Meet Angel Liang | Educational Psychologist, Founder, CEO

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

Hi Angel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
With my academic and research experience as an educational psychologist, I’ve been fortunate to stay engaged with cutting-edge studies. Yet after becoming a parent, I saw many friends, accomplished professionals, struggling with everyday parenting challenges like tantrums and emotional outbursts. Research often takes years to reach the public and remains stuck in academic circles without wider exposure. Recognizing this gap, I felt a strong need to bring these valuable insights into the hands of parents. But I knew doing so at the government or school level would be difficult.

Additionally, the intense focus on academic achievement often overshadows what truly matters—instilling values like kindness, resilience, empathy, and mindfulness in children. Today’s societal issues, like hate crimes and social injustice, arise not from a lack of intelligence but a lack of humanity. These issues strengthened my resolve to positively impact the next generation’s well-being.

I decided to act. Why not take evidence-based strategies and bring them into homes to make learning fun while imparting essential life skills? Emotional regulation and communication skills should be taught early to prevent future problems before they become unmanageable.

At Tiny Sprouts®, our vision is to nurture communities, creating a healthier environment for future generations. We offer product and services as a small gesture in the battle against the decline in mental health in the public. We pride ourselves as an educational and technological innovation provider that specializes in transforming evidence-based strategies into practical applications and pedagogical programs dedicated to teaching essential life skills through games and providing professional guidance and services.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Tiny Sprouts®, our mission is to transform evidence-based strategies into fun and practical tools that nurture children’s emotional intelligence. Empower Empathy™, our flagship board game, was launched on Kickstarter in 2021 after three years of rigorous research and development. This game introduces children to critical skills like emotional regulation, empathy, and conflict resolution in a playful, engaging way.

However, the journey has not been easy. When we launched during the pandemic, we faced severe production challenges, including border closures, supply chain disruptions, and inflated freight costs. Despite these setbacks, our team remained determined and successfully brought our product to market with minimal delays. It was a significant achievement that taught us resilience and the value of adaptability in the face of adversity.

Another major challenge has been finding the right people to collaborate with—a crucial yet difficult task for any business. We are fortunate to have brought on Dr. Rupert Yan, whose passion for education, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial experience have elevated our company to new heights. His vision aligns perfectly with ours, and his presence has been a game-changer for Tiny Sprouts® as we strive to propel global mental wellness through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Breaking into a new niche market has also required significant effort. Being the first board game to blend clinical research with play therapy meant we needed to educate customers on its unique benefits. Our strategy has involved creating engaging content, sharing success stories, and offering educational resources like workshops and webinars. We’ve used a mix of marketing channels—including social media, influencer partnerships, and conventions—to increase visibility and interest. Through these efforts, we’ve built a community of players who value the combination of strategic learning and immersive gameplay, helping foster loyalty and long-term engagement.

The hard work has paid off. Since our inception, Tiny Sprouts® has won eight major industry awards and earned endorsements from eight U.S. professional associations, including the California Association of Marriage Family Therapy and the U.S. Association for Play Therapy. Our game is now played in 26 states and 18 countries, from juvenile detention centers to the Harvard University daycare. We’re currently working to expand Empower Empathy™ into more schools, clinicians’ offices, and families across the globe.

Tiny Sprouts® is like a rapidly growing seedling, with Empower Empathy™ as its first branch Our goal is to cultivate an ecosystem where learning and emotional growth are accessible, engaging, and impactful for the next generation. We believe that Tiny Sprouts® will grow into a mighty tree that enriches the world, making a lasting impact on a global scale, and helping shape a better future for the next generation. rooted in the commitment to education, empathy, and positive change. We invite everyone to join us on this journey, helping us sow seeds of empathy and hope for a better future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles, often dubbed the “City of Angels,” has a special place in my heart, especially because we share the name Angel. I’m genuinely drawn to the city’s incredible diversity, which is so vividly reflected in its lively neighborhoods, cultural festivals, and the amazing variety of international cuisines in spots like Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Koreatown. As someone with an arts & performance degree focused on performing and visual arts, I find LA’s cultural scene—brimming with museums and art galleries—absolutely inspiring. The city’s creative buzz fuels my own work and keeps me motivated. And oh, the food scene here! It’s a dream come true for any foodie. I love trying out different ways to prepare the simplest ingredients, whether it’s a classic dish, a fusion creation, or something completely unique. From high-end restaurants to food trucks, LA’s culinary offerings are endless and incredibly exciting.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to give a heartfelt shoutout to the Play Therapy Association of California for their incredible work and unwavering support. Promoting play therapy in today’s academic-centered culture has been a challenge, as play and mental health are often overlooked in favor of traditional education or even in the mainstream educational psychology currently. Combating the stigma that academic success is more important than emotional well-being remains an uphill battle. Their efforts help break down these barriers, showing that play and bonding is crucial for children’s development. Together, we are pushing mental health and emotional growth into the mainstream, ensuring that play therapy is seen as an essential part of nurturing resilient, empathetic children. Thank you, Play Therapists, for standing with us in this mission!

Website: www.MyTinySprouts.com or www.EmpowerEmpathyGame.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytinysprouts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mytinysprouts

Twitter: https://x.com/mytinysprouts

Facebook: https://facebook.com/mytinysprouts

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mytinysprouts

Image Credits
Images by Tiny Sprouts