Two Moms, One Dream: Building a Children’s Museum
In this episode of Behind the Curtain: Money Made Simple, Julie Beckham sits down with Meg Hagan and Erin Gallagher, co-founders of the Children’s Museum of Franklin. The conversation follows how a casual conversation between two moms turned into a fully operational nonprofit serving thousands of families. Meg and Erin share how they built a business plan, formed a board, and leaned on community connections to bring their vision to life. They also explain the financial structure of a 501(c)(3), the importance of multiple revenue streams, and how partnerships and curiosity helped them move forward despite uncertainty. This episode highlights how purpose, collaboration, and persistence can turn an idea into a lasting community resource.
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[00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast and overview of the Children’s Museum of Franklin
[00:01:57] The moment Meg and Erin discovered their shared vision
[00:03:14] Turning the idea into action with a business plan and nonprofit setup
[00:03:54] Building a brand, mission, and early community engagement
[00:05:08] Leveraging professional backgrounds and expanding expertise through advisors
[00:07:28] Role of advisory board members and community experts
[00:09:53] Advice for parents pursuing big goals while raising children
[00:11:00] Importance of partnership and accountability in building a business
[00:12:38] Market research and understanding audience reach
[00:13:00] Early success metrics and visitor growth
[00:13:31] Designing an inclusive and accessible museum experience
[00:15:34] Defining core values: belonging, joy, curiosity, connection, and respect
[00:17:06] Why the museum operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
[00:18:19] Impact story highlighting accessibility and community value
[00:20:41] Revenue streams: admissions, events, fundraising, and donations
[00:22:22] Membership structure and early adoption success
[00:24:42] Building a team, hiring staff, and engaging volunteers
[00:26:16] Partnerships with schools and community organizations
[00:27:24] Staying grounded in mission and celebrating meaningful moments
[00:29:58] Rapid-fire insights on motivation, challenges, and money lessons
[00:31:59] Final advice: stay curious and take action even when uncomfortable
Links:
Rockland Trust: https://www.rocklandtrust.com/
Julie Beckham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-beckham-05589534
Children’s Museum of Franklin: https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)
