28 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2023 eases the stresses of everyday life for individuals with extra sensory needs – their parents, caregivers, schools, and more. By nurturing these sensory needs, Ellen guarantees a better life for those affected. They are more able to enjoy life and be at their best. The Sensory Kids® Store brings a fresh breath of air to our everyday endeavours and does so with years of rich experience. Ellen is a mother, an entrepreneur, a product specialist, and an advocate of equality. She shares, “As a parent of children with a myriad of challenges, I know how hard it can be to find the things you need. After years of scouring endless catalogues, medical and industrial websites, and, ultimately, relying heavily on our therapists, doctors, and educators to assist me in finding all the products I required to support the unique needs of each of my children – I resolved to change the experience for fellow parents struggling with the same issues.” Ellen’s dedication has brought her far in her career, and she shows no sign of slowing down as she continues to provide for a community that is too often overlooked. As an entrepreneurial woman in business, Ellen has faced many challenges which she has turned into opportunities for growth. She adds, “I’ve learned over the years to just do what I do and to largely ignore a lot of the peripheral things that happen. I try to focus on what I can control, what I know best, and can see ahead of me. I trust my intuition, I know my business best, and my customers respect me for my honesty, integrity, and genuine presence. It’s why I’m still here after all these years.” By partnering with other women in business, Ellen raises people’s spirits and truly empowers them. Ellen enthuses, “This my passion, and what I do every day. I was on the School Board for four years and have been a National Commissioner for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for over 25 years. I work both locally and nationally to fight for civil rights and particularly for the rights of those with special needs and disabilities.” For the rest of 2023, Ellen is set to launch a brand-new website with more features than before and has greatly expanded her offerings to adults with developmental differences, anxiety and genetic disorders, ADHD, PTSD, Autism, Downs Syndrome – or anyone requiring Most Influential Children’s Educational Support Entrepreneur 2023 (Illinois): Ellen Sternweiler llen Sternweiler opened The Sensory Kids® Store in 2009, after a 20+ year career as an entrepreneurial business owner of a successful marketing, graphic design, and PR firm, combined with almost 30 years of work in couture retail sales and art direction. Drawing upon both her life and work experience, Ellen launched her store in response to what she identified as an enormous gap in the manufacturing and retail industry. As the mother of three with a complex history of developmental differences, she believed strongly in the need to embrace neurodiversity. In response, she set out to provide high quality products, presented in proper retail packaging, in the same retail environment offered by other high-end boutiques—in both her brick-and-mortar and online stores. In doing so, Ellen has improved the quality of life for individuals with special needs, and their networks of care. The Sensory Kids® Store provides, “a carefully chosen stock of developmental, therapeutic, and sensory fidgets, toys, tools, furniture, equipment, books, aids, and sensory clothing, as well as full design and consulting services for sensory spaces, that are globally accessible through the online store and by appointment in my suburban showroom, in-homes, clinics, schools, medical, and community institutions,” says Ellen. As she believes that people should have access to everything they need, “simply!” Ellen prides herself on doing all the legwork so that we as individuals don’t have to. Finding and delivering the best of the best, Ellen’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through – so that each of us can have peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that every product has gone through her expert hands. Ellen tells us, “Sensory Kids® also provides Global Sensory Solutions™, assisting schools, clinics, and medical institutions worldwide in the implementation of successful sensory strategies.” These strategies ensure the healthiest “sensory diet” which, in turn, E Jun23057 The Sensory Kids® Store understands that everyone’s needs are different. It is there for individuals with developmental and special needs, parents, educators, caregivers, medical professionals, and institutions—so that we can all rest assured we are in good hands. Ellen Sternweiler is an entrepreneur worth taking note of as she strives to bring the perfect sensory supports and environments to schools, clinics, civic institutions, and communities. We learn more from Ellen herself as she wins her title in the Influential Businesswoman Awards 2023. “The Sensory Kids Store is dedicated to Fulfilling Special Needs, Simply.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==