Coach and Community Help PREP Student Expand Business

Bloomfield Hills Schools PREP student Jordan Fischer transformed a childhood interest into a thriving business. As a young child, Fischer was captivated by Baby Einstein videos. By middle school, Fischer told his mother that he wanted to make the puppets shown in the videos. A classroom paraprofessional supplied a simple sewing kit and the guidance Fischer needed to get started. This launched a tremendous future.

“[The] paraprofessional started him out using felt fabric and thread, [working] by hand and finding patterns online, but once he had an idea of how a pattern was done, he started making his own,” said Fischer’s mother, Chrystal Jean. “A lot of the learning was trial and research online.”

As a PREP student, Fischer trusted his teachers enough to share his talent. Fischer brought in a puppet he had hand-stitched, commenting, “I really wish I knew how to use a sewing machine.” Motivated to help, PREP teacher Meghan Gornick located old, unused sewing machines within BHS. Gornick explained, “I had a sewing friend of mine come in one time and work with Jordan to set up the machine. I took notes on what we all learned and from there Jordan started emailing me things he needed to continue his work.” Fischer’s puppets evolved, each one more unique than the next.

Fischer then turned this talent into a business. Fischer manages an eBay page promoting and selling the puppets, ensuring products are shipped on time, and maintaining stock. Jean appreciatively credits PREP: “They presented him with more opportunities to raise funds towards his goals, such as bottle returns, which have been a major help in getting materials for his puppets. I really could go on and on with all that PREP has helped him with! He's come so far in communication as well and that's thanks in a large part to PREP encouraging him to talk about his craft,” said Jean.

Fischer’s puppets also appear on YouTube in videos by KrazyKrok Productions, he is involved in both making fan remakes of the Baby Einstein series and contributing new topic ideas. The bottle-return initiative started at PREP helps purchase the materials Fischer needs to make the puppets and create the videos. So far, Fischer has purchased a video camera, green-screen backdrop, umbrella lights, and unique fabrics to make more puppets.  

Recently, BHS substitute teacher and varsity golf coach Scott Hayes observed Fischer constructing a puppet. Hayes was truly impressed but didn’t just see puppets coming together; Hayes saw useful golf club headcovers. The coach suggested adapting a bird design in purple to create Black Hawk themed golf headcovers. Fischer agreed to the idea and quickly began working on an order of 27 new puppets. These handmade, custom golf club headcovers were presented to the golf team by their coaches as an end-of-season gift.

Fischer’s puppets can be purchased from the online eBay store or at Booth Center in the PREP workshop. Proceeds from the puppets sold at PREP go back into funding materials and other supplies. Fischer’s work is a shining example of passion, practice, and creativity. With the help of the community, Fischer turned a dream into a small business, and now his handmade creations will inspire an entire Black Hawk golf team as the colorful puppets perch atop their clubs.