Why The Small Elephant?
Motherhood has a way of exposing not only the beauty of life but also the vulnerabilities and challenges we often suppress for years. For me, this reckoning was deeply tied to what is known as The Baby Elephant Syndrome—a metaphor for how long-held pain can quietly become part of our identity.
My name is Gretchen Kelsey, and this is my small elephant...
Motherhood has a way of exposing not only the beauty of life but also the vulnerabilities and challenges we often suppress for years. For me, this reckoning was deeply tied to what is known as The Baby Elephant Syndrome—a metaphor for how long-held pain can quietly become part of our identity. As I navigated miscarriages, postpartum struggles, and the raw terrain of becoming a mother, I realized I couldn’t carry those unspoken burdens forever. To show up for my children, I had to face them, heal them, and release them.
The elephant, as a symbol, became my guide. Gentle yet powerful, intuitive yet grounded, elephants embody dignity, loyalty, and memory. As I leaned into these qualities, they became a reflection of my own journey—learning to trust my instincts, honor my sensitivity, and see my vulnerability not as weakness, but as a wellspring of strength.
The Small Elephant was born from that transformation. It’s not just a business; it’s a living reminder that we are capable of healing, growing, and creating joy out of hardship.
Professionally, my path has always blended logic and creativity. With a background in Mathematics and Studio Art, I’ve worked in roles that demanded both structure and imagination—from helping build a financial firm from the ground up, to supporting corporate recruiting and marketing initiatives, to leading teams through process changes. Each chapter gave me skills in organization, communication, and design—but more importantly, it taught me how to create experiences rooted in trust and connection.
Now, as a mother of four, I carry those lessons into this new season of life. My children remind me daily why it matters to slow down, to honor what’s real, live in the present, and to build spaces that nurture both courage and calm.
The Small Elephant is my tribute to that growth: a place where personal healing meets professional craft, where symbols carry meaning, and where gentle reminders help us remember our strength.
Gretchen Kelsey, Founder & Intentional Creator
Once, the elephant was small — tethered by memory, unsure of her own power.
But through healing, she learned to unfold herself into something new — still strong, still gentle, but finally free.
That’s the heart of The Small Elephant — a reminder that we can all reshape our story and remember who we were always meant to be.
The Baby Elephant Syndrome
"The Small Elephant" comes from the idea of The Baby Elephant Syndrome — the belief that when we’re tied down by past pain or limiting experiences, we sometimes forget how strong and free we really are. For me, it became a symbol of what happens when we finally face those invisible limitations and choose to grow beyond them.
Like the origami elephant in our logo, we can take what once felt heavy and reshape it — gently, intentionally — into something new. The Small Elephant is a reminder that healing is possible, that we are not defined by what has held us, and that strength can be soft, graceful, and deeply human.
Mission
Our mission is to create meaningful products that empower children and families to face each day with confidence, resilience, and self-love. Through uplifting affirmation art and innovative tools like our patent-pending Linear Time Clock, we aim to nurture emotional well-being, encourage self-trust, and provide practical solutions—helping every person we serve feel capable, valued, and connected to what matters most, each other.
Vision
To help families heal generational wounds by turning everyday moments into spaces of love, connection, and self-trust — showing that healing begins in the smallest moments — transforming small daily moments into lifelong reminders of love, healing, and strength.
Values
EMPOWERMENT
We believe in equipping children and families with the confidence to trust themselves - to know that their voice, choices, and hearts matter.
CONNECTION
We honor the beauty of meaningful relationships, encouraging mindfulness toward those who matter most, because the present moment is a gift.
RESILIENCE
We see every challenge as an opportunity to grow stronger; as individuals, as families, as a community of hearts choosing courage over perfection.
GENTLE STRENGTH
Inspired by the elephant, we embrace a balance of sensitivity, dignity, and determination in everything we create - strength that is soft, yet unbreakable.
PRESENCE
We believe the smallest reminders can create the biggest shifts. Every product is designed to inspire, uplift, and bring life into everyday moments.
PURPOSEFUL INNOVATION
We design products, like our patent pending linear time clock, that offer practical solutions rooted in compassion.