Where in the World...?

When we first began this business, we eagerly plotted each and every sale with stick pins on a big map of the USA. While this exercise was primarily aimed at giving our children an education on how far reaching our business could be, it also proved to be a powerful reminder for us adults as well. But of course as our order volumes grew, our map quickly degraded into a massive blur of colored stick pins and we eventually discarded our map into the dumpster.

When Google first introduced their mapping service, it immediately conjured up that image of our original sales map. So I put it on my to-do list to create a digital version of the sales map using the Google Maps API. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined! Not only can you get a visual of where our orders are being shipped to, but be clicking on any stick pin, you can actually see what was ordered too. Even though we've shipped toys to over 88 countries around the world, unfortunately at this time we're only able to plot U.S. orders on our map (we'll work on that though!).

One other thing I'd like to draw attention to is the location of Fat Brain Toys smack dab in the middle of the country. Of course we didn't plan it that way (as I was born and raised here), but our central location gives us the ability to provide ultra-fast shipping to the entire country from East to West!

I hope you enjoy this look into Fat Brain Toys! Click here to view our "Where in the World" interactive map...

Failure Is Not An Option

This past weekend I had the opportunity to watch a great documentary on the History Channel entitled, "Failure Is Not An Option." Based on a book of the same name, it was authored by Gene Kranz, the Flight Director for numerous space missions, including the famous Apollo 13 mission. It was a fascinating view into the brilliant people and events that made man's trip to the moon possible. The program concluded with a plea from Gene Kranz to the parents and children of today's generation: inspire our youth to excel in Science and Math in order that they may rise to the challenges of tomorrow.

I must say I took some pride in knowing that in our own small way, we're doing our part to inspire a new generation of engineers, architects, scientists and mathematicians. And more importantly, I think it's wonderful that so many parents are investing in their children's future - by buying them toys that entertain AND educate. Will it be our children who take us beyond the moon? Give them the tools they need to grow their mind and anything is possible!

Kite Flyers Paradise

My family and I just returned from our family vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I had told my wife that it would be a great place to relax, take in some sunshine while we sit on the beach and stick our toes in the surf. Secretly I had been planning the ultimate kite-enthusiast vacation! It was no mistake that the Wright Brothers chose the Outer Banks for the location of their historic first flight . . . steady winds and massive sand dunes lend themselves to all types of airborne activities from land-based kiting, to kite boarding, to hang gliding.

Partially out of vacation-induced laziness, and partially out of curiosity, I left our Big Sled kite tethered to our deck all night long. To my absolute delight, I awoke early the next morning to see the Big Sled still sailing proudly in the wind. We also performed several other experiments with the Big Sled including sending up "line laundry" and attaching other smaller parafoils to the same line.

By far my favorite kiting memory was my son and I flying dualing T-Foils on a large sand dune overlooking our home. If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Outer Banks, I highly recommend it. However, much of the same thrill and bonding can be accomplished much closer to home. So next time the wind is blowing, pack up your family and your favorite kites and make a memory right in your own neighborhood.