AshLee Winterrose is a mother, a wife and a kindergarten teacher — and now she is an entrepreneur who has started a company that is “all about family.”
Although a schoolteacher now, Winterrose dropped out of school in junior high to move out and work. She took the GED, attended college at the same time as the rest of her graduating class, and even graduated at the top of her class. However, Winterrose's life took another unexpected turn when her husband was involved in an accident at work that caused permanent brain damage. This unexpected trial required her to work three jobs to support her family of four.
“As of three years ago I finally let go of my plan and instead looked to help in the way that was best suited to our circumstance. One of the greatest comforts is that every choice was prayerful and had its role in our learning and growth. Patience has been crucial and what I have come to understand is that God always works for the greater good. Yes he could take away the struggle in an instant, but I have seen him use our circumstance for our learning and eternal good for us as a family,” Winterrose said.
In the midst of her trials, and with the help of her sister and brother-in-law, Winterrose created “Hide-A-Boo Hideouts” — a product that seeks to help parents make the most of the moments they have with their children. “Hide-A-Boo Hideouts” are “forts with fun illustrations that slip over a card table, encouraging imagination and creativity,” according to the company’s Kickstarter page.
Kickstarter, a website that helps entrepreneurs with unique ideas get started if they reach a certain funding goal, has provided a path to entrepreneurial success for people like Winterrose with unique product ideas.
The entrepreneur-friendly website helped make the “Hide-A-Boo” dream a reality. Winterrose's Kickstarter project ended on July 14, and far exceeded its goal of $8,500, collecting $15,475.
“My brother-in-law sent us the news and I didn't find out until after church. It felt surreal and relieving and exciting — the goal was met by a large pledge from one supporter, which was overwhelming, and I was filled with so much gratitude,” Winterrose said.
This new endeavor is a family affair as Winterrose’s “Hide-A-Crew” team is comprised of her sister, Amber Evertsen, who is an award-winning designer, and her brother-in-law Casey Evertsen, who headed up the marketing.
As a mother of two children with another on the way, Winterrose has been able to relate the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ to both her family and her classroom.
“I look to the example of the Savior in my life. He knows exactly how to take care of my girls because he knows them more intimately than I even do. Leaning on my faith to be able to be what I need to be individually has been such strength. I think that applies to teaching because each of those little people are individuals and the need to be reached in different ways and allowing that spirit to be there as you guide and direct and help helps you reach each child in the specific way that they need,” Winterrose said.
Throughout her life, Winterrose has been able to lean on the Plan of Salvation because Heavenly Father’s plan for her has been the motivation to see life through an eternal perspective. This plan gave her the confidence to move forward with her business, even before she met the Kickstarter goal, because she knew what direction she was headed — whether she met the pledge goal or not.
Backers who pledged $29 or more to the project received a "Hide-A-Boo Hideout." The outside of each fort is decorated to look like a spaceship, a castle, an R.V. or an underwater submarine. The products reach beyond fort-building. Included with the forts are engagement cards and other “teachables” to encourage children to go on “adventures.”
As a kindergarten teacher, Winterrose is a believer in a child's ability to learn through play, without set objectives. Her favorite way of teaching is watching the children learn when they don’t even know they’re learning. In fact, one-third of the time spent in Winterrose’s classroom is dedicated to play.
Following the excitement of meeting the Kickstarter goal is the question, “What is her next goal?”
“Eventually what I would like, dreaming big, is I would love to be in charge of Hide-A-Boo Initiatives and travel to places where I can help kids. When I was little, I wanted to save the world. As I got older, teaching became a part of that, and now Hide-A-Boo has become a part of that. In my heart, I feel like more needs to be done to protect and enrich lives,” Winterrose said.
Whatever the future holds for “Hide-A-Boo,” Winterrose’s motivation and commitment to applying the gospel of Jesus Christ in her life will continue to give her strength.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Winterrose has taken to heart the quote, “Love is the work we do together.”
“Love is what is motivating our company: a love for children, a love for families and a love for learning. That same love fuel affects my husband and I, and our family, I have learned so much from him. There is a strength and forward motion that is unstoppable,” Winterrose said.
Kelsey Schwab writes for the Faith and Family sections of DeseretNews.com.