Debbie Sterling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Debbie Sterling
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Debbie Sterling on September 21, 2015 judging Startup Battlefield at Day 1 of TechCrunch in San Francisco, California.
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| Born | February 26, 1983 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education | Stanford University |
| Occupation | Engineer, businesswoman |
| Known for | Founder of GoldieBlox |
Debbie Sterling (born February 26, 1983) is an American engineer and businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, a company that creates construction toys and stories to encourage girls to explore engineering. Debbie is a strong supporter for women in engineering and technology. Time magazine called her a "Person of the Moment," and Business Insider named her one of "30 Women Who Are Changing the World." GoldieBlox was also recognized as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company in 2014. The Toy Industry Association even gave GoldieBlox the "Educational Toy of the Year" award in 2014.
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Debbie Sterling's Early Life
Debbie Sterling was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 26, 1983. Her grandmother, Sterling Sturtevant, was a very talented art director for animated films. She worked for famous studios like Walt Disney. Debbie's aunt, Amy Sterling Casil, is also a well-known science fiction author.
As a child, Debbie enjoyed playing with princesses and dressing up. But she also became very interested in engineering. She loved how engineering lets you combine art, design, and science to solve tricky problems. This passion led her to study mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where she graduated in 2005.
Finding Her Path
After college, Debbie moved to Seattle. She started working at a design company called Hornall Anderson. There, she learned a lot about branding and design. She even became a lead brand strategist for big projects.
Even though she enjoyed her work, Debbie wanted to make a bigger difference in the world. She spent time volunteering, including six months in India. This experience helped her realize she wanted to create something meaningful. Eventually, in 2009, she found her way into jewelry making, which further developed her creative skills.
The Idea Behind GoldieBlox
The idea for GoldieBlox came from a discussion about why there weren't many women in engineering. Debbie realized that most construction toys were aimed at boys. She wanted to change that by creating a fun construction toy specifically for girls. This toy would help them learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Making GoldieBlox Happen
When Debbie first shared her idea, some people were doubtful. They thought construction toys were only for boys. But Debbie did a lot of research. She found out that girls were indeed interested in building and engineering.
To get GoldieBlox started, Debbie launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2012. It was a huge success! She raised almost $300,000 with the help of over 5,500 supporters. People who backed the project received fun rewards like magnets, T-shirts, and the first GoldieBlox toys.
GoldieBlox Grows
Since its successful start, GoldieBlox has grown a lot. By late 2017, the company had sold over a million toys. Their apps also had a million downloads.
You can find GoldieBlox toys in many popular stores. These include Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us. They are also available online at Amazon. GoldieBlox even had a commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl game!
In 2017, GoldieBlox expanded into puzzle books. This happened after users said they wanted more products. Debbie also worked with the Girl Scouts of the USA. Together, they created new badges in STEM fields. The goal is to inspire more girls to think about inventing and engineering.
Images for kids
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Debbie Sterling on September 21, 2015 judging Startup Battlefield at Day 1 of TechCrunch in San Francisco, California.
