The Electivity Standard: What Being a CO-100 Honoree Means for Our Schools and Families

When I started Electivity in 2015, I wasn't thinking about awards.

I was a new mom in Marin County, raising twins, and spending a great amount of time in my car, driving between activities.

That period of my life led to a fundamental realization: The best enrichment for our children shouldn't be hard to find—and it shouldn't be imported from far away.

In 2025, that founding belief reached a significant milestone when Electivity was named a CO-100 Honoree by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Being recognized as one of the top 100 small businesses in America—selected from over 12,000 entries—was a profound validation of our community-first model.

I want to tell you what that actually means. Not just for us—but for every school, every family, and every child we serve.

Proud to represent Electivity as a 2025 CO-100 Honoree!

What the CO-100 Award Actually Measures

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 is a rigorous evaluation of innovation, community impact, and business excellence.

When they reviewed Electivity, they weren't just looking at revenue or growth—they were looking at how we show up for the communities we serve.

For us, that means three things:

1) For Schools: Bespoke Integration

We don’t believe in "one size fits all" education.

Every school has a unique culture and different priorities. We act as a high-level strategic partner, curating and customizing enrichment programs that match the specific needs of your campus and your parents—at no cost to the school’s budget.

2) For Parents: Peace of Mind

My background in psychology ensures that our curriculum isn’t just "after-school fun." It is structured to build the confidence, curiosity, and resilience children need to thrive.

We bring the highest standards of curated enrichment programs to the convenience of your child's own school.

3) For Our Instructors: A Local Ecosystem That Works

Community is at the heart of everything we do.

We believe the best mentors for our children are often right in our own neighborhoods. We empower a diverse network of local chefs, artists, engineers, and athletes—many of whom are women and people of color—to share their lived experience and expertise.

Scaling With Soul: What It Means to Grow Without Losing What Matters

Since that first program in Mill Valley in Marin County a decade ago, Electivity has grown to serve over 65 partner organizations across the Bay Area.

But as we scale, my focus remains rooted in the original vision I had while driving my twins between activities: Enrichment should be a bridge, not a barrier.

As we've grown, I've held tightly to the phrase "Scale with Soul"—because it captures the tension every founder navigates.

Growth creates opportunity, but it also creates risk. The risk of becoming generic. Of optimizing for efficiency at the cost of relationships. Of letting the original intention get buried under process.

The CO-100 honor tells me we haven't lost it. But it also raises the bar. It's not a finish line—it's a commitment.

Why Local Enrichment Matters More Than Ever

We're living through a strange moment in education. Parents have more choices than ever—and more anxiety about those choices. Schools are stretched thin. And children, post-pandemic, are still rebuilding the social and emotional muscles that come from being in community with other kids.

What I've seen in a decade of after-school enrichment is this: the programs that move children aren't the flashiest ones. They're the ones that feel personal. Where the instructor knows their name. Where the project actually matters to them. Where they experience the specific joy of making something that didn't exist before.

That's what Electivity is built to deliver. Not at scale for scale's sake—but at scale because more children deserve access to it.

An Invitation

Whether you're a principal looking to deepen your school's enrichment culture, or a parent wondering what's possible for your child after the bell rings—we'd love to connect.

We aren't just offering classes. We're building something—a neighborhood ecosystem where local talent meets local children, and where every kid gets the chance to discover what they're capable of. That's always been the mission. The CO-100 just reminded me why it matters.

Interested in bringing our nationally recognized, custom enrichment to your campus? Reach out directly to explore what's possible for your school at electivitykids.com.