In February of 2023, Minneapolis native Temeal Armstrong took a leap of faith, transforming her passion for creativity and organization into a thriving business: Poptastic Planners. The company’s mission is simple yet impactful: Inspire young people to embrace the power of planning while fueling their imagination.
Offering a collection of planners, journals, and coloring books, Poptastic Planners is all about helping children stay organized while having fun in the process.
Journey rooted in personal experience
Armstrong’s journey with Poptastic Planners began in 2020, during the global pandemic. At the time, Armstrong worked at Pillsbury as a daycare provider. Realizing that she could bring a sense of fun, structure and creativity to the children she worked with, Armstrong decided to purchase art supplies from the Dollar Tree, encouraging the kids to create their own personalized journals and planners.
The inspiration for this idea came from Armstrong’s own childhood in Minneapolis. “My sister and I used to journal and plan all the time,” she recalls. “It was something that kept me focused and goal-oriented.”
She believes journaling helped shape her character, encouraging her to think outside the box and reflect on her thoughts. This early experience with writing and planning left a lasting impression on Armstrong, leading her to share that tradition with her daughter, Mia, as a way of bonding and empowering her.
Reflecting on how journaling impacted her, Armstrong shares, “It helped develop my character because I was able to think outside the box… It was so fulfilling to stay focused and goal-oriented, just to have everything on paper.”
Empowering kids through design
Armstrong soon realized that her creative outlet could grow beyond her day care role. The positive feedback she received from both children and parents motivated her to officially launch Poptastic Planners with the help of her daughter, who assisted in creating fun and child-friendly designs for the planners.
Poptastic Planners offers products tailored to two age groups: children aged 6 to 8 and pre-teens aged 9 to 12. For the younger group, the planners are vibrant and visually engaging, with fun stickers and simple tasks that spark creativity while helping kids stay on track with their daily activities. As Armstrong says, “It’s all about keeping learning fun!”
For older children, the planners take a more structured approach, featuring skill-building activities and weekly exercises that help track progress. “I think when you teach kids when they’re younger, by the time they get older their minds will develop in a way that helps them have a better outlook on life,” Armstrong explains. This structure is key to her vision of fostering growth and positive development from a young age.
Looking toward the future
Armstrong’s entrepreneurial vision doesn’t stop at fun and functional products. She hopes to expand her offerings to support children with special needs, particularly those with ADHD and autism. Armstrong’s own brother is autistic, and she’s motivated to create planners and tools that could help children with similar challenges express themselves creatively.
“My brother can’t use words, but he can draw and color — he’s brilliant,” she says. “It would be nice to gear something toward kids like him. It’s something I want to do in the future.”
Overcoming hurdles
Starting a business wasn’t without its challenges, especially for Armstrong, who describes herself as introverted. One of her biggest hurdles was stepping outside her comfort zone to promote Poptastic Planners.
Initially, her marketing efforts were limited to Facebook friends and family, but she knew she needed to reach a broader audience. She sought guidance from a business mentor, learning the importance of projecting confidence and engaging with people outside her immediate circle.
“People would say, ‘Just post content,’ but I wanted to be strategic,” Armstrong reflects. “Asking strangers for help was tough, but I knew I needed it to succeed.”
The positive feedback she’s received from customers has kept her motivated, despite any negative reviews. “Not every piece of feedback is glowing, but constructive criticism helps me improve my products.”
A vision for growth
Looking ahead, Armstrong envisions expanding her business to larger retailers like Target or Walmart, with the goal of reaching even more families. While she doesn’t have a physical storefront just yet, Armstrong is excited about the future. She also plans to create employment opportunities within her community, particularly for individuals who have been formerly incarcerated, aligning her business practices with her values of community support and inclusivity.
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Armstrong has learned the importance of growth, both personally and professionally. “I’ve realized that I can’t make everyone happy, and that’s okay,” she says. “But I’m committed to learning, growing, and putting myself out there.”
With a unique blend of creativity, purpose, and business savvy, Armstrong is paving the way for a new generation of children who will grow up knowing the power of planning — and the fun of being organized.
For more information, visit poptasticplanner.com.
This Black Business Spotlight was written by Aamira Redd. Aamira welcomes reader responses to aredd@spokesman-recorder.com.