Huang Wenxin uses her role as a mother to found MEandMine, dedicated to children’s innovative education

**Interview with Elinor Huang: Innovating Child Education through Emotional Learning**

Elinor Huang, the founder of the innovative startup “MEandMine,” has captured the attention of investors in both Taiwan and the United States. Alongside collaborations with Taiwanese non-profit organizations, she is bringing educational toy kits to underserved rural areas. Growing up with reading difficulties and experiencing a range of unconventional education methods, Elinor’s journey into motherhood sparked her desire to explore the potential for children’s education.

During her involvement in a Harvard neuroscience research project, Elinor recognized the critical role of emotional management in child development. This revelation motivated her to create her own children’s education startup, launching “MEandMine.” The initiative integrates neuroscience and Social Emotional Learning (SEL), utilizing play and toys to foster diverse learning pathways for children.

Reflecting on her time at Harvard in 2016, Elinor stated, “We discovered a positive link between children’s neural development and their future problem-solving abilities. It became clear that stabilizing emotions is a vital aspect of growing up.” She understood the pressing global issue of children’s mental health and the importance of SEL.

Elinor’s background is impressive; she was born and educated in Taiwan before pursuing her MBA at MIT. With prior experience as a global product strategy manager at companies like Johnson & Johnson and Stryker, she gained fresh insights from two startups related to big data analysis. Statistics indicate that one in five children in the U.S. is diagnosed with a mental health condition, often influenced by various psychological factors, including bullying or depression.

After becoming a mother, Elinor discovered that her own child was also highly sensitive, experiencing a range of challenging emotions. She sought to create outlets for children to express their feelings, understand themselves, and learn to stabilize their emotions, which she believes is essential for building confidence and fostering connections with others.

She elaborated, “Children who exhibit emotional outbursts may be signaling that they need help. Emotional management is a vital skill that allows children to recognize themselves and their interactions with others, helping them find their place in the world.”

In designing her products, Elinor engaged a group of education experts to play alongside children, better understanding their inner needs. “We created stories together and used clay and LEGO to foster creativity, ensuring the development process incorporated children’s ideas. It’s about seeing product design from a child’s perspective,” she said.

Founded in 2019, “MEandMine” merges SEL with various STEAM concepts in its hands-on educational toy kits. For instance, children can learn about human digestion through play or understand emotional reactions using the periodic table. These engaging tutorials are packaged as easy-to-use kits, promoted across schools and homes in the U.S. through seed teachers.

One specific product that resonated with Elinor is called “Kaleidoscope.” She shared, “I hope children can view their various facets through it. By exploring stories and hands-on projects, they learn that life brings challenges, which can become beautiful tasks. Accepting their differences builds self-confidence, empowering them to explore the world.”

However, the startup journey hasn’t been easy. “I’ve faced all the challenges that most founders encounter, like team dynamics and funding. The biggest struggle is balancing my role as a mother with my work. Sometimes, it feels impossible to step away from my responsibilities,” she reflected.

In the early years of her startup, Elinor admitted that she devoted all her energy to work, often unable to detach herself from it. “I was consumed by my work around the clock, which isn’t a healthy state for an entrepreneur,” she commented.

She acknowledged the difficulty of managing her time and emotions as a founder. “I love my product, my company, and my clients so much that it’s hard not to pour every moment into them. It’s essential to pull back and avoid blindness; treating a startup like your own baby makes it tough to gain that distance.”

Yet, Elinor believes that stepping back is crucial for a founder to allow space for learning and personal life. She highlighted the importance of time management and maintaining a balanced mindset in entrepreneurship.

When discussing the challenges of her fundraising efforts during tough economic times, Elinor revealed, “Both seed and Series A funding occurred during severe downturns. While we missed optimal fundraising opportunities, it has been a blessing in disguise, allowing us to focus intently on our core mission amidst financial constraints.”

Despite the pressures of entrepreneurship, Elinor maintains a positive mindset. “I see obstacles as opportunities or beautiful missions. When faced with struggles, I explore alternative solutions. Even if a hundred approaches fail, it’s okay as long as we’ve tried and learned.”

Elinor finds deep fulfillment in positive feedback from users. She shared a touching story about a mother who wrote to her, explaining how her child, who once refused to eat broccoli, began to embrace it after engaging with the educational materials. The child reasoned that he needed to support the enzymes in his body, which illustrated a wonderful understanding of personal health.

Elinor, despite her impressive academic background, faced her own educational hurdles. “I’ve always loved learning, but I struggled with traditional reading. I relied on visual memory, which posed challenges throughout my educational journey.” She expressed gratitude for her parents and teachers who supported her unique learning methods, enabling her to excel academically and eventually attend MIT.

This experience solidified Elinor’s belief that learning can take many forms and should be enjoyable and diverse. “Finding the right approach builds confidence, guiding children toward their path for lifelong learning,” she concluded.

Currently, “MEandMine” has secured investment from Taiwanese investors Wistron, American investor Claritas Venture, and Amazon, and is partnering with several organizations in Taiwan to bring Silicon Valley’s innovative educational resources to rural communities, ensuring that children in underserved areas receive access to valuable educational materials.