​Wink Kids is a small venture started by four high school/college softball playing pals, combining their wide-ranging experiences in libraries, teaching, retail, marketing, graphic design and motherhood.  Of course, our original designs aim to make our kids look cute, but it's reading and learning that drives the passions of the creative women behind Wink Kids.  We know that reading is the key to every child’s growth.  Below is a brief bio of each team member and our MVP: the maker, fixer and advisor that guides Wink Kids, even at 89 years young!

Teresa
Teresa has over 25 years of teaching experience in both public schools and higher education. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and works with at-risk high school students as well as teaching graduate reading courses. She runs the day-to-day business of Wink Kids.  

Mary Beth
​Mary Beth brings her professional experience in retail, marketing, public relations and creative writing to the team. Over the past 20 years, she has devoted thousands of volunteer hours to child- and senior-focused non-profit organizations. She has a BA in Journalism and English from the University of Iowa, as well as a minor in business with an emphasis in education.  She is currently our resident expert in vinyl printing.

​Laura
Laura has worked in libraries for over 20 years, including both higher education and the public library systems. She recently moved to San Diego and joins the Geisel Library at the University of California-San Diego. She has a B.S. in  Elementary Education from the Missouri. Western State College and is our Instagram and Etsy coordinator.

Jules
Julie has 25 years of experience in creative media production as a designer, copywriter and interactive media director. She has produced and managed projects for all media - print, video, web and interactive for small businesses and non-profits as well as large corporations, publishers and museums. She has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from Drake University. Julie is our designer and brand manager.

Haleigh
After falling in love with Wink Gift sets for her little boys, Haleigh was honored to be invited to join the Wink team. With professional experience spanning from television production to education, Haleigh enjoys finding different ways to connect people together to help one another to achieve their goals. She earned her BA in Communications and Public Relations from Monmouth College. She is our Social Media Manager and Millennial Consultant. ​

Duane (maker, fixer and advisor)
Our honorary team member and MVP, Duane, has been a passionate woodworker for almost all of his 89 years. He originally designed and currently handcrafts our most popular item on Etsy, a personalized kid's bookshelf, the Little Wink Library.  If you see what looks like a dentist's drill in the background of this pic, you'd be right. Turns out he had a dentist neighbor who threw the drill out with the trash 50 years ago, not realizing how valuable it could be for his woodworking neighbor!  Check out Duane's video about the finishing process of the Little Wink Library below.