Nadine Campbell's Member Story
Nadine Campbell is an award winner for both the marketing consultancy she founded, and the ACE Entrepreneurs business network. We spoke to her about growing both businesses, and the lessons learned along the way.
Natalie and Denhue are on a mission – to make STEM learning accessible to all.
When shopping for children’s books for their daughter, they found a gap in the market and took the opportunity to create a diverse book publishing company, and Little Scholars Playground was born.
We caught up with the founders of Little Scholars Playground to discuss how their business journey has been so far, the power of education, and find out how they are inspiring the next generation.
Little Scholars Playground started one year ago after we had our baby during the pandemic, and we struggled to find lift-the-flap books that she loved with a Black protagonist.
We truly believe children can’t be what they can’t see, so we wanted to create books and learning resources that help all children feel represented.
As people of action, we quickly determined that we possessed the skillset including illustration, design and marketing to begin to chip away at this problem.
Natalie: Before becoming a product designer (app and web), I worked in marketing for 8 years in the retail and publishing sectors. This has helped me to create a solid marketing plan for the business.
I ensure our social media is engaging and attracts our target market, our books are also now in bookstores, and we have received press attention which has helped get our business out there, so to speak. My background in tech has also inspired me to encourage parents to get their kids into STEM - particularly young girls.
Denhue: My writing career began by writing down big ideas for a young audience. I have worked as a senior airline compliance manager, which has plenty to do with my natural interest in STEM related topics.
Between us we have 20 years’ experience working in the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) industry.
Denhue has a Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and Natalie has a Master’s degree in web design and content planning. Denhue has worked as a senior airline compliance manager and Natalie has worked as a product designer (web and app) and developer.
Only 6.2% of UK students enrolled onto STEM related subjects at UK universities are Black*. We’re also both well aware of the lack of Black people working in the STEM industry and work to encourage Black children to develop a passion for STEM, an industry which creates the leaders, inventors and innovators of tomorrow.
We encourage parents to introduce STEM to young girls at an early age. I also want to ensure that all children feel represented. As I truly believe children can’t be what they can’t see.
Denhue: As a Black male in the aeronautical engineering industry, I don’t see many Black men in my field. So part of my mission is to encourage young Black boys to embrace the STEM industry early on.
The book is vibrantly illustrated and is a stimulating reference source. It is educational and takes you on a journey of fun facts, questions and answers, useful links, and activities to get children started with STEM experiments.
Denhue: Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain, written by Peter Fryer. It’s well written and allows the reader to learn about key Black people in British history.
You can find out more about Little Scholars Playground and the impactful work they are doing via their website.
Want to find more diverse learning resources? Check out Little Scholar Playground’s new book STEM Leaders: Black inventors and innovators who changed the world and their diverse collection of educational resources.
Looking for more inspiring stories from the IPSE community? Discover Nadine Campbell's journey into self employment and how she created a diverse, supportive community for fellow freelancers.
*Stat from the Black British Professionals in STEM
Nadine Campbell is an award winner for both the marketing consultancy she founded, and the ACE Entrepreneurs business network. We spoke to her about growing both businesses, and the lessons learned along the way.
When you join IPSE, you join a supportive community of people who have chosen to be their own boss, just like you. Events, forums and our online groups, all help you get to know other IPSE members from a range of industries.
Diversity and inclusion are two strengths of the self-employed and freelancing community. As part of Black History Month, we celebrate the achievements and inspirational examples of Black entrepreneurs throughout UK history.
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