Launching a new business is a challenge in itself, but balancing a new venture alongside motherhood is equally as difficult. However, businesswoman and founder Raven Fisher has a plan to make her vision a reality with her company Social Tykes, Detroit’s first indoor coworking play space for moms and families.

“Here in Detroit there’s a lack of places for younger children and moms to go,” Fisher said. “A lot of places are for the older kids and not really tailored to the younger ones.”

The coworking play space is meant to encourage children to expand their knowledge with other kids and make connections outside of their families. In turn, the space also gives moms a chance to build relationships with other moms in the same position.

“I experienced postpartum depression, and wanted to bring child guardians together to bridge the gap of loneliness that can sometimes come with new parenthood,” Fisher said.

Fisher’s vision for her business stemmed from being a mom and seeing the lack of spaces for moms and families to be able to convene together and connect. The 1,700 square foot space will offer sessions in first aid, CPR, birthing classes, postpartum care, mental health and wellness as well as other helpful resources.

“Seeing that gap with my own son and his friends not having places to go and play made me want to curate a space of one myself,” Fisher said.

As a curated play space for kids ages newborn to six, Social Tykes’ mission is to “build a community of child-based facilities that create an environment that encourages education, fun, and creativity. We are a facility that encourages positive interaction.”

Fisher also created this space to give back to the Detroit community in ways that other companies haven’t.

“A lot of times companies cater to the suburbs and don’t highlight other areas in the state that need it,” Fisher said.

With Detroit being an up and coming city for restaurants and retail stores, Fisher wants to stress that it’s important to not forget about the kids.

Her biggest challenge for the business is the current health pandemic and dealing with living in the unknown. Social Tykes will have to combat the worries of families once the spread of the coronavirus slows down, but Fisher has high hopes that the business will prevail.

The Detroit community needs to come together now more than ever and Fisher wants to help lead that charge.

“I want moms to know they have resources and a community to lean on,” she said.

Since announcing the launch of Social Tykes, Fisher has built relationships with other business owners in the city to try and find ways to collaborate for the children. So far she’s received feedback that the community is in need of full-on childcare, so she hopes to incorporate more needs from the community later down the line as Social Tykes grows.

Even ahead of the space’s launch, Fisher has plans of expansion to other major cities across the country in the future, bringing Social Tykes to more urban communities who need its services.

Fisher’s word of advice to other moms and entrepreneurs is to not give up.

“Now is the time to grind and plant your vision,” she said.

Social Tykes still awaits a solid launch date as things continue to be pushed back, but the Detroit community has something great to look forward to.

raven fisher

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