It is time to say goodbye After 14 years, ParentClick.com is sunsetting. Parents and businesses will be able to access the website directory and community calendar through early Spring but we will no longer be sending newsletters after January 30th. We will continue to post updates on our Facebook page The ParentClick Kids Expo will be postponed for 2016.
The past fourteen years have been a journey filled with many learning experiences along the way. I started ParentClick in 2002 at my desk which at the time was located in my bedroom. I had my three-year-old twins underfoot and I was pregnant with my third daughter. I was involved in several playgroups at the time and realized we were all doing the same research for resources. As a Santa Barbara native, I felt like I had a pretty good pulse on the community but even I felt challenged with finding the time to visit preschools and research activities for our family. It seemed like there should be a simpler process. At this time, it was difficult to search the internet for information and most small businesses did not have websites. I decided I would start a website (and no, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing) and put all of the information in one easy place for parents to view it. Our demographic would be for pregnancy through kindergarten because I (incorrectly) assumed that as a parent, you have everything figured out by the time your kids start elementary school. (I was so wrong. My daughters are seventeen and I still have so many questions!)
The concept began as a way to centralize resources for parents so that families had choices raising their children. The website started as SBParent.com, however we were contacted by parents in other cities after the first year asking how they could get a site in their community. And soon we were licensing the technology around the country. That same year, I thought it would be fun to bring all of these great organizations together so that parents could see the programs up close without having to visit each individually. This was the start of the ParentClick Kids Expo. The expo started at Goleta Beach and was combined with a Mothers Day 5K for 4 years until we moved it to La Cumbre Plaza and Pacific View Mall.
I am proud of our ACCOMPLISHMENTS and how we have grown
- We have been recognized with Business Awards over the years by the Pacific Coast Business Times, Pedro Nava & the CA Small Business Association,Goletas Finest,the SB Independent, Junior League, NAWBO and the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.
- We have hosted our own community events including our annual Kids Expo, ParentClick Playdates at Paseo Nuevo,Business Mixers, Moms Night Out, Mother-Daughter Night at Saks, Family Fitness Days,our Costume Exchange, anda Pajama Drive after the San Diego fires.
- We hostedconteststhat includeour Mom and Dad of the Year awards as well as our Parents Choice Awards.
- We committed to educating families on the many non-profits in our community and how to give back.
- We have sponsored more than 50 local events every year.
- We grew in our first five years from one site to licensing twenty sites.
In the past two years, we scaled back to Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and our extended sites became independent.
- We went from a handful of local subscribers to over 100,000 nationwide.
- We continued to invest in thetechnology and change with the times which included rebuilding the website five times.
- We stayed committed to our mission statement which was to provide choices for families and create an affordable way for local organizations to advertise.
THANK YOU I want to thank several people who have been both my right and left arm over the years Julie Sorenson, Irene Milton, Kim Young, andBecca Eliasen. We have had other wonderful editors but these four shared my vision over many years and became friends in the process.
My mom playgroups in those early years showed me the value of having other parents to lean on and learn from. Our original subscriber list started with these same moms who were willing to be the guinea pigs as I figured out our focus with the Weekly Scene Newsletters and over time, each of you showed your support byutilizing ParentClick as your go-to resource. Thank you!
I am grateful to the organizations that took a chance on us fourteen years ago and have continued on as clients through the years. THANK YOU! I have learned from each of you and appreciated the relationships as we have grown our businesses together.Throughout my early career working for both for-profits and non-profits, I was often frustrated at the divide in our community. One of my goals was to put all of our wonderful organizations under one umbrella. I truly believe that each offers something unique and that parents need to know about all of their options.
Some of my best memories were the monthly radio shows with hosts, Bonnie and Bill where they would have me on the air as their guest. They were so supportive in helping me launch and never failed to make me laugh. Thank you!
And most of all, Iwant toTHANK my family who has been on every step of this journey. They have worked at every Expo, hosted our tables at events and been my foundation. ParentClick has grown and evolved with my children. My daughters havebeen my inspiration as I have experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood. I have been fortunate to have a husband who is always willing to support my dreams and passions without question.
This seems like the right time to transition.IlovewhatIdobecauseevery dayI get to support families in our communityand I gettomeetand collaborate with so many incredible people. But now, it is time to pass the baton to someone else as my children prepare to leave the nest.
So what is next? I am not great at sitting still and I am excited to be focusing my energy on two new projectsthe first being to strengthen the support we have in our community for teenagers and their families. We have too many students suffering from depression and anxiety and parents who are trying to navigate how to support them. We need more collaboration between families, schools and our existing organizations.
I have also launched my consulting business, Simplify and Sync,where I amworking with businesses, individuals and volunteergroupsto streamline their technology and build their social media presence.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had in building ParentClick and the relationships that have developed.
I welcome your feedback, comments, and memories below in our comments section
Rachael Ross Steidl,Founder
santabarbara@parentclick.com
January 27, 2016PCRS
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It is time to say goodbye After 14 years, ParentClick.com is sunsetting. Parents and businesses will be able to access the website directory and community calendar through early Spring but we will no longer be sending newsletters after January 30th. We will continue to post updates on our Facebook page The ParentClick Kids Expo will be postponed for 2016.
The past fourteen years have been a journey filled with many learning experiences along the way. I started ParentClick in 2002 at my desk which at the time was located in my bedroom. I had my three-year-old twins underfoot and I was pregnant with my third daughter. I was involved in several playgroups at the time and realized we were all doing the same research for resources. As a Santa Barbara native, I felt like I had a pretty good pulse on the community but even I felt challenged with finding the time to visit preschools and research activities for our family. It seemed like there should be a simpler process. At this time, it was difficult to search the internet for information and most small businesses did not have websites. I decided I would start a website (and no, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing) and put all of the information in one easy place for parents to view it. Our demographic would be for pregnancy through kindergarten because I (incorrectly) assumed that as a parent, you have everything figured out by the time your kids start elementary school. (I was so wrong. My daughters are seventeen and I still have so many questions!)
The concept began as a way to centralize resources for parents so that families had choices raising their children. The website started as SBParent.com, however we were contacted by parents in other cities after the first year asking how they could get a site in their community. And soon we were licensing the technology around the country. That same year, I thought it would be fun to bring all of these great organizations together so that parents could see the programs up close without having to visit each individually. This was the start of the ParentClick Kids Expo. The expo started at Goleta Beach and was combined with a Mothers Day 5K for 4 years until we moved it to La Cumbre Plaza and Pacific View Mall.
I am proud of our ACCOMPLISHMENTS and how we have grown
- We have been recognized with Business Awards over the years by the Pacific Coast Business Times, Pedro Nava & the CA Small Business Association,Goletas Finest,the SB Independent, Junior League, NAWBO and the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.
- We have hosted our own community events including our annual Kids Expo, ParentClick Playdates at Paseo Nuevo,Business Mixers, Moms Night Out, Mother-Daughter Night at Saks, Family Fitness Days,our Costume Exchange, anda Pajama Drive after the San Diego fires.
- We hostedconteststhat includeour Mom and Dad of the Year awards as well as our Parents Choice Awards.
- We committed to educating families on the many non-profits in our community and how to give back.
- We have sponsored more than 50 local events every year.
- We grew in our first five years from one site to licensing twenty sites.
In the past two years, we scaled back to Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and our extended sites became independent.
- We went from a handful of local subscribers to over 100,000 nationwide.
- We continued to invest in thetechnology and change with the times which included rebuilding the website five times.
- We stayed committed to our mission statement which was to provide choices for families and create an affordable way for local organizations to advertise.
THANK YOU I want to thank several people who have been both my right and left arm over the years Julie Sorenson, Irene Milton, Kim Young, andBecca Eliasen. We have had other wonderful editors but these four shared my vision over many years and became friends in the process.
My mom playgroups in those early years showed me the value of having other parents to lean on and learn from. Our original subscriber list started with these same moms who were willing to be the guinea pigs as I figured out our focus with the Weekly Scene Newsletters and over time, each of you showed your support byutilizing ParentClick as your go-to resource. Thank you!
I am grateful to the organizations that took a chance on us fourteen years ago and have continued on as clients through the years. THANK YOU! I have learned from each of you and appreciated the relationships as we have grown our businesses together.Throughout my early career working for both for-profits and non-profits, I was often frustrated at the divide in our community. One of my goals was to put all of our wonderful organizations under one umbrella. I truly believe that each offers something unique and that parents need to know about all of their options.
Some of my best memories were the monthly radio shows with hosts, Bonnie and Bill where they would have me on the air as their guest. They were so supportive in helping me launch and never failed to make me laugh. Thank you!
And most of all, Iwant toTHANK my family who has been on every step of this journey. They have worked at every Expo, hosted our tables at events and been my foundation. ParentClick has grown and evolved with my children. My daughters havebeen my inspiration as I have experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood. I have been fortunate to have a husband who is always willing to support my dreams and passions without question.
This seems like the right time to transition.IlovewhatIdobecauseevery dayI get to support families in our communityand I gettomeetand collaborate with so many incredible people. But now, it is time to pass the baton to someone else as my children prepare to leave the nest.
So what is next? I am not great at sitting still and I am excited to be focusing my energy on two new projectsthe first being to strengthen the support we have in our community for teenagers and their families. We have too many students suffering from depression and anxiety and parents who are trying to navigate how to support them. We need more collaboration between families, schools and our existing organizations.
I have also launched my consulting business, Simplify and Sync,where I amworking with businesses, individuals and volunteergroupsto streamline their technology and build their social media presence.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had in building ParentClick and the relationships that have developed.
I welcome your feedback, comments, and memories below in our comments section
Rachael Ross Steidl,Founder
santabarbara@parentclick.com
Category: Business & school news Editorial & columns
Rachael,
I met you once at a PEP meeting when my son was a few months old. I started reading SBParent.com that day! He is now 12, and over the last decade, with the help of ParentClick, I found programs for him to join, camps to attend, shows to see, events to enjoy, advice, buyers for my used baby equipment and second hand items to claim at each stage of childhood. My husband even won the dad of the year award! I recommended the site to everyone I knew! My friends in other towns wished they had such a thing.Thank you for providing this great service to SB!!
-a Thankful Mom
We are grateful for all the wonderful resource sharing. We will miss you and we wish you well, in the next chapter.
This was a cool thing, I was late to the party with a couple under 5 year olds, I hope someone or something picks up where this left off. Has anyone approached you to take it over?
Congrats Rachael! No doubt your next endeavor will be a success. I have fond memories of being on the board with you in the mothers of multiples group. You were inspiring then, and continue to inspire us all. Thank you for all you do!!
Thank you Rachael for all you do to give back! Youre amazing.
Eager to hear about the next adventure. This one was a gift.
Rachael is an amazing business woman, wife and mother. Check this out. Congrats Rachalwhatever ever I can do to help, just let me know.
Santa Barbara is lucky to have you Rachel.
You make a difference!
When I moved here 12 years ago as a new mom pregnant with my second parent click was my go to resource as a new community member! Thank you so much. One of my favorite things was the mommy morning movies! I really appreciate your efforts!
Thank you for your commitment to the community!! Hugs on your new journey! ~SBPOM
Wow, Rachael, what an exciting time for you! I cant wait to see the magic youll come up with in your next ventures. They sound perfect for you, and our community will once again reap the benefits of your amazing mind and beautiful soul. Thank you for all you do! Xoxo Lisa
Thank you all of the years! My daughter is almost 15 and your site has helped me find events for doing things. I am new to the teenage years and would love any help or suggestions that come my way.
Best, Michelle
You all did such a great service to our moms, families and community. Thank you! You touched and helped so many.
Oh wow! Just read this! I want you to know, Rachael that when I moved here 10 yrs ago to Santa Barbara, sbparent.com was my greatest source of things to do with my kids! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
You have been such a fabulous resource for Santa Barbara area families for so many years. Thank you for contributing so much of your time, heart and talents to our communitys children and parents. Best of luck to you on your new endeavors and adventures!!
Thank you very much for all your help and valuable information about kids and family! Hugs and blessings!
Epic resource for our community!
Great job Rachel! What a journey!
Congratulations Rachael on 14 amazing years! Now on to the new great adventure!!!
Anything you touch is golden best to you always.
Thank you for the valuable information throughout the years!!
Rachael-thank you for taking such good care of all us parents and children for all these years. You have been amazing at SBParent, ParentClick and know you will be just as amazing in your next adventure! Also, a special thank you shout out for your support of Ice in Paradise!
On behalf of all SB grandparents, I thank you for all your good work. Is there any possibility that someone else could take the reins and keep Patentclick going? With appreciation, Anne Towbes
Great summary of an amazing resource for the community Fueled by your passion, I cant wait to see what you accomplish next!
Rachael,
What an amazing impact youve had in our Community! Thank You for all of the parent resources that youve given us parents!
Sad to see you go, but I know youll be incredibly successful in your new endeavors!
XO Shanel
Thank you Rachael and team for all of your hard work and excellent guidance! You have made a difference for Santa Barbaras families.
You are such an inspiration and amazing person! Thanks for all of your words and everything you do for our community. Good luck with your new passion!
Wow sorry to see PC sunset, but excited to see your incredible talents make an impact in other areas!
Well done Rachael! Congratulations on all that youve accomplished. Youve provided a great resource for thousands of families. All the best!
Thank you for everything youve done for the community over the years. Best of luck on your next chapter!
Thanks for all of your great work, Rachael. Its been an invaluable resourceand youre an inspiration. xo
Congratulations on all youve accomplished, Rachael. I cant wait to hear more about your new ventures.
Thank you for all you have done for our kids and community.
Thanks for your tremendous contributions! I remember you talking about starting something like this up when the kids were babies. Who knew youd not only do it, but make it what is has become! Best to you in your next chapter.
Wow! What a journey this has been for you and our family mom. I am so incredibly proud of the work youve done and lives youve touched in this community. You never cease to amaze me and I am so excited for your next steps in life. I know how you are ready for this change and how sad it makes you to let parentclick go but I am so proud of you going through with it. I am so excited for your next steps in life and cant wait to be right by your side for them like you always are for me. I will miss everything parentclick has given our family and to see it come to an end after watching you grow it will be hard. You are an incredible woman, business owner, member of the community and mother and I cant wait to be a part of your next journey. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a strong, caring and loving woman.
I arrived in Santa Barbara in 2005 with two chldren under 3 years. You made my landing so much more comfortable and I felt a sense of community because of your work. As a business woman, I understand your need to transition in tandem with your evolving family obligations. Thanks for the memories.
Warmly,Annabelle
Thanks Rachel for all your hard work for all these years! It has been a great resource for the community and a great way for our kid-based businesses to communicate with families about all that we offer for their children.
Good luck on everything!
Suzy, Cloud 10 Jump Club
I love you all and all that you have brought to our families! Rachel, it seems like yesterday that we were sitting at your house making goals for our new businesses and the inspiration for (I think) the 5 women who were starting family oriented businesses in town was something I will forever treasure. It is an honor to call you my friend and your support over the years both personally and professionally is so appreciated and I am so excited for your new chapter and know it will bring great things to our community. You are a treasure! Love to your entire team especially Becca whom I will miss giving my gentle reminders to get my ads in. You are wonderful women and I wish you all the best!
xoxo Jen MY GYM
Wow. This is a big change. I want to add my voice in congratulating you for the immense contributions you have made to improve the lives of children and families in SB. Job well done!!! I know this time period must be a whirlwind, but please stay in contact with me. There are so many exciting new opportunities percolating for the benefit of children and families. I know your passion and your skills would enjoy some type of involvement. You have been an important part of United Ways assistance to children and families and I enjoy working and brainstorming with you.
Just wanted to acknowledge the great service and business you created in ParentClick.com. Knowing when to move on can be so hard, so kudos for making the decision that is right for you and your family. I wish you every success in your consulting business.
You were a trailblazer in social media, I remember you coming into the store years ago and asking for support. You did a great job, times change and I am sure you are off to a new adventure. Best wishes always.
Thanks for always supporting ARTS Alive! You guys were so generous with helping me out. Simply the Best in your new adventures! oxoxoxox
Thank you so much for all of the great and valuable information you have provided! I will miss your news letters and having easy access to such great information!
What??? Oh my goodness Im so sorry to hear this! You have been a wonderful model of a successful businesswoman, mother, and friend to SO MANY in our community! I treasure you and value your contribution endlessly, Rachael! I understand transition and the need for it, though it doesnt mean its easy or something to look forward to. Congratulations on a job extremely well done, Rachael! We will miss you, but also know we will see you around with whatever is next for you!
What a beautiful write up. Thank you for all youve done. Blessings as you move ahead.
You have been a blessing to so many families, keeping us all abreast of what is happening in our community. Enjoy the next journey of your life.
Fist of all, I love the Pooh posting, it made me cry, and I am going to put it on my wall to remind me whenever someone I care about leaves. Then I cried through your written words. I am sorry to see you go, and I am sure it was not an easy decision because as a mother of twin boys I know all about letting go at each of the stages they went through. I should not write much more because with each word tears are running down my face. I remember when we told my mother-in-law that we were moving to California to be near our sons because they were going to school there at the time. She cried, and afterwards I said to my husband, Why cant she be happy for us? It taught me a lesson, so that when my son, his wife and our grandson told us they were moving away, instead of crying (in front of them) I told them how happy I was for them. So on that note, I will stop crying in writing and say how happy I am for you to be moving on and letting go in such a gracious way. Cheers & Good Luck, Angela
I enjoyed reading the parent click newsletter. I will definitely miss it. As a director of a preschool, I can tell you that you provided ample amount of info on the resources and events in the community, that I got to know them by reading the newsletter. Good luck with your new venture. It sounds great !
Thank YOU, Rachael! I loved the mission of SBParent/ParentClick and I have wonderful memories of working with you. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity. Best wishes on your next adventures! I hope to continue bumping into you and your wonderful family around town!
Just read your letter about Parentclick sunsetting and wanted to thank you. My husband and I moved to Santa Barbara in 2002 with our 2-yr old daughter, and I started using Parentclick right away. Now, that daughter is almost 16, & I have a 12yr old daughter and 4 yr old son. Thanks for making Parentclick so welcoming it was certainly always running in the sidelines of my life as a Santa Barbara mom. Much luck for you on your next journey!
Thank you Rachael for your valuable contribution to our community. You are amazing. We all felt your heart and soul in every post and commentary. New chapters are always exciting and I wish you the best with Simplify and Syncwhat a wonderful description of your life forward.
Patty
Thank you for so many wonderful years of service to our community. Your vision provided a great service for all of us in the trenches. I hope to work with you in your future endeavors!
Wow! Congratulations! I am so very thankful for your vision and efforts to keep us young parents educated, connected and organized. My son was 1 years old when you first started and Ive enjoyed reading your website and newsletter each time it came into my inbox. Our family has enjoyed many events that you have sponsored. Your website will be missed! Im so glad I get to run into you around SB and to see your beautiful, grown daughters. Time flies while we parent our kids! Thank you again for your website and all of the time you and your staff have put into it. Best of luck in your new business!
Holly Eubank
While Im sure there will be a big shoes to fill in the sunsetting of ParentClick, Im also sure youve modeled for others in our community how important it is to not only recognize, but to act on ideas with potential to significantly improve the lives of others. It is fitting that your new business will also follow that thread, and I wish you much success in this exciting and worthwhile new direction youre taking! Thank you, of course, for including the SFSB in your events and for always doing such a good job at promoting our application deadlines and other services. Weve truly appreciated the partnership opportunities.
Just wanted to thank you for all you have done for our community. The last few words that you mentioned in the article hit home for me, as I have been seeing a lot of adolescents and young men and women in my practice that are suffering from mental health issues so many that it has become one of my niches.
Nooooooo!?!??!??! So sad to read this. Thank you for all your support over the years and best wishes to you in your new ventures! I agreewe definitely need help w/teens and depression/anxiety!
Thanks for all that you have brought to the community over the years and for your support of TV Santa Barbara. Best wishes for your new endeavor. Im sure it will be successful!
You will be missed, a great resource for community. Thank you for your contributions.
Oh no! Its funny, our department has been in partnership with Parentclick in various ways over the years but I recently just started using the site on a weekly basis to find things for my 2.5 year old and I to do and participated in many of the playdates at Paseo Nuevo. I am so sorry to hear we are not going to have Parentclick as a resource. Thank you for offering
such a great site for us parents. I know it will be missed by many, including me.
We will miss you!! Thank you for all your support over the years. Your impact on our local community has been so special and necessary. Best of luck in all that lies ahead. What an exciting time!
How sad.but how exciting for you at the same time There are always new chapters to explore Best of Luck and thank you for all your support over the years with our programs.
Congratulations Rachael! So happy for your next adventure and so appreciative of getting to enjoy ParentClick when my guys were little. Good thing I have it all figured out nowha!
Rachel thank you for all your support and inspiration throughout the years as an amazing business woman mentor in our community!
Change is the only constant in the universe, was a thought shared by Cosmologist Brian Swimme at a Montessori workshop years ago. Thank you for awakening in our community an awareness for parents and families.
Rachael,
What a difference you and your staff have made in our lives and community! Thank you for everything you have done to enrich our lives, keep us informed, and support us in our journey raising our children.