Building Financial Power, and Jobs, Right Here in Louisiana

When I first created the Lark & Mimi™ Learn to Save series, my goal was to teach children the language of money early - through storytelling, culture, and creativity. What began as a single coloring book has evolved into Louisiana’s first comprehensive, STEM-integrated financial literacy pipeline, Financial Power for Life™ - a program designed to grow with students from Pre-K through High School, blending financial education with real-world problem-solving, cultural pride, and hands-on learning.

But as this project grew, I saw something even more powerful taking shape. Financial education isn’t just about what we teach - it’s about how we build!

That’s why The Couvent Collective is bringing production in-house, right here in Louisiana. Instead of sending our printing and packaging work out of state, we’re investing in local partnerships, equipment, and training to build a new model of economic empowerment - where education creates employment.

Early Learning (Pre-K & Kindergarten):
The Lark & Mimi™ Learn to Save series introduces children to money and saving through play-based learning and Louisiana culture.
Each kit includes:

• A beautifully illustrated storybook featuring Lark & Mimi’s adventures
• A coloring and activity book aligned with the Louisiana Early Learning Standards
• A set of financial vocabulary flashcards
• A hands-on DIY piggy bank activity
• Stickers, puzzles, and word games to reinforce STEM and creative thinking

High School (Grades 9–12):
The Real Money, Real Life curriculum reconnects with those same students years later, this time preparing them for real-world money management, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.

• A 250-page student workbook and 90-page teacher guide
• Standards-aligned modules covering budgeting, credit, banking, investing, and entrepreneurship
• Case studies that reflect Louisiana’s communities, culture, and economy

Together, these two bookends form a lifelong learning pathway that fulfills Louisiana’s 2027 Financial Literacy Mandate (Act 480 / HB 103), and builds confidence, financial literacy, and cultural pride along the way.

In-House Printing (2027)

By producing every storybook, workbook, and classroom kit within Louisiana, The Couvent Collective is creating a direct link between education and economic development.

Each book printed and kit assembled represents:

• New Jobs – From printing, packaging, and logistics to creative design and assembly, local production creates sustainable employment across multiple parishes.
• Small Business Growth – We’re partnering with Louisiana’s minority- and women-owned vendors for binding, fulfillment, and material sourcing.
• Local Equipment Partnerships – We’re exploring collaborations with print shops, vocational programs, and manufacturers to expand capacity and train local workers.
• Community Reinvestment – A portion of every sale funds Education & Entrepreneurship Grants through The Couvent Collective, providing classroom support and startup resources for underserved communities.

We’re proving that education can drive job creation, and that the lessons we teach in our classrooms can shape the economy of tomorrow.

A Louisiana Vision for Growth

Our vision is to position Louisiana as a leader in uniting education, manufacturing, and workforce development, proving that learning and local industry can grow stronger together. Every story we print, every kit we assemble, and every student we teach brings us one step closer to a stronger, more financially empowered Louisiana.

This is Financial Power for Life - built for Louisiana, by Louisiana.

To learn more or become a partner, email us at publisher@evanscutchmore.com

Financial Power for Life & Lark and Mimi are published and licensed by Evans Cutchmore.