Inventing for Love: How a Mother’s Heart Sparked an Award-Winning Innovation

By Christina Collura

Founder and CEO Creative Beginning Inc.

They say necessity is the mother of invention. But in my case, love was.

My journey began not in a lab or a design studio, but on my kitchen table — surrounded by chalk dust, wooden pieces, and a little boy who saw the world differently. My son, Luca, was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Like many parents walking this path, I was overwhelmed by love, fear, and a fierce desire to understand his world.

As both a mother and an elementary school teacher, I recognized that traditional learning tools didn’t always meet Luca where he was. He struggled with fine motor skills, focus, and sensory sensitivities. What came easily to other children often felt impossible for him — and watching him become frustrated broke my heart. But there was one difference; I saw his love of chalk.

So, one evening, I pulled out his wooden name puzzle, chalkboard paint a paint brush. I began “painting” an idea — something tactile, simple, and visual that would allow him to learn his way. I wanted something he could touch, trace, and explore — without pressure or judgment. That moment became the seed of what would grow into Creative Beginning INC., a company rooted in the belief that every child deserves to learn in a way that feels right for them.

At first, it was just about helping Luca — giving him a way to connect letters and numbers through movement and play, providing a successful platform for printing. But as I watched his confidence grow, I realized this wasn’t just about my child. This was about all children — especially those whose learning styles didn’t fit neatly into traditional boxes.

That’s when I knew I had to share it.

Our chalkboard-based puzzle concept became the heart of Creative Beginning INC., and it quickly gained attention for its versatility and accessibility. It’s a simple concept — tactile, erasable, and endlessly reusable — but its simplicity is what makes it so powerful. It supports fine motor development, early literacy, numeracy, and creativity, all while being inclusive to children of different abilities and needs.

What started as a personal project became a patented innovation that’s now used in classrooms, therapy spaces, and homes across North America. Every time I see a child’s face light up while using our products — whether they’re learning to trace a letter or recognize a number for the first time — I’m reminded of Luca, and how this all began.

But it wasn’t an easy road. I heard “no” more times than I can count. I was told my idea was too simple, too niche, too risky. There were moments when I doubted myself — moments when exhaustion and self-doubt crept in after long nights balancing teaching, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.

And yet, something in me refused to give up. Because when your “why” is rooted in love, you don’t stop. You adjust, you learn, and you keep moving forward.

That persistence led to moments I never dreamed of — like receiving the Innovation Award through the Women Empowerment Awards- presented by Rogers Communication, the Mom’s Choice Award, and the Parents’ Pick Award. Each recognition reminded me that innovation doesn’t always come from technology or complex design — sometimes it comes from the simplest ideas, born from the deepest needs.

Through Creative Beginning, I’ve seen how one small invention can make a big impact — not just for children, but for parents, teachers, and therapists too. I’ve heard from moms who tell me their child finally picked up a piece and engaged with learning. I’ve heard from educators who use our puzzles daily to build foundational skills in joyful, hands-on ways. Those are the moments that matter most.

To other women out there — especially mothers — who have an idea stirring in their heart, I want to say this: don’t underestimate the power of your intuition. Some of the most world-changing ideas begin not in boardrooms, but in kitchens, classrooms, and quiet corners of exhaustion and hope.

Innovation isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose. It’s about seeing a need, feeling it deeply, and daring to create something that helps. For me, it all started with a little boy who couldn’t hold a pencil — and the belief that there had to be another way.

Now, years later, I see how that belief has grown into something much bigger — a movement of learning, inclusion, and empowerment.

Creative Beginning was never just about making a product. It was about making a difference.

And it all started with love.

Connect With Christina

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