Meet our
We knew from the very beginning that choosing our first franchisees would be the most important decisions we had to make for the future of the company. And then we met these incredible people and we knew everything was going to be amazing!
These individuals are all awesome and have so many talents. They all bring different expertise and experience to the group, making the collective even more unstoppable when they work together! It takes a brave person to leap into an emerging franchise, and these leaders saw the potential of our business, sharing our vision for bringing amazing STEAM classes to students everywhere! We encourage you to meet all of them at some point – whether building a robot together or treating them to a cupcake. In the meantime, these brief summaries will have to do…
It was the hands-on learning, giving kids the tools and freedom to create, and the thoughtfulness of the organization as a whole, that Kim found most captivating about Brooklyn Robot Foundry. She made an instant connection with our franchise team and immediately felt at home with the company’s culture. The opportunity to be her own boss was simply icing on the cake! Kim brings her industrial engineering background, love of systems, upbeat personality, and detail-oriented style to the team.
Janine discovered Brooklyn Robot Foundry through her daughter and was immediately a fan of the Foundry’s approach to teaching STEAM. As a former journalist, educator, and data scientist, all of Janine’s skills are being to put to work now in her role of business owner. Janine is also the owner of the Foundry’s first Frandowment Competition, in which she wowed our panel of judges with her outstanding efforts in all of the challenges we threw her way.
After what felt like a lifetime in the corporate world, John was looking for an opportunity to own his own company while also having a greater impact on his community. John was immediately attracted to the Foundry’s classes and quickly recognized the enormous need for these immersive STEAM programs in his area. John’s two young children are loving being a part of the family business, helping him build and decorate robots whenever they can!
Denise learned in high school that access and exposure to science, mathematics, art, and expression can change the compass of a future career. A 15-year veteran in higher education and community engagement, Denise has been an earnest advocate for experiential learning for young people to broaden their possibilities via hands-on learning experiences. Denise felt strongly that a Brooklyn Robot Foundry franchise was the best opportunity for their “SnowBot” family to expand the diverse pool of kids who have the skills required for innovation and advancement in the 21st century.
Richard’s role as Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Black Franchise Leadership Council, made him an ideal judge for Brooklyn Robot Foundry’s Frandowment Competition. It was this experience as a judge that led him to discover the transformative impact of Brooklyn Robot Foundry. As a passionate advocate for businesses that enrich students’ lives through STEAM education, Richard was drawn to the prospect of opening Foundries in Philadelphia. The Foundry’s combined commitment of STEAM education and franchising entrepreneurship is a powerful formula that not only equips students with skills for the future, but also empowers his family to realize their dreams of running their own businesses
Alison was very familiar with Brooklyn Robot Foundry since her son had attended camp and birthday parties at the Brooklyn locations. She was serving as the Executive Director of an early childhood center when she learned about the Foundry’s franchising opportunities. Alison had previously worked in public administration but had grown to love children’s programming. She strongly aligns with the Foundry’s beliefs of learning through play and the importance of hands-on creativity and is so excited to spread the robot fun throughout her territory!
Caroline was disenchanted with working for others in corporate America. She wanted all of that effort to contribute towards something worthwhile. Caroline was drawn to the Robot Foundry’s curriculum and its learning-through-doing approach. The freedom of running her own business was also appealing, which she knew was only possible with the endless support provided by the Foundry’s corporate team. She is so excited to get further invested in her local community as a small business owner, leading her team, and mentoring future Foundry franchisees.
Want to learn more about becoming a Brooklyn Robot Foundry franchisee? Fill this out for more information:
-
– Parent, Summer CircuitsMy child enjoyed every building project at the Foundry – appreciate the creativity and engagement of the staff!
-
– TechNational.com, "Top 10 Companies to Work For in 2024", by Lara DoldenIt’s a great place to work because it fosters an inclusive, diverse environment with a strong commitment to accessibility, and supports franchise partners who are women and/or minorities.
-
– TechNational.comBrooklyn Robot Foundry redefines STEM education by integrating creativity with technology in hands-on robotics workshops for children, blending art and design with science, technology, engineering, and math.
-
– RoboticsBizBrooklyn Robot Foundry [is] a beacon of creativity, diversity, and empowerment in STEAM education.
-
– YTECHIn an educational landscape often dominated by monotonous assessment methods, Brooklyn Robot Foundry emerges as a breath of fresh air, encouraging a love for learning through the hands-on experience of building robots.
-
– Franchise TimesThe kid-focused franchise sector is booming, as parents look for ways to keep their kids busy and allow them to learn new skills.
-
– Brooklyn MagazineThink outside the box, try something different, break free of routines. Have the kids build you a robot, or do it yourself at Brooklyn Robot Foundry.
-
– AnalyticsInsight.netBrooklyn Robot Foundry has been named one of the Top NYC Robotics Classes & Workshops in 2024!
-
– Afterschool Director, Nigthingale Baumford SchoolRobot Builders program is excellent! The children were always thrilled to be taking home something that they had made with their own hands and reported that the classes themselves were always fun. Bring it to your school. You will thank me.
-
– Parent Coordinator, Elementary SchoolThe Robot Builders program is excellent! Bring it to your school. You will thank me.
-
– Program Director, Robot Builders After-School ResidencyThis is one of the most efficiently-run and well-programmed after-school programs that I know of. Each class leaves feeling fully empowered to create and full of joy with their creations.
-
– Vice Principal, In-School ResidencyThe children were always thrilled to be taking home something that they had made with their own hands and reported that the classes themselves were always fun.
-
– Parent, Mini MakersMy son had the pleasure of attending Mini Maker classes. Even though it was at 7pm on a weeknight, it was always a highlight of his week! I cannot wait till he turns 5 so he can attend camp!
-
– Parent, Summer CircuitsGreat fun and tons of learning! Can’t wait to sign up again!
-
– Parent, Summer CircuitsEverything was great! My daughter had fun and got to be creative. Thank you! -
– Parent, Robot Builders“[Our son] loves this class so much, and the teacher is the greatest. He told me the other day that Robots is the only after school class he wants to do.”
-
– Parent, Summer CircuitsGreat summer! To others considering: don’t hesitate, this is what kids want to be doing.
-
– Parent, Summer CircuitsMy daughter had an amazing time building and learning this summer with the BK Robot Foundry. She was so proud of herself and her work and couldn’t wait to show me everything she did.
-
– Parent, Whenever WorkshopsI was surprised that [my daughter] didn’t need any help. She did ask for me to tighten the last screw, but that was only because she wanted to move on faster and be able to play with it.
-
– Parent, Whenever WorkshopsMy son liked decorating the most. I (mom) liked the introduction where it walked through what was in the kit (ex. Explaining the type of wood used, and how it was lightweight and therefore ideal.) It was a great class.
-
– Parent, Whenever WorkshopsI thought the video was great, the project is cute and fun, and the materials were totally age appropriate. We had a lot of fun.
-
– Parent, Robot BuildersWe love this program and our teacher more than we can say! The curriculum and the projects are awesome.
-
– Parent, Mini MakersMy son said he wanted to build robots EVERYDAY after his first class.
-
– Parent, Robot InventorsYou guys have been SUPERIOR to any of our other after school programs. The word should be out that you are giving the kids an outlet to build their independence and confidence.
-
– Parent, Robot BuildersYour program has been the most successful at being thoughtful, creative, and pivoting to keep the kids learning and enjoying.
-
– Parent, Summer Circuits onlineYou guys have totally saved us this summer. What a perfect virtual camp!
-
– Parent, Robot InventorsMy child has been attending since he was 4 and he would live there if he could! Thanks for all you guys do.
-
– Parent, Foundry FundaysWhen we picked [our son] up, he greeted us beaming and said, “That was the best! I am going back there tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day.”
-
– Parent, Robot Builders“We love you guys. I’ve also been impressed with how patient and kind the teachers are”