How Chris Ammen Built Kaleidoscope to Help Kids Fall in Love with the Bible

When Chris Ammen launched Kaleidoscope, it wasn’t from a place of perfect clarity, abundant time, or capital. It was in the hospital, holding his newborn daughter, staring down the unknown. But what started as a dream to create better Bible resources for elementary-aged kids has now grown into a thriving business impacting thousands of families — and it all began with a Kickstarter and a calling.

On this episode of The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint, I sat down with Chris to hear the full story of how Kaleidoscope came to be, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how he’s building a business that doesn’t just sell products — it serves a mission.

Identifying the Gap

Chris spent over 15 years in children’s ministry and holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education. He noticed something unsettling: while there were plenty of faith-based resources for toddlers and early readers, kids in 3rd–5th grade were quietly disengaging. The Bible — in its complexity, font size, and sheer weight — was too overwhelming for many young readers.

Rather than accept that drop-off as inevitable, Chris decided to do something about it.

From Calling to Kickstarter

With the birth of his fourth child in January 2020, the dream to create Kaleidoscope could’ve easily been shelved. But instead, Chris chose to start “while it was hard.” On March 1, 2020, he launched a Kickstarter. Ten days later — just before the pandemic lockdowns began — it was fully funded.

The timing seemed impossible, but in hindsight, it was providential. Parents were suddenly at home, realizing the discipleship of their children couldn’t solely depend on the church. Kaleidoscope met a very real, very timely need.

Building from Scratch

In those early days, Chris spent hours on YouTube figuring out how to legally establish a business, build a website, and process payments. He had already written most of Kaleidoscope’s first book on Acts — even though he doesn’t consider himself a natural writer. But what he lacked in formal business training, he made up for in grit and faith.

As a dad launching a business for moms, Chris also had to learn how to connect with his target audience. A turning point came when an influencer mom — Hunter Beless of Journeywomen — reached out to him first. That single connection snowballed into a network of collaborations that helped fuel the brand’s early growth.

Hard Lessons and Honest Hiring

Chris was candid about one of his biggest challenges: hiring the right people. Like many founders, he initially tried to do it all. When he finally started building a team, it was hit or miss. But after burning out around Christmas and realizing he couldn’t sustain the pace, he made his first pivotal hire: a project manager named Jenny.

Her calming presence, problem-solving mindset, and cultural fit set the tone for the rest of the team. Today, Kaleidoscope employs a group of people Chris considers close friends — people who believe in the mission and are willing to roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done.

From Books to Yoto Cards

While Kaleidoscope began as a book business, the brand has experienced a major shift in the past year and a half. Thanks to their partnership with Yoto — a screen-free audio platform for kids — Kaleidoscope now sells 10 Yoto cards for every one book. Chris shared how what was once a “supplemental product” has now become their flagship offering.

It’s a powerful reminder that successful businesses stay open to unexpected pivots.

Writing and Vision

Chris also recently released his first trade book, Raising Disciples at Home, which dives deep into what parent-led discipleship can look like in everyday life. It’s full of humor, humility, and real-life stories from Chris’s own parenting journey.

The second book in his publishing deal, How to Build a Better Children's Ministry, will follow — giving ministry leaders practical and visionary tools to serve their congregations better.

What’s Next for Kaleidoscope

Looking ahead to 2025, Chris is focused on clarifying Kaleidoscope’s story with the help of StoryBrand. The goal: to make it abundantly clear who they serve, what problem they solve, and the transformation they’re inviting families into. With a team summit on the horizon and new products launching soon, Chris is making sure the internal culture is just as strong as the external messaging.

Final Reflections

Chris left us with some hard-earned wisdom:

• Don’t be afraid to invest in tools and people that will move the needle — even if they feel expensive in the moment.

• Build real relationships with your suppliers. Don’t take the first price at face value.

• Hire people who are passionate, gritty, and just plain fun to work with.

• And perhaps most importantly — choose collaboration over competition. “We all rise together,” he says.

What started as a dream in a hospital room has become a company helping families all over the world disciple their children. And Chris isn’t done yet.

To learn more or shop Kaleidoscope’s resources, visit readkaleidoscope.com. You can also find Chris’s new book at chrisammen.com.