Tedx Talks: Be the Change: It starts with us | Kristina McKean | TEDxLagunaBlancaSchool

Kristina McKean describes her journey to embody philanthropic change, after a firsthand encounter with neglected baby elephants in Thailand. She founded the Elephant Project, a toy company that has successfully helped save hundreds of elephants world-wide. Kristina has recently expanded her SAVEUS brand to include big cats and dogs who are also suffering from abuse and neglect in the U.S. and abroad. Her talk highlights the dangers that elephants face in Thailand and across the globe, as she shares the importance of her sanctuary and the peace and care it takes to preserve such a special animal. The Elephant Project is a female-founded philanthropic toy company that has successfully helped save hundreds of elephants globally by donating proceeds from the hand-designed stuffed animals to aligned organizations that directly benefit the toys' real-world counterparts. Founded by Kristina McKean in 2017 after a lingering firsthand encounter with neglected baby elephants in Thailand, The Elephant Project launched its first cuddly product and accompanying education materials out of Santa Barbara, CA. Kristina donates 100% of the net proceeds from any purchase to trusted organizations that help rescue and care for orphaned, abandoned, and abused elephants. Those organizations include The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand and The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya. The elephants were so successful that Kristina has recently expanded her SAVEUS brand to include big cats and dogs who are also suffering from abuse and neglect in the United States and abroad. Since 2017, Kristina has been featured in People.com, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Today Show, Vogue, Real Simple, Reader's Digest, The Los Angeles Times and other publications. To learn more about press and podcasts for The Elephant Project-visit: https://www.theelephantproject.com/press The stuffed animals are an important gift that gives back and teaches children everywhere to be the voice for the voiceless and that one person can make a difference. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Brittany H Levine: As Seen on Good Morning America: She Means Business - International Women's Day 2025

As Seen on Good Morning America: She Means Business - International Women's Day 2025

Happy International Women’s Day!  From revolutionizing beauty routines to fashion staples, visionary female founders are transforming the industry while inspiring the next generation. This past weekend on GMA, we celebrated those women by highlighting their companies and all they’ve accomplished.

1) The Elephant Project:

SaveUs Plushies, $39, theelephantproject.com

-After traveling through Thailand and witnessing the mistreatment of elephants, Kristina McKean started The Elephant Project, which significantly contributes to saving them. 

-Created adorable plushies that children love

-100% of the net proceeds from animal plushie sales go to organizations that help fight the poaching crisis and care for injured, abandoned, orphaned, and abused elephants. 

-3 options are available on the site - Kiki, Tembo and Oba

-TEP has even expanded its platform to include lions and rescue dogs as well.

Good Morning America: Celebrate International Women's Day with these businesses to know

What better way to celebrate International Women's Day than by shining a light on the trailblazing entrepreneurs redefining beauty, fashion, children's products and beyond?

These visionary female founders are not only transforming their industries with innovation and purpose but also paving the way for future generations of women in business.

Style expert Brittney Levine joined "Good Morning America" to showcase a curated selection of standout female-founded brands that are making waves and that you'll want to keep on your radar.

Whether you're looking to support women-owned businesses or discover your next favorite brand, these founders and their inspiring stories are worth celebrating today and every day.

By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave ABCNews.com and Goodmorningamerica.com, and these e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. SOME PRICES ARE DYNAMIC AND MAY CHANGE FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. Have questions about ordering or a purchase? Click here.

The Elephant Project

After traveling through Thailand and witnessing the mistreatment of elephants, Kristina McKean started The Elephant Project, which significantly contributes to saving them. When you purchase a plushie, 100% of the net proceeds from sales go to organizations that help fight the poaching crisis and provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned and abused elephants.

World Elephant Day 2024

World Elephant Day 2024

Happy World Elephant Day! 🐘🌍

We’re thrilled to partner with @TrunksUpOfficial to support the expansion of @ElephantNaturePark, where the future ROAMS FREE. The newly acquired land will be dedicated to the well-being and protection of rescued elephants from the tourism industry, providing them with refuge and freedom 24/7. It will be the first sanctuary of its kind in the region.

MATCH OPPORTUNITY!

Every dollar you donate will be doubled, up to $50,000! That means your $5 becomes $10, $50 becomes $100, and $500 becomes $1000!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

🎯 Our goal is $750,000. Your donation will fund the construction of a 3-kilometer perimeter, crucial for the elephants’ freedom and safety.

Donate $250 or more and get your name on a placard at the sanctuary!

Be a part of the future of Elephant Nature Park and make a lasting impact on the lives of these majestic elephants.🌟

#WorldElephantDay2024

#TrunksUp

#ElephantNaturePark

The Bets Life Podcast: Wild at Heart with Kristina McKean, Founder of the Elephant Project

Kristina McKean is the founder and owner of The Elephant Project, a women-led and women-run social give-back business. For as long as she can remember, Kristina has felt a deep-rooted kinship with animals, and the welfare of elephants has become Kristina’s passion and life quest. 

With a background in design and product development, Kristina was able to build a thoughtful stuffed animal brand to raise awareness and funds to help save and care for orphaned and abused elephants, dogs, and big cats. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the Save Us™ Collection of plushies goes to organizations all over the world that are dedicated to helping and advocating for animals in need. In this episode, we chat about what Kristina experienced on her travels that led her down this path, ethical travel, how we can better support animals abroad and locally, and why it’s important to give back to the causes that speak to us personally. 

TW: discussion of animal cruelty  

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife

Follow me on TikTok: @thebetslife

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

Daily Mom: 50 Best Gifts at $50 or Less for Everyone on Your List

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but also the season to break the bank with gift-giving. Fear not, my fellow penny-pinchers, for we have the perfect solution to your holiday shopping woes: our gift guide featuring the ‘best gifts at $50’! Trust us, your wallet will thank you for this one. We have scoured the internet to find the most unique and affordable gifts for the whole family so you can spread the holiday cheer without spreading your finances too thin. Get ready to sleigh your gift-giving game and make this season a merry and budget-friendly one! 

Stuffed animals are always a good call for the little ones during the holiday season. It is even better if it supports a good cause such as The Elephant Project, with 100% of net proceeds helping support elephants and other animals in need. Tembo, which means elephant in Swahili, is a favorite with a soft, adorable gray elephant with green overalls that will become their new stuffy, providing hours of play and comfort.

You can now also find us in Diani Boutique and Gifts for Good.