The Mother Company

The Mother Company based in Los Angeles, California, produces preschool education-based consumer products rooted in early childhood education with the guiding motto to "Help Parents Raise Good People." Their Emmy-winning television series Ruby’s Studio: The Feelings Show (available via Netflix, American Public Television, Amazon and TheMotherCo.com) as well as their 11 companion children's books, all focus prosocial behavior and emotional intelligence for preschool-age children. Their website, www.TheMotherCo.com, offers expert resources to help make the challenges of parenting easier.

History
Founder and CEO Abbie Schiller, a public relations executive and former VP with ABC and Kiehl's partnered with Samantha Kurtzman-Counter (President), a director and producer, who has worked on programs for ABC, NBC, Vh1, MTV and the Disney Channel. The Mother Company launched on Mother's Day, 2010. Together, Schiller and Kurtzman-Counter are known as “mothers on a mission to redefine children’s entertainment." They have also been featured in print, TV and online media as entrepreneurs and parenting experts.

Company Funding
Seeking business funding, Schiller initially approached angel investors. Because they wanted to give her more than twice the amount she needed, she turned down offers from three different traditional investment companies. Instead, Schiller and Kurtzman-Counter presented the company to mothers on the playground, at school events and birthday parties before establishing a niche group of individual investors in and around Los Angeles. All but one of the company's more than 20 investors is a mother and the founders have kept majority control.

Products & Website
The Mother Company's core product, the Emmy®-winning educational TV series Ruby's Studio, is designed to entertain young children while helping them to develop essential pro-social skills and emotional intelligence. Live-action show host, Ruby (Played by Kelsey Collins), guides children as they explore everyday social-emotional challenges through animation, DIY craft projects, and original music. The show host is Ruby (played by Kelsey Collins) who introduces children to feelings through animated, art and musical segment inserts. Children's artists Elizabeth Mitchell and Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band are featured as musical guests.

Episodes


 * Ruby's Studio: The Feelings Show Help kids identify, express, and move through their feelings, no matter how big or small.
 * Ruby's Studio: The Friendship Show Teaches kids "The Golden Rule" with tips on how to show empathy, confront bullying, and talk it out in order to nurture lasting friendships.
 * Ruby's Studio: The Safety Show Empowers kids to stay safe without scaring them, offering helpful personal safety tools in an age-appropriate, memorable way.
 * Ruby's Studio: The Siblings Show Gives kids strategies to resolve rivalry, boost harmony, prepare for a new baby, and celebrate family.

Books

The Mother Company has also written 11 children's picture books as companions to the Ruby's Studio TV show:


 * When Miles Got Mad (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, February 2013) - When his little brother breaks his favorite toy, Miles gets MAD. As his anger swells, he catches sight of himself in the mirror—but instead of his own reflection, a furry red monster stares back at him! By encouraging Miles to use words to express his anger, the Mad Monster helps Miles calm himself until eventually the anger—and the monster—disappears.
 * A Little Book About Feelings (Written by Abbie Schiller & Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, 2011) - Colorful handmade characters engage young children as they investigate the origins, variety, and universality of feelings. Kids are encouraged to recognize and express their feelings, which in turn helps them feel better understood and loved.
 * A Little Book About Friendship (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller, September 2013) - When Lionel the Lion and Louie the Sheep meet at the local playground, these two opposites have a grand time until Lionel unintentionally scares Louie. How will the two new friends work it out?
 * A Little Book About Safety (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller, May 2014) - When lovable Hugo Hippo navigates his way through a fun day at the community pool with his family, his safety readiness is put to the test in a variety of familiar situations. Hugo helps kids understand safety topics gently and with humor, such as memorizing a Safe Adult's phone number, covering up private parts when changing, paying attention to your gut "Uh-Oh" feeling, and remembering to "Check First" with a Safe Adult before going anywhere unexpected.
 * Casey Caterpillar Feels Left Out (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, October 2013) - When Bette Bumblebee and Lucy Ladybug decide to play a flying game, wingless Casey Caterpillar painfully observes their fun, unable to join. In the midst of this lush garden universe, these adorable bug friends learn a valuable lesson about communication and empathy.
 * Miles is a Mighty Brothersaurus (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller, April 2016) - 6 year-old Miles is back and today is his big brother Scotty's championship baseball game. The whole family is excited - everyone except Miles, that is. As the middle child, Miles is tired of celebrating his siblings' achievements all the time and feels like no one seems to care much about what he likes to do. Opting to stay home with Grandpa instead of going to the big game, Miles comes up with a plan: he’ll find something he can do really well, so he can win a lot of trophies and show his family that he is special, too! Gramps and Miles set out to find his “thing,” but ultimately discover that the best trophy of all is the happiness that comes when you do what you love - and that all you need to do to be special is just be yourself.
 * Miles is the Boss of His Body (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Abbie Schiller, May 2014) - On his 6th birthday, Miles's excitement is dimmed when he finds himself being repeatedly pinched, noogied, hugged too tight, picked up and tickled by his well-intentioned family - and decides he's had enough! Caught between expressing his discomfort and being polite, Miles finally decrees he's the “boss of his body” and hopes his family will understand.Much to his surprise, Miles's whole family shows him full support for voicing his personal body boundaries. Through humor and relatable situations, Miles is the Boss of His Body lets kids know that it's ok to speak up in regards to their personal safety in a way that is enjoyable and kid-friendly.
 * My Feelings Activity Book (Created by Abbie Schiller & Sam Kurtzman-Counter, 2011) - A personalized journal for young kids to document and explore their feelings. Kids get familiar with what makes them feel the way they do and how they can make their feelings change through meaningful multiple choice, drawing, and coloring activities.
 * One For All (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, October 2013) - An elementary school gymnasium bursts to life with friendly baseball bats, tennis rackets, and yoga mats welcoming Seth the soccer ball into their playful world on his first day of school. Everyone is having a great time until Buster the bowling ball smashes into their fun. How will all the sports equipment handle a ball that wants to roll over everyone?
 * Sally Simon Simmons' Super Frustrating Day (Written by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter, 2012) - Little whippersnapper Sally is hilariously tasked with building a mile-high sandwich in class. She sets off with gusto, only to watch her creations topple with a splat. Will Sally figure out how to manage her frustrated feelings and keep trying her best?
 * When Lyla Got Lost (and Found) (Written by Abbie Schiller, Sam Kurtzman-Counter, June 2015) - When six-year-old Lyla gets lost at a department store, she has to figure out what to do. First she calls out for her mom. Then she wisely asks another mom with kids for help. Together they seek a store clerk to make an announcement over the loudspeakers. When Lyla is reunited with her mom, children will rejoice alongside her and emerge more informed and empowered as a result.

Website

TheMotherCo.com provides articles from hundreds of renowned parenting experts such as Betsy Brown Braun, Dr. Michael Thompson, Dr. Laura Markham and Dr. Robyn Silverman, and serves as a hub with parenting Q&As, essays, and videos.

Awards & Appearances
The Mother Company's products, Ruby's Studio and the companion book series, have won a wide range of awards. Ruby's Studio: The Siblings Show won the NATAS Mid-Atlantic Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Children's Show. Other Awards include both Academic's Choice Smart Book and Smart Media Awards, multiple Creative Child Awards including DVD of the Year in 2012 and 2013,  Mom's Choice Awards, Red Tricycle's Coolest Kids Flick Award, a Parent's Choice Foundation Gold Award,  National Parenting Publication Awards and the prestigious Cynopsis Kid's Imagination Award in 2014.

The Mother Company has appeared in publications such as People, Forbes, Examiner.com, and on local news stations across the country where they share lessons and values from their products and offer relevant tips to parents. Their products have been reviewed and recommended by publications such as Parents.Com, People, Common Sense Media, Style Cartel, and School Library Journal. The Mother Company's business story and their entrepreneurial success has attracted attention from outlets such as MSNBC, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg and FOX Business.