Some people take a deep breath and find clarity. Others turn that breath into a movement. That’s precisely what happened when Sarah Habib left a corporate job in San Francisco and started a program called Mission2Move, with a vision of bringing more intentional exercise and mindfulness to kids at school.
In 2017, Habib returned to her childhood hometown, and today, Mission2Move serves all 134 preschool classrooms in Cincinnati Public Schools, along with a few other nearby school districts. The program helps kids improve pro-social behaviors and emotional regulation.
When the pandemic hit, forcing schools to go virtual, the mission didn’t stop—it evolved. Enter The Calm Caterpillar, a playful yet powerful way to bring mindfulness into homes and classrooms.
What started as a simple “Calm Corner Kit” developed into a full-fledged toy company. Calmee the Caterpillar launched in 2023. The toy teaches kids how to breathe, self-regulate, and (like caterpillars turning into butterflies) grow into their best selves.
Now, with a 500-store, nationwide launch in Barnes & Noble and more MESH (Mental, Emotional, and Social Health) toys in the pipeline, Habib is leading the charge in a new category of play-based learning. Because when kids learn to breathe, they learn to thrive.
The following Q&A explores the future of the toy industry, Habib’s views on leadership, and how she achieves so much success with a small but mighty team of five.
Q&A
How would you define success for you as a leader?
I support my team and get out of the way so that smart people can do their jobs. This allows us to move fast and let each person succeed.
And for the company…
Getting into additional big box retailers, selling our products nationwide, and launching more retail-ready products.
Describe your toy products.
Calmee the Caterpillar will hit Barnes and Noble nationwide this year. It was our first retail-ready product.
We have Bloomie, our viral toy, which sold out once already. This is a flower and candle-breathing fidget tool.
We have Buzzee and Roaree – more breathing fidget tools coming out later this year.
How has the toy industry changed? Where is it heading? And what role do you hope to have in shaping it?
Toys continue to be tools to help kids learn through play. While that has been a natural part of development forever, the focus on learning through play is high right now. Mental, Emotional, and Social Health (MESH) is so important in society today, and this is intersecting with the toy industry. MESH Toys are a new category, and we hope to be a leader in them.
What’s been the most unexpected challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you handle it?
Figuring out what I wanted to do… Living in NYC at the age of 21, I had no idea. I did what I thought I should do. When I did what made me happy, I found my real passion.
How have Jewish values shaped your approach to leadership and running the business?
Jewish values around helping others are the foundation of my business because, at its core, The Calm Caterpillar is designed to help people. Teaching breathing is a lifelong skill that everybody needs.
How do you stay focused?
Maintaining control over my breathing
Fill in the blanks…
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- The best advice I ever received was to worry about the things that matter.
- My morning routine consists of hot tea.
- If I could swap lives with anyone for a day, it would be David Chang.
- The one thing I never leave the house without is my keys.
- My biggest pet peeve is not answering emails.
- The best book I’ve ever read is The Smartest Kids In The World.
