"You can't be what you can't see.' This is the hard reality many kids face when they don't see themselves reflected in the stories they read. This week on Was it Chance, we're shining the spotlight on the entrepreneur on a mission to change that narrative. Meet Kaitlin Johnstone, the powerhouse behind Kind Cotton. What started as a frustration in Kaitlin's kindergarten classroom has blossomed into a movement to put diverse books into the hands of kids. Through her clothing brand, Kaitlin is not just selling t-shirts – she's sparking a more inclusive future. With refreshing honesty, Kaitlin shares the lessons learned along the way, from redefining what success means to her to reframing her approach to failure. Tune in to hear Kaitlin's story and discover how one person's passion can create a ripple effect of kindness and change that resonates far beyond what we can imagine.
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Connect with Kaitlin and Kind Cotton on their website, Instagram, and TikTok
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Episode Takeaways:
- From Teaching to Social Impact: Kaitlin's experience as a kindergarten teacher in Florida revealed the lack of access to diverse books for kids. This sparked the idea for Kind Cotton, a clothing brand that raises money to provide these much-needed books.
- Pivoting in the Face of Challenge: When COVID-19 hit, Kaitlin decided to focus on Kind Cotton full-time rather than return to an unhealthy teaching environment. This pivot allowed her to build the brand and its impact.
- The Power of Representation: Books play a crucial role in providing representation for kids. Kind Cotton's monthly book fairs in the community and different schools help ensure young readers see themselves in the stories they read.
- Redefining Success: Kaitlin's definition of success has evolved from selling one product a day to feeling good about the positive change she's creating in the world. Her goal now is to put a million books into the hands of kids.
- Kindness Rooted in Justice: Kaitlin shares her definition of kindness as being rooted in justice, equity, and openness to change. It's about holding nuanced empathy, not just being nice.
- Gratitude Shifts Our Perspective: Kaitlin opens up about her struggles with negative self-talk and how connecting with gratitude has helped her approach failure in a healthier way.