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Überstix Builds Creativity Around the Globe Thinking Big Brings Construction Toys to Underprivileged Kids Most toy manufacturers want their toys to do better than the competition, but Dane Scarborough, founder, CEO and president of Überstix, is not your typical business owner. Scarborough has a degree from Santa Monica College of Design, Art and Architecture and a background in manufacturing, but he built his company on pure passion. He donates 5 to 10 percent of his profits to underprivileged schools. And he doesn’t see other companies as threats. BUILD TOGETHER  “I’ve never had an interest in being competitive with any other company in terms of selling the same product. There’s no point in that,” he told TDmonthly Magazine. In fact, Scarborough recently wore a LEGO T-shirt and was surprised when people asked him why he was promoting the competition. “We’re fans of LEGO, K’Nex and all building systems,” he explained. He even designed his Überstix to link up with those systems to create new designs and structures.  PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTÜberstix can also be used with Popsicle sticks, straws, plastic bottles, egg cartons and other recyclables. The Überstix all-inclusive design allows children to re-use everything around them. Überstix does not require the endless purchasing of new licensed products; a few Überstix and some common household items can keep kids busy for months, Scarborough said. Popular Überstix products such as Übertropolis and Überbots allow children to build entire buildings and radio-controlled robots that actually work. The basic Überstix Starter Set builds everything from bridges that support HO-scale trains to boats that float. CONSTRUCT IDENTITY In addition to safeguarding the environment, Scarborough is committed to helping underprivileged kids by sending Überpacks to third-world schools. The packs include lesson plans on simple machines as well as Überstix building systems.  Scarborough believes that giving kids a toy is more valuable than sending money.“When you send cash help outside the United States, it may never see the person it’s intended to help,” he explained to TDmonthly. “Our mission is to create an environment where all kids discover some of their potential and get a chance to build a structure bigger than they are. Something taller gives them a sense of possibility, makes other things seem possible. It increases their self-esteem. We are dedicated to seeing that as many kids as possible get to have this experience.”  SMALL INVESTMENT PAYS OFF BIGWhile children in the United States have, on average, hundreds of dollars of toys bought for them each year, children in third-world countries are lucky if they have a few dollars’ worth of possessions in total. The program to send Überpacks overseas costs “less than 25 cents per child,” Scarborough explained, but offers years of learning and fun. “Life is too short not to contribute something extraordinary,” he concluded. Here are the Über kits:
 Writer's Bio: A. Antonow is a freelance writer who lives in Canada. She has written for businesses and individual clients alike, developing copy, content, advertising and ghostwritten material. Read more articles by this author |
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