Meet Jennifer Moorehead | Founder/CEO…aka Jupiter Jen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Moorehead and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The success of our Science Explorers brand and our programs has been delivering a quality hands-on STEM program for ages 4-11, consistently over the last 24 years. We have not always been perfect, but when we weren’t perfect, we owned it. In the beginning of the pandemic, we had just celebrated 20 years in business with our Best Year Ever! Then we had to cancel 500 programs. So, we re designed our entire business model and kind of scaled Nationally. We are very customer centered and focus on the children. Our motto, “If it’s not fun, we’re not doing it” is the way everyone should approach life. We realize the real world requires some things that aren’t fun, but we always try to find the fun.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the classic ADD person who responds incredibly well in chaos. I rolled out Science Explorers in a 3 week time frame in 1999 after the company I had worked for pulled out of PA and ended up closing. While I don’t know that I would recommend starting a company in a 3 week time frame, it worked for me. Was it easy? I have said many times, if it was easy, everyone would do it.
Lessons learned:
I would highly suggest writing a business plan for any venture. If you don’t have a roadmap, you won’t have direction.
Don’t reward mediocrity
Trust but verify
Don’t be afraid to adjust and modify
Showing up counts…keep putting one foot in front of the other!
Protect your investment (Trade Mark, Copyright, invest in your intellectual property)
We have had several “growth opportunities” over the years. We have had employees take things from us that were not theirs to take. We have had people abuse the trust we placed with them, We have had ex employees use products and curriculum and claim it as their own. Aside from tightening up our Intellectual property, In the end, I believe it’s their character and integrity that shines through bright. We keep focusing on doing what is right and the rest will come out in the wash.
We have been nominated for “Educator of the Year” through the Tech Council of Central PA,
“Making A Difference” Award, “Business of the Year” but one of our proudest moments was being chosen by Newsweek for “Best of STEM” 2021!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
BEST TIME EVER IN BERKS COUNTY! Locally, we live on site at our business, which is an old 1870’s PA Rifle manufacturer. During the Pandemic, we installed a 19′ swim spa and hot tub for year round swimming. It probably wasn’t the best move for a retirement package but it was genius for mental health, especially during Covid’s early days.
We have woods around us for hiking, deer in our back yard. There is Nolde Forest State Park a few miles up the road and trout fishing right across the street in the Wyomissing Creek. BUT, we also have a great restaurant scene 10 minutes away in West Reading with various breweries, great food and fun festivals through the year.
We also live 15 minutes from Lancaster County, so we have been known to load folks into our 1971 Torino Convertible and tour the Lancaster country side and all the funny towns of Blue Ball, Intercourse and Bird in Hand…(you really can’t make it up) while they get to stare or interact with the Amish at the local markets.
We are about 90 minutes from the Maryland Eastern Shore, so a relaxing ride through the country roads is awesome and indulging in seafood along the shore is a great way to spend a day.
If they want to see some history, we are 30 minutes from Hopewell Furnace and French Creek State Park where the iron was forged for Eastern Penitentiary, So, we could keep traveling eastward to Philadelphia and tour the actual Penitentiary where Al Capone spent time. Phila is full of cool history but also has the Italian Market in South Phila,, Penns Landing, South Street, Olde City…lots to do!
AND, if we had time, NYC is 2 hours and 15 minutes north…
We are great tour guides, let us know your interest and we’ll provide the fun!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not do what I do and we could not be where we are after 24 years without an amazing team. Heading up our organization is “Turbo Tracy”. Tracy Weachter is our COO and has been by my side for every good and crazy decision I have made on our journey. We just celebrated her 20th Anniversary at Science Explorers with our Annual Soup Party where a whole bunch of us showed up dressed like Turbo Tracy. She is very patient and tolerant but will also question plans if they are too crazy. We are a great blend.

Website: www.scienceexplorers.com or www.sparksfoundation.org

Linkedin: Science Explorers

Facebook: Science Explorers

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