I’m excited to share that Tarragon Creative, Inc. was recently awarded its first monetary grant through the Student Microenterprise Support Fund, funded by U.S. Bank.

This grant represents an important milestone in the growth of my company and will help advance the development of a handheld breath-activated toy designed for children. The device provides visual feedback for calm breathing and supports self-regulation skills, helping children engage in mindful breathing in a fun and interactive way. Funding from this award will help move the product closer to manufacturing and market readiness.

This recognition comes at a particularly meaningful time. As a pediatric occupational therapist turned founder, I have been encouraged by the positive feedback received from children, families, and clinical partners. One of the most rewarding moments came during my first pilot program, when children were asking for the device back after the trial ended and the clinic requested an expanded implementation. Those responses reinforced the potential impact of this product and the need it fills for children and families.

Receiving this first grant is an exciting step forward in transforming an innovative idea into a scalable product that can support children’s emotional regulation and well-being. It also serves as validation of the vision behind Tarragon Creative and the work being done to bring practical, senory-based solutions to life.

To learn more about the project and follow its progress, visit www.happylittledragon.com.

You can also connect with Tarragon Creative on Instagram at @teamtarragon and learn more about Maggie Teske’s entrepreneurial journey on LinkedIn.

 

Maggie Teske is a pediatric occupational therapist and the founder of Tarragon Creative, Inc., where she is developing playful tools that help children practice calm breathing in a more engaging and intuitive way. Her current focus is a handheld breath-activated toy that provides visual feedback and is being shaped through real-world testing, pilot use, and early community response. Maggie brings together clinical experience, creativity, and founder persistence, and she is also inspired by her personal interest in mindfulness and the arts, including a recent watercolor practice she began after an art retreat at Deer Park Monastery.

 

Website: www.happylittledragon.com

Instagram: @teamtarragon

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-teske/

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