Meet Sandy Ciaramitaro | Author . Founder . President

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandy Ciaramitaro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandy, how does your business help the community?
This is a great question! I am the author of The Good Eggs Book Series for children and also the founder of The Good Eggs Foundation. The book series helps young children learn about the importance of kindness, empathy, diversity, and community service. I have had parents and teachers write to me to let me know that the book series is having an impact. In fact, some have told me that their children/students have emulated the actions of the Eggs, e.g. organizing drives for animal shelters, collecting canned goods for homeless shelters, and even being aware of their friends’ needs and feelings. One parent even told me about her son talking about being a generous person because “that’s what Reggie was doing.” This is the result I hope for – that kids can incorporate the lessons of the Eggs and put them to practice as they grow up. This, in turn, brings more kindness to our world.

As for The Good Eggs Foundation, I started this nonprofit based off the book series. Each month I “egg” an organization that is helping underserved children or a family in need. The “egging” is different each month based on what the need may be. For example, we have done school supplies, bedding, sports camps, baby supplies, hats/gloves, Christmas parties and more!

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I would say I am most proud of my book series, because every other part of my business stems from that. I use the principals from the books of virtues, diversity, and service to guide my actions. I started writing in 2011, so since then my journey has morphed into three books, a nonprofit, a podcast for kids, a parent blog, lesson plans & puzzles, a newsletter, and a video series. AND – I have a new idea coming out soon . . . which I am most excited about!

However, it has not been easy. Roadblocks were/are everywhere! Sometimes I feel like giving it all up, but that only lasts for a day or so. : ) I keep persevering because I know in my heart this is the direction I need to follow. I have had to get creative with problem-solving; some ideas working, some not. But – among the twists and turns of this journey, I find one thing remains constant; that is to stay the course and remain dedicated to my mission. By doing that, even in the low times, allows something new to break through, like taking a fresh look at a problem. New hope always arrives just around the corner. I have learned about perseverance and dedication on a much deeper level, and the importance of keeping focused on putting kindness into the world through it all.

I would like the world to know about The Good Eggs and its message. We can all participate in kindness, open-mindedness and community service in various ways, be it small or large. Everyone has the capacity within themselves. It’s not always easy; sometimes we have to stretch ourselves in order to grow – but it’s always worth it! In the books, the Eggs encounter many issues, but they work together to solve them. On one of the back of the book covers it says, “Remember – a cracked egg should be handled with care . . . but with some kindness and concern, a difference can be made in someone’s life!”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am crediting my husband, Mark, for this itinerary. He’s the travel guru of the family!

Downtown Detroit Itinerary

Hotel: The Shinola Hotel https://www.shinolahotel.com/

Sunday:
• See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour: https://citytourdetroit.com/tour/see-the-d-downtown-detroit-walking-tour/
• Sunday Brunch: The Apparatus Room https://detroitfoundationhotel.com/
• Catch an afternoon Detroit Tigers Game at Comerica Park: https://www.mlb.com/tigers
• Dinner: Highlands Detroit https://www.highlandsdetroit.com/
• Late Night Bar: High Bar at the Highlands https://www.highlandsdetroit.com/highbar

Monday:
• Bike ride to and around Belle Isle: https://www.wheelhousedetroit.com/belle-isle-tour
• Lunch: Atwater Brewery https://www.atwaterbeer.com/location/detroit/
• Detroit Historical Museum: https://detroithistorical.org/
• Dinner: Townhouse Detroit https://www.townhousedetroit.com/
• Rooftop Bar: The Monarch Club https://monarchclubdetroit.com/

Tuesday:
• Lunch: American Coney Island: http://americanconeyisland.com/home.htm
• Afternoon at Campus Martius: https://downtowndetroit.org/experience-downtown/downtown-detroit- parks/campus-martius/#
• Dinner: Parc Detroit https://parcdetroit.com/
• Live Show at the Detroit Music Hall: https://www.musichall.org/
• Rooftop Bar: 3Fifty Terrace https://3fiftyterrace.com/

Wednesday:
• Ride the M1 Rail: QLine: https://www.qlinedetroit.com/
• Lunch: La Musique https://hotelstregisdetroit.com/dining
• Motown Museum: https://www.motownmuseum.org/
• Dinner: Oak and Real https://www.oakandreel.com/
• Concert at Little Caesar’s Arena (LCA): https://www.313presents.com/venue/little-caesars-arena
• Late Night Bar: The Ghost Bar at the Whitney https://www.thewhitney.com/

Thursday:
• Detroit Institute of Arts: https://dia.org/
• Lunch: Kresge Court inside the DIA https://dia.org/visit/dining-shopping
• Tour Detroit’s Beacon Park: https://empoweringmichigan.com/beacon-park/
• Dinner: Prime + Proper https://primeandproperdetroit.com/
• Live Show at the Detroit Opera House: https://detroitopera.org/
• Late Night Bar: Bad Luck Bar: https://www.badluckbar.com/

Friday:
• Walk the Detroit Riverfront: https://detroitriverfront.org/riverfront
• Lunch: Buddy’s Pizza Downtown Detroit https://www.buddyspizza.com/downtown-detroit
• Tour Detroit’s Greektown: https://www.greektowndetroit.org/
• Dinner: Wright & Co. https://www.wrightdetroit.com/
• Live Jazz at Cliff Bell’s: https://cliffbells.com/

Saturday:
• Spend the morning at Eastern Market: https://easternmarket.org/
• Lunch: Supino’s Pizzeria https://www.supinopizzeria.com/
• Museum of African American History: https://www.thewright.org/
• Spend time in The Belt: https://www.thebelt.org/
• Dinner: Selden Standard http://www.seldenstandard.com/
• Live Show at the Fox Theater: http://foxtheatredetroit.net/
• Late Night Bar: The Candy Bar https://www.ash.world/dining/candy-bar/

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow – this list will be never-ending for me! I have received a TON of support from many areas of my life. I would first like to shoutout my husband, Mark, and my children, Stephanie/Brandon, Stacey/Nick, John/Hailey, and I can’t leave out my grandkids, Joey, Lucy, Alex, all of whose support means the world to me. They are the ones I bounce ideas off of, lend me their thoughts and talents, and provide continued encouragement and ongoing support. Without all of them, I’m not sure any of this would be happening! My parents (who are passed) have always been a great source of support for me as well, along with my brother, Jim, and my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins). I have been gifted with an amazing family, so they all deserve my biggest shoutout!

My friends and co-workers also deserve a huge shoutout. My board members, Mark, Kim, Rosie, Andrea, Jo Marie and my animator, Brad, are integral in helping to support this vision. The positivity from all around keeps me going.

If I may shoutout Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, and Derek Rydall. I do not know them personally, but through their writings and podcasts, they have deeply influenced me with moving inspiration and continued drive.

As the saying goes, “it takes a village,” and I am grateful for the “village” I live in!

Website: https://www.thegoodeggs.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodeggsfoundation/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thegoodeggsfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodEggsFoundation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegoodeggsfoundation

Other: Michigan Learning Channel: https://www.michiganlearning.org/show/the-good-eggs/

Canva Bio Link: https://thegoodeggs.my.canva.site/