In the age of two income families and increased work responsibilities, time is a premium. To help busy families better manage their family life, a new website, focusmysearch.com, was launched. Focusmysearch.com is free resource to families covering the Snoqualmie Valley.
Having two energetic boys, Snoqualmie parent, Sheila Kirkegaard, was spending hours looking for activities and related information like registration/tryout dates, summer camps and specialty clinics. Tired and frustrated from going to sites one-by-one and digging through multiple website pages just to find key information like time, date, price and location, Sheila asked her software developer husband to create a solution.
According to Sheila, Focus My Search was built because families need an “Expedia” for kids activities. Families enter search criteria for each child (age, interest, city, dates) and receive a summary list of classes, including key information, within seconds. Finally, parents can select the “best match” classes and generate a report to save/print or simply follow links to register.
“We are adding more classes everyday and currently have over 30 local businesses offering more than 700 classes covering a variety of interests/needs which includes math programs, teen activities and clubs, performing arts, adventure, family activities, recreation and select sports, tween activities, musical instrument lessons, preschools, Si View’s swim schedule and specialty classes for babysitting, first aid and CPR at Encompass,” says Shiela. In addition, “We have local camps/activities being offered over winter break” says Kirkegaard.
Beyond the site’s searchable databases, users can also get updates via social media, newsletters, choose to receive updates from just specific businesses and utilize directories of local businesses – all under one Snoqualmie Valley online roof. Focusmysearch.com also donates 10% of its revenue to local PTA’s, with the user choosing their particular PTA to benefit.
Great idea, Sheila – and good luck!
Comments
I like the search criteria feature! Macaroni Kid newsletter is also a great resource that my family uses for kid/family activities, camps, classes, etc. in the Issaquah and Snoqualmie Valley are. http://snoqualmievalley.macaronikid.com/