Case Studies

Somi the Computer Scientist : Empowering Young Girls through STEM Education with Shasta N. Broadus' Business Expertise

Background

Somi the Computer Scientist is an interactive doll invented and founded by Bukola Somide with the mission to inspire young girls, particularly from underrepresented communities, to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Somi is more than just a toy; she’s a tool designed to spark curiosity in young minds, particularly in technology and computer science, by allowing kids to engage in fun, interactive STEM activities. However, while the doll had incredible potential, Bukola needed guidance to develop an effective go-to-market strategy to reach her target audience and establish a strong presence in the competitive educational toy market.

To bring her vision to life, Bukola hired Shasta N. Broadus, a seasoned business consultant at Capital Stewardship of America, to help design a comprehensive go-to-market strategy, build awareness, and maximize the doll’s reach. Shasta’s expertise would guide Somi from concept to execution, leading to an impactful product launch.

Challenge

Bukola had created a product that had the potential to change the landscape of STEM education for young girls, but she faced several challenges:

  • Limited Visibility: While Somi was a unique and innovative product, Bukola had limited visibility and needed to generate awareness.
  • Market Entry Strategy: Bukola needed a clear strategy to engage both kids and parents, positioning Somi not just as a toy, but as a valuable educational tool.
  • Engagement with Young Audiences: In order to sell the product successfully, Bukola needed to demonstrate its educational value in a way that resonated with both children and parents.

Solution

To address these challenges, Shasta N. Broadus devised a multi-faceted go-to-market strategy focused on direct engagement with young audiences, building credibility, and creating content that could be used for future marketing efforts. A major component of this strategy was the organization of an interactive workshop designed to engage both boys and girls in STEM activities using Somi the Scientist.

The key initiatives included:

  • Interactive Workshop : Shasta organized a hands-on workshop where young children could engage with Somi the Scientist and participate in fun STEM activities. The workshop also featured Somi’s accompanying workbook, which was designed to enhance the learning experience.
  • Videography for Future Marketing: Recognizing the power of visual content, Shasta hired a videographer to capture the entire workshop. The video would serve as a powerful marketing asset, showcasing children’s excitement and engagement with Somi. The content was planned to be used on Somi’s official website and social media platforms to attract future buyers.
  • Targeted Event Promotion: Shasta’s team worked on promoting the event to the local community, reaching out to schools, parents, and STEM-focused organizations to ensure a well-rounded audience of both boys and girls.

Execution

The interactive workshop was successfully executed, with Shasta overseeing every detail:

  • Event Setup : The workshop took place in a community center where kids could experience Somi the Scientist firsthand. Each child received a Somi doll and workbook to use during the session.
  • Engagement Activities : Shasta organized STEM challenges and activities that were both educational and fun, including coding games and problem-solving tasks. These activities were designed to show how Somi could help kids learn complex STEM concepts in an interactive way.
  • Videography and Content Creation : A videographer captured moments of the kids interacting with Somi, smiling, engaging in STEM tasks, and participating in group discussions. This footage would be used to create promotional videos for the website, giving future customers a glimpse into the value Somi brings.
  • Sales Opportunity : At the end of the workshop, Shasta created an opportunity for parents and attendees to purchase Somi the Scientist dolls directly at the event.

Results

The workshop was a huge success, demonstrating the power of direct engagement and the value of the product. Here are the key outcomes:

01

15 Kids Engaged and Educated

The workshop attracted 15 children who were excited to engage with Somi the Scientist. The event was lively, with all participants actively involved in STEM activities.

02

Successful Sales Conversion

At the end of the workshop, 15 Somi the Scientist dolls were sold, with each child taking home a doll to continue their learning journey. The workshop served not only as an educational experience but also as an effective sales channel, where attendees were eager to purchase the product after seeing its value.

03

Content for Future Marketing

The videography captured during the event provided high-quality visual content that Bukola could use to showcase Somi’s effectiveness in teaching STEM to young girls. The video was integrated into the Somi website and social media platforms, helping to build future awareness and engagement with potential customers.

04

Increased Awareness and Credibility

The successful event generated local buzz, helping Somi gain credibility as an educational product. Parents were enthusiastic about the potential of Somi to help children develop STEM skills in a fun and interactive way.

Impact

Product Awareness

Somi gained visibility within the local community, and the video content began circulating on social media, expanding its reach beyond the workshop attendees.

Strong Launch

The event marked a successful product launch, with initial sales proving that the interactive workshop was an effective way to convert interest into purchases.

Market Readiness

With the marketing content captured during the workshop, Bukola was well-positioned to expand Somi’s reach online, generate further interest, and scale the business

Conclusion:

The partnership between Bukola Somide and Shasta N. Broadus proved to be a pivotal move for Somi the Computer Scientist. Through Shasta’s guidance and strategic planning, the workshop not only educated young children but also served as a valuable sales opportunity. The successful event demonstrated the educational potential of Somi, helping to establish her as an engaging and effective tool for teaching STEM. With high-quality video content for future marketing and direct sales from the workshop, Somi is poised for further success in bringing STEM education to young girls and boys across the nation.