Why I’m In The Game

Dearest Internet,

When I was growing up, there was a lot of representation in cartoons for me to latch on to. During my teen years, then later in my early adult years I started to recognize how this wasn’t the case for everyone. So when I started creating kids content, I made sure to include representation in my characters. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And they're not just protagonists either - they're antagonists, sidekicks, and everything in between. My goal is to show kids that they can be the hero of their own stories, no matter who they are or what they look like.

Fast forward a few years to when I found myself working on a project with Boston Pizza International and Hockey Canada. This program in particular was fantastic as it focused heavily on a “everybody plays” concept. Our whole team bought in from day one, and continue to do so to this day. On a personal note, I wanted to create characters that kids could see themselves in, whether it was in terms of race, gender, ability, or background.

One of the most gratifying moments for me was when a mom Tweeted that her daughter had been moved by a character I had designed. It was a small detail, but it meant a lot to me that I had been able to create something that resonated with her.

Most of us have heard Simon Sinek’s “Start With The Why”, and for good reason! This is why I do what I do. Because representation matters and because every kid deserves to see themselves in the content they consume. This is not my only core motivation, but it’s a big one. Finding ways to express my why is what motivated me to get into this business of creating characters that kids can relate to and connect with. These tiny wins come with great results in the long run.