Source: Reese, Naomi. “Business leaders bridge gap to schools.” Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), 18 October, 2001, p. C3, newspapers.com
In 1985, a mom had a simple idea: What if students had a better way to stay organized? That mom was Sharon Powers, and that idea became School Datebooks – a planner company that would go on to serve millions of students across the country. Today, her legacy lives on through SDI Innovations, a family of brands that continues to simplify life for schools, educators, and businesses alike.
We didn’t set out to become a multi-brand operation. We set out to make things easier.
From One Classroom to 30,000+
What began with a single planner has grown into a suite of solutions used by schools across all 50 states and in over 20 countries. Back in the early 2000s, School Datebooks was already earning attention for helping students learn time management and personal responsibility. But as founder Tim Powers put it then, our work was never about the product alone – it was about empowering educators to do what they do best.
SDI Innovations still carries that same mindset. We’re not just selling tools; we’re building better experiences.
Innovation With Educators in Mind
Since day one, we’ve believed that the best solutions come from listening first. Our earliest success came from paying attention to school administrators, teachers, and parents – not guessing what they needed but asking them. That feedback loop became our model.
Now, across our family of brands – Eventlink®, STEM Education Works, Ag Printers, and School Datebooks – we continue to design tools that respond directly to real-world needs in education, business, and agriculture.
Our formula? Take something complex. Make it simple. Make it worry-free.
Business and Education Can Work Together
In a time when public-private partnerships are often viewed with skepticism, SDI Innovations proves that mission-first collaboration is possible. As noted in a 2001 Journal & Courier feature, School Datebooks became an early example of how businesses can support public education without overstepping it.
We’re proud of that legacy, and we’re still guided by it.
Whether we’re customizing classroom planners, powering event coordination through Eventlink, or providing marketing compliance support to ag businesses, everything we do is grounded in a single philosophy: Make it easier. Make it better. Make it personal.
From Paper to Platforms – What’s Next
Our solutions today are more expansive than ever. SDI Innovations now powers:
- Eventlink®: An all-in-one platform for athletic scheduling, ticketing, and school communication.
- STEM Education Works: Hands-on STEM kits and curriculum built in partnership with educators and industry leaders.
- Ag Printers: Compliance-driven printing and labeling services for agriculture and seed companies nationwide.
- School Datebooks: Still helping students develop lifelong time management skills, 40 years later.
And we’re not done.
What Hasn’t Changed
Our size has grown. Our team has grown. Our impact has grown. But our purpose? That’s stayed the same.
We still believe:
- In building things that make life simpler.
- In meeting people where they are.
- In doing work that serves – not distracts from – what matters most.
We’re not just powered by innovation. We’re powered by people. Every solution we offer is built with their needs at the center.
Because when you’ve seen how a simple idea can change a student’s life, you never stop looking for ways to do more.
Let’s Build What’s Next – Together
From classrooms to communities, SDI Innovations continues to serve by showing up, listening closely, and building thoughtfully.
If you’d like to know more about our story – or become part of it – reach out to us here. We’re always looking for partners, collaborators, and changemakers who believe that better is always possible.
Learn More About Our Brands Explore Careers
SDI Innovations has market access, global manufacturing, capital, and experience that few other companies can provide. The combination of an in-house marketing agency, an aggressive sales department, and knowledgeable customer service representatives accelerates SDI Innovations’ brands with best-in-class promotion and follow-through. Plus, in-house IT and production capabilities, coupled with our global manufacturing reach and top-of-the-line logistics, keep SDI Innovations on the cutting edge of innovation. Learn more about what we do through our socials: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.