Outside of Christmas morning, most would cringe at the idea of boxes, toys and packing material spread throughout their home.
Sandra Scherzinger witnesses the scene 365 days a year, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“At different times there are toys everywhere,” she said, smiling. “My house is not as clean as it used to be.”
For just over a year now, Sandra, along with 19-year-old daughter Meagan and husband Ted, have operated 4 Knowledge – 4 Fun from their Sammamish home.
In a short time, the online educational toy store has taken off, most recently winning a 2012 Seal of Approval from Homeschool.com — a company recognized by Forbes as the top homeschooling website on the Internet.
“If they’re willing to let me tag along with them after only having been in business over a year … it really feels good,” Sandra said.
4 Knowledge – 4 Fun was born when Sandra, a former manager for a regional toy store, needed to find a way to provide full-time care to her ailing mother. Combined with an escape from the politics of the corporate world, opening a home-based toy store was a no-brainer.
“If you’re into to doing things on your own, having an online business is really great that way,” Sandra said.
Meagan, an Eastlake High School graduate, is part-owner. She is currently attending Bellevue College while helping run the business. Ted, who works full-time as an engineer, is considered the “shipping department” by Sandra, handling most of packing.
4 Knowledge – 4 Fun has grown in its year of operation. The business buys products from more than 50 vendors and offers more than 530 products on its website, easily found under 35 specific categories. Products range from arts and crafts materials to microscopes and board games to dolls.
4 Knowledge – 4 Fun has all its products in stock, making it easy to ship products as quickly as possible. Items are currently stored at the Scherzinger home and various locations on the Plateau, but there is potential that could change — especially if they follow one idea and begin shipping worldwide after the start of the New Year.
“If the business grows the way we want it to, there will eventually have to be a large warehouse of some kind,” Sandra said.
For now, she will gladly take the small victories. After a tough August, the business bounced back to have its best month yet.
“Last night after we packed the last (September) order, I shook my husband’s hand and I said ‘congratulations we just had our best month,’” Sandra said. “You have to take those little gains and little happiness things you get when you get them.”
