Shalini Samtani's guest appearances

Shalini Samtani

Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

Fancy Free Podcast

Amy Blair

Michael Hyatt

Jeremy Cowart

Ashley Smith

Blythe Hill

Bola Sokunbi

Kate Hayes

Sara Moore

Rachel Cruze

Mac Prichard

Lauren Peterson

Ken Coleman

Eugene Peterson

Bobby Gruenewald

Jessica Honegger

OwlTail

Every parent knows one of the scariest times is when your child gets sick. But when a child is hospitalized or diagnosed with a rare or serious illness, it affects everything. It can be really scary for children who are struggling. My guest today is taking her personal pain with her own child’s sickness and bringing joy to sick kids all around the country. Shalini Samtani is the founder of Open The Joy and the Spread the Joy Foundation. 4:29 – Shalini 101  Spread the Joy Foundation delivers activity kits to children at their hospital bedside. She started making the kits on her kitchen table with her mother three years ago. Last year, she sent 5,000 to 6,000 kits to more than 100 hospitals across the country. Open the Joy is a for-profit company that makes toys focused on well-being and emotional intelligence in kids, such as a love and forgiveness box, anger management box, etc. Shalini got the idea after being in a hospital room with her daughter and trying to Google ways to entertain her and keep her positive.  6:42 – Difficult news  Shalini’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease that caused her body to react differently to sickness.  10:15 – Finding her purpose  Shalini never imagined she would design kids’ toys. She describes the experience as finding her purpose. Giving back to sick kids is what drives her.  16:38 – How to buy the toys  Toys are sold on Open the Joy’s website and Amazon. They have launched a new emotional intelligence line of toys, including a love and forgiveness box, anger management box and a kindness mission box.  19:24 – “You heal by healing others.”  “While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder,” said Shalini  25:35 – Spreading like wildfire  Shalini has been amazed at how quickly her business grew. She says it has spread like wildfire.  27:22 – How her kids view the hospital now  Her daughter doesn't have any memories of being in the hospital. She now associates the hospital as a place where you get a joy box, because of Shalini’s business. Her daughter and son think the hospital is a place where you do nice things for people.  38:05 – Get to know Shalini  What brings her joy? Snuggles What song she loves to sing? Yellow by Coldplay  FEATURED QUOTES “I never believed in my wildest dream that’s what I was going to do – to design a toy collection.” – Shalini “I’ve always been kind of like one of those souls, finding my purpose.” – Shalini “The give back – that’s what drives me more than anything.” – Shalini “We want it to be fun and engaging, but we also want it to be nutritional for their souls and for the development of their minds.” – Shalini “While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder.” – Shalini “You heal by healing others.” – Shalini “I never really understood why this little project grew like wildfire … I feel like I watch miracles.” – Shalini ADDITIONAL RESOURCES https://www.openthejoy.com/ https://www.spreadthejoy.org/ Shalini Samtani has a diverse background in Law, Real Estate and Design. However, her true passion lies in brining joy to sick kids. She is the founder of Open The Joy® a truly unique toy company that focuses on building emotional intelligence in kids; and the Spread The Joy Foundation® a registered non-profit that delivers free activity kits to hospitalized children at their bedside. Since its launch in 2019, Open the Joy has won several industry awards including Best New Products for Kids 2019 at NY Now, New Kids on the Block award at Toy Fair 2020, and Best New Manufacturers award at Toy Fest West 2020. Shalini Samtani’s leadership and the truly unique nature of her business has been awarded recognition by the Tory Burch Foundation 2020, as one of the top 50 female entrepreneurs selected nationwide.

Every parent knows one of the scariest times is when your child gets sick. But when a child is hospitalized or diagnosed with a rare or serious illness, it affects everything. It can be really scary for children who are struggling. My guest today is taking her personal pain with her own child’s sickness and bringing joy to sick kids all around the country. Shalini Samtani is the founder of <a href="https://www.openthejoy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open The Joy</a> and the <a href="https://www.spreadthejoy.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spread the Joy Foundation</a>. 4:29 – Shalini 101 <ul> <li>Spread the Joy Foundation delivers activity kits to children at their hospital bedside. She started making the kits on her kitchen table with her mother three years ago. Last year, she sent 5,000 to 6,000 kits to more than 100 hospitals across the country.</li> <li>Open the Joy is a for-profit company that makes toys focused on well-being and emotional intelligence in kids, such as a love and forgiveness box, anger management box, etc.</li> <li>Shalini got the idea after being in a hospital room with her daughter and trying to Google ways to entertain her and keep her positive.</li> </ul> 6:42 – Difficult news <ul> <li>Shalini’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease that caused her body to react differently to sickness.</li> </ul> 10:15 – Finding her purpose <ul> <li>Shalini never imagined she would design kids’ toys. She describes the experience as finding her purpose. Giving back to sick kids is what drives her.</li> </ul> 16:38 – How to buy the toys <ul> <li>Toys are sold on Open the Joy’s website and Amazon. They have launched a new emotional intelligence line of toys, including a love and forgiveness box, anger management box and a kindness mission box.</li> </ul> 19:24 – “You heal by healing others.” <ul> <li>“While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder,” said Shalini</li> </ul> 25:35 – Spreading like wildfire <ul> <li>Shalini has been amazed at how quickly her business grew. She says it has spread like wildfire.</li> </ul> 27:22 – How her kids view the hospital now <ul> <li>Her daughter doesn't have any memories of being in the hospital. She now associates the hospital as a place where you get a joy box, because of Shalini’s business.</li> <li>Her daughter and son think the hospital is a place where you do nice things for people.</li> </ul> 38:05 – Get to know Shalini <ul> <li>What brings her joy? Snuggles</li> <li>What song she loves to sing? Yellow by Coldplay</li> </ul> FEATURED QUOTES “I never believed in my wildest dream that’s what I was going to do – to design a toy collection.” – Shalini “I’ve always been kind of like one of those souls, finding my purpose.” – Shalini “The give back – that’s what drives me more than anything.” – Shalini “We want it to be fun and engaging, but we also want it to be nutritional for their souls and for the development of their minds.” – Shalini “While the world is focusing on making kids smarter, our focus is to make them kinder.” – Shalini “You heal by healing others.” – Shalini “I never really understood why this little project grew like wildfire … I feel like I watch miracles.” – Shalini ADDITIONAL RESOURCES <a href="https://www.openthejoy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.openthejoy.com/</a> <a href="https://www.spreadthejoy.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.spreadthejoy.org/</a> Shalini Samtani has a diverse background in Law, Real Estate and Design. However, her true passion lies in brining joy to sick kids. She is the founder of Open The Joy® a truly unique toy company that focuses on building emotional intelligence in kids; and the Spread The Joy Foundation® a registered non-profit that delivers free activity kits to hospitalized children at their bedside. Since its launch in 2019, Open the Joy has won several industry awards including Best New Products for Kids 2019 at NY Now, New Kids on the Block award at Toy Fair 2020, and Best New Manufacturers award at Toy Fest West 2020. Shalini Samtani’s leadership and the truly unique nature of her business has been awarded recognition by the Tory Burch Foundation 2020, as one of the top 50 female entrepreneurs selected nationwide.

Spreading the Joy | EP 235: Shalini Samtani, Open the Joy

Entrepreneur Shalini Samtani tells us a funny delivery room story and a CRAZY story of mistaken identity.   Check out Shalini's toy company at Open The Joy.  Participate in  #boxesoverbaskets by visiting The Spread the Joy Foundation. You can also email Shalini at shalini@spreadthejoy.org  Shalini and her family love the book The Snuggle Sandwich by Malachy Doyle To see what a Walkman is, check out this.    Imagine you check your 6-month-old child into the hospital for what you perceive to be a simple fever, but instead find out that your child has been diagnosed with a rare disease for which there is no known cure? No mother or family should have to endure this, but it was from this traumatic personal experience, and many months spent alongside her own child at the hospital, that today's guest, Shalini Samtani became a social entrepreneur founding The Spread the Joy Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 (www.spreadthejoy.org) and Open the Joy, (www.openthejoy.com): both with the unified mission of spreading joy to hospitalized kids, in the form of activity kits designed to heal through play. Things to Know:   Join Fancy Free's private Facebook Group! It's so much fun! The question of the week is "What is your favorite phone app?"   Click the Subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode!   Leave a rating and written review! I will be forever grateful!!!   If you have your own not-so-fancy story to tell, email me at notfancy@fancyfreepodcast.com! Do it. It'll be fun!   The best way to help Fancy Free reach more listeners is to tell a friend about it. Share the laughter!   Thanks so much for listening, have a great week, and remember NO ONE is as fancy as they look! ~Joanne

Entrepreneur Shalini Samtani tells us a funny delivery room story and a CRAZY story of mistaken identity. <ul> <li> Check out Shalini's toy company at <a href="https://www.openthejoy.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Open The Joy.</a> </li> <li>Participate in <a href="https://secure.givelively.org/donate/spread-the-joy-foundation/boxes-over-baskets" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> #boxesoverbasket</a>s by visiting <a href="http://www.spreadthejoy.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Spread the Joy Foundation.</a> You can also email Shalini at <a href="mailto:shalini@spreadthejoy.org">shalini@spreadthejoy.org</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Snuggle-Sandwich-Malachy-Doyle/dp/1849394202" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Shalini and her family love the book The Snuggle Sandwich by Malachy Doyle</a></li> <li>To see what a Walkman is, check out <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkman" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>.</li> </ul> Imagine you check your 6-month-old child into the hospital for what you perceive to be a simple fever, but instead find out that your child has been diagnosed with a rare disease for which there is no known cure? No mother or family should have to endure this, but it was from this traumatic personal experience, and many months spent alongside her own child at the hospital, that today's guest, Shalini Samtani became a social entrepreneur founding The Spread the Joy Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 (<a href="http://www.spreadthejoy.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.spreadthejoy.org</a>) and Open the Joy, (<a href="http://www.openthejoy.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.openthejoy.com</a>): both with the unified mission of spreading joy to hospitalized kids, in the form of activity kits designed to heal through play. Things to Know: <ul> <li> Join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/702414033519847/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Fancy Free's private Facebook Group</a>! It's so much fun! The question of the week is "What is your favorite phone app?" </li> <li> Click the Subscribe button so you don't miss a single episode! </li> <li> Leave a rating and written review! I will be forever grateful!!! </li> <li> If you have your own not-so-fancy story to tell, email me at <a href="mailto:notfancy@fancyfreepodcast.com!">notfancy@fancyfreepodcast.com!</a> Do it. It'll be fun! </li> <li> The best way to help Fancy Free reach more listeners is to tell a friend about it. Share the laughter! </li> </ul> Thanks so much for listening, have a great week, and remember NO ONE is as fancy as they look! ~Joanne

77. Shalini Samtani on Bringing Joy to Hospitalized Children