Dawn Vincent – Teach Me Educational Resources Outlet
www.teachmeeducational.com

Dawn Vincent, an educator and entrepreneur saw a need for a local source for educational teaching materials.  Acting quickly, in August 2009 she and Kelly DeYoung started up the Teach Me Educational Resources Outlet in the Antigonish Mall and a second location in New Glasgow at the Highland Square Mall.

Dawn saw the business opportunity for a retail outlet offering high quality educational toys, games and teaching materials while she was recovering from a medical condition.  Dawn had been a teacher for many years in the Strait area, had 5 day care centres and preschools, and had worked with children with special needs. According to Dawn “I love to create businesses and train people to be directors and managers.  I find it fun to do business plans and have setup 9 businesses.   My husband Leo has been my partner in the developing of all my business plans and is always fully open to all my business ideas.” 

“For the Teach Me business I approached my sister Kelly who has a background in medical transcription, bookkeeping and computers.  She jumped at the chance of being part of a new business and is a budding entrepreneur.   It took us only 6 weeks from the original concept for the business and opening our doors at the Antigonish Mall.  My husband, Leo Vincent has been a terrific support and his background in education is helpful in developing the business. “

“Before Teach Me opened, educators and parents had to order items from catalogs or online.  It might take months to get here and there were large shipping costs.” Customers include teachers from all levels – from preschool up through college level.  Caregivers that work with Alzheimer patients find games and activities that are interesting to their patients.  Parents of kids who excelare looking for things like science kits and activities that stimulate their interests.

A big trend is for grandparents and parents who want to find more hands-on activities for their children – not electronics.  These can be toys for building, puzzles, arts and crafts, educational games, and mental stimulation.

TheTeach Me stores are dedicated to bringing quality teaching supplies, educational toys, games and puzzles to professional educators, daycares, home-schoolers, parents, grandparents and to those young at heart.

Teacher and classroom supplies include furniture and storage solutions; books, charts, educational toys, art supplies, resource books, math kits, puzzles, bulletin board supplies, craft materials and more.

Dawn continues “We do special orders from the same suppliers but we are able to go directly to the manufacturers and often can purchase at a better price than if you were to do the order yourself. “

The Teach Me outlets markets through radio spots, promotions on site in the malls, flyers, through our online website, a special anniversary sale for 2 months in the summer and a 2 month sale after Christmas.  We are supporting children organizations and groups as part of our community commitment. Teachers get an in-store discount.

Our future plans include expansion to our New Glasgow location and a new Sydney outlet in the Mayflower Mall in the near new year.  
Drop in to our stores to chat and see what a wealth of activities and supplies are there to stimulate your students and children.