Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Glickstein.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey has been both unique and rewarding. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I was working with a young boy with autism who struggled with focus, attention, and body regulation. In our field, we often use weighted tools to help children self-regulate. I introduced a weighted vest we had available, but the child refused to wear it, stating that it was unattractive and made him feel self-conscious. Recognizing this, I realized how outdated these tools were. I then took inspiration from his interest in superheroes and redesigned the vest by adding a logo on the front and a cape on the back, transforming it into something fun and engaging—something that allowed him to feel like Superman. Instantly, he was excited to wear it, and his behavior improved dramatically. It was at that moment that I knew I had discovered something special, which led to the creation of my first company, Flutterby.
Flutterby focuses on creating discreet, weighted clothing designed to help children calm and regulate their bodies. As the company grew, I transitioned to part-time at the clinic, especially after starting my family. With my background in pediatric OT, I found myself constantly creating innovative and engaging activities for my children. I began sharing these moments on social media, and the response from my friends was overwhelmingly positive. Many encouraged me to become an influencer, providing other parents with creative ideas for engaging with their children.
Over time, I noticed that many parents expressed anxiety about letting their children engage in messy or wet sensory play, fearing the mess it would create. This sparked an important realization—many families were avoiding such activities, even though sensory play is crucial for early childhood development. After the birth of my second child, I made the decision to step back further from my clinic work, transitioning to on-call status, as I wanted to prioritize my family. While Flutterby continued to thrive, I found myself yearning for a new creative challenge.
I observed the rise of sensory-focused companies in other regions and recognized a gap in Minnesota’s market. Sensory play is essential for developing critical skills, including fine and gross motor skills, tactile perception, regulation, executive functioning, and more. I shared my idea with my husband, who was equally excited, and we decided to pursue a mobile approach to bring sensory experiences directly to families.
Instead of purchasing a school bus, we renovated a 20-foot trailer into a mobile sensory classroom. Today, we offer sensory classes, pop-up events, and birthday parties, traveling to homes, schools, venues, and parks. Being mobile allows us to serve families where they are, making it convenient for parents while ensuring that children get to engage in messy, sensory-rich play. The best part? The kids have fun, make a mess, and we handle the clean-up—creating a win-win for both children and parents.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, the journey has been relatively smooth. We secured a trailer early in the process, and with my husband’s engineering expertise, we were able to transform the interior to align with my vision. Additionally, I was able to quickly establish partnerships with local daycares that I was already familiar with, which provided a strong foundation to kickstart the business. A highlight early on was a successful preview pop-up class in collaboration with Mess Hall, a local art studio in Hopkins. Both sessions sold out, which was incredibly exciting and provided immediate validation for the concept.
However, like many new businesses, the greatest challenge has been building brand awareness and establishing a presence in the community. If potential customers aren’t aware of your business, they won’t engage with it.
While social media marketing proved effective for my previous venture, it hasn’t yielded the same results for this company, as my focus is hyper-local to the Twin Cities area. Adjusting my marketing strategy to better resonate with the local community has undoubtedly been the most difficult aspect of this journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SenseUp School?
Through my clinical practice, I have developed a deep understanding of how essential sensory experiences are to early childhood development. Sensory processing forms the foundation for how children learn, interpret, and engage with the world around them.
Sensory experiences are integral to early childhood learning, as they support the development of key skills through play. These skills lay the groundwork for a child’s future success. With my specialized training, I create and implement tailored activities designed to target specific developmental areas, such as fine motor skills, self-regulation, and more. My approach involves adapting and grading activities to meet each child where they are in their developmental journey. Whether making tasks easier or more challenging, I ensure the activities are appropriately suited to each child’s abilities.
It has been incredibly rewarding to apply my expertise and training in pediatric occupational therapy to create impactful, play-based learning experiences for children.
I am particularly proud of the positive impact SenseUp School is making in the community. The feedback we have received from families and children has been overwhelmingly positive, and it is truly gratifying to know that we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
We offer a variety of services, including daycare enrichment classes, monthly pop-up events, participation in community activities throughout the Twin Cities, and customizable birthday party packages.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
First and foremost creativity. My background as a pediatric occupational therapist has equipped me with the knowledge to design targeted, developmentally appropriate activities. However, it’s my ability to think outside the box and continuously come up with innovative, engaging, and fun sensory experiences that has allowed me to stand out in the market.Being able to creatively adapt and modify activities based on the child’s needs ensures that each experience remains meaningful and impactful.
Another characteristic that is important to my success is resilience. The journey of building a brand from nothing, particularly one that is mobile and community-focused, presents unique obstacles—whether it’s navigating the logistics of a mobile classroom or adjusting marketing strategies to better serve a local audience. Being adaptable, staying focused on the mission, and continuing to innovate have been essential to moving the business forward.
Lastly, I would say empathy. Empathy allows me to connect with both children and parents on a deeper level, ensuring that the sensory experiences I design are not only developmentally appropriate but also engaging and enjoyable. It enables me to adapt activities to meet the individual needs of each child, fostering an environment where children can thrive, explore, and develop at their own pace. Ultimately, empathy drives my commitment to supporting and educating families and making a positive impact in the community.
Pricing:
- Pop-Up Classes, $30/child w/ $10 off sibling code
- Birthday Party Packages- $200-$445
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.senseupschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senseupschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557835216224
