Needham Family Launches “Social Coaching Club” for Young Girls

From NikaVika SisterHood: Needham residents Chris and Gretchen Johnson announced a new initiative within their Miller Academy Coaching business: NikaVika SisterHood, named after their 10-year old daughter Annika. With a focus on girls K-8, coaching will be provided by professionals as well as inspiring young girls and women. Through newsletters, live events, and small-group sessions, coaching content will focus on the social aspects of ambition, inclusion, philanthropy and vigilance.

The company’s first coaching events will take place at the end of April in Needham and Milton. “Bringing Wonder to Life” will be led by Vermont educator Sam Drazin, Founder of Changing Perspectives. “As a former Grade 3 teacher Sam integrates his classroom experience, with his personal experience of living with Treacher Collins syndrome, the same facial anomaly as that of Auggie Pullman, the lead character in R.J. Palacio’s magical novel Wonder,” said Co-Founder Gretchen Johnson. “Sam will take parents and their children on a fascinating journey that is at once inspiring and educational, and will solidify a message that permeates the novel….to always ‘choose kind.’”

Additional coaching events will roll out on the North and South Shores, in Boston, and on the Cape and Islands over the summer. 25% of profits from ticket sales will be donated to a range of non-profits recommended by the club’s members.

Basic membership to NikaVika SisterHood is free to all, and includes a monthly e-newsletter with coaching tips along with invitations to inpsiring coaching events. A paid membership option ($25 annually) is also available which includes private coaching sessions. In addition, branded apparel and merchandise will be sold with messaging related to ambition, inclusion, giving back and vigilance.

Modeling after the noble philosophies of companies like Love Your Melon and Life is Good, 25% of profits from merchandise sales will also be donated. “Consumers today have an infinite number of choices when it comes to buying a cool t-shirt, a water bottle or a beanie. Companies that offer hip and edgy products that are aligned with a meaningful cause…that's a win-win formula,” said Gretchen.

Coincidentally, NikaVika means “win-win.” Nika is derived from Nike, the Greek goddess of Victory. And Vika is pulled from Annika’s middle name: Viktoria. “Recently I read that Linda Pizutti Henry is intrigued with for-profit organizations that operate like a non-profit,” Gretchen commented. “I respect and admire Linda as an accomplished business executive and I’m intrigued with this concept myself; more companies should think this way. We aim to be a for-profit with a soul, to cultivate the inner strengths of young girls, to shine a light on those who inspire, and to pay it forward,” Gretchen said.

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