Like we were not. Yeah. I mean, we were kind of still at the point where they were saying like, don’t mask, keep the masks for the people who really need them. Right. And yeah. So many changes to what we were supposed to do. 07:39 Tasha: So you’re still following all the guidelines and doing what you need to do as you’re trying to do this huge feat of opening a museum. Well, and it wasn’t even it wasn’t even here yet. Yeah. The pandemic wasn’t here yet. But they like there was just the mask shortage. So we’re pulling up this carpet because the building used to be like an office and a garage that was storing old cars. And the idea was that we had all this community engagement. So we’d have a day of. All the people painting for a day and that would be done. All the people carpeting for a day and then that would be done. Sounds great in theory. Yeah. Right. 08:13 Shannon: And we could only have several people in this space at a time. And generally people that had already been exposed to each other regularly. Right. Really bring in like. Right. The people. Right. Which would have helped so much. 08:25 Tasha and Shannon: Which I know that the best part when you have a vision is actually seeing it in real life because you can see it in your head. You can see it in your head for a long time. But there’s something really magical about finally seeing it and being able to touch it. And it’s real. So you’re probably antsy like we got to get this done because I’m tired of dreaming of it. It’s got to be real. Yeah. You know. One very cool thing about it though. My kids had been a part of it for the whole thing. You like walk into a store and you’re like, yep, this is just here. But my kids got to. They walk in a place now and they’re like, wow. I never even thought of that. Built it. Yes. Painted it. Like it’s nothing’s just here for you. Someone like imagineered all of those. 09:11 Tasha: That’s a beautiful lesson for your kids to get. Yeah. Because it’s true. Anybody who’s done a business. Yeah. Or created something from scratch knows there’s a million things that happen behind the scenes. Yeah. It’s not just, oh, well you had this idea and put it together. Right. It’s like 10,000 steps to get. Right. Just to the initial process of making it come to life for people. Yeah. Yeah. Which in some ways can make it a more daunting process. 09:33 Shannon, Emilie, and Tasha: But I think it also makes kids feel like this is something that I can do, you know? Yeah. My mom can do it. Yeah. I’d love to see your kids as little entrepreneurs someday. I know. They’d be great. Oh my goodness. Now, I know that this space is very unique for the Michiana area. What do you believe makes it so special and unique? 09:52 Emilie: So one thing that I really love about our little museum, and eventually we do want to become a bigger museum and have a downtown location and more professionally designed exhibits and an outdoor space and all those amazing things. But right now, we’re in a very small space that is in kind of a desert for kids’ activities. 10:30 Emilie: And so I really feel like we’re able to be so responsive to the community. One, I had a group of neighborhood kids that would come into our new space. Sure. this is this is the best place in the in the world and i don’t think he’d been very many places but it just was like the most heartwarming and i think it was because he felt that it was for him he felt like this was being built um for him and for kids like him and so i just think the feeling of it being a space just for like for our community and feeling so um unique and uh child focused um if that makes sense well 11:30 Tasha: Well, and it’s interactive like i know when my girls and i went they’re different ages they’re six years apart and both of them the entire time were having a ball they were interacting with all of the i don’t know they’re not displays but like the segment we call them exhibits yeah the exhibits of the museum and creating and being totally immersed in that world of that exhibit and then i was having fun i’m like i don’t want to go do this for her and yeah um so i just think it’s really special that it’s so interactive and fun instead of just walking through something don’t touch this right keep your hands back it’s like no dive in and have some fun 12:30 Emilie: oh yeah absolutely um so um i did get a lot of questions from moms from the area when we were planning this and they were like why would i want to bring my kids to a museum they run wild they’re gonna be like getting their their handprints on all the glass and things i’m like that’s totally not our concept at all like we’re not um we are all about interactivity and open-ended play um the more ways you can find to play with one of our exhibits the better there’s no right or wrong way yeah oh here comes my little one is it okay if she’s on camera well sure yeah okay you want to come over here 13:00 Emilie and Tasha: this is izzy hi izzy i love one of our volunteers vip volunteer 13:10 Tasha: right you’re set up as a not-for-profit right we are yeah okay so this is a lot of money i’m sure to come up with a lot of people it always takes more people more money and more time than what we think when we first start so what are some needs that you have that maybe some of the listeners could help fulfill 13:30 Emilie: yeah i mean we are always looking for high quality toys that fit in with one of our spaces and that are durable and in good shape um we can always just use donations obviously um we have just hired uh in the last few months we’ve um gone from being entirely volunteer based to um having a couple employees so that’s amazing it is amazing it is amazing but it also you know our expenses have gone up a lot and we are really committed to keeping our admission prices affordable so um people that are able to afford to make a donation that’s always super appreciated um we also just always need volunteers 14:50 Shannon: it’s really fun because you can bring your kids when you volunteer and you’ll and they’re having fun sort of on a team with other moms and it really just becomes like a family like we’re having a baby shower this weekend for one of our long-time volunteers for it’s it just becomes like your crew and um it’s just a happy place yeah and i think you know we always love to get volunteers that um you know want to develop a story time or some sort of programming or art projects so if you’ve got some sort of passion that you’d like to share with kids you can come on over but we also you know we have a ton of volunteers that just want to be in the space and kind of um helping out and overseeing things um so you know whatever you’re able to offer we can find a place for it 16:30 Tasha: i feel like that’s amazing i hope that people will take a moment to volunteer i know that you’re starting an author series 16:50 Shannon: we’re starting an author series which i’m very excited about featuring local authors we have three set up so far one of which is Tasha 17:10 Tasha: i’m so excited we’ve already done one event together yes it was a lot of fun there’s a great space so the front space of the museum is all the interactive and then in the back there’s still some interactive stuff but it’s also more like your arts and crafts section is that what you call it 17:50 Emilie: makerspace we call it 18:0 Tasha: makerspace same idea yeah see this is why i’m not good at marketing no makerspace sounds a lot a lot better so yeah so you’re gonna have authors 18:10 Shannon: yes if you’re a local author and willing to do a story time and maybe a small craft you can send us an email about that and we’ll get you on the calendar yes 18:30 Tasha: so how can people get in touch with the museum 18:40 Emilie: so generally email is the best um we’re you know a lot of times running around and not answering the phone so um definitely email that’s just childrensmuseumsb@gmail. um and we do try to stay on top of answering those as quickly as we can sure okay and then of course if you have referrals pass on referrals as well that always helps word of mouth now remember that you are sharing something exciting for the listeners so what are you offering today for any listeners if you come in and um you have watched this podcast you get a free pass so just mention mention Tasha’s podcast and you can come in for one free one free admission 19:30 Tasha: yay so diary of a dreamer let them know that you listened and it’s definitely worth going. So much fun. Thank you so much, ladies, for being here and sharing about all of the great things you’re doing for the community. 19:45 Shannon and Emilie: Thank you for having us. 19:50 Tasha: Thank you for tuning into this episode of Diary of a Dreamer. I hope you found the stories and tips shared today to be a source of motivation and strength. Remember, every challenge you face is a chance to grow and move closer to your dreams. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with anyone who could use a boost of encouragement.
