Her Story
About Maria
Maria Young serves as Senior Product Developer and Graphic Designer at Faber-Castell Creativity for Kids in Independence, Ohio, where she has spent the past decade creating innovative toy and craft products that inspire creativity and imagination in children around the world. With a foundation in fine art and formal training in graphic design, Maria began her career developing graphics and supporting sourcing initiatives for a gift and stationery company before transitioning into product development. Her unique combination of artistic expertise and business understanding has allowed her to successfully bridge the gap between creative vision and commercial execution.
In her current role, Maria oversees the complete product development lifecycle, transforming ideas into retail-ready products through concept development, sourcing, prototyping, packaging design, instructional materials, and displays. She specializes in creating engaging sensory products, including slimes, compounds, and interactive craft experiences designed for preschool-aged children through age eight. Her work requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, vendors, and retail partners to ensure products meet quality standards while delivering meaningful and enjoyable experiences for children and families.
Maria is married and the proud mother of two school-aged children, whose curiosity and creativity continually inspire her both personally and professionally.
Beyond her professional achievements, Maria is deeply committed to serving her community through volunteer work with Willoughby Hills Friends Church. She has done a variety of service work, such as, preparing care bundles for human trafficking survivors, assembling emergency food supplies for international communities, serving dinner at The City Mission, and assisting at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. She also sponsors a child in Burkina Faso through Compassion International, maintaining a meaningful connection through regular letters.
Maria attributes her success to staying young at heart, which fuels her passion for creating products that bring joy, comfort, and creativity to children. Her personal connection to sensory products, including their calming and therapeutic qualities, reflects her dedication to designing experiences that support imagination, emotional well-being, and self-care.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying young at heart and maintaining a genuine sense of curiosity, creativity, and joy. Working in the toy and craft industry, especially developing sensory products like slimes and compounds for preschool-aged children through age eight, allows me to connect with the same sense of wonder and imagination that inspires the products I create. Staying playful and embracing creativity helps me approach my work with passion and enthusiasm. I also personally understand the calming benefits of sensory experiences, as creating these products has become a meaningful form of self-care that allows me to channel creativity while designing items that bring comfort, enjoyment, and connection to others.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay curious, continuously learn, and always keep a pulse on emerging trends and consumer preferences. Product development is a fast-paced field, so it is important to regularly conduct trend research, visit stores, explore platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, and pay attention to what retailers and consumers are responding to. Innovation requires looking beyond past experiences and being willing to create fresh, new ideas that align with changing interests and market demands. Stay adaptable, move quickly, and never stop finding inspiration from the world around you.
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