Creating human connection that improves well-being and performance
About Us
We started our company, ConnectHuman, because we understand the power of social connectedness, at school, at work, in life. Creating meaningful connections that empower people to improve their well-being and performance is what ConnectHuman is all about.
We believe that we must prioritize human connection to make sure our success and our well-being don’t suffer as we rely more and more on technology as a means of working, playing and connecting.
Connection Zoo™ is our first product line. When we empower a child with greater confidence and skills to develop meaningful relationships and remove obstacles that keep them from performing to their full potential, we help them clear their path to a happier, successful adult life. We also believe that we must prioritize human connection to ensure our success and our well-being don’t suffer as we rely more and more on technology as a means of working, playing and connecting.
Hi, I’m Kjirsten!
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to help people discover, explore and realize their full potential through authentic connections with themselves and others. It took me years to develop an awareness of who I am and the courage to engage with others authentically to develop strong social and professional connections. I have a passion for helping others discover the power of authentic connection and live the life they want.
What we’re doing with Connection Zoo™ is very personal for me. Growing up I didn’t know how to talk about my anxiety or ask for help. When my anxiety made it difficult for me to breathe, the only tool I had was a paper bag (Read Learning to Breathe). My journey was tougher than it needed to be. The good news is, I’m healthy and happy and using the gifts I’ve gained – like courage, in particular, to do great things for myself and others. I also had the experience as a parent with kids who experienced anxiety; each of them with different triggers and behaviors.
After many years of corporate business experience, I decided I needed to make a change. My experiences inspired me to partner with my son, Taylor, to further develop Connection Zoo™, the product he designed to address the needs of children with social worry and anxiety. I continue to provide coaching and consulting services to individuals and organizations to build connections that raise performance and create greater well-being for themselves and others.
Hi, I’m Taylor!
Throughout my life I have been very comfortable making authentic connections with people and have found a great sense of happiness and well-being as a result of the meaningful relationships I have developed. I would love for everyone to be able to thrive, or at least be more comfortable, in social situations and have people in their lives they can lean on when they need support.
I graduated from college with a degree in Industrial (Product) Design from Iowa State. The idea for Connection ZooTM came as a result of research that revealed the growing prevalence of social anxiety and the strong link between our social connections and our health and happiness. I discovered that many of my classmates were affected by social anxiety. It was important to me to create a solution for younger kids so they can develop and practice confidence and skills during their critical development years and be more equipped to manage anxiety they may experience when they enter the pre-teen years, which is the time many kids struggle in social situations.