Orca Communications Client Spotlight – CONVERLATION
Welcome to the Orca Communications PR client spotlight. Each month our clients tell you in their own words why they do what they do and provide tips for other growing small brands and businesses.
CONVERLATION is an educational curriculum for students, teachers, and other professionals who work with children. The program fosters respectful dialogue concerning the impact technology has on everyday life. It empowers kids to distinguish the “junk food” so easily accessible on the Internet from the “nutritious” information that makes tech worthwhile. The curriculum is easy to implement with minimal training and incorporates caregivers at home. CONVERLATION has already shown positive results in the schools that have started using it. We sat down with Director of Curriculum, Kathy Van Benthuysen, to get to know her and start a conversation about CONVERLATION.
I think every parent and educator can appreciate the idea of less screen time. What makes the CONVERLATION method so successful?
There are many reasons that this program is successful. One of the foundational ones is we never say tech is bad, to put it away, or to stop using it. Converlation has one purpose and one purpose only and that is to generate conversations among kids, with parents, and within the community.
You don’t think technology is bad, necessarily. What are some positive ways families can use technology?
We think tech is amazing when used as a tool. Like anything in life, moderation is key. Technology allows us to stay in touch with family and friends, it keeps us informed and permits us to efficiently do life tasks (order food, find directions, get an Uber, etc.).
What was your biggest inspiration in starting this brand?
We saw what social media, gaming, and endless videos were doing to our kids, our families, and to society, and we wanted to make a difference. When we did research, everyone saw the problem, but no one had a solution that would work with kids. Their approaches were all the same – tips or tricks, moderation, a digital fast or more mindfulness. None of these are effective with kids.
I’m sure there are huge challenges in starting a service-based company. What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a challenge cutting through all the noise out there and getting people to listen. Everyone is so busy – parents, school administrators, therapists, and even journalists – that it is difficult to get your message heard. But we are making progress with Orca’s help!
What advice would you give to a new entrepreneur who wants to enter the parenting and educational space?
You must have stamina and dogged determination. We have been at this for 7 years and are now just finally seeing the results of our efforts.
Now for a question that I ask all of our clients: Name one thing you like about working with Orca Communications.
Aaron and Tammy both have such sunshiny personalities and we truly value their persistence and perseverance in reaching out to the media, and potential clients.
Are there any specific projects you’re working on right now that you’d like to share?
We are reaching out beyond just parents and schools. Several different professionals have contacted us inquiring if we can make our materials available to them, including psychologists, life coaches, and county health departments. We even have the county prosecutor’s office requesting our materials for their outreach efforts. What we have found is there is a lack of effective materials for professionals that are dealing with the side effects and unintended consequences of endless tech use.
If you’d like to learn more about CONVERLATION visit their website https://www.converlation.com/