What if a toy could prevent wars?
My first company - Plushkies, wasn't just an idea.
It was my passion project to change the world.
For me, a plush toy became my personal mission for better education and world peace. Here's why I created Plushkies - plush toys in the shape of countries that had names and stories.
1. Awake curiosity.
I wanted to introduce kids to different places.
Make geography fun and relatable.
2. Raise global children.
I believed that understanding different cultures could prevent conflicts.
We featured elements of a country’s identity in every toy.
3. Spark language learning.
Have kids collect stickers in a Plushki passport.
Each sticker had an expression from the country
4. Nurture friendships.
Years ago I had an Italian friend.
And I always associated Italy with him.
The goal was to make international friends.
First through toys, then in real life.
5. Bring positivity
The international news is usually negative.
Wars, conflicts, hunger, natural disasters.
What I wanted to do is the opposite.
Positive stories at a personal level.
In the end, Plushkies weren't just toys.
In a tech-obsessed world, I saw an opportunity to use creativity and play for education and global understanding.
Why?
Because a child who grows up seeing the world as a collection of friends is a child who grows up to build bridges, not walls.
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