Wanderwing Started with a Snail

Written By Emily Carter

Wanderwing started with a snail. My 10 year old daughter, found a snail in our front yard. She was obsessed with this snail for 2 solid weeks. She desperately needed to add this snail to our already long list of family pets which include a Boxer-Labrador mix, Hound mix, and 2 Albino Leopard Geckos. She searched up 'how to care for snails.' She created a slide deck on why she needed this snail as a pet. Just about every family conversation revolved around this snail.

Watching her use technology to build her case for support and explore her world is what gave me the inspiration for Wanderwing. In case you were still wondering, that snail did not become a member of the Carter family pet collection.

With an idea in my head and drive in my heart, I turned to ChatGPT to start my business. I started by searching up similar apps. No direct competition - that's good. Then, I searched up 'how do I learn how to code?' ChatGPT suggested I take a free online Harvard 50 class - keep this in mind - a Harvard 50 class. Not a 101 class. I made it through the first lesson proud as punch! Then I gave up 1/2 way through my second lesson when I could not code the damn Mario bricks required to turn in my homework. At this point, I went back to ChatGPT and said, "How do I build an app when I will not be learning how to code?" At this point, ChatGPT pointed me in the direction of Figma.

I used Figma to make my first draft and turned to the Atlanta Tech Village's Start Up Summer School series to get my thoughts organized. I was amazed by the classes I received. At the Women in Tech meet up, I connected with women like Erin Peterson, Scout Storytellers, and learned a TON in just a short amount of time.

Now, I don't know where Wanderwing will go next. But what I do know, is the difference between a million dollar idea and actually earning a million dollars is forward motion. I'll keep you updated here as Wanderwing moves out of the development stage and into the marketplace. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Wanderwing and me. Together, we will raise a generation of kids who are tech savvy but never tech dependent.

What's next for Wanderwing?? I'm pitching at the Atlanta Tech Village’s Start Up Village #101 on Monday, October 6. Win, lose or draw, I'll share an update, and continue moving forward.

Emily Carter

Hi, I’m Emily 👋

I’m the founder of Wanderwing, a mom of two girls, and someone who’s spent more late nights than I’d like to admit wondering, *“Are my kids getting enough real play, real confidence, and real world experience?”*

By day, I serve as a vice president at a nonprofit. By heart, I’m building something I wish existed for my own family — a place where kids can grow confidence, curiosity, and independence through simple, meaningful activities.

Around here, we believe in slowing down just enough to notice the world again.

You’ll usually find me leading a Girl Scout troop, coaching Girls on the Run, mentoring incredible people doing good in their communities, or wandering outside with my family. My husband, Sam — an award-winning artist and the kind of man who can fix just about anything — helps bring Wanderwing to life in ways I could never do alone.

Wanderwing was created for families like yours — especially those raising kids who learn differently, need more flexibility, or just need a little more room to breathe and grow.

If you’re looking for homeschool resources, confidence-building activities, or support for neurodivergent kids, you’re in the right place.

✨ You don’t have to do this alone.

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Looking for something specific? Start here:

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<a href="https://wanderwing.org/homeschool-resources/">Homeschool Resources</a> |

<a href="https://wanderwing.org/homeschool-resources-for-neurodivergent-kids/">Neurodivergent Support</a> |

<a href="https://wanderwing.org/activities-for-neurodivergent-kids/">Activities for Kids</a>

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→ Explore more at https://wanderwing.org

https://wanderwing.org
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