About us

Alison and Debbie

Debbie & Ali

When Debbie met Ali...

Before launching ECHOage in 2008, co-founder Debbie Zinman was already searching for ways to expose her children to the needs of their community and to get them excited about giving of themselves. Intent on not being the “scrooge of birthday parties” but tired of spending her weekends shopping for endless birthday gifts, co-founder Alison Smith was already dreaming up ways to simplify the process for parents and to involve her children on a more meaningful level.

One chance discussion at a birthday-party pickup and this beautiful partnership was born. Together—with their advisory counsel made up of their own kids—the newly formed duo committed to changing the face of birthday parties, for good. “We wanted to make it more rewarding for the kids and less work for the parents,” says Smith, a former kids furniture and clothing designer. “But we also knew that no matter what, the giving would have to be associated with a good feeling, versus sacrifice,” adds Zinman, a former teacher.

About us

Alison and Debbie

Debbie & Ali

When Debbie met Ali...

Before launching ECHOage in 2008, co-founder Debbie Zinman was already searching for ways to expose her children to the needs of their community and to get them excited about giving of themselves. Intent on not being the “scrooge of birthday parties” but tired of spending her weekends shopping for endless birthday gifts, co-founder Alison Smith was already dreaming up ways to simplify the process for parents and to involve her children on a more meaningful level.

One chance discussion at a birthday-party pickup and this beautiful partnership was born. Together—with their advisory counsel made up of their own kids—the newly formed duo committed to changing the face of birthday parties, for good. “We wanted to make it more rewarding for the kids and less work for the parents,” says Smith, a former kids furniture and clothing designer. “But we also knew that no matter what, the giving would have to be associated with a good feeling, versus sacrifice,” adds Zinman, a former teacher.

“We wanted to make it more rewarding for the kids and less work for the parents.”

By the end of year one, thousands of parents quickly began to ECHOage their kids’ birthday parties—the long overdue solution took hold in communities large and small.

A win for all parents and children, ECHOage continues to be the most unique and effortless way for kids of all ages to give and get bigger birthday gifts, while discovering that the true gift is the great feeling that comes with true kindness and generosity. Stay tuned as Debbie and Ali continue to imagine innovative ways to ECHOage your life.

About all of us

ECHOage is about all of us busy moms and dads who’d prefer to spend time with our kids on the weekends instead of out searching for birthday gifts—again.

It’s about parents like us, who’d prefer to see their kids receive one or two really meaningful, lasting gifts for their birthdays—stuff they’ve been dreaming about, like a new bike, an Ipod, a doll house, or maybe even a trip — instead of the yearly birthday bounty lost, forgotten or—dare we say—regifted.

It’s about making our kids feel extra special on their birthdays, but jumping at the opportunity to make their birthdays meaningful—to inspire compassion and generosity. If only it were that simple.

As thousands of families have already discovered, it is that simple with ECHOage. It’s about all of us who are hooked (or will be!) on our multitasking birthday party solution that makes giving AND getting equally rewarding to all of our children. And let’s face, it’s about all of us parents who want less to do and more to celebrate.