Business Spotlight: Just Teach It offers educational supplies and more

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times


Name of business: Just Teach It


Type of business: Discount educational supplies


Owner: Jenny Kuban


Founded: 2006


Address: 3850 Balfour Road, Suite I, Brentwood


Phone number: 925-240-7140


Hours: Jan. 1 through May 31: weekdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 1 through Dec. 31: weekdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Number of employees: Family owned and operated with one part-time employee.


Products and services: "Just Teach It provides educational materials essential to the learning processes of a diverse cross-section of our community," Kuban said. "As advocates for peoples with special abilities, we are sensitive to the unique needs individual families may require."


The store offers American Sign Language training aids, interactive programs and free workshops.


"ASL assists in curbing communication frustrations for those who are speech-delayed, families with deaf or hard-of-hearing family members or friends," she said.


They also have a host of workbooks by Evan-Moore, Brain Quest, Kumon, Teacher Created Resources and many more from advanced to remedial, pre K-eighth grade, ELL/ESL, activity books and chapter books, crossword puzzles, word search, critical thinking and problem solving. They cover all of the major subjects, including math, language arts, science, history and geography. The also carry learning aides such as flash cards and speed drills, mastering skills and test prep.


Other products include Rock N Learn, Twin Sisters, a full line of arts and crafts supplies, and decorations for all occasions.


How did you get into the business: "As parents dedicated to the education of our children, we were in constant search for quality materials to supplement and teach our children, when we found a diamond in the rough with a huge sign displaying for sale," Kuban said.


At the time, Kuban was working full time for AT&T and losing her hearing. She wanted to take a proactive step in creating something for her family that would benefit the entire community.


She also said that given the risk of losing the only educational supply store in East County, she decided to give back to the community of educators and protect this cherished store when everything else is being taken due to the recession.


Best part about the business?: In addition to supplying local school districts with competitive pricing on materials, the best part about Just Teach It, according to Kuban, is watching as their products encourage and engage students in a fun interactive educationally beneficial manner, enhancing the learning process.


Worst part about the business?: "Bearing witness to the assaults our educational system continuously endures, being asked to provide higher standards to more students with less resources provided by the state, resulting in educators digging into their pockets to provide materials for the classrooms they may not have a job in next year," Kuban said.


Key to success: "Provide stellar hometown customer service, superior products and affordable fair pricing," Kuban said.


Biggest misperception about the business: "We are often confused as a tutorial center; we do offer this service, but this is not our primary function," she said.


Also, a lot of people believe the store is an exclusive club for teachers. "We are open to the public and offer 3 percent back to your child's teacher on your purchases," she said.


Future plans: "To expand our selection and services, create jobs and provide East County a valuable local resource," she said. "We want to be East County's first choice for educational toys, games, gifts and decorations."


— Roni Gehlke