Interviewee:
Mandy Lobraico (she/her/hers)
In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative.
We are a family business, selling as well as designing/creating and producing custom luxury rubber ducks. We fell in love with rubber duck stores throughout our travels in Europe, where rubber ducks are spreading like wild fire. We are excited to bring this European phenomenon to the United States in hopes of spreading joy and laughter across our communities.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative.
I’m a full-time philosophy professor and Courtney is a neuropsychologist. Our 12-year-old daughter is a middle school athlete and musician. In addition to our Wicked Ducks retail store(s), we have created Wicked Ducks Foundation. Our mission is to improve quality of life through education, awareness, and accessibility to brain-health services and neurological remediation programs for those with head injuries, or other neurological injury/disease such as dementia. We also work to promote gender equality in sports, along with encouraging and empowering young girls engagement in sports. We provide access to sports participation for those young athletes within underserved populations through gear donations, scholarships, and grants. Through our foundation, we will be hosting local events such as duck derby races, and custom rubber duck designs and production where a percentage of sales is donated to the cause.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that had an impact on you?
Wicked, a misunderstood woman who has tremendous abilities. Our family is obsessed! In addition, In the Dream House by Carmen Machado. Mandy also had the privilege of meeting with the author and discussion the book.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
We may be the biggest animal lovers on earth. For years, we shared a house with 3 dogs, a bunny who lived in a penthouse with tunnels wrapping around the perimeter of our yard, a bearded dragon, 2 guinea pigs, a fresh water tank, an axolotl, and a 180 gallon saltwater reef tank.
What is Creative Collective?
Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
