Stories can help young minds discover new cultures, ideas, and adventures in a world that craves connection and understanding. Today’s leaders in children’s literature are not just sharing tales; they are creating links between different parts of the world, sparking curiosity, and encouraging empathy in the younger generation.
One inspiring figure in this field is Jamee Natella, the founder of Worldride Adventures. With her global experiences and creative talent, Jamee has developed a platform for kids to connect all over the world, including her 3-part book series beginning with her latest, Sam in London.
These works invite children to explore the world from the comfort of their homes. Through Worldride Adventures, she is changing the way young readers experience diversity, making every story a gateway to understanding and global citizenship.
A Journey of Adventure and Creativity
Jamee is an author, executive producer, and CEO who has traveled to 61 countries and continues to explore more. While she has always loved to travel, it was her son’s natural curiosity about different places that inspired her to share their adventures with a wider audience.
From her time at the Chicago Academy for the Arts to starting her global production company, Blueyed Pictures, Jamee Natella’s path shows her creativity, leadership, and love for adventure. Her latest project, Worldride Adventures, uses her vast travel experiences and knowledge of the industry to create stories that engage and connect people around the world.
Empowering Kids Through Travel and Storytelling
Worldride Adventures is a global brand focused on inspiring children ages 8 to 11 to explore and learn about different cultures through storytelling, hands-on experiences, and travel. Its mission is to spark curiosity, encourage empathy, and broaden young minds by making cultural education fun and accessible for all children.
The company envisions creating a generation of global citizens who view the world with open hearts and minds. Through its charitable branch, WorldrideImpact.org, it ensures that underserved youth have the chance to experience cultural exploration, whether through virtual means or real-life travel opportunities.
Interactive Learning and Unique Products for Kids
Worldride Adventures offers a unique range of products and services aimed at young readers. Its flagship product is the children’s book series, starting with “Sam in London.” This series introduces kids to different global cultures through the eyes of a curious and relatable main character.
In addition to the books, it has also launched a line of sustainable backpacks that match each character’s personality.
Adventure Pack
- Exclusive Sam Backpack
- $90.00 USD
- Perfect for daily adventures and storing your favorite book.
Explorer’s Choice
- Exclusive Taylor Backpack
- $90.00 USD
- Stylish and practical for carrying essentials and enjoying your book.
Beyond these products, Worldride Adventures provides an interactive website (www.worldrideadventures.com) that features educational games, activities, newsletters, and resources for global learning.
Through its charitable branch, Worldride Impact (www.worldrideimpact.org), the company offers travel grants and virtual experiences for underserved children, helping to make global learning opportunities available to everyone, regardless of their background. Together, these offerings create a fun, accessible, and meaningful approach to cultural education.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Growth
One of the biggest challenges for Worldride Adventures was creating engaging and fun educational experiences for children who are skilled with technology and expect interactive content. Developing educational tools and cultural content that met their digital needs while still providing meaningful learning took time, testing, and a lot of creative thinking. The team focused on designing products that kids actually wanted to use, rather than just those the company believed were educationally valuable. The company also introduced a diverse range of characters in their book, “Sam in London,” to help children relate to various cultures and interests from around the world.
Another significant challenge was finding the right strategic partners—those who understood the brand’s mission and could help elevate it through marketing, distribution, and increased visibility. The company has been careful in choosing collaborators who share its values and long-term vision. Through persistence and a clear sense of purpose, it has built relationships that are now helping the brand grow in meaningful ways.
Adapting to Feedback from Young Explorers
Worldride Adventures stays closely connected to its community by continuously gathering feedback from families, educators, and its Youth Consumer Board. This board consists of young people aged 8 to 17 who provide valuable insights into what interests their generation. They test the company’s products and share suggestions for improvements and new trends.
This real-time feedback allows Worldride Adventures to adjust its offerings, whether by tailoring content for different age groups or introducing new virtual learning tools. The company remains flexible in its product development while ensuring that its core values and quality standards are never compromised.
Growing with Authenticity and Innovation
“Although Worldride Adventures is a new brand, its growth over the past year comes from a strong commitment to authenticity, innovation, and making a positive impact,” Jamee Natella says.
The company pays close attention to its audience—parents, educators, and children—and adapts its offerings to meet their needs.
Its ability to evolve while staying true to its core mission has helped it build credibility and connect with young audiences. This connection has created a passionate community around the brand, contributing to its ongoing success.
Building a Stronger Digital Presence
Currently, Worldride Adventures is focused on growing the company by adopting a more digital approach and a drop-ship model. The decision to move forward comes from understanding how its audience prefers to engage, especially in today’s fast-paced and convenience-oriented world.
It is looking into ways to attract more supporters online by making it easier for families and educators to access its books, products, and immersive educational content. Its goal is to create a smooth experience where users can discover, purchase, and interact with their offerings, all while staying connected to its mission of cultural exchange and learning. It’s about simplifying the experience while enhancing engagement. The company is also in the process of expanding its team by hiring a head of digital sales and fulfillment.
Commitment to Inclusion and Team Culture
At Worldride Adventures, inclusion is a fundamental part of everything they do, from hiring practices to the stories they share. Jamee Natella actively mentors the women on her team and seeks female collaborators, creatives, and consultants from diverse backgrounds. This commitment ensures that women are included and empowered within the organization.
Jamee has also created a mission-first culture at Worldride Adventures, built on trust, flexibility, and a shared sense of purpose. The team is diverse and guided by strong values, with many members being parents, educators, or creatives who are dedicated to empowering the next generation.
To foster a supportive atmosphere, Jamee emphasizes open communication and collaborative leadership, making sure that everyone’s voice is heard. The team celebrates its successes, learns from setbacks, and truly enjoys the work they do together. This positive environment is what sets their team apart.
Technology and Learning
Technology plays a crucial role in Worldride Adventures’ storytelling and educational experiences. Its website provides interactive tools and culturally themed challenges for kids to engage with. It is also exploring immersive experiences that enable children who cannot travel to “visit” different places around the world from their classrooms or homes.
Women’s Corner – Insights from Jamee Natella
Jamee’s Background in Media and Production
As the founder and CEO of Worldride Adventures, Jamee is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company, including strategy, storytelling, partnerships, and operations. She also leads the creative development of their books and educational products. Her travels with her son provided her with valuable insights into what younger generations are missing in terms of cultural and educational experiences, which inspired the creation of Worldride Adventures.
Before starting Worldride Adventures, Jamee Natella spent twenty years in media and production, where she developed global campaigns and created award-winning content. These experiences helped her understand how to tell meaningful stories that resonate across different cultures and generations.
Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry
Jamee has faced challenges in her career, especially as a woman in the media production industry. Early on, she often had to prove her credibility twice: first for her skills and second because she was a woman in a male-dominated field. There were times when her ideas were ignored until they were mentioned by male colleagues. However, these experiences taught her how to communicate with clarity and confidence.
The biggest challenge for Jamee has been learning to own her voice and trust her instincts, particularly in situations where she felt underestimated.
Empowering Women Through Storytelling
Jamee Natella looks up to Reese Witherspoon as a source of inspiration because of her ability to use storytelling to empower and uplift women. Through her production company, Hello Sunshine, and her highly successful book club, Reese has created a platform where women’s voices and perspectives are not only heard but also celebrated.
Jamee notes,
“Her book club has inspired a whole new generation of readers and has helped elevate female authors by transforming thoughtful, often underrepresented stories into mainstream discussions, and sometimes into award-winning films and series.”
She appreciates that Reese has built a community centered around curiosity, empathy, and empowerment through literature.
Reese demonstrates that it is possible to combine business with passion, showing that one can create something meaningful that resonates with people while also advancing culture. She leads with authenticity and intention, reminding Jamee that stories have the power to change mindsets and create real impact.
Views on Women in Leadership
According to Jamee, the ideal qualities a woman leader should possess include authenticity, a clear vision, resilience, and the ability to uplift others as she advances. A strong woman leader listens carefully, leads with empathy, and knows when to stand firm on her beliefs. While confidence is essential, humility is equally important.
What Feminism Means to Jamee Natella
Jamee defines feminism as the pursuit of equal opportunities, voices, and respect for all individuals. It is not about placing one gender above another, but about building a world where everyone can succeed without facing obstacles. For her, feminism also involves supporting other women, creating space for their voices, and sharing opportunities.
Finding Balance
“Balance isn’t a fixed state, it’s a constant adjustment,” says Jamee Natella.
She sets boundaries, prioritizes family time, and makes a conscious effort to be present when she is with her son. Additionally, she carves out time for creative expression, long walks, and travel.
Jamee has learned that taking care of herself is not separate from her work; in fact, it enhances her ability to perform. By staying focused on what matters most, she is able to show up as a better leader, mother, and creator.
An Open Letter to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Dear Aspiring Entrepreneurs,
I want to share some advice that I believe can help you on your journey.
First and foremost, don’t wait for the “perfect time” to start. Begin right where you are, using the resources you already have.
Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Their support can make a huge difference in your journey. Remember, don’t let rejection define you. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to refine your ideas and become stronger.
Having a solid business plan and focusing on your strategy is crucial for creating a clear path forward. And always keep in mind that success looks different for everyone. It’s important to define what success means to you personally.
Believe in yourself and take that first step. You have the potential to achieve great things!
Warm regards,
Jamee Natella,
Founder & Author
Worldride Adventures
5 Key Takeaways from Jamee Natella’s Inspiring Creative Journey
- Stories open kids’ minds to the world: Jamee believes that sharing stories about different cultures helps children become curious, understanding, and connected to the world around them.
- Personal experiences can inspire big ideas: Jamee’s own travels and her son’s curiosity about different places led her to create Worldride Adventures, showing how personal passions can turn into meaningful projects.
- Worldride Adventures makes learning about cultures fun: Through books, interactive websites, and annual travel grants, Jamee’s company offers engaging ways for kids to learn about different parts of the world.
- Listening to kids helps create better products: By getting feedback from young people, Worldride Adventures makes sure its books and activities are interesting and relevant to its target audience.
- Jamee Natella is a strong woman leader who supports others: She built her company with a focus on inclusion, mentors women on her team, and believes in the power of storytelling to empower everyone.
