CHIKA CHAKA CHATTER: YOUR WEEKLY UPDATE FROM MIKE & MEL: VOL. 1, ISSUE 9

 

Weekly Update 02/01/25 – 02/07/25

 

A Personal Note and Exciting Updates from Chika Chaka

 

Looking Back, Moving Forward – from Mel

The groundhog saw his shadow. Six more weeks of winter. Why does this silly tradition continue? 😂 It’s not just waiting for the “Phil” to see his shadow – it’s a whole morning of festivities in a Hogspitality Village with catered food, and it’s not cheap. To top it off, there’s lunch with “Phil” where you can visit with other “Phans” and maybe even a photo op. Again….why?

We Crave Ritual and Predictability

Even in our modern, data-driven world, there’s something comforting about old customs. These rituals create a sense of continuity and shared experience. 

It’s a Fun, Low-Stakes Break from Reality

Life can be serious, stressful, and overwhelming. Traditions like Groundhog Day give us a lighthearted excuse to gather, laugh, and connect. It’s not really about whether the groundhog sees its shadow—it’s about people coming together for a quirky, feel-good moment.  

Nostalgia and Cultural Identity Matter

Many traditions stick around because they’re woven into cultural history. Even if they don’t make logical sense, they create a sense of belonging - especially for communities where these events have been celebrated for generations.  

At the end of the day, humans are wired to find meaning, celebrate the absurd, and embrace shared rituals. And honestly, in a world full of chaos, what’s the harm in letting a furry little weather-predictor bring people together for some harmless fun? 🦫❄️ 

Here’s what we’ve been up to recently and what’s ahead for Chika Chaka…

 

Team Wins:

“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade” was the theme of our week. We had a lot of technical difficulties that threw us off schedule. It took a day-and-a-half to upload our vlog to YouTube – crazy, right? That’s the price you pay for rural living. Nothing we could do about it. The win was that we put out one of our best so far! We didn’t get a big response to it, but we weren’t talking toys this week. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

 

Project Updates:

We recorded our podcast on 70’s and 80’s music! Great blast from our past. ❤️ Inspired by the Grammy’s, we took a trip down memory lane where big hair and new musical sounds ruled the roost. If that was your era, jump over to YouTube and share your memories. Let’s build a community.

 

Still learning the tricks of the trade… Animations are still in the works. We’re excited about bringing them to you. If you have any Adobe Illustrator tips and tricks, be sure to drop us a line and share.

 

Chika Chaka is now available on Amazon! 

 You can always find Chika Chaka on TikTok Shop, Whatnot, our website Chikachakatoy and limited specialty toy retailers. Our goal is to serve as many markets as possible while still supporting small businesses like us. If you’ve already purchased Chika Chaka, we’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon. If you haven’t purchased it yet, what are you waiting for? We’d love to have you as part of the family. 😍

 We posted a meditation video for you to get your zen on! Our passion for getting people moving and our own love of mindfulness, yoga, and healthy habits inspired the resurgence of LēLa, our lifestyle brand that has been sitting on the shelf for almost ten years. Our mission is to help you achieve higher energy without disrupting your daily routine. Watch for more relaxation, meditation, and positive affirmation videos from us as we build it into the M&M Funky Stuff family. If you have an affinity for all things “namaste,” please give us a try. ☮ 🧘‍♂️

 

 

New Opportunities:

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis—consistently ranked one of the top museums in the country—will host a Chika Chaka event this February! 🎉 We’re beyond thrilled for this incredible opportunity and so excited that you can find our game in their gift shop!

We’re still working out the details with the museum’s amazing team, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as everything is finalized. We’d LOVE for you to stop by and join in on the fun!

2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year as we explore new ways to expand our reach. Stay tuned for more exciting events like this one! 💥

Got ideas for similar opportunities? Send them our way at mmfunkystuff@gmail.com. Let’s make it happen! 🚀

 

Looking Ahead:

Lots of big plans…

 

In Closing:

Thank you for your support. We appreciate you. Let’s make 2025 the best year ever!

 

 

Weekly motivation:

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency.

~Natalie Goldberg