Explore every episode of the podcast Child Care Rockstar Radio

Kris welcomes Brett Neller, CEO of LineLeader by ChildcareCRM, to explore the real meaning of the customer journey in child care, and why it’s critical for sustainable growth. Brett shares insights from his professional evolution, including how dropping his kids off at care centers helped him deeply understand the needs of operators. He and Kris talk about enrollment challenges, operational bottlenecks, mapping a full customer journey, and how automation can power human connection, not replace it.

They also discuss fear-based leadership, what small businesses often get wrong in scaling, and why “state-of-the-art” doesn’t have to mean complicated. From CRM misconceptions to the power of unified data, Brett drops insight after insight on how to grow with intentionality, and why understanding your brand touchpoints matters now more than ever.

Key Takeaways:

[6:49] Brett shares how he got started at LineLeader in 2018 and how the mission of the early childhood industry drew him in.
[9:30] Brett explains how their offering goes beyond a CRM.
[10:20] What is the customer journey really, and how does understanding it boost your enrollment?
[12:18] Many small businesses are still using whiteboards and sticky notes to manage leads, and why that doesn’t scale.
[13:02] Brett breaks down what most get wrong in enrollment.
[15:08] How automation can be a gift for parent experience, and why tech doesn’t have to feel robotic.

[16:07] Brett shares more about his family life, and how he and his wife rely on child care as well.

[18:28] Fun fact — Brett grew up in a military family and moved many times throughout his childhood.
[19:30] The biggest mindset shift for owners: from reactive to data-driven.
[22:04] How to spot where you’re losing families in your funnel.
[25:55] The real ROI of mapping your journey: improved staff morale, better conversion, and clarity.

[27:03] The “wow” experience.
[30:31] Brett and Kris talk about the danger of fear-based leadership and the difference between helpful automation and shiny object syndrome.
[34:17] Practical tips on how to start your journey mapping even with a small team.
[39:45] What it really means to lead with empathy and insight.

Quotes:

• “I love the mission behind the space. I love having kids and then dropping my kids off every day at childcare centers. So every day I see operators. And it’s been fun to live the professional journey in parallel with, you know, the personal journey of raising kids.” — Brett [6:46]

• “Our thesis is to provide the best unified platform experience for staff and parents from a digital experience perspective.” — Brett [10:12]

• “That’s the most important aspect of the family journey when they’re seeking care, is that you need to execute a great tour. If you don’t, that’s the make or break point, where a family is either like, I’m in or I’m out.” — Brett [23:02]

• “Yeah, you have to get your teams excited about engaging and selling your school. It shouldn’t be a dirty word. We have the opportunity to serve this family. Sales is service, and so let’s just use that service mindset and get our teams excited about being able to win that family over so that we can actually make a difference in the life of that child.” — Kris [28:19]

• “The first thing we generally ask is what’s your customer journey, and have you mapped it out?” — Brett [33:09]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

LineLeader

In this episode, Adrianne Agulla, CEO of Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers in Nebraska and the true definition of an education entrepreneur, joins Kris. Adrianne shares how she went from working in the corporate world to owning six successful daycares and a catering business called Milton’s Amazing Kitchen. Together, she and Kris talk about growing from three to six locations, empowering a leadership team, using VAs to streamline operations, creating a strong scorecard, and what it really takes to scale with excellence. Adrianne goes through the very real ups and downs of growing with intention and building a company that inspires.

Key Takeaways:

[6:19] Adrianne owns and operates Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers, with six centers across Nebraska. She originally purchased three as a package in 2017 and has grown from there. She also owns Milton’s Amazing Kitchen, a catering company focused on child nutrition.
[8:27] Hamilton Heights believes that it’s their professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today’s world, and they have a focus on play.
[9:31] Adrianne’s earlier career included leadership roles at Coca-Cola and ConAgra, before pivoting into child care.

[11:30] She juggles the business while raising three busy teenagers.

[13:46] Adrianne shares reflections plus a funny story about upgrading her wardrobe from a trip to Vietnam.
[15:19] What benefits Adrianne has found being part of the highest-level membership of the Child Care Success Academy: the Empire level.
[22:15] She explains her leadership structure, including a director of ops, finance lead, and a high-tenure team.

[24:15] The leadership team meets weekly to review scorecards and KPIs. Accountability plus support equals success.

[28:55] Adrianne shares how she works with three virtual assistants (VAs), including one for marketing, one for data and reports, and one for administrative support.

[31:05] She talks about the industry-wide challenge of attracting and retaining staff and how her company stays focused on its leadership vision.

[38:37] Her 2025 goals: simplify, streamline, and build an even stronger team.

[40:55] Why she acquired a catering business and how it’s improved their food program and opened new business channels.

Quotes:

• “We say that we’re very serious about play. And we believe that it’s our professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today’s world.” — Adrianne [8:27]

• “That combination of loyalty and commitment and tenure and then new energy and new ideas and fresh faces, has created a really, I think, a unique and just a sustainable culture.” — Adrianne [9:12]

• “We are working to create an Early Learning Company that inspires because of the opportunity it creates for staff, families, and children, and so we are just trying to be single-mindedly focused on what it means to create abundant opportunities for our staff from a professional development standpoint, from a wage standpoint, and from a benefit standpoint.” — Adrianne [34:40]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Hamilton Heights Child Development Center

Milton’s Amazing Kitchen

Zac Alcampo, Creative Director at Grow Your Center, brings a fresh perspective to leadership, culture, and creativity in early education. With two decades of experience in the gaming industry, Zac is a dynamic entrepreneur and inventive strategist who has helped build immersive digital experiences that merge gamification, artificial intelligence, and user engagement. Now, he’s applying those same ideas to the world of child care — reimagining everything from team collaboration to marketing to parenting itself.

In this episode, Zac joins Kris to talk about gamification in parenting, business, and leadership. They cover how AI can boost productivity and creativity, how to use jam-style collaboration in your team culture, and how behavioral design can be a powerful tool in both the classroom and the breakroom.

Key Takeaways:

[6:15] Kris shares her summer travel adventures and spiritual coaching work.
[7:48] Zac joins from Minsk, Belarus, where he splits his days between parenting and leading creative tech projects.

[9:12] Zac explains how his video game industry background led him to gamify tools at Grow Your Center.
[13:24] From Microsoft to Bangkok startups, Zac’s global career shaped how he solves problems creatively and at scale.
[18:23] He shares how he co-parents a bilingual preschooler and how every moment becomes a playful game.
[25:51] Fun fact: Zac is a seasoned street dancer and battle organizer who once crowdfunded a street culture festival in Thailand!
[33:07] Kris and Zac talk about the tools that the GYC team uses to build next-level content.

[37:48] Zac explains how “art directing” AI is the key to using it effectively. It’s not about replacing creativity but amplifying it.
[45:31] Zac outlines the structure of a “session” — collaborative cycles that build energy, creativity, and connection.

[48:26] Gamification isn’t just games; it’s strategic behavior design. Done well, it increases engagement without being overwhelming.

[53:45] Ideas for using gamification in parent events, leadership retreats, classroom behavior, and team training.
[55:08] Tip: Split leaderboards into categories so everyone has a lane where they can win and feel valued.
[56:28] S3 clients will soon see new gamified systems for onboarding, tracking progress, and celebrating wins.

[58:59] Zac spills some beans on what’s coming to S3, including visual progress tools, Slack AI, and more rewards.

[1:01:35] Zac shares what he’s most excited about: launching the M3 platform (Marketing Made Easy) for 2026.

Quotes:

• “I always tell people, GYC is childcare center marketing on the outside, but inside it’s this crazy, cool tech, innovative kind of machine going on inside.” — Zac [9:40]

• “I have to say, I have a huge sense of purpose with everything that I’ve learned in my career beforehand and applying it to child care centers.” — Zac [12:10]

• “Everything turns into a game, and it’s quickly become like having a little best friend.” — Zac [18:50]

• “That’s the biggest thing, the mentality shift in the team, instead of like a doer, or just like, you know, a run-of-the-mill worker, really put into their heads to just act like the art director of what you’re doing, and use the AI as a pencil, a really, really fast pencil. And you still have to know what looks good. You still have to have your design principles and your theory in there, but you can just produce so much more content with that.” — Zac [40:11]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Zac Alcampo LinkedIn

He’s back! The great Vernon Mason returns as one of the podcast’s most popular guests to help celebrate this milestone 200th episode. He and Kris reflect on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to be present.

In this episode, Vernon shares his beautiful wisdom and journey from growing up in an in-home child care program to building and selling a five-site child care business, and now helping grow The Nest into a 52-location powerhouse. Together, he and Kris chat about the realities of leadership today including accountability, toxic positivity, turnover trends, universal pre-K challenges, and financial uncertainty. They also remind us that every day is a gift, and leadership is all about showing up authentically, building real relationships, and staying grounded in gratitude.

Key Takeaways:

[6:15] Kris, the bucket list queen, talks about her adventure to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

[8:09] Vernon is the only person to be on the podcast three times!

[9:19] Vernon talks about being the “trifecta” in child care. He shares how he grew his child care company from one to five centers before selling, and how that transition shaped his leadership.

[16:18] Is labor starting to stabilize?

[22:04] The mindset to get out of fear-based leadership, crisis mode, and the scarcity mindset. 

[24:26] The difference between toxic positivity and effective leadership and management.

[27:33] Strategies for accountability and preparing for the unknown in the future.

[30:15] The importance of both staying optimistic and taking action in the right direction.

[34:15] Building a parent referral reward program.

[38:29] Vernon talks about The Nest and maintaining relationships with leaders.

[42:47] Incentivizing teachers to stay present and view the classroom as a safe space.

Quotes:

• “We don’t have a dress rehearsal for this. This is the real show here, right? There are no do-overs, right? This is the life we’ve been given, and I want to make an impact. I want to be the best person that I can be.” — Vernon [15:17]

• “Accountability without a relationship is viewed as harassment.” — Vernon quoting Stephen [19:22]

• “Your people will never be more enthusiastic than leadership.” — Vernon [22:04]

• “Whatever you focus on most, you get more of.” — Vernon [25:57]

• “To me, presence is everything. That’s it. We only have this moment, so we’ve got to just juice it up and just be here for it.” — Kris [42:16]

• “The kids, they have that sixth sense, that intuition, they’re going to feel that whether the teacher is coming to the day with the energy of openness and presence or worry and stress and fear and arms crossed.” — Kris [44:41]

• “I really feel as if this industry is in my DNA.” — Vernon [46:52]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Don’t Waste a Crisis, by Vernon Mason

The Nest

This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children’s Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models.

Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Rescue Mission to creating a faith-driven, community-focused child care network where high standards, deep relationships, and genuine care intersect.

She shares the heart behind her mission to support nontraditional working families through innovative programming and reflects on her leadership evolution, from being hands-on with every detail to stepping into a visionary role. Rachel also discusses navigating hiring challenges, working with refugee families, and building a program where inclusion, safety, and excellence are the foundation.

Key Takeaways:

[5:33] Rachel launched Children’s Promise Centers in 2009. Now she operates two locations in Albuquerque and is open 20 hours a day, serving families who need flexible care.
[6:37] Her journey began in Denver at the Rescue Mission, where she discovered a passion for supporting the working poor.
[10:50] Starting Children’s Promise wasn’t easy — Rachel faced funding barriers and self-doubt but found clarity by leaning into faith.
[13:29] One grant rejection helped her clarify her mission — family support, not just academic outcomes.
[16:35] Rachel became an early adopter of online learning tools and video systems long before it was common in child care.
[22:21] Her passion is serving the working poor — families who don’t qualify for help but still struggle to access care.
[24:10] Children’s Promise is the only program in Albuquerque open until 2 a.m., meeting a unique community need.
[24:45] Monthly family dinners offer a chance for connection, storytelling, and celebration.
[25:58] Her team focuses on relational care, celebrating small wins, like a child’s first steps.
[27:00] They’ve supported families who are refugees, including children with medical needs and trauma backgrounds.
[30:24] Security is high-tech, featuring “James Bond-style” systems and extensive training for staff.
[32:19] Rachel reflects on her shift from being in every detail to trusting her team with day-to-day operations.
[36:40] She now focuses more on visionary leadership, delegating while maintaining accountability.
[41:04] Her staff go through the same training she’d want for someone caring for her own kids.

[43:54] One of her locations features an open-concept floor plan, encouraging transparency and teamwork.
[50:39] She speaks on the power of prayer and being intentional about the energy she puts into her work.
[52:04] It’s not about growing for growth’s sake but also about community development and showing up with excellence.
[53:15] Rachel reminds us: Don’t grow until your heart and leadership are ready.

Quotes:

• “I’ve always had a passion for the working poor, and I like to say that because it’s not those that are homeless, but they’re working to try and get a hand up, but they just can’t, and they just don’t get the same quality and excellence as others. And so that’s really where a lot of my passion has come from.” — Rachel [22:45]

• “We create kind of a relational community approach to everything. So whether it’s our staff or families or whoever it may be, we’re all about building the community and working with the resources around us.” — Rachel [21:32]

• “The other big thing is just wins, to celebrate each other, right? Even if little Johnny just took their first step, let’s celebrate that, because it’s a big deal to those families.” — Rachel [25:58]

• “I’ve always told people, I’m not going to put them in our program if I wouldn’t leave them with my own kids.” — Rachel [41:04]

• “We’re about the community and how we develop, not about just necessarily growing the business. We’re about community and helping people develop and grow, and that’s our focus.” — Rachel [52:04]

• “We want to do everything with excellence, and the only way to do that is to put my heart in.” — Rachel [53:15]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Children’s Promise Centers

Jessica Harris is the owner of Four Sisters Childcare in Linden, Utah — a thriving center named after her four daughters. Alongside her husband, she’s built a program that’s now serving 91 full-time equivalent students with a capacity of 86 and a waitlist. But her real work goes beyond enrollment.

In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from running a home daycare to leading a full-blown center, all while growing as a leader, navigating fear, and learning how to truly step into her power. She opens up about the deep personal habits that ground her, the way she teaches resilience to her staff, and how she learned to treat herself like the CEO of her own life with systems, policies, and boundaries.

She talks with Kris about how she rebuilt from burnout, found peace in structure, and created a culture where small daily wins add up to big growth.

Key Takeaways:

[2:58] Kris is heading to Bali to work on her leadership, mindset, and spiritual growth.

[7:02] Jessica and her husband run Four Sisters Childcare, named after their four daughters. The center started as an in-home program and now serves 91 FTE students with a waitlist.

[8:28] A push from Kris at a conference inspired Jessica to expand into a center — an idea that changed everything.

[11:42] Jessica was never someone who dreamed big, but learning to shift her mindset has helped her move from fear to confidence.

[16:59] The past year brought clarity: her center’s “why” is teaching resilience, not just to children, but to her staff.
[19:04] Personal growth, including spiritual habits and consistency, helped Jessica move through fear and burnout.

[22:02] Missing her daily practices for just two weeks during Summit reminded her how essential small habits are for inner peace.
[23:29] Jessica teaches her staff to create “personal policies and procedures” the same way a company would, down to details like where to leave a retainer at night.
[26:51] Her team resonated deeply with the message, and starting small helped them follow through on goals they’d struggled with for years.
[28:09] Jessica applies the CEO mindset to social media habits too: setting systems and supervision helps her stay accountable without cutting Instagram out entirely.
[30:46] Systems = success. Whether it’s the gym or your phone, adjusting your system helps you follow through.
[36:41] Just like sharing your brownies, it’s important to share your strengths and successes.
[38:17] Marketing strategy: strong Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram stories, a busy road, rotating banners, and word-of-mouth from alumni families.
[41:56] Jessica and her husband pursued a second location but learned through the process that they needed a little more time to prepare.
[44:25] Not getting the building was a hard lesson in acceptance but also an opportunity for growth, reflection, and systems testing.

Quotes:

• “Get comfortable being uncomfortable, and you’ll see the growth.” — Jessica [12:30]

• “I have slowly been learning my passion and realizing that resilience, along with communication, is just huge. It’s huge.” — Jessica [19:05]

• “We are our own CEOs, and we have to have policies and procedures for ourselves, and we have to follow them just like a company. If you don’t do that, it fails.” — Jessica [23:29]

• “If you do what you say you’re going to do, then you have a higher level of deservingness, self-love, and value.” — Kris [27:50]

• “When things either go my way or don’t go my way, it’s like, I’m not going to put power into wanting to claw at it and control it and need it and be in resistance to the fact that it’s not working. It’s just to be in acceptance and it’ll flow.” — Jessica [45:08]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Four Sisters Child Care

Neshanta Linson is the owner of Hermes Enchanted Garden, a boutique early childhood program in Lower Alabama. Starting as a home-based daycare, her center has grown into a thriving, community-driven school that blends classical education, family values, and a strong sense of connection. Beyond her role as a business owner, Neshanta is deeply committed to servant leadership, fostering an environment where families, staff, and children feel like an extended family. In this episode, she shares how she built a family-centered school culture where staff and parents feel truly connected. Neshanta also talks with Kris about the power of mindset shifts and personal growth in leading a successful business, the ECE Mafia, and the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

[7:42] Neshanta started her program as a home daycare and expanded into a boutique school due to growing demand.

[8:33] The name Hermes Enchanted Garden came from blending two meaningful influences — an early childhood program she admired and her family’s cloth diaper business.

[10:41] The culture of her school is laid-back yet structured, emphasizing Southern values, community, and support.

[12:50] Fun fact: Neshanta loves folding a hot towel and hates traveling home with dirty clothes!

[14:10] Neshanta is part of the mafia! Well, the ECE Mafia, a small group of accountable, high-performing child care leaders who challenge each other to grow.

[15:05] Joining the Freedom track of the Child Care Success Academy helped Neshanta implement systems, delegate leadership roles, and reclaim her time.

[19:01] For Neshanta, 2021 was a pivotal year — she battled personal losses, business struggles, and health challenges, but found strength through her team and accountability group.

[22:39] Working with Kris on mindset coaching and awakened leadership has helped Neshanta recognize the impact of ego, expectations, and balance in business and life.

[27:46] Rather than traditional tours, she hosts one-on-one “meet-and-greet” sessions to ensure a mutual fit and strong parent-school relationship.

[30:22] Her strong word-of-mouth reputation allows her school to stay fully enrolled without aggressive marketing.

[32:27] She learned to set boundaries to avoid over-giving and protect herself and her team from burnout.

[33:30] Hosting family events like Mom’s Night Out and private Facebook community discussions helps strengthen parent connections.

[37:32] A rare snow event in Alabama reminded her how much parents and communities rely on child care centers as a support system.

Quotes:

• “I would say our culture is laid back, but structured and firm. We believe that kids need to have a balance. I’m a Southerner, and so Southern values really matter to me, and so we want to instill those Southern values into our students. We want them to be well-rounded kiddos.” — Neshanta [10:55]

• “I think we have cultivated a small community where they (the staff) hang out outside of work. They’re becoming real friends and real family, and that’s who we are. Family.” — Neshanta [11:16]

• “It’s like putting the right people in the right seats and people love to give more, especially if that’s their gift.” — Neshanta [18:09]

• “I’ve always been a bit driven, and nobody can tell me no if I believe that that’s where I’m supposed to be.” — Neshanta  [19:04]

• “Real love just is. And being authentic, which is something that I do professionally, being authentic is a way to be, and a lot of times that ego gets in the way of that. And so you have to check yourself in the roles that you play, in your shenanigans when that ego comes to play, and then just realize that life just is. And you have to realize life is about duality, but you want to be balanced.” — Neshanta [24:03]

• “I think that part of our unique brilliance is holding space for parents to be parents.” — Neshanta [26:36]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon

Hermes Enchanted Garden

Kris welcomes The Sisters, Sister M. Mercedes Diaz and Sister Maria Consuela Garzón of St. Francis Daycare Center in Alton, Illinois, who also just happen to be the winners of the 2024 Child Care Rockstar Contest! In this episode, the sisters share their journey of leading a 45‑year‑old institution, discussing their leap into early childhood education without prior daycare experience, transforming systems post‑COVID, and embracing a “whatever it takes” mindset. Their story reveals the heart, courage, and excellence that define a true ECE rockstar.

Key Takeaways:

[4:31] M. Mercedes and Maria are the winners of our 2024 Child Care Rockstar contest!

[7:28] Their decision to join the Child Care Success Academy marked the start of crucial changes, moving from makeshift sticky-note systems to structured processes.

[8:08] More about St. Francis, located in Alton, Illinois.

[10:21] Fun Fact: One sister reveals her Dominican Republic roots and bilingual background, while the other shares her love for writing letters and a wild adventure running down an active volcano in Nicaragua.

[12:18] How their program has grown and changed since they came in.

[14:06] Having families pick their schedules.

[16:33] Implementing Kangarootime software.

[18:42] Enrollment and getting the word out about St. Francis.

[19:47] Learning what ECE meant — The Sisters have grown a lot!

[21:26] Sharing more about their 38 Mission partners.

[24:37] The Sisters discuss overcoming a “cray cray” work culture by embracing the right mindset, focusing on gradual improvement, professional development, and maintaining a clear goal.

[27:04] Advice to those who may be in a daunting work situation and out of their comfort zone.

[29:25] Taking baby steps toward your core values and getting employees bought in.

[30:38] What made The Sisters want to enter the Child Care Rockstar contest?

[34:40] Kris shares about the first ECE Conference she attended at NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

[37:00] The Sisters define a Child Care Rockstar, and the balance between heart and will.

Quotes:

• “All we had to go was up. So we were given that opportunity and the Academy gave us the tools that we needed.” — Sister Mercedes [14:00]

• “There’s such a great desire to share freely and it’s a really beautiful experience.” — Sister Mercedes on The Academy [16:08]

• “Even though you're scared, know what the goal is. In your mind, see it and keep your eye on it, and don’t be discouraged.” — Sister Mercedes [27:19]

• “The core value piece is one of the biggest shifts that you're going to make in their mindset as professional educators, and how you want them to show up too.” -— Kris [30:00]

• “I think a Child Care Rockstar is someone who has a huge heart and a courageous heart.” — Sister Maria [37:40]

• “A rock star is someone who can see the star, who can see where your goal is, and then take those steps courageously, fall and get up, have arguments and make up and be stronger because of it.” — Sister Mercedes [39:01]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

St. Francis Day Care Center

Jacob Jensen is the Executive Director of The Learning Station, a Christian-based child care organization in Myrtle Beach, and a coach for the Child Care Success Company. As a husband and father of two boys, Jacob is dedicated to providing exceptional early education while upholding core values like positivity, family, and excellence.

With three schools serving nearly 500 children, Jacob focuses on empowering leaders and driving success in the child care industry. He is passionate about building strong communities and helping child care businesses thrive. In this episode, Jacob talks with Kris about his journey from growing up in child care with the awesome Donna Jensen as his mom, how his experience in mortgage sales and ministry shaped his leadership style, and how stacking small wins creates massive momentum and helps to prevent burnout. Jacob also has some great insights into using community events and a “whatever it takes” approach to boost enrollment, embracing technology, and the COACH acronym (Call Out & Call Higher) as a key strategy for empowering staff and fostering growth. 

Key Takeaways:

[5:58] Jacob grew up in child care. His mom, Donna Jensen, founded The Learning Station. He talks about returning to lead his family’s business after exploring careers in mortgage sales and ministry.

[10:31] More about Jacob’s (very busy) family life.

[12:18] Fun fact: Jacob’s front two teeth are fake, and knocked them out during a wild event the same day he was supposed to take his now wife out. Everyone is pretty happy she decided to give him another try!

[14:10] Challenges in the industry include technology and child care leaders learning to build their own systems to stay efficient.

[18:42] The power of consistency and the “captain” analogy. Many child care leaders are busy plugging holes in a sinking ship instead of standing at the helm and leading with strategy.

[22:07] Lessons learned in the ministry that Jacob carried over to childcare.

[27:51] Stacking small wins builds momentum.

[31:02] Seasonal thinking helps prevent burnout. Understanding when to push hard and when to pause and reflect keeps businesses sustainable.

[33:37] The Learning Station now follows a “whatever it takes” approach, removing barriers and offering promotions to secure sign-ups.

[38:52] Ways that The Learning Station markets everywhere parents are, including community events, partnerships, and a grand reopening to stay top-of-mind.

[42:20] The “COACH” analogy.

[42:49] The importance of finding the hidden talent on your team.

Quotes:

• “I always joke with Donna that I need 10 centers before 2030. But we're, we’re excited, and it’s been an honor to help her bring to fruition that dream that she’s always had.” — Jacob [9:40]

• “Obviously, it is a passion-based industry, and so there's a lot of different heart-tied elements to the fact that the margins are not as big as they are in other industries, and so you're operating with fewer resources.” — Jacob [15:13]

• “I think the biggest thing that I noticed is you have to create your own thing. You have to take the bull by the horns and say, okay, if not me, then who's going to do it?” — Jacob [15:38]

• “Consistency, consistency, consistency. That will save leaders so many headaches and also give your people a roadmap for how this place runs and how we do things around here.” — Kris [18:50]

• “When you’re in leadership, you are the captain of the ship.” — Jacob [18:53]

• “You have to have a vision of where you want to go.” — Jacob [19:10]

• “Sometimes when you’re under the water, you have to hold your breath, and you have to just paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle until you get to shore. But the shore is there, and just understanding that it’s a season. It’s a really good mindset because it's way easier to run hard when you see the finish line.” — Jacob [19:33]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

The Learning Station 

How to Lead When You Are Not in Charge, by Clay Scroggins

Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie

Michelle Masjedi is a dedicated early childhood educator and business owner in Los Angeles. As the founder of The Journey Begins and the soon-to-open The Journey Continues, she has spent over 30 years shaping the future of child care. In this episode, Michelle shares how she and her community have rallied together in the wake of the devastating California fires, working to provide emergency child care, support families in crisis, and address the gaps in disaster infrastructure for young children. Beyond that, she goes more into the systems and leadership strategies that have transformed her business, from implementing clear SOPs to maximizing technology for efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

[5:38] Michelle secured a $1M grant to open The Journey Continues, a new child care center expanding infant and preschool care in a child care desert.

[7:01] Michelle’s child care journey is deeply rooted in family, with her husband playing a key role in property acquisitions and business operations, while her children are also involved.

[8:26] Michelle’s early career in early childhood education led her from teaching to business ownership, where she has spent 32 years shaping child care programs.

[10:53] The California fires destroyed 289 child care centers and family daycare homes, leaving hundreds of families without care.

[15:55] Michelle and other local directors mobilized immediately, forming a response team to provide emergency child care, distribute resources, and advocate for displaced families.

[20:11] Michelle and her team created a GoFundMe scholarship program to help directly affected families cover the cost of child care.

[23:55] The experience reinforced the importance of strong leadership, defined roles, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in managing a crisis.

[25:08] Being named as a Child Care Rockstar finalist this past year, and a few best practices that have helped Michelle grow her business.

[27:15] A few of the many benefits Michelle has gained from joining the Academy.

[33:07] Michelle secured a $1M grant to open The Journey Continues, a new child care center expanding infant and preschool care.

[36:44] More about the vision for the new center, including serving children from 18 months to after school and the anticipated timeline for completion.

Quotes:

• “In the Pasadena Altadena area, there are 289 child care centers and family daycare centers that were lost in the fires — 289 — which is hundreds of children that immediately lost both their homes and their childcare.” — Michelle [11:41]

• “I immediately wanted to, just like wrap my arms around and protect people from that. And how could we do that quickly?” — Michelle [13:30]

• “Even in all of this devastating disaster, there’s been so much beauty in the community coming together.” — Michelle [21:59]

• “No matter how difficult and challenging it is, find the good.” — Michelle [23:45]

• “Really, the Child Care Success Academy changed everything for me. I really had some excellent tools in my toolbox, but I was missing so much. And when I joined the academy, it’s been five years now, I learned so many things.” — Michelle [26:22]

• “What if you could actually take on more and do more and grow to levels you never even imagined? And that was something I never allowed myself that opportunity or even thought, and that’s what the academy really did for me.” — Michelle [29:18]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

The Journey Begins

Donate to Michelle’s GoFundMe to help provide child care scholarships for families in need:

GoFundMe — The Journey Begins

Tameenah Adams is a Certified Child Care Success Academy (CCSA) Business Coach and a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully owned and operated multiple childcare centers in the DC Metro area. As a coach, she helps childcare owners streamline operations, build high-performing teams, and achieve sustainable growth. With over 25 years of experience in HR, business management, and leadership development, Tameenah launched ChildcareHR to support childcare owners with HR, compliance, and scaling their businesses. In this episode, Tameenah and Kris dive into the feelings wheel and discuss everything from life post-pandemic to stepping back into abundance — not just financially, but personally. They explore the importance of self-love, creating a life of ease as a leader, and embracing a daily rhythm that feels peaceful and fulfilling.

Key Takeaways:

[8:46] Learning to surrender and taking it one day at a time.

[11:26] The biggest lesson learned from the pandemic.

[13:07] Tameenah shares how she’s shifted to a reward system based on how her heart, mind, and body feel, rather than material things.

[19:04] The connection between self-love and effective leadership.

[20:40] Strategies for managing overwhelm and staying present.

[25:52] The importance of surrounding yourself with the right community.

[29:43] How outsourcing can create more time and efficiency.

[35:17] Practical strategies for financial recovery and smart money management.

[38:06] Overcoming fear and leading with confidence.

[42:07] Transparent leadership and leading with grace.

[44:48] Exploring the power of the Feelings Wheel.

Quotes:

• “I was at the intersection of my life. I had to make a choice because, quite honestly, there were times I didn’t even know if I could make it another day. What kept me hanging on was knowing my children needed me.” — Tameenah [7:56]

• “I’m learning now that there is a different reward system. My reward comes in how my heart feels, how my mind feels, how my body feels. Am I able to sleep well? Rewarding myself really doesn’t cost anything.” — Tameenah [13:07]

• “I’ve started the journey to really look and love me. I’m healing from the hurt in my life and how I hurt myself. Self-love is being kind to yourself.” — Tameenah [18:33]

• “I stay plugged into a community that can serve me and understand me, where I feel safe.” — Tameenah [25:00]

• “Your intentions have to equal your impact.” — Tameenah [35:22]

• “It’s all about the energy you bring into your leadership decisions.” — Kris [40:08]

• “I’m leading differently because I’m leading even more transparently.” — Tameenah [42:18]

• “I’ve taken my power back. There is nothing anyone can say about me that I haven’t transparently shared myself. I’m not going to walk around in shame for anything.” — Tameenah [43:47]

• “What people think of me is none of my business. What I think about me is my business.” — Tameenah [48:20]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Tameenah Adams

Kris welcomes Thomas Brawner, Owner and CFO of Alta Schoolhouse, a Montessori-inspired preschool located in Lakeland, Florida. Thomas first talks about his and his wife's journey to Lakeland - his wife had previous experience as a director at a childcare center, while Thomas came from a business background but shared a passion for working with kids. Thomas provides an inspiring glimpse into the strategies he and his wife used to successfully open Alta Schoolhouse, after facing challenges with their first two location attempts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of their local market and building a strong, credible team - including hiring a respected architect - as keys to finally launching the school; throughout the conversation, Thomas shares insights into his innovative approaches to marketing, staffing, and growing the new childcare business, demonstrating the rewards that can come from pursuing your vision with the right support system in place. 

Key Takeaways:

[5:40] Check out Kris’s new website! https://krismurray.com/

[9:03] Thomas joins the show from Lakeland, Florida. 

[9:38] Alta Schoolhouse opened in April 2022, and is a Montessori inspired pre-school. 

[11:00] Thomas talks about why he and his wife chose Florida.  

[12:50] How he and his wife handle the different roles and responsibilities. 

[15:05] Fun fact: Thomas is Argentinian and has a close affinity for the culture…especially soccer! 

[16:25] The Montessori inspired component. 

[18:25] How Thomas found the Child Care Success Academy. 

[22:10] Falling in love with the real estate development side of building Alta Schoolhouse. 

[23:25] The two locations that failed before the final Alta location, and what Thomas learned from the process. 

[25:15] Investing in the right team at the beginning will save you money and earn you respect down the road. 

[27:35] The different types of marketing they utilized, including the power of Mom’s Groups! 

[29:47] Fun offerings at tours and open houses. 

[32:20] The importance of knowing your market and doing your homework. 

[32:35] Staffing and building confidence within leadership. 

[35:31] Team retention and finding new members. 

[38:17] Alta is a young and vibrant environment. 

[41:01] The idea of starting another location in the near future. 

[42:02] Thomas talks about managing finances as a self described “spreadsheet fiend” and secret shopping locations before they opened. 

[47:18] Thomas’s advice for people looking to get into the industry: go for it! 

Quotes:

•  “The work life balance is truly, truly a gift in this industry.” [14:16] - Thomas 

• “It's been an absolutely incredible experience ever since joining the community and just the wealth of knowledge that you can get so quickly. It’s pretty invaluable.” [20:08] - Thomas 

• “The moment that we hired this architect and he walked into the doors of the city hall with us, the city planners and everybody on staff took us seriously. We were no longer two kids that had a dream and were trying to open up school. We were now business professionals with the backing of an architectural firm that was well known in Lakeland and respected in Lakeland. That is what gave us the credibility that we needed to be taken seriously.” [24:53] - Thomas 

• “We were able to build a wait list and have enough desire for what we were offering, where we were able to be in the green on day one.” [27:11] - Thomas 

• “They (your team) get confidence from good leadership.” [34:22] - Thomas 

• “I'm constantly looking at what other centers in our area are paying, and it's my goal to pay more than them.” [35:51] - Thomas 

• “It’s obviously an income for my family, but it's provided a community and just a sense of fulfillment in creating jobs, creating happiness through, through the kids and students and parents that are under your care. Go for it!” [37:14] - Thomas 

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Alta Schoolhouse 

@altaschoolhouse

In this episode, host Kris Murray welcomes Brenda and Geordie McClay, the dynamic husband-wife team behind Bright Ideas Child Care and Learning Center. Brenda and Geordie share their remarkable journey, from Brenda's initial desire to be an elementary school teacher to opening their first childcare center in 2009 and expanding to a second location in 2020. The McClays discuss the challenges they’ve faced, particularly with hiring quality staff during the pandemic, and the strategies they’ve employed to overcome these hurdles. This includes partnering with local high schools to develop an apprenticeship program, leveraging social media to showcase their positive culture, and implementing a robust referral bonus system. Geordie also shares his insights on the value of the Academy’s men's group, which has provided him with a supportive network of like-minded individuals as he transitions into a more active role in the business. Additionally, Brenda and Geordie emphasize the importance of building a strong, family-oriented culture and the power of community partnerships in enhancing their program.

Key Takeaways:

[8:40] Brenda and Geordie’s path from home daycare to multi-center childcare program.

[10:00] Geordie shares his background in the Coast Guard and his transition to supporting Brenda in the childcare business.

[12:36] Family fact: the McClays have six children!

[16:41] Brenda discusses the difficulties in hiring quality staff and the impact of COVID-19 on the hiring process, along with different recruitment strategies.

[19:00] Brenda mentions their partnership with local high schools to recruit Co-op students and provide apprentice programs.

[20:51] Their intentional use of social media to showcase the fun and positive aspects of their program.

[24:58] Their referral reward program.

[26:39] Showcasing the family aspect of it.

[28:30] The Academy’s men’s group and the support it provides for men in the childcare industry.

[31:26] Gaining confidence and focus from joining the Academy.

[37:30] Working together as a husband and wife duo.

[40:13] The partnership with the local public preschool and the benefits it brings to their teachers and students.

[43:13] Support can show up in a variety of ways.

[45:53] What does it mean to be an “energy bus school”?

Quotes:

• “I thought that having a center was the big dream, and I had achieved it. So, I guess when I joined the Academy, I realized that I could dream bigger than that.” — Brenda [8:52]

• “We have worked hard to pour into our staff and show them that we care about them and their contribution. Without them, we couldn’t do it.” — Brenda [17:17]

• “I found that the more we showcase the fun things that we’re doing, the more successful we are in finding a good match for us.” — Brenda [17:50]

• “I think it’s important for us to get our high school students and young adults excited about the field, yes, because it’s an amazing field.” — Brenda [20:23]

• “I think as a community, we need to be together, whether we’re in the same town or the same state, we should all be here for the children.” — Brenda [31:08]

• “The only way to scale the business and be able to impact more people and more children is to figure out where you’re the bottleneck and start replacing yourself in the areas that are not your unique brilliance.” — Kris [35:40]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Bright Ideas Childcare 

The Energy Bus 

This week, Kris welcomes Constance Sholar Cherry, the powerhouse owner of Creative Home Academy, to share her remarkable journey from home daycare to running multiple thriving centers. Constance discusses her growth through challenges, especially navigating the launch of her center during the pandemic, and emphasizes the “don’t just survive, thrive” mindset. Constance also highlights the value of creating a positive culture, personal development for staff, and the rewards of seeing children go from surviving to thriving.

Key Takeaways:

[9:15] Constance joins the show and shares the capacity and recent expansion of Creative Home Academy.

[10:48] Launching her commercial center during the challenges of April 2020.

[12:09] Why Constance stays passionate about early childhood education.

[14:14] Fun fact: Constance used to show and breed big, beautiful Cane Corso dogs!

[16:41] What sets Creative Home Academy apart, including its screen-free environment and commitment to high-quality nutrition.

[18:53] Constance discusses the importance of showing up as a leader and gaining her team’s trust.

[20:53] Onboarding new team members with a thriving mindset and fun team culture.

[24:02] Teacher appreciation week is a whole vibe… massages with training as well? Yes, please!

[26:56] Constance’s mindset during the pandemic and how she overcame obstacles.

[32:52] The value of failing your way to success.

[35:26] Constance shares how her grandmother and mother inspired her journey.

[36:18] The story of how Constance joined the Academy and how it changed her life for the better.

[39:26] Exciting plans for 2025, including new pre-K programs.

Quotes:

• “I love to see children go from surviving to thriving.” — Constance [12:09]

• “If I want people to perform in their best version, I have to show up first in my best version.” — Constance [19:10]

• “I had to come as the expert, meaning, I know what kids need. I know what my staff needs.” — Constance [19:50]

• “ECE is not just something that I just do. It’s who I am, and trust me, because I’m going to lead us in the right direction.” — Constance [20:07]

• “I want team members to understand we want to work in a thriving school. … Come on this side. It’s good over here!” — Constance [21:02]

• “Some of my darkest moments, the one thing that kept me going was knowing that I deserve to have everything that I want in life, and just being grateful for what I did have.” — Constance [32:18]

• “You literally have to fail your way to success. ... You have to move through the hard times because it’s always greater on the other side.” — Constance [32:52]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Creative Home Academy

Constance LinkedIn

It’s all about the story this week as Kris welcomes Jon Sieber, Co-Founder of Story Time Learning, and Story Time Chess, an innovative early learning and education-based product for kids and adults of all ages. Jon shares how he went from theater to chess to Story Time, the power of storytelling to help children learn complicated concepts such as chess or coding, and the importance of storytelling in creating meaningful connections and learning experiences. He and Kris also talk about the importance of consistency in personal and professional goals, and the future exciting plans for Story Time Learning.

Key Takeaways:

[4:10] Congrats to Sister Mercedes for being named the new Rock Star!

[8:33] Jon joins the show from Brooklyn, New York.

[9:30] How a chess tutoring company evolved into Story Time Learning.

[13:26] Jon is a direct descendant of which royal figure from history?

[20:01] How can you use the power of storytelling?

[25:42] Jon highlights the success of their program in Singapore and the interest from parents and educators.

[28:16] Shaping 450‒500 preschools.

[30:27] Kris shares a great story on how she and Jon met.

[35:24] The key lessons Jon has learned as an entrepreneur.

[37:02] The importance of positivity, consistency, and showing up every day.

[41:47] What’s next for Story Time?

Quotes:

• “Children are capable of learning big, complex things like chess or coding if you throw out the rule book and you tell them fun, engaging, silly stories and let them discover the rules, rather than use rote memorization or rules that they have to stick to.” — Jon [10:26]

• “The same way that I train my teachers or tutors in New York City, we can train teachers, educators, librarians, anywhere in the world, to deliver our fun, engaging curriculum.” — Jon [12:10]

• “The power of story is one of the most powerful things you can do as a business owner, as a marketer, as anybody who’s trying to make a difference.” — Jon [19:27]

• “Storytelling is what we think is the best vehicle to deliver something.” — Jon [20:48]

• “We feel very strongly about the powerful tool and the vehicle that is storytelling.” — Jon [21:32]

• “You have to be positive and optimistic and believe in what you do. And if you approach things with eternal optimism and the ability to show up day after day, you will expose yourself to enough surface area that you will start getting ‘lucky.’” — Jon [37:21]

• “Consistency over time equals success.” — Jon [37:53]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

StoryTime Learning

Jon Sieber LinkedIn

What would you love in your life? This week, Kris goes solo to explore the power of possibility and heeding the universe’s call—wet pants and all. She recaps highlights from the Child Care Success Summit and reflects on her own journey from CEO to strategic founder. This shift, she shares, has opened doors to new passions and personal growth. Through her transformation, Kris inspires listeners to step outside their comfort zones and fully embrace life’s possibilities. At the end of the episode, she talks about her new coaching, combining conscious leadership with business badassery.

Key Takeaways:

[7:13] Kris shares some insider baseball on the Child Care Success Summit, the most energetic and transformative event yet.

[10:44] Learning to trust the process.

[12:35] Hiring a new event management team, a beautiful fit with Anna and her husband.

[17:15] Where are things not a fit right now, and you have not had the time or the courage to step up and make the change?

[19:05] The power of possibility and answering the call, even through fear and imposter syndrome.

[25:56] Kris talks about becoming the next version of herself, which is being the Founder but not having to do with the day-to-day operations or schedule of the Summit.

[30:14] Moving towards your highest calling.

[31:45] Ben Nemtin’s beautiful story and encouragement, using a Bucket List journal.

[36:40] The universe will show you that “how” after you take the leap first.

[39:27] Kris shares a few of her own bucket list items, including an amazing love relationship.

[40:15] Kris listened to the universe, joined Bumble, and met Chris!

[43:29] What would you love to do?

[45:30] Kris’s new coaching group for awakened and enlightened leaders.

Quotes:

• “When you start really focusing on what you love and what you would love to have in your life, your life transforms into something new and fresh and different. It’s almost like a rebirth of sorts. It’s a new version of you that’s showing up.” — Kris [3:40]

• “Trust the process.” — Kris [10:44]

• “If I had not believed in the power of possibility that I actually could do that, even though I was scared beyond belief and had imposter syndrome beyond belief because I’d never owned a daycare, I decided to dive in anyway with wet pants.” — Kris [21:04]

• “I created a multi-million dollar business out of a $15,000 investment of seed capital. And that was it.” — Kris [21:44]

• “I’m a much lighter, neutral, glowing, loving, present version.” — Kris [27:14]

• “The real you is the essence of the Divine. It’s you as the big you. It’s you as the ocean, not the drop.” — Kris [28:38]

• “What are you waiting for? This is the youngest that you will ever be. … So this is again a wake-up call to listen to your wake-up call.” — Kris [34:55]

• “We’re not getting any younger, and this is not a dress rehearsal, so focus on what you would love.” — Kris [44:37]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Eckhart Tolle

Ben Nemtin

Kris welcomes the awesome Kim Lannin, member of the Child Care Success Academy and owner of Inch by Inch Childcare, Inc. for the past 18 years. Kim shares her inspiring journey of building a successful child care business, overcoming early challenges through the support of the Academy, and developing a unique “Inch Way” philosophy centered on exceptional customer service and a collaborative, hands-on leadership approach.

Key Takeaways:

[2:47] Kim provides an overview of her business, Inch by Inch Childcare, Inc., which she has owned for 18 years. The school has a current license capacity of 102 and is 90% full, with a revenue of over $2 million for the year.

[6:25] Kim loves a good Peloton session, with over 2,600 rides completed.

[7:30] Fun fact, Kim is Canadian!

[8:41] Kim recounts the early challenges she faced, including having no vision and lacking business skills. She credits the Child Care Success Academy for providing the tools she needed to succeed.

[14:00] Kim suggests that the lack of leadership in childcare may be due to a lack of leadership skills and a reliance on conventional, top-down management styles rather than a more collaborative, hands-on approach.

[14:42] Kim advocates for a more unconventional, collaborative leadership style where the leader is “hands-on” and focused on supporting the team, rather than just giving orders.

[17:30] How Kim’s mindset has changed over the years and what she attributes that to the most.

[20:07] Forming a Massachusetts cohort during the pandemic and how that helped everyone get through a difficult time.

[23:58] Dealing with staffing challenges by constantly hiring and bringing in candidates.

[28:01] What sets Inch By Inch apart from competition in the community?

[30:27] How “The Inch Way” helps retain employees and family.

[31:29] Future goals, including rebranding and expansion.

Quotes:

• “What is now your ceiling will become your floor.” — Kim [6:59]

• “Within the first five years, I was on the brink of complete and utter failure. And this is a true story. This is not a paid infomercial, but what saved me was finding the Academy, because I had no plan. I had no idea what I was doing, and it gave me the tools that I needed to get on the right path.” — Kim [9:32]

• “The two main pillars I think of what you should be doing with your business are articulating your vision or core values and deciding what they are. They have to be inherent to you, that you believe in, and that’s what we have now.” — Kim [11:56]

• “Putting together that team who’s working with you and you’re all working together is really, really important.” — Kim [12:50]

• “To be successful, at least for us, we’ve had to be unconventional. We are unconventional, and it’s hard to be that way sometimes.” — Kim [14:07]

• “I have much more confidence in our brand than I did even five years ago, but we’ve really managed to articulate and put into place something that parents appreciate. Kids are thriving, so I have much more confidence.” — Kim [17:46]

• “ABC. Always Be Hiring.” — Kim [23:06]

• “If someone wants to be a part of your team, then hire them. If they want to be with you, then why would you say no? Likewise, if somebody wants to come to your school and then find a way to get them in.” — Kim [26:33]

• “The way we decided to set ourselves apart was through customer service, and that is what the ‘Inch Way’ is. It’s being helpful, being kind, and not hesitating to go the extra mile for people. That will set you apart. People will appreciate that, and it will benefit your business in ways that you never anticipated.” — Kim [29:22]

• “People often confuse kindness for weakness, but they are different things. Meet people where they are — some people need help and support. Be that for them, and it will pay off. That’s really the foundation of the ‘Inch Way’ — it’s how we treat our families and staff, and it governs how we go about our day.” — Kim [29:41]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Inch By Inch

This episode features Ashley Varouhas, a young powerhouse, dynamic child care leader, owner, and coach at the Child Care Success Academy. Ashley shares her journey from teacher to owner and administrator, and how she integrates her passion for early childhood education into her two successful centers. They discuss the importance of strong leadership, staff retention, and cultivating a unique school environment that meets the needs of both children and teachers. Ashley also shares some great strategies for business growth, managing multiple centers, and how fostering relationships is key to long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

[2:28] Congrats to former guest Beth Davis and her Kindness Initiative! If you want to learn more about Beth, check out her past episode here.

[12:46] Ashley’s early career in early childhood education started at KinderCare, sparking her passion for leadership and innovation in the industry.

[15:15] After several false starts, Ashley opened her first center in Minnesota in 2022 and is about to open her second location.

[17:29] The importance of serving her teachers and maintaining strong leadership to retain staff — only two teachers have left in two years.

[20:49] Ashley emphasizes that ensuring a supportive, well-staffed environment reduces stress and turnover, leading to high teacher satisfaction and 100% tour conversion.

[27:26] Gardening plays a big role in her program, offering children hands-on learning experiences. Next year, Ashley plans to expand the gardening curriculum.

[37:45] Ashley highlights the importance of being present at her centers, whether through daily visits or other ways, to maintain a sense of stability and connection with staff.

[40:45] Ashley is currently opening a second center focused on infant care, to address a growing need for more infant and toddler spots in her community.

[46:39] She maps out child transitions up to nine months in advance, ensuring smooth transitions and full capacity throughout the year.

[51:07] Ashley defines a Childcare Rockstar as someone who puts their all into it every day, and that can look different for everyone!

Quotes:

• “I still get into the classroom because that part of me that loves working with kids will never die.” — Ashley Varuhas [14:16]

• “I really feel in my life, like, when things are right and meant to be, it just all clicks, and it all flows really fast.” — Ashley [16:27] 

• “I’m proud to say, in almost two years of being open now, we’ve only had two teachers turnover in almost two years.” — Ashley [17:26]

• “When people have it, you can’t train the it factor in somebody. I believe you can train skills, but she just has everything else.” — Ashley [20:18]

• “It’s about supporting the teachers, creating a great place for them, and that energy trickles down to the kids.” — Ashley [21:40]

• “I feel like my program is a menagerie of my experiences, and then my passion all kind of in one melting pot.” — Ashley [23:06]

• “We have to deepen our roots before we grow our branches.” — Ashley [36:36]

• “I think you can define a Childcare Rockstar as someone that puts their all into it every day.” — Ashley [50:51]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Nest Learning Academy

Ashley Varouhas

Kris welcomes Silvia Sarhadian, an Empire member of the Childcare Success Academy and owner of two franchise locations of The Learning Experience. Silvia shares her journey from a career in chemistry and banking to early childhood education, where she discovered her true passion. She highlights the importance of resilient leadership, communication, and fostering a collaborative environment in her centers. Silvia also talks about her personal growth, some great tips for empowering your staff, and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Key Takeaways:

[5:56] Silvia discusses her transition from a career in banking and chemistry to owning early childhood education centers and finding her passion.

[10:21] Silvia’s journey started in 2016 with the support of her husband, helping her gain the confidence to start her first center.

[13:19] The importance of having clear goals for business success and expansion. Silvia’s vision includes opening three to four more schools and reaching a business valuation of $10 million.

[14:12] Fun fact! Silvia is a ballroom dancer!

[15:11] Silvia’s schools and community involvement, including the Make-A-Wish partnership.

[17:29] She reflects on how her communication style and leadership have evolved over the years, emphasizing the need for clear communication with her team and the importance of involving teachers in decision-making.

[27:46] Silvia shares her strategies for developing a growth mindset and the role resilience plays in fostering confidence and effective leadership.

[30:00] She talks about her focus on professional development, offering workshops, retreats, and resources for teachers to improve classroom management and early intervention techniques.

[35:22] Silvia’s vision for the future includes integrating early intervention programs and differentiated instruction into her centers to meet the unique needs of every child.

[39:51] Silvia reflects on the importance of never leading from fear and prioritizing hiring staff aligned with the company’s vision.

Quotes:

• “It’s not just all about money. It’s all about putting our experience into action, helping families, and helping our communities. That’s our mission.” [12:03]

• “Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of the families and communities we serve. That’s what we live every single day.” — Silvia Sarhadian [16:40]

• “It’s not like we have to, we get to do this, and we do it with love.” — Silvia Sarhadian [20:00]

• “You are the CEO of your own classroom. What are the needs and challenges of your classroom, and how can you make it a better place?” — Silvia Sarhadian [30:19]

• “Never lead from fear.” — Silvia Sarhadian [39:51]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Silvia on LinkedIn

The Learning Experience

Make A Wish Foundation

New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Educators

Kris welcomes the dynamic mother-daughter duo of Patricia and Megan Williams. As members of the Child Care Success Academy's Empire track, Patricia and Megan share their inspiring journey of joyful entrepreneurship and the profound impact they are making — not just in the United States, but globally. Patricia and Megan talk about the challenges they overcame to grow their successful child care business, American Care Academy, including strategies for boosting enrollment, improving cash flow, and cultivating a positive, community-driven culture. They also shine a light on Patricia's doctoral work and the launch of her nonprofit, She Empowerment Global, which is empowering women entrepreneurs in Ghana.

Key Takeaways:

[4:39] Kris heads back to Cleveland, excited to visit family and friends, including a fellow yogi and Child Care Success Academy member!

[10:06] More about American Care Academy and Patricia’s journey into child care after being laid off from a corporate job.

[11:22] Megan’s involvement from a young age.

[15:12] Challenges the business faced with enrollment and cash flow, and how they implemented systems and processes to turn it around, including phone skills training, a new website, and CRM systems.

[19:35] Implementing the discipline and accountability that you’re expecting from your team, while also maintaining a culture of joy and fun.

[26:31] The high school component of their second location.

[30:01] Patricia’s pursuit of a PhD and the launch of her nonprofit, She Empowerment Global, to empower women entrepreneurs in Ghana.

[34:01] Strategies for balancing their work and personal relationship as a mother-daughter team, including setting boundaries and finding joy outside of the business.

[41:44] Bringing the historical component into their story.

[43:05] What’s next for Patricia and Megan?

[46:02] Precious Jewels Mentorship Program.

Quotes:

• “There is a transaction taking place, but it’s not a transactional relationship. The whole purpose is for us to empower children through our learning programs, and that starts with us all being on board and having our own light to give out.” — Megan [26:31]

• “We mean it does take a village. We are there to be that village, quite literally.” — Patricia [28:45]

• “A ChildCare Rockstar is someone dedicated to enhancing the quality of early childhood education with all of their might and joy.” — Megan [47:30]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

American Care Academy

American Care Academy on FB

Kris welcomes Tasha Santistevan, the Executive Director at Child Time Inc. and a coach for the Child Care Success Academy. Tasha shares her journey from a high school summer job in childcare to her current leadership roles. She discusses her passion for empowering directors and leaders in the childcare industry, offering insights on conflict resolution, collaborative leadership, and the importance of work-life balance. Tasha provides a unique perspective both as an active executive director and coach on the challenges and rewards of leadership in early childhood education, emphasizing the value of continuous learning, servant leadership, and creating a positive workplace culture.

Key Takeaways:

[5:57] Tasha introduces herself and her background in early childhood education.

[10:29] The transition from being a manager to becoming a leader and director, and what she loves about the role.

[12:28] The distinction between manager and leader.

[13:58] Tasha’s personal life and balancing multiple roles.

[14:25] More about Tasha’s very busy family life!

[18:07] Strategies for staying organized and maintaining work-life balance.

[21:51] The importance of not taking on others’ problems as your own.

[23:37] Approaches to resolving conflicts between team members.

[25:59] Conflict can just be a better opportunity for us to be better and learn from one another.

[29:56] The evolution of leadership styles and the importance of empathy.

[30:42] Tapping into confident empathy.

[31:45] The need for servant leadership in the current workforce.

[32:20] Tasha’s definition of a childcare rockstar.

[34:13] The importance of bringing fun back into childcare after the pandemic.

[35:00] Tasha’s goals and aspirations for the future.

[38:11] Life is short — buy the Cadillac!

[42:01] The value of continuous learning and personal development in leadership.

Quotes:

• “Once you find that sweet spot of being a leader, that job becomes exponentially more rewarding and less challenging.” — Tasha [11:04]

• “Conflict is really if we stop looking at it as like this bad thing, that it’s an argument, but looking at it we just have different desires and drives and this.” — Tasha [24:37]

• “I believe we just don’t fully understand in the industry, the stress that directors feel and what they go through. So I love being a coach because I love to provide that safe space where they can come to us.” — Tasha [27:54]

• “That tribe aspect is everything in this business, and it's not something that is easy to find.” — Tasha [28:15]

• “I can be a great support to somebody, but I cannot let their problems be my problems.” — Tasha [29:45]

• “It’s perfect that we’re evolving within the leadership industry into this mode because this is what’s going to save this industry.” — Tasha [32:17]

• “As a rock star, you are somebody that empowers your team to reach their full potential.” — Tasha [32:53]

• “We have to have fun because fun is what’s going to get us through the hard times.” — Tasha [32:58]

• “This is childcare guys! If it’s not fun, what are we doing?” — Kris [35:08]

• “Just commit to learning how to be a good leader. Because if you do that, everything else falls into place.” — Tasha [39:10]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Child Time Inc.

Jon Gordon

Maxwell Leadership

Hal Elrod

Seth Godin

Kris welcomes the awesome Ashley Blackmon, owner and founder of A Perfect Start Learning Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Ashley shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to running a thriving, nationally accredited childcare center with plans for expansion. She discusses how she’s built a program focused on empowerment, growth, and helping families rise. Ashley opens up about overcoming significant challenges including a major health scare, and how she’s transformed herself from a childcare provider to a true CEO through mindset shifts and finding her tribe. Her story is one of resilience, passion for serving children and families, and the power of continual personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways:

[4:55] Make sure you are following Kris on IG!

[5:57] Ashley joins from Huntsville, Alabama and gives an overview of A Perfect Start Learning Center and its current stats and accreditation.

[9:27] Ashley’s approach to empowering parents through a Parent Academy program.

[12:16] Don’t forget to celebrate your wins before moving on to the next goal!

[12:44] How Ashley has built strong relationships and retention with families and staff.

[13:17] Parent prep at their Academy.

[17:52] The culture at the Academy and how Ashley has grown as a leader.

[19:02] Losing her corporate job and being encouraged by her aunt to open a childcare center.

[29:03] More about Ashley’s home and personal life.

[30:26] Ashley has fostered 14 children, including twins.

[33:48] Upcoming second location and expansion plans.

[40:27] Realizing that you can’t please everyone and letting go of negative team members.

[48:03] The health crisis that led to a major mindset shift for Ashley.

[51:44] How joining the Childcare Success Academy transformed Ashley’s perspective and business.

Quotes:

• “I think just overall, naturally, I have an urge to really be my best self. So I try to hire others who don’t mind putting their best foot forward to always achieve all the crazy things that I come up with in my head.” — Ashley [8:50]

• “I think one of the biggest things is empowerment and growth… We not only empower the children with our high-quality educational care, but we do the same thing with the parents.” — Ashley [12:44]

• “It’s an us thing. It’s like, we’re raising this kid together.” — Ashley [14:40]

• “I’m going to be providing high-quality education, right, I need you to know what this education can get you. I don’t want to be a bit basic in every sense of the word.” — Ashley [29:00]

• “I want for the women and children that have access to me that look like me, I want them to be able to look at me and see other things as possible.” — Ashley [29:14]

• “No matter how much you pour positivity, growth, and support, you’re not going to satisfy everybody.” — Ashley [40:27]

• “Now I’m a CEO. That’s the mindset. And I think the tools that you’ve given me to be able to see my program as a business have been critical to my development.” — Ashley [52:44]

• “I’m creating generational wealth for my families, and hopefully for their children. I am a bridge to all kinds of different people.” — Ashley [53:56]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

A Perfect Start Learning Center

It’s an extremely valuable and informative episode, as Kris welcomes Militza Mezquita, Senior Advisor with Save the Children. Save the Children is the primary organization in the United States, helping childcare centers with emergency preparedness, resources, and funding for over 100 years. Militza shares a wealth of knowledge about funding and what you can do to come back stronger after an emergency event, even if you are a for-profit business. She talks about the importance of embedding emergency preparedness into business plans, the Gulf Coast Resilience Network, and the process of accessing funding after a disaster. Militza also emphasizes the critical need for mental health support for both teachers and children following emergencies.

Key Takeaways:

[7:44] Militza talks about Save the Children’s background, mission, and history.

[9:11] Explanation of Save the Children’s support methods including remote assistance and fundraising.

[13:56] What is the Gulf Coast Resilience Network?

[20:40] The importance of prioritizing teachers’ mental health after disasters.

[21:02] How Save the Children gets their funding.

[23:35] Advocating and staying in touch with legislators.

[24:19] The importance of prioritizing the mental health of teachers and providers.

[28:45] Tips for relocating childcare facilities after a disaster, including the FEMA-SBA application strategy.

[32:15] All of Save the Children’s training and materials are free for childcare providers.

Quotes:

• “We teach our childcare folks that emergency preparedness is embedded in your business plan, it’s got to be in there.” — Militza [11:01]

• “If parents can’t have stable and high-quality childcare, they’re not going to work and our economy will collapse. And then when you finally paint that picture, you can see the light bulb go off.” — Kris [23:21]

• “We’ve done the mental health work, we’ve done the hard part and we’re really proud of that. And we’ve seen a lot of good come out of those training sessions and getting teachers and families ready to go back into centers.” — Militza [27:22]

• “We really saw a lot of good results in building our teachers’ resiliency and our children’s resiliency. We know that when our teachers are ready and calm, then our children will be ready and calm. And then together, they can facilitate advantageous learning and quality learning.” — Militza [27:15]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Save the Children

Kris rolls out the pink carpet for Latrice Galloway, one of the most inspirational, dynamic, and business-savvy women in the early learning industry today. She talks about The Childcare Chic blog, The Childcare Clique community, and her upcoming Born to Teach conference at which Kris will be speaking. Latrice drops some golden wisdom on the two things every ECE professional must know. She also gives some great tips on avoiding common industry missteps, the value of using coaches, and having the right mindset and leadership.

Key Takeaways:

[3:17] Kris recaps her four-day Mastermind Retreat!

[9:44] Latrice joins and talks about working with her sister and The Childcare Chic.

[11:30] Latrice’s first employee was her mom, who is now retired as a super-grandma.

[16:28] Before Latrice started changing lives with children, she used to change lives with felons, using her degree in criminal justice.

[20:40] How Latrice set herself apart.

[22:37] How Latrice has grown as a leader.

[24:09] Latrice’s leadership style.

[27:18] Tips on having hard conversations with staff.

[29:19] Latrice’s two key pieces of advice for ECE.

[33:18] The mindset mistakes Latrice most often sees in the industry.

[35:18] Growth and trends in ECE and what’s next for Latrice.

[40:16] Latrice defines a Childcare Rockstar.

[41:14] Catch Kris at the Born to Teach conference!

Quotes:

●      “My staff brag about me as their leader. That makes you feel like, Okay, I’m doing something.” — Latrice [25:35]

●      “Fast forward to today, I’m a person that you can follow, but I’m going to get in there with you.” — Latrice [24:09]

●      “Yes, you have to create those boundaries, but I can still treat them well. We can still laugh, but at the end of the day, they know that I am still their leader and they still have a job to do.” — Latrice [24:49]

●      “Invest in your team. If you don’t have a team to help you enforce those policies, they go out the window.” — Latrice [29:30]

●      “The trend is: go to the conference. Invest in yourself. Hire the coach. I think that’s great because people are investing their knowledge so they can go back and grow these programs and offer amazing services to their families and students.” — Latrice [39:47]

●      “It costs too much to have a coach, but do you know how much you’re going to lose trying to do this on your own?” — Latrice [40:28]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

The ChildCare Chic

The Childcare Clique

Born to Teach Conference

From 120% staff turnover annually to just 14% in seven months? It may sound like a dream scenario, but for Kris’s guests this week, it’s reality. Kris welcomes Crystal and Ricardo Romero from the New Mexico Early Learning Academy, currently serving three amazing locations. They share some game-changing tips on hiring the right people, onboarding, and staff retention. Crystal and Ricardo talk about working as a couple and how it helps their overall mission and keeps them both energized and focused, their approach to expansion, and the extra perks they offer to keep their staff satisfied personally and professionally. Get ready to be inspired!

Key Takeaways:

[8:49] Crystal and Ricardo talk about their school, New Mexico Early Learning Academy,  currently with 3 locations.

[11:05] Their different journeys into early childhood education.

[14:23] Yes, Crystal and Ricardo spend almost every moment together, and they love it!

[15:12] They share about their blended family and how their work and personal lives are fully blended.

[16:24] How Crystal and Ricardo love spending their free time (together, of course) and being intentional about breaks.

[19:31] Fun fact: if you need some cool shoe inspiration, check out Crystal’s renovated home office! It’s now a sneaker closet.

[21:53] Crediting the Academy for success.

[25:40] Remembering the basics of fostering authentic and meaningful relationships.

[27:01] Crystal and Ricardo get into the specifics of hiring and making onboarding engaging and less intimidating.

[31:14] More about how they reduced turnover from 120% to 14% in seven months.

[32:47] Getting intentional about lowering the turnover rate.

[34:24] Realizing the give and take of making staff happy and still meeting their goals while working on the overall mission and vision.

[41:09] Overcoming any struggles as a husband and wife team.

[43:08] The other businesses that keep Crystal and Ricardo busy.

[47:27] Their approach to expansion.

Quotes:

• “I would say we spend about 90%, maybe more, of our time together. And honestly, it works really, really well.” — Crystal [14:39]

• “I think for us, we thrive off each other and the energy that we have to be able to make decisions and bounce stuff off each other has been really one of the key indicators on why we’ve been so successful.” — Crystal [14:52]

• “We lay it out there of what our expectations are, and communicate that clearly with each other.” — Crystal [15:24]

• “I tell Ricardo every day, there’s absolutely no way we could have accomplished where we’re at today if we didn’t have each other. What we have as a couple makes us dynamic in our business and our personal life.” — Crystal [15:43]

• “Intentional goals make for incredible outcomes, so we made sure that every goal we set in place is trackable and attainable.” — Ricardo [32:37]

• “I think as owners, we get caught in that mindset of this is my program, this is my school, these are our rules. But not realizing that at the end of the day, we need these people, and there's a lot of give and take that has to happen.” — Crystal [34:24]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

New Mexico Early Learning Academy

Ben Newman

What are the two keys to retaining more families in your program? And do you think that those two keys also apply to retaining staff? This week, Scott Whitaker, aka the “Membership Boy Wonder,” is here to answer those questions. Scott is the membership consultant at the Child Care Success Academy, and he has some great tips on how to set yourself apart in your community, how to compete with the increasing competition in today’s world, and how to do it in a way that’s fun for teachers, kids, and parents.

Key Takeaways:

[3:48] Kris recaps her beautiful trip to the jungles of Ecuador.

[5:01] More about The Pachamama Alliance.

[10:19] Scott’s wife Kelly was a teacher, and they have been married for almost 29 years.

[17:43] What are some keys to improving family retention or customer retention?

[20:14] What are the results that the parents are looking for?

[25:36] Creating a unique value proposition for schools to stand out and become the “provider of choice” in their community.

[30:20] Retaining staff and clients through relationship-building and reward systems.

[34:11] That which gets rewarded gets repeated.

[36:26] You want your staff to believe in your value proposition.

[42:46] Identifying target clients and your avatar through a state of abundance.

[51:24] Allow the members of the Academy to help you and thrive in the community!

Quotes:

• “That’s really my goal, to make them the most impactful inside their niche so that they can help those businesses that are truly looking to grow and serve.” — Scott [9:38]

• “I can’t think of any better journey than taking an owner and helping them move from growing into a place of freedom into a place of an empire.” — Scott [16:34]

• “Retention is all about relationships and results.” — Scott [18:16]

• “As we look at this retention model, we have to look at it as a relationship and results with the child and relationship and results with the parents, and it’s got to be an equal focus there.” — Scott [19:00]

• “My first challenge to anybody and everybody considering identifying who their avatar is is to come from a place of abundance.” — Scott [42:47]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Pachamama Alliance

OnlineJobs.Ph

The story this week starts with pizza, so you know it’s going to be a good one! Kris welcomes Rick and Nancy Kodama from Kid’s World Learning Center. Rick and Nancy are a husband-and-wife team based near Houston, Texas. They share some great tips on having a business together as a married couple for over three decades. They chat with Kris about their journey from owning Domino’s Pizza franchises to transitioning into early childhood education and give perspective on how having four sons affected their overall managing style and work-life balance. They also talk about how joining the Childcare Success Academy impacted Nancy’s leadership growth and confidence in running their school.

Key Takeaways:

[3:42] Kris set herself a goal of visiting all seven continents and speaks a bit about her Amazonian adventures.

[6:35] Rick and Nancy join from Texas.

[8:00] Kid’s World started in 2012 and now has a capacity of 262. They have nine classrooms.

[9:12] Rick and Nancy share more about their four sons and family background.

[15:03] How they went from a Domino’s Pizza franchise to Kid’s World, and lessons learned along the way.

[20:01] Remembering that you’re in a relationship business, and true connections matter.

[23:09] Fun fact! Talk about a large family — Rick has over 150 relatives in California.

[25:38] Leading without micromanaging.

[26:37] What The Child Care Success Academy has taught them about leadership.

[32:14] Communication, respect, and overcoming challenges as partners.

[44:18] The “other” Nancy at Domino’s that inspired our Nancy.

[46:18] What’s next for this husband-and-wife duo?

Quotes:

• “Our vision for our school is to serve more children in our community.” — Nancy [8:32]

• “With five locations, it was just not enough to sustain a supervisor. So it's either grow, or go.” — Nancy [16:06]

• “When people ask me how I spend 12 hours at the childcare, I say that’s nothing. Working 6‒6:30 pm is nothing.” — Nancy [19:32]

• “It’s not a transactional business. It’s a transformation business.” — Kris [20:36]

• “We’re not just watching your babies here, we’re teaching them. When I say we’re teaching curriculum, and all the things that I’m saying that we’re going to deliver, I make sure that my staff is going to do that. That’s what is important to me.” — Nancy [48:02]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Kid’s World Learning Center

Kris welcomes Shannon Vasquez, Executive Director of PB Schools. Shannon started as a floater in 2004 and has since grown the organization to 8 locations. In their chat, Shannon shares her journey from floater to leader and her goals for the upcoming year. She discusses how the Academy's training and coaching have helped her build confidence in her leadership abilities and implement strategic planning practices. She and Kris chat about growing collaborative teams and the importance of courageous leadership when facing challenges. Plus, Shannon shares some fun facts including one of her favorite ways to destress - watching true crime!

Key Takeaways:

[7:37] Shannon talks about PB Preschool and celebrates her 20th work anniversary. 

[8:26] Shannon started as a floater. 

[9:47] Shannon’s favorite age to work with. 

[10:08] What a typical week looks like for Shannon. 

[12:27] Why starting from scratch can be a good thing. 

[13:29] Challenges in hiring and retaining staff. 

[13:33] Growth is happening, but there's still a long way to go in aligning company practices across two counties.

[13:57] Shannon’s goals for 2024. 

[14:55] An update on enrollment. 

[15:50] The 8 schools combined hold a capacity of 878. 

[16:37] Fun fact: Shannon is a crime fan! 

[18:16] Shannon discusses the expansion. 

[21:28] How the business changed and morphed over the last eight years.

[23:41] Feeling like a more confident leader and making friendships inside the Academy. 

[26:20] The importance of listening. 

[28:32] Winning Director of the Year. 

[31:03] How Shannon defines a childcare rockstar. 

Quotes:

• “You can’t dwell on trying to make a decision, you’ve got to just make a decision. There’s no right or wrong. There’s an outcome. And if you don’t like the outcome, then you change direction. Don’t dwell, just keep on going, keep on moving.” — Shannon [20:31]

• “Every year, we continue to grow and put more policies, more procedures into place, and hold people accountable to those policies and procedures. And we’re just constantly succeeding.“  — Shannon [22:38]

• “They want you to support them and teach them how to be self-sufficient, but also give them the confidence and know that you have the confidence in them.” — Shannon [28:10]

• “A child care rockstar is someone who puts into practice high-quality business strategies that are driven by their vision and mission. And that not only is about the children but it’s about the people that are in the day-to-day grind.” — Shannon [30:49]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

PB Schools

LinkedIn Shannon Vasquez

“Ep. 61 — Stackable Core Values, Branding, and Managing People Well with Karla McCurry” 

Kris welcomes Raj Jana, co-founder and CEO of the mental health app Liber8. Raj shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he created Liber8 to help people manage stress and mental health. He and Kris discuss their passion for entrepreneurship and using their gifts to help others. They talk about the importance of improving our world and mindfully creating a world worth living in through compassion and small acts of kindness. Raj highlights Liber8 programs, including emotional lab reports and group coaching cohorts, which help users better understand their triggers and find tailored tools for personal growth.

Use Code CHILDCARE10 to get 10% off Liber8

Key Takeaways:

[6:18] Raj talks about Liber8 and his journey in entrepreneurship.

[8:30] How Raj finally got off the hamster wheel of healing to shift into real and inspired action.

[9:33] The start of Liber8.

[15:08] What Raj loves most about entrepreneurship.

[18:47] The impact that The 4-Hour Work Week had on Raj and Kris.

[21:16] Breakups can be emotional, but can also be a great time to rediscover yourself and peel back new, exciting layers.

[22:36] How Liber8 can help with burnout.

[28:05] What can someone expect when doing a session with Liber8?

[28:56] How we can “be the ripple.”

[36:05] The people who had an impact on Raj along his entrepreneurial journey.

Quotes:

• “What I love most about being an entrepreneur today is that I get to use my gifts, talents, and my brilliance to help people.” [15:57]

• “I don’t know of a more growth-fueled journey than the journey of entrepreneurship.” [16:40]

• “I do feel like entrepreneurship is my art.” [17:07]

• “If we can help the little humans be better learners and more emotionally resilient, then we can help the world because as the little humans get big, it’s just going to ripple out.” — Kris [29:30]

• “I think just about the most impactful thing we can do is to wake up to the fullness of ourselves, learn to love ourselves, and be that light from the inside out. And then just be that ripple in the world.” [31:10]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Raj Jana

Liber8

Maverick Next

It’s all about the best and brightest in software automation for schools this week, as Kris welcomes Daniel Andrews and Sasha Reiss, co-founders of Playground, an innovative childcare management software company. They first share Playground’s unique story of being friends since high school and creating a solution for their own families’ childcare centers. Daniel and Sasha highlight Playground’s differentiating features, such as drop-in care management and integrated payroll modules, and they share insights into hiring practices and their vision for AI in childcare. At the end of the episode, Daniel and Sasha share lessons they’ve learned on scaling their own company and fun yet powerful ways to maintain a happy company culture.

Register for our ECE tech webinar with Playground here: https://www.childcaresuccess.com/how-to-navigate-the-evolving-tech-landscape-for-enhanced-operational-efficiency-in-your-ece-business-may-2-2024-webinar/

Key Takeaways:

[3:15] Kris announces the two-day virtual challenge, The Road to Freedom.

[6:31] Playground’s founding story.

[8:38] How does Playground’s mission and technology stand out in a crowded space?

[11:37] Perspective on ECE’s past of being a slower adopter of technology, and how that’s changing.

[12:53] The “grandma test.”

[15:38] The lessons Sasha and Daniel have learned about scaling and growing a business.

[17:09] Some of the tools and technology Playground uses.

[20:09] The grounding and stabilizing force of working with family.

[22:44] Personal and professional inspiration.

[25:29] What they look for in new hires.

[26:36] Playground’s short but effective interview process.

[31:29] What’s next for the Playground team?

[33:13] Using AI to improve family interactions, especially with communication, engagement, and lesson plans.

Quotes:

• “I think our differentiated approach is the new technology that we’re bringing. A lot of that comes down to really solving the problems that we are building software for.” — Daniel [8:39]

• “If we want to be able to compete and if we want to be able to operate at the same level, we need to adopt the same tools that they’re using.” — Sasha [14:10]

• “A lot of the big problems that we faced have become significantly smaller by putting phenomenal people in front of those problems. If you find someone great, you can just trust that they’ll get the job done and that you don’t need to be managing the day-to-day.” — Daniel [16:54]

• “Working with family and then also building for family really grounds you on what the work you’re doing, who’s impacting, and why it’s actually getting done.” — Daniel [20:09]

• “It’s ultimately the three of us against the problem. It’s not us against each other. So realizing and recognizing what it is that we’re working for, and why we’re doing it ultimately helps us get into the right direction.” — Sasha [21:25]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Playground

Linear

Webinar: Emerging Technologies Revolutionizing the Childcare Industry

Kris welcomes the very inspirational Kishani Woldberhan of Kids Early Learning Centers, now operating four locations in Texas with plans for expansion into Ethiopia. Kishani talks about bringing Montessori-inspired education to underserved communities, and her vision for building two new schools in Ethiopia with a combined capacity of over 3,000 students. She offers valuable advice on setting clear goals, implementing strong systems and accountability, and using technology like Slack and QR codes to effectively lead a growing business. She and Kris also talk about embracing the difficult things and realizing the sky's the limit when it comes to realizing your vision.

Key Takeaways: 

[7:12] Kishani joins the show from Arlington, Texas, and talks more about Kids Early Learning Centers.

[7:39] Kishani talks about the four locations currently running and the plan to expand to Ethiopia.

[10:11] Fun Facts: Kishani came to the United States on a VISA as a Montessori teacher from Sri Lanka. She is now a mother of five and a grandma!

[13:30] Buying a center during the pandemic but opening it in 2021.

[14:50] What sets KIDS Early Learning Centers apart in the market.

[17:54] Working with Grow Your Center.

[20:16] How they made their vision become a reality and why they are bringing the brand to Ethiopia.

[22:35] The school will be from toddlers to high school.

[26:33] Advice for others wanting to open up a school internationally.

[29:02] The sky's the limit when you put in the hard work and act with purpose and strategy.

[31:07] Keep the end in mind and work backward when working towards your goals.

[32:03] Giving your staff the tools they need to succeed.

[35:14] How Kishani communicates with her leadership team.

[41:50] How being a member of the Academy has helped Kishani and the importance of finding mentors.

[43:06] Keep your eyes peeled for Kishani’s program for a childcare management system, which will come out in June.

[43:25] Fun Fact: Kishani is a party planner and decorator at heart.

Quotes:

• “We have dedicated teachers who love children and love to teach them.” — Kishani [14:50]

• “This is a partnership. It’s not just you dropping off your child, we babysit with your child.” — Kishani [15:30]

• “The sky's the limit as long as you know what you want and you go for it.” — Kishani [22:18]

• “Keep the end in mind and work backward.” — Kishani [31:07]

• “Nothing is going to come easy. It’s going to be difficult. If it was easy, everyone would do it.” — Kishani [31:44]

• “I worked so hard on getting systems and processes in place.” — Kishani [32:59]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Kids Early Learning Centers

Aloha! In this solo episode, Kris shares more about her month in Hawaii — why she decided to head to island life, the logistics behind her adventures, and how you can use her story as inspiration to make space in your life. She goes deeper into detail about the important strategic implementation steps that allowed her to live her best life and take time to relax, breathe in the salty ocean air, and be led by intuition. Kris talks about the importance of joining a Mastermind group that fits your personal and professional goals, more about ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), and how to travel solo like a pro.

Key Takeaways:

[4:12] Kris walks us through a grounding exercise to bring presence and mindfulness into the conversation.

[6:52] Kris shares her experience of the major change from moving to Crested Butte, Colorado after living in Chicago.

[8:55] Why Hawaii is so special to Kris and how visiting the islands has changed her life.

[10:31] Intentionally creating space in her life.

[11:18] Embracing the flow state and being led by intuition.

[20:07] Some of the adventures Kris has enjoyed in Hawaii, including whale watching, snorkeling, and meeting new people.

[22:17] Being confident while solo traveling.

[25:37] Kris walks us through the intentions behind crafting her exit from the business.

[28:10] The importance of finding a Mastermind group.

[29:00] The pros and upsides of an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).

[35:34] Kris talks about finding the new CEO and sharing the ESOP plan with the leadership team, along with why ESOP’s can be positive for employee retention.

[45:31] Kris’s upcoming trips, including Ecuador and Burning Man!

Quotes:

• “I am becoming every day, a better, higher, and deeper version of myself.” — Kris [6:25]

• “I've created this new life for myself and I have intentionally created more space in my life. — Kris [10:31]

• “You need to find a group of peers and people that are walking your walk, who are successful, and who you can be coached up with and model their success for whatever that looks like for you.” — Kris [26:35]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Maverick1000 Mastermind Group

Kris welcomes the awesome Kim Harris, affectionately known as "Big Ups," from The Harris & Tucker School in Connecticut. Kim talks about getting her structures “right and tight” and how she stays on the pulse of good leadership. She talks more about the rich legacy of The Harris & Tucker School, and their mission to create superhero influencers and a culture that connects the whole community. She expounds more on Harris & Tucker’s values of respect, integrity, and faith-based education and how she has accomplished so many goals over the years, one of which was getting accredited.

Key Takeaways:

[10:55] Kim joins the show and talks about Harris & Tucker schools, along with how it is a product of the civil unrest in the 60s.

[12:00] Harris & Tucker becoming an urban epicenter and growth community.

[15:23] Harris & Tucker is the only Black-woman, family-owned-and-operated, nationally accredited faith-based urban center in the area.

[16:56] Kim speaks more about Harris & Tucker’s leadership structure.

[20:56] The two big things that really set Harris & Tucker apart.

[22:03] Creating superhero influencers.

[24:28] Where did the phrase “big ups” come from?

[25:04] Kim discusses taking on her new role after her mother’s passing and her vision for growth, including national accreditation.

[27:03] The beauty of longevity in the community, along with values such as community connection and ongoing education.

[28:02] Why the pandemic was the best thing that happened to the school.

[33:26] The benefits they have seen since joining the Childcare Success Academy.

[36:11] Automating operations and systems.

[38:24] Plans for the cultural activities center.

[41:27] The famous soap story!

[44:13] Kim defines a childcare rockstar as someone who has helped to create a movement through transforming their community.

Quotes:

• “This is because of the mindset of two black women who came to Connecticut, and said that they were going to make a difference and do the things that they were going to do.” — Kim [12:22]

• “We walk our core values. We talk about it all the time.” — Kim [20:33]

• “We can talk about all the dreams and everything that we want to have in life, but if we don’t do the action part, it doesn't happen.” — Kim [22:30]

• “That's what we teach our kids here with the school — you have a chance to create your hustle, create your legacy, and to keep it going.” — Kim [44:14]

• “To be a childcare rockstar is a movement that just moves us all forward. I think when you arrive at the status of childcare Rockstar, you've helped to create a movement. ” — Kim [45:38]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Go Fund Me 

Harris & Tucker

In this episode, Kris welcomes John and Tracy LaBreche from Ardent Preschool and Daycare, with seven locations in Alabama. John and Tracy share their journey into developing Ardent’s value system and building a strong and happy team. They talk about their desire to not burn their team out during the pandemic and facing staffing shortages and enrollment declines, and they discuss how they turned things around while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for employees. John and Tracy share some great insight into rewarding good attendance, their commitment to data-driven decision-making, and a few of their favorite benefits from joining the Academy.

Key Takeaways:

[5:20] Ardent currently has seven locations, and close to 1600 students enrolled with a waitlist of just over 500. They also have 300 employees.

[6:42] John and Tracy talk about how they got started in child care and how Ardent came to be.

[10:15] In addition to their busy work life, John and Tracy have a large family with six kids.

[12:23] Fun fact: if you are looking for a great tequila, ask John! As for Tracy, she will be reading a few of her favorite books including Traction, What The Heck is EOS, and The Alter Ego.

[16:40] Tracy and John’s commitment to making sure the people, teachers, and admin are enthusiastic and passionate about Ardent’s mission.

[17:46] Exceeding the expectations of parents.

[18:10] Ardent is also a Christian company, so they include Christian-related Bible studies and curriculum.

[25:42] Overcoming challenges over the pandemic by learning to push enrollment, stay focused, and not be complacent.

[30:42] Now they are at 91% enrollment, which was their goal.

[30:56] Coming off the Summit, John and Tracy rescaled, brought on one of their existing staff to be a full-scale enrollment specialist, and hired an internal recruiter to help with bringing teachers on board.

[31:17] The importance of having a fast response to applicants and tracking all data.

[36:44] How Ardent maintains good retention and a happy culture.

[37:02] Breaking down Ardent to Ability, Respect, Dependability, Engaging, Nurturing, and Team Player.

[47:46] The ROI of academy membership.

[46:22] Culture is the glue that will hold you together in the face of challenges.

Quotes:

• “With our purpose of committing to excellence in all areas, we can deliver a childhood experience that is worth the investment of our parents.” — Tracy [17:11]

• “When we get testimonials or reviews from our parents, one thing that just always is a recurring thing is that we’ve exceeded their expectations.” — Tracy [17:46]

• “We always focus on people, process, and service. I have the right people doing things the right away to have excellent service. You can’t have one without the other.” — John [19:00]

• “You meet people where they are, and you leave them where they need to go.” — Tracy [25:20]

• “A healthy culture is where reality meets the road and the value system becomes a reality.” — Tracy [46:06]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Grafton Milne LinkedIn

Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes. 

Move Your Bus 

In this episode, Kris welcomes Marissa and Sunflower from Little Luminaries, two talented women partnering together to bring art, beauty, and mindset tools to empower children globally. They discuss how Little Luminaries aims to support children through self-celebration and resources for challenging conversations using their thoughtfully designed toys, decks, and other mindfulness creations. Marissa and Sunflower discuss their individual journeys and partnership in developing toys, curricula, and other products to support children's mental wellness. They also explore how to apply non-violent communication practices in business relationships and classrooms. Additionally, they talk about how they maintain alignment as business partners living on different coasts through clear communication, sharing their passion for creating resources to positively impact children and the future.

Key Takeaways:

[6:27] Marissa and Sunflower talk about creating Little Luminaries.

[7:18] Their shared passion for mental health.

[11:41] The process of getting the artwork and artistic components just right.

[12:05] How the animal affirmation cards work.

[13:00] Marissa is a new mom of two and a teacher and Sunflower is a mental health and mindfulness coach in North Carolina.

[17:30] How Little Luminaries helps children with their own self-image and supports them in learning more about sustainability and how we can live in harmony with our environment.

[21:16] Fun fact: when Marissa and Sunflower aren’t dreaming up new business ideas, you may catch them lip-syncing on The Toy Boat.

[22:15] Kris picks The Rooster!

[24:38] Other products in the Little Luminaries line include decals, posters, and a mythical creature mystery pack.

[30:00] How Little Luminary helps cultivate self-love and the ways it ripples out to take care of our communities and planet.

[32:09] What is “nonviolent communication”?

[44:11] Marissa and Sunflower have learned to be rocks for each other, so they can navigate challenges and grow together.

Quotes:

“We both found that whenever we’re giving kids tools to celebrate who they are, instead of changing the parts that don’t fit in the box, we’re just seeing so much more pride and authentic celebration in themselves.” — Marissa [11:32]

“I think what inspired me to really step into mindfulness coaching is going on a deep dive myself and collecting all the tools, then starting to watch transformations happen in who I was and how I felt about myself and the world, in general.” — Sunflower [14:08]

“Our brains are like popcorn when we get together, just all these fun ideas.” — Marisa [24:31]

“I think that when we can cultivate self-love, we have so much more capacity to love our communities, to love our planet.” — Sunflower [30:00]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Grafton Milne LinkedIn

Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes. 

Little Luminaries — use code “rockstar” for 25% off 

@littleluminaries

In this episode, Kris welcomes Grafton Milne and shares a glimpse into his distinctive expertise in childcare real estate. Grafton gives practical insights on understanding your market through straightforward approaches, emphasizing clarity and actionable insights. He talks more about his latest book, Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes, highlighting key practices such as measuring due diligence, nuanced market understanding, strategic planning, and the latest trends in real estate. Grafton also sheds light on some of his favorite go-to tools tailored to enhance your understanding of the market dynamics, in an industry where one neighborhood could make a world of difference.

Key Takeaways:

[6:30] How Grafton fell into the niche of early childhood by happenstance.

[7:29] Grafton’s degree was in marketing and advertising with a minor in business.

[8:15] Grafton has a busy home life with four energetic young kids, who keep him and his wife very busy.

[8:51] Fun fact: Grafton visited Scotland and Ireland and fell in love with the countries, so don’t be surprised if you ever see him learning the bagpipes!

[9:26] The process of and inspiration behind Grafton’s new book, Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes.

[11:08] What does it mean to make sure you are getting the appropriate amount of due diligence?

[12:17] How can you measure due diligence?

[15:14] Tips for strategic planning and the cost-of-care model.

[17:14] Examples of how real estate can positively or negatively impact a childcare center’s success.

[19:21] How Grafton’s experience in commercial real estate in the early childhood niche sets him apart.

[25:20] What Grafton would tell his 20-year-old self.

[29:32] What we can expect from Grafton and his team in 2024?

[30:06] Where are the hot markets now?

Quotes:

“Different streets and different neighborhoods can make or break your business.” — Kris [3:05]

“The takeaway is, you’ve got to do some due diligence to make sure that you’re making an educated and informed decision.” — Grafton [12:29]

“You can’t overcompensate the importance of just taking care of your mental health and surrounding yourself with good people and good influences.” — Grafton [25:53]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

Grafton Milne LinkedIn

Childcare Center Success: How to Maximize Profits and Minimize Mistakes. 

How Will You Measure Your Life?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Limitless

Buxton Reports

Kris is joined by the incredible Barb Tedrow, a Child Care Rockstar finalist at the Child Care Success Summit and proud owner of A Gold Star Academy. Barb takes center stage as she shares her remarkable journey and unveils the secrets behind her extraordinary success that propelled her business from $3 million to an astounding $6 million in revenue in just one year.

Hailing from the scenic landscapes of Farmington, New Mexico, Barb breaks down her formula for success, touching on key marketing activities, growth strategies, leadership insights, and the mindset that fueled her remarkable achievement. Barb talks about the unique features that set her schools apart, including a gardening program for children and a farm-to-table initiative that she integrated into classrooms. Barb also shares how life has changed after joining the Academy and how she implements the resources in a consistent manner with her staff as well.

Key Takeaways:

[6:25] Barb joins the show from Farmington, New Mexico.

[8:02] What led Barb to buy the center, and how they have grown, starting as a little center with 60 kids.

[11:24] Where did the name Gold Star Academy come from?

[13:01] Breaking news, hot off the press: Barb is opening up a 5th center!

[14:25] Barb and her husband are currently empty nesters now.

[16:37] Unique selling points that set her school and staff apart, including accreditation and establishing an award-winning garden program.

[22:37] Farmington’s community spirit and generosity.

[24:39] How she and her husband learned to outsource non-core tasks such as social media to focus on their strengths and save time and energy.

[29:15] The importance of working with a team that supports your vision.

[30:04] Advice for retention and keeping your team motivated.

[33:03] Remembering to be kind and treat everyone like an equal.

[36:06] Learn to delegate and give people responsibility, and why leaders shouldn’t always fear their employees will quit.

[39:43] The amazing benefits Barb has gotten from being in the Academy.

[42:07] Barb’s plans for expanding in 2024 and beyond in the state of New Mexico, and growing her consulting company.

[44:54] Not only was Barb named Childcare Rockstar Nominee, but she was also just named the Farmington Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year. Way to go!

Quotes:

• “Farmington made me who I am, so we're gonna give back.” — Barb [21:40]

• “As a business owner, you have to pick and choose your battles and what you're good at.” — Barb [22:03]

• “Let people help you. You can’t do it yourself, and it’s okay to ask for help.” — Barb [34:34]

• “If I had to do it differently, I think I would learn sooner than later to let go of trying to do everything myself. Learning to give people the responsibility and hold them accountable.” — Barb [37:34]

• “I took a revenue from $3 million to $6 million in a year. I attribute 90% of that to just being in the academy. I mean that because of the resources that are available to me.” — Barb [40:33]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

podcast@childcaresuccess.com

A Gold Star Academy

Kris welcomes Maria Ahrens, Owner of Paper Planes Early Learning Center in Mount Sinai, NY, for an inspiring conversation on transparent and open communication and embracing the special parts of yourself in leadership. During their talk, Maria shares more about what makes Paper Planes unique and provides valuable tips for team engagement and teacher retention. She also reflects on the benefits of being part of the Academy and receiving mentorship in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] The inspiration behind Maria opening Paper Planes in September of 2020, and how opening during the pandemic affected their journey.

[3:42] Paper Planes is licensed for 100 and has a special license for continuity of care. They have a current staff of 25.

[4:44] How Maria got into the world of ECE.

[5:29] Maria grew up in a ski resort in New York and worked in childcare centers there.

[8:48] The transition of leaving Denver and going back to New York.

[11:01] Fun Fact: Maria is a doula and certified birth educator.

[12:35] One of the selling points of Maria’s business is her ability to connect with people and provide an open and transparent environment.

[14:03] A few more of Paper Planes’ selling points are the play-based model, transparency in all departments, and training the staff to have hard conversations.

[20:55] How Kris got into a good flow doing Facebook Live recordings.

[22:24] The importance of making the teachers feel important and learning how to communicate in a way that helps others grow.

[29:11] How the academy helps Maria stay on track with having systems in place.

[31:27] Taking away the anxiety that comes with being understaffed.

[34:44] How Maria overcame staffing challenges in 2022.

[40:40] How Maria utilized Grow Your Center and the ways it freed up her time.

[42:39] How Child Care Success and coaching have impacted Maria’s mindset and helped her with productivity, while spending time with her family.

[45:20] What is next for Maria in 2024, both personally and professionally?

[50:10] A reminder that you don’t have to stay stuck and it’s okay to invest in yourself.

[52:19] You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a lot of impact.

Quotes:

• “It chose me. I have loved babies in particular, since I was really, really young.” — Maria [5:00]

• “One thing that I’ve really loved about opening from scratch has been that I do see a difference in the culture because I built it this way.” — Maria [13:45]

• “My passion was babies and making moms feel comfortable, that was really my thing.” — Maria [14:32]

• “When kids feel loved and safe, they do better.” — Maria [14:36]

• “Part of what makes us who we are is that the parents have really strong relationships with the staff.” — Maria [16:25]

• “If you go in there with no expectation of the outcome and just saying whatever you’re saying with love and respect, the outcome is almost always going to be better than it would be if you were saying it as if you’re already wrong.” — Maria [27:02]

• “You don’t have to stay stuck.” — Maria [50:05]

• “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make a lot of impact.” — Kris [52:18]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Paper Planes Early Learning Center

Paper Planes on Facebook

It’s all about financial success this week as Kris welcomes Jessica Ferguson from Live Oak Bank, the nation’s largest SBA lender. Jessica talks about Live Oak’s commitment to helping small business owners and how they have grown from starting with veterinarians and dentists to 35 different industries, including ECE. Jessica shares some best practices in the world of lending and borrowing and gives some great tips to get your business financially prepared for the next level. She discusses the different lending options that Live Oak offers, and what they look for when taking on new clients.

Key Takeaways:

[9:44] Jessica talks about Live Oak’s unique business model and how they have grown from conception.

[10:47] Live Oak’s 35 different verticals, and why they were once dubbed the “doggie bank”!

[12:52] Fun fact: Jessica lived abroad both in Spain and Argentina, and made lifelong friends that she still keeps in touch with today.

[13:41] Some trends Jessica is seeing regarding early education and early childhood businesses.

[14:50] The types of loan programs Live Oak offers.

[17:38] Advantages and disadvantages of both conventional and SBA lending options for school owners.

[22:29] What are the rates looking like now?

[26:00] How Live Oak approaches and analyzes deals.

[29:57] The benefits of working with a bank that knows the industry more than just a general lender.

[32;46] How do they work with other borrowers?

[34:27] Best practices for schools seeking financing.

[38:38] Fingers crossed for interest rates coming (and staying) down in 2024.

Quotes:

• “It came down to this model of let’s find industries that have performed well through recessions that have good repayment history and who maybe don’t have the most robust personal financial statements.” — Jessica [14:40]

• “They are just really good borrowers that fit with SBA programs.” — Jessica [14:43]

• “I think it is a ripe time for acquisition opportunities.” — Jessica [15:01]

• “That’s also the nice thing about working with a bank that really knows the industry. We know what to look for, and what makes sense.” — Jessica [29:47]

• “Knowing what each person’s priorities are helps us work with that borrower to make sure that we’re putting them in the right product.” — Jessica [31:57]

• “Being disciplined about tuition increases is really important.” — Jessica [34:52]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Live Oak 

Kris recaps the incredible Child Care Success Summit and sets her sights on next year’s event in Chicago. She then welcomes the amazing Michael Ingram of Bedford Heights Daycare, founded by his mom five decades ago. Michael discusses the impact that he and his mom have had on thousands of families in and around Cleveland, his drive to serve and give back to his community, and the things that set his program apart. Michael talks about the power of manifestation and mentorship, the beauty of stillness, and how he grew the confidence to take his business to the next level with the support of the Academy as a foundational piece. Michael is delighted that one summer job turned into a 22-year profession, and in this interview, you will learn why.

Key Takeaways:

[8:35] Michael joins the show from Ohio and discusses more about Bedford Heights Daycare Center, or BHDC. They are going into their 50th year and have 125 students, ranging from 18 months through 13 years old.

[11:13] One summer for Michael turned into 22 years. He talks about how his mom’s legacy in the school shaped his experience, and that she now still does what she loves while making a giant impact.

[12:06] The turning point for Michael was when he started to look at it as a business and see how he helped his community.

[14:31] Fun Fact: Michael is a yoga teacher and has traveled to India on an Ayurvedic retreat.

[19:49] Michael manifested finding a therapy partner and providing additional support to children including ABA therapy, speech, OT, and social-emotional health services.

[24:53] The component of multiple funding and how it affects your ability to grow your impact.

[26:59] The importance of mentorship.

[31:11] Getting rid of the monkey mind and how many great ideas come when we are still.

[34:14] Michael’s advice for those who are struggling in their business and how the Academy can help.

[41:17] Michael shares a beautiful Sanskrit Mantra.

Quotes:

• “My mom was an original girl boss when it maybe wasn’t as cool to be a girl boss.” — Michael [9:35]

• “It’s seeing the direct impacts that we could have on the community and how knowing our numbers and knowing how to fill the seats would not only make a beautiful life for us but also support all of the employees that we have in our building and support our families. So, that was probably the turning point in my journey in the childcare space.” — Michael [12:35]

• “I came in just thinking it was going to be a layover on a journey elsewhere. It’s afforded me an amazing life and has allowed me to give back to the community.” — Michael [13:19]

• “I just think that when you give back, things come back twofold.” — Michael [13:48]

• “It’s knowing that I don’t have to do everything and that I can hand things off and empower others to make those amazing things happen.” — Michael [27:14]

• “If you’re on that hot mess express and you’re not sure if you should join the Academy, you need to run and find the nearest coach. It will not only grow you as a person, but it will allow your business to just bloom.” — Michael [36:30]

• “The biggest strength of the academy is the positivity. We’re celebrating the winning culture and instead of complaining, we are celebrating.” — Kris [39:10]

• “When setting out on a journey, never seek advice from those who have never left home.” — Rumi [40:06]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Bedford Heights Daycare

In this episode, Kris welcomes the awesome Maria dos Santos, a childcare entrepreneur hailing from Florida with Venezuelan roots. Maria founded My First Academy, a thriving venture with three locations, each catering to around 100 children, and she’s not stopping there — she’s gearing up for the opening of her fourth location in December 2023. Maria’s commitment to her business and her “whatever it takes” mindset, deeply rooted in her upbringing, are evident in her approach to life and her work with her family and team.

During the conversation, Maria shares the unique benefits and value components that distinguish her school. Maria also discusses her leadership style and how she has nurtured her team while scaling her enterprise. Lastly, she shares the influential figures in her life and her ongoing commitment to giving back to her community and supporting families, parents, and educators.

Key Takeaways:

[5:44] Kris gives up sugar!? What about Halloween?

[6:59] The beauty that comes with sticking to your commitments.

[11:23] Maria joins the show from Orlando, Florida.

[11:57] Maria talks about My First Academy and getting the key for their fourth location.

[13:19] What inspired Maria to get into the field?

[15:09] Maria’s Venezuelan roots and working with her daughter.

[18:05] Fun fact: Maria is a personal trainer and has traveled all over the world because of her father’s career as a Navy Seal.

[19:09] What sets My First Academy apart?

[28:19] Lessons from scaling and expanding.

[31:21] What technology does Maria find useful?

[34:35] What GYC services is Maria using?

[37:01] Maria talks about what we can expect from her in 2024 and beyond.

Quotes:

• “I feel like if we start with one child at a time, I can make a difference.” — Maria [13:19]

• “The key has been always to learn to grow and to seek help.” — Maria [29:54]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

My First Academy

This week, it’s all about making a positive impact on kids and their families, as Kris sits down with Matt Arnerich, the Director of Brand & Comms at Famly, a global software company supporting over 5,000 schools and centers across 18 different countries. In this interesting episode, Matt takes us on a journey through his personal journey into the childcare industry. He also discusses the power of parent engagement as a catalyst for the growth of early childhood businesses, shedding light on strategies for boosting enrollment through the magic of word-of-mouth and referrals from fellow parents.

Matt also unveils how Famly leverages the potential of AI to create connections between children, parents, and childcare leaders. He gives us a glimpse into the future, where Famly's software is set to extend its reach and touch the lives of even more communities on a global scale.

Key Takeaways:

[9:25] What is Famly and what does it do?

[13:03] How did Matt’s journey start?

[14:25] Kris talks about being featured in Famly’s blog, and Matt shares how his background in copywriting helps him in his role at Famly today.

[18:22] How Famly brings people in different countries together, yet also helps on a state-by-state basis.

[20:56] Fun Fact: Matt plays cricket and even has a loose tooth to prove it!

[23:09] How parent engagement can really make a difference for the business, and how Famly helps with parent engagement.

[28:00] Communication with parents during the two busiest times in every center and every parent’s day: drop off and pickup.

[31:08] The importance of emotional intelligence in children’s learning and how Famly can facilitate two-way communication between parents and teachers.

[33:18] Famly can provide live translation in multiple languages, making it more accessible to parents who speak English as an additional language.

[37:24] Matt’s advice for best practices of using Famly in and out of the classroom.

[40:04] How Famly uses AI.

[43:08] Matt’s advice to learn to say “no” a lot more.

Quotes:

• “There’s one reason why parent engagement matters, and it matters because of the children.” — Matt [24:40]

• “If you’re not being consistent in your approach with that child at home and the center, then you’re not going to give that child the best chance to flourish.” — Matt [25:07]

• “The business of early learning does cross all the borders of the countries. This is a global experience that we’re having, but at the same time, there are definitely nuances and differences between the countries and across the state.’ — Kris [27:33]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Famly — use code rockstar for 15% off

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth About Extraordinary Results, by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

It’s an information-packed episode this week as Kris welcomes Nathan Kelly, an industry veteran and trusted figure from Founders Advisors. As the Director of the Consumer Practice at Founders, Nathan is responsible for business development, market process management, and coordinating the analyst team. In the conversation, Nathan talks with Kris about tips for business exits, expansion strategies, wealth building, key considerations for business owners, and the optimal timing for exiting your business. Plus, Nathan gives a sneak peek about an awesome new assessment tool that he will unveil when he takes the stage as one of the mainstage speakers at the upcoming Child Care Success Summit in Orlando!

Key Takeaways:

[7:42] Some fun in store for the Summit, so make sure you join the waitlist.

[11:57] More about Founders Advisors and the type of clients they serve.

[13:03] More about Nathan’s personal life and being a busy dad of three.

[14:34] Fun fact: Kris once competed in a mini ladies’ triathlon!

[15:21] Nathan’s fun fact is that he once hiked 70 miles through the wilderness while in the Boy Scouts.

[16:09] Tips for founders preparing for exit, and how long does the process usually take?

[18:11] What are the most common pitfalls of people who want to exit?

[21:49] The importance of measuring your KPIs.

[23:10] What are some strategies that founders can develop in the three-year period while they get ready to exit?

[25:35] The importance of market timing and personal timing.

[28:29] How inflation has changed things and how leaders can make their pricing strategy reflect the current state of the market.

[30:38] The two models in the childcare world: value-based and premium.

[37:54] More about the assessment tool Nathan has created that will provide a quick and easy way to evaluate a business’s financial health and prepare for exit.

Quotes:

• “The reason that you hire an investment banker or someone like us is to create leverage when it is time to exit or when it’s time to take on growth capital.” — Nathan [16:53]

• “You generally have a lot more leverage over the buyers when you’re running a competitive process than you do when you try to do it on your own.” — Nathan [17:25]

• “People are seeing now that childcare is becoming more and more hard to find. The good quality businesses are out there fetching higher prices than in prior markets.” — Nathan [24:25]

• “It’s all about the team. If you invest in your team, your team will invest in you.” — Nathan [31:40]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Founders Advisors

Nathan Kelly on LinkedIn

It’s a crucial episode this week as Kris and guest Allyx Schiavone address head-on the challenges we face and the steps we must take to address the biggest issues in childcare. Allyx brings a wealth of expertise as the Executive Director of the Friends Center for Children, boasting a remarkable 30-year career solely dedicated to early learning. Allyx also chairs the Childcare for Connecticut’s Future Coalition, passionately advocating for change while managing her own center day in and day out. Kris and Allyx talk about how to make change, why we still struggle with the same issues year after year, and some incredibly creative ideas for affordable housing solutions. Allyx shares her passion to work with real childhood rockstars, and let them know how valuable they are, even when society may not reflect it back.

Key Takeaways:

[2:32] The average family who is in childcare with one or more children is spending 27% of their household income on childcare.

[8:42] Allyx discusses the mission and values of the Friends Center for Children.

[9:14] Because of their clear values and purpose, it makes the dynamic less transactional and more relationship-based.

[10:45] They currently serve 122 children across two sites and are in a growth phase. By 2027, they will be serving about 275 children by opening up two other sites.

[13:40] The challenges in access and affordability are systemic, so therefore, it requires a systemic solution.

[14:05] It does feel like fighting at the coalition level because we are fighting for disruption against what is currently being done.

[14:23] The focus of the coalition and their broad approach to creating healthy systems.

[15:46] The top pillars of where change needs to be affected.

[22:39] Using Vermont as a model of what it can look like when the business industry invests in our system.

[25:00] Why do we continue to have the same issues?

[30:02] Kris talks about her advocacy group, Child Care Champions.

[34:02] What can owners, directors, and parents do to work together to be part of a solution and make a difference?

[35:13] Planning group events and writing op-eds can help educate the public on what needs to be done to disrupt the system.

[36:43] How can we move forward in our industry with a labor shortage and burnout epidemic that leaves us more than 80K providers short?

[40:08] Allyx talks about the partnership with housing advocates and donors who invested in homes for teachers to live for free, which then opened up more money for all teachers to get a bigger raise.

[41:08] How do they determine which teachers get the home?

[47:05] Allyx talks about breaking the patterns from her own challenging childhood and how much of a blessing being a parent has been in her life.

[49:08] To Allyx, the real rock stars are the women who show up, fight, and give their all even when society tells them that they aren’t enough.

[50:56] The Emotional Wellbeing Program is where there is an advocate who thinks directly about the well-being of children, families, teachers, and staff. Not only is this created for culture, but for productivity as well.

Quotes:

• “27 to 7 guys is where we’d like to take it if we were going to have any help in providing childcare to everybody that needs it in this country and to continue to support the dual income and the workforce of men and women in this country.” — Kris [5:02]

• “We are fighting for disruption, and we must be part of the disruption to get the forces and the people that are at the table making the laws in this country and the decision makers to actually stand up and pay attention to us.” — Kris [6:32]

• “I get to be in partnership with amazing professionals and families and, of course, these amazing, eager, joyful, honest, and developing humans. What could be better?” — Allyx [8:32]

• “The fact that women are productive members in our economy and workforce, and the fact that we cannot adjust to that has to be about our socially ingrained belief.” — Allyx [10:08]

• “There’s a real access and affordability crisis in early education, and these challenges that are systemic require a systemic solution.” — Allyx [13:40]

• “We are really fighting at the coalition level, and I use that word fighting, because it feels like that a lot of the time. We are fighting for disruption in what is currently being done.” — Allyx [14:06]

• “That’s why the coalition is so critical because we cannot continue to carry the weight ourselves. We have been participating in our own rescue for hundreds of years, both as women and the industry.” — Allyx [29:08]

• “I look at the women that I work with and the amount of shame that we heap on them by putting them in positions where they can’t care for their own family, but they are caring for everyone else’s. To me, they are the rockstars and the heroes because they show up for those other children, even when society is saying to them that they aren’t enough.” — Allyx [49:08]

• “If you can get people to be their best selves, you are going to have better engagement from everyone involved, and that’s really the goal.” — Allyx [51:22]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Friends Center for Children 

Child Care for Connecticut’s Future 

First Five Years Fund

Join Kris in an enlightening conversation this week with Dr. Donna Housman, a prominent figure in child emotional development. Dr. Donna discusses the vital role of emotional regulation for both children and educators in bolstering mental health and effective learning. Dr. Donna talks about her work in aiding emotionally challenged youth to integrate neuroscience into the innovative Housman Institute lab school. She talks about her intention behind getting the children's books aligned with curriculum and expert tips for emotional regulation, such as deep breathing. Kris and Donna address the current mental health landscape and the need for all of us to learn to identify and accept our big emotions, at any age.

Key Takeaways:

[2:20] Dr. Donna talks about starting as a psychologist working with children and adolescents struggling with issues around depression, anxiety, and trauma. She talks about the common threads she saw between them in managing and dealing with big emotions.

[3:10] Dr. Donna started her child development center in the ’80s, with emotional development at the core of the entire center.

[3:56] The importance of understanding that the educator is essential and foundational in helping children develop as they continue to grow and develop is critical.

[5:15] Developing the Housman Institute lab school, and tying in research in neuroscience, while addressing the needs of the children, families, and training needs of the educator.

[7:30] Why is it important for children to be exposed to emotional regulation skills and competencies?

[10:38] Dr. Donna talks about discerning between emotions and connecting our behavior to emotions.

[12:44] The four quadrants of our emotional regulations that help us identify, understand, express, and manage these big emotions.

[16:12] What are some of the resources that the Housman Institute provides for both children and educators?

[18:42] Dr. Donna talks about the children’s books they have created to align with their curriculum.

[23:02] Dr. Donna provides some great tips for emotional regulation including deep breathing to calm the nerves and accepting all your feelings and emotions, knowing that you don’t have to act on them.

[27:12] The training programs for both leaders and children.

[28:14] We are in a mental health pandemic and need to focus on helping each other and future generations.

[30:39] The “Make Peace Table” is a way to unite emotion and cognition.

[32:55] What is in the future for Dr. Donna and her team in 2024 and beyond?

Quotes:

• “It’s far better to prevent than repair.” — Dr. Donna [3:10]

• “Emotions, as we know, are so central in everything that we do.” — Dr. Donna [5:44] 

• “There’s a direct connection between emotions and learning, and when feelings aren’t managed, it can really impair our thinking, problem-solving, grasping new concepts.” — Dr. Donna [7:51]

• “Anger is getting something we don’t want, whereas sadness is not getting something we do want.” — Dr. Donna [10:08]

• “We’re going to help you learn how to deal with these big emotions so that you can continue to engage with friends, learn, explore and discover and do all the things that you’d love to do.” — Dr. Donna [12:30]

• “All emotions are fine, it’s what we do with them that matters most.” — Dr. Donna [24:51]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Housman Institute

The Little Engine That Could

Winnie The Pooh

Kris welcomes the husband and wife team, Solomon and Michelle Logan, of Logan’s Treehouse Childcare. Based out of Louisville, Kentucky, they are going on center number three and impacting close to 450 children a day. In the episode, they talk about the beauty of embracing the right timing, learning from mistakes, and their mission to solve problems in their community and commit to a family-focused brand. They discuss the actual features in their schools that help them differentiate and be top-notch and the benefits that come from building a family-like atmosphere.

Key Takeaways:

[3:54] Kris talks about her own Mamma Mia moment coming up, and where she will be on some of her fun upcoming travels!

[9:05] Solomon and Michelle talk about their play-based and family-centered atmosphere.

[11:48] Why did one of their locations close down, and when can we expect it to be back up?

[14:46] The vision behind Logan’s Treehouse and how they made it happen, step by step.

[16:56] Their commitment to strive to make that family-like atmosphere and build strong relationships with their families.

[19:25] Solomon and Michelle talk about their personal life and the need to be structured with so much going on!

[20:51] Fun fact! Solomon is the king of the BBQ and makes a mean brisket, and Michelle originally comes from sunny Miami.

[22:35] Tips to create an environment that is more relational than transactional.

[25:14] Strategies for working together as a husband-and-wife team.

[30:10] The challenge of opening a center right when COVID-19 hit in 2020 and how they dealt with losing families and staff, and instead turned it into a positive.

[34:10] How did they find the academy and decide to take it seriously?

[38:19] What is EOS and how can it help people know who does what and to bring clarity around job responsibilities and roles?

[39:18] What is a childcare rockstar to Solomon and Michelle?

[40:26] What is next for Solomon and Michelle in 2023 and beyond?

Quotes:

• “We thrive on basing everything around our family.” — Solomon [10:44]

• “A lot of people don’t talk about timing. You can’t jump in there right away and just expect things to bloom. You know, some things take time.” — Solomon [14:03]

• “More than anything, build strong relationships with your families and their children, and you will succeed.” — Solomon [17:37]

• “Go all in; don't hold back. Meet Your coaches. It’s been a game changer for us.” — Michelle (on the Academy) [35:33]

• “I will say a childcare rockstar is somebody that leaves a positive impact on whomever they come into contact with, whether it be the kids, whether it be the teachers, whether it be your program director.” — Michelle [39:45]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal.

Logan’s Treehouse

What the Heck is EOS

Don't miss this powerful and heartfelt episode, featuring the incredible Miss Robin Harris. Driven by her passion to empower and motivate teachers within the school system, Robin shares invaluable insights on making a lasting impact on students’ lives through effective strategies that surpass standard expectations, promoting constant improvement and excellence. Robin discusses finding her energy and drive in the early childhood world, the unwavering motivation that enables her to be a guiding light to others, and details about her Level Up program, two schools, and her fun alter ego. Tune in for one of Kris’s favorite episodes!

Key Takeaways:

[5:28] Robin talks about the Future Leaders Learning Academy, right outside of Houston in Spring, Texas. They have a capacity of 68; the Harris Academic Club has a capacity of 150.

[7:03] How they got into offering homeschooling, and the benefits that students receive including a lot of personalized attention.

[9:53] How Robin’s aunt and uncle helped her realize that she could be something more and make a big difference in the world.

[12:15] Kris shares the story of Mrs. Irish, the teacher who made the biggest impact in her life.

[15:55] Empowered teachers are the number one leverage point and the most important thing in education for children to fully thrive.

[17:20] Robin has an alter ego?! OMG!

[20:00] Robin talks about her interactive workbook, Success Looks Good On You.

[21:37] Unique selling points or differentiation of Robin’s schools, and how the word of mouth and results do the promoting and selling on their own.

[25:29] Robin helps teachers bring their energy and passion back for teaching, and big things happen.

[29:32] How the open concept teaching works, and why both the future leaders and parents love it.

[32:08] What strategy does Robin employ for the youngsters?

[33:25] Robin talks about her Level Up curriculum.

[43:01] What are Robin’s plans for 2023 and beyond, including the brilliant ABCDE awards?

Quotes:

• “From the moment I walked into the classroom, I knew that was my field.” — Robin [6:22]

• “I wanted to show the world that I was different.” — Robin [11:20 ]

• “Right now, the schools are promoting me.” — Robin [8:25]

• “When you do well, by families and children, your parents will love you so much that they will sing your praises to the world.” — Robin [27:40]

• “If you produce excellence, you have the power to change a student’s life. Multiple students’ lives.” — Robin [35:32]

• “That’s the thing about a great leader, you always want to continue to grow and to develop.” — Robin [43:42]

• “When you give excellence, you will always get excellence from your students, your staff, and teachers.” — Robin

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Level Up: 1-888-700-1017

Miss O.M.G. Blast from the Past

In this episode, Kris sits down with Rob Rubicco, the entrepreneurial founder of Anna and Jack’s Treehouse, a childcare business with a unique blend of corporate experience and a family feel. Rob shares the incredible journey of he and his wife Christina, starting with Anna's Treehouse in a basement and scaling it to multiple locations. With his background in management consulting for renowned companies like Disney and Coca-Cola, Rob brings a corporate approach to customer experience in the childcare industry. Rob talks about the selling points that set Anna and Jack’s Treehouse apart, including their amazing programs, wonderful teachers, and even their homemade fresh pasta sauce. Rob emphasizes the importance of traditional values as a leader and the significance of setting clear expectations for teachers. He also shares his journey with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and how it has helped him scale his business with clarity and efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

[6:37] The daycare that started it all, called Anna’s Treehouse, that started in a basement, then Jack’s Treehouse, and how it evolved into a commercial space.

[11:01] Before getting into childcare, Rob was a management consultant, helping companies like Disney and Coca-Cola find ways to enhance their overall customer experience.

[13:53] Taking care of the children of first responders during the pandemic.

[17:19] We need less stigma around men in childcare and in leadership roles around childcare.

[18:11] Fun fact: Rob is actually a trained chef, and even studied at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and appeared on the Food Network.

[22:34] If their great programs and wonderful teachers don’t do the trick of enrollment, the fresh pasta sauce may just be the next best-selling point.

[24:17] Some of the great selling points at Anna and Jack’s Treehouse that set them apart and give them that family feel.

[29:33] Getting back to his traditional values as a leader.

[30:29] The importance of setting expectations and communicating them clearly to teachers.

[31:50] How Rob got into his EOS journey.

[34:56] The structure of what EOS brings allows you to scale much more quickly and more pain-free with more clarity.

[48:19] Using Trainual to systemize and build out their training platforms.

Quotes:

• “Every time we’ve grown and expanded, other than the Norwalk location, it’s been because of demand.” — Rob [9:19]

• “When I first joined Treehouse, I came from the boardroom to the classroom, really. And I had to adjust my way of thinking from every perspective you could possibly imagine.” — Rob [15:45]

• “Whether it's a parent or a teacher, I just want to get to know them and understand what their aspirations are, what they’re into, and not for any other reason than just to be a human.” — Rob [30:00]

• “The best sign of a super successful entrepreneur is somebody who is a fast implementer, from what we teach.” — Kris

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Anna and Jack’s Treehouse

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… And Others Don't, by Jim Collins

The Finisher’s Journal: High Performance Planner

Rob Rubicco

As Kris gets ready to head to New Zealand for the ECC Conference, she sits down with Simon Laube, Chief Executive at the Early Childhood Council of New Zealand. Simon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in policy and advocacy for early learning in New Zealand. He discusses the current challenges facing early childhood education in the country and how he and his team are working to overcome them. Simon explores the nuances of New Zealand’s early education system and its impact on the global stage, and he opens up about the unique global perspective and innovative approaches to ECE in New Zealand, shedding light on their high-quality experiential curriculums for children. He and Kris also preview some of the “don’t miss” amazing offerings coming up at the conference so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

Key Takeaways:

[8:55] Simon joins the show from Wellington, New Zealand.

[9:35] The Early Childhood Council is membership-based with about 860 members across New Zealand. They run about 1500 centers across the country.

[13:50] More about Simon’s background in government policy and how it was a chance to specifically recruit someone with his skill set.

[14:22] One of the ways of dealing with a threat is to try and have someone who understands quite deeply how the other side works.

[15:18] Simon’s previous role at the Ministry of Education.

[17:39] What is really going on between the government and the early childhood community and industry?

[19:30] What politicians say doesn’t always match up with their actions when it comes to helping the childhood industry.

[25:19] How do we not only survive but stay positive during this time?

[29:56] The importance of keeping ourselves inspired for not only us, but the children, their families, and our staff.

[34:05] It is also important to be realistic, and when the going gets tough, you need to have an exit strategy.

[37:56] What can we expect from the ECC conference in July? Simon and Kris talk about some sessions and panelists to not miss.

Quotes:

• “My background is government policy. So that was a change of tack from the organization to specifically recruit someone with my skill set.” — Simon [11:05]

• “If you talk to any politician, they will tell you about the benefits of early childhood and how important that is. But, you know, actions speak louder than words. And if you follow the money, they might say that, but when it comes down to it, they make choices and they put their money into other things.” — Simon [19:30]

• “The quality of early childhood for the child can and does run parallel to the investment in business skills, and best practices, which then flow down a trickle down to the leaders which flow to the teachers, kids and the parents.” — Kris [24:19]

• “We need to also do this dance where we can continue to keep ourselves inspired and positive so that we don’t just fall into a rut of despair.” — Kris [29:45]

• “When the going gets really tough, you need to have an exit strategy.” — Simon [34:05]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Simon Laube

Early Childhood Council

ECC Conference

Kris welcomes Jennifer Conner, the Director of Coaching at the Child Care Success Company. She first gives an update on her move to Mexico and shares her inspiring story of exiting her business and transitioning to a full-time role as Director of Coaching. Jennifer’s natural talent for building operations manuals and systems, combined with her leadership skills, has allowed her to scale and grow the company’s processes and automation. She shares valuable insights on how she and her team valued the business, organized the necessary paperwork, and set her successor up for success. This episode is particularly relevant for those looking to build their businesses with an eye toward future sales and expansion. Lastly, Kris and Jennifer also discuss a transformative book that provides a framework for stepping out of the day-to-day operations and achieving maximum value when exiting your business.

Key Takeaways:

[5:50] We get to know Jennifer from her home office, just a little north of Tulum, Mexico. She gives a quick highlight of her background in early education and how it was not the path she expected.

[10:16] Jennifer’s decision to move to Mexico.

[13:47] Jennifer talks about the emotional highs and lows that come with changing ownership. If you are in the process of exiting or changing ownership structure, it’s very normal to ping pong back and forth.

[17:40] How did Jennifer structure the financial side of the buyout?

[21:47] The benefits of having a clear cut on the operating accounts.

[23:33] Fun Fact: the director opened up a second business, and Jennifer loves the idea that selling her business to her may have given her more confidence and the empowerment to go even bigger.

[28:33] Why she encouraged the new owner to rebrand and have her own name.

[29:05] Adopting video during the pandemic to keep connection with families.

[37:14] Subsidy vs. private pay and the lessons Jennifer learned.

[41:25] Creating systems that would make it easy for the next person, and making a video about them instead of having to repeat the same things.

[44:17] Why you may not want to be the one steam cleaning your carpets on a Saturday, and learning to have your business run without you needing to be the one working on it all the time.

Quotes:

• “I didn’t want to be an owner that has only been an owner and had no understanding of what goes on in the classroom.” — Jennifer [7:02]

• “Exiting your business is a ping pong. One minute I was all in, we’re going to sell. And the next day, I was like, Nope, I’m pulling it all back.” — Jennifer [13:28]

• “That was my goal to empower people, and I wanted them to have more and be able to be more.” — Jennifer [23:30]

• “I’m proud of what we accomplished together. Because it’s the legacy of what was built, and still being able to serve the families and children and the staff.” — Jennifer [27:10]

• “I do love systems. I did that because I felt like I trained people better than anybody else. And so I wanted to do it, but then I got tired of repeating it over and over. So I’m like, why don’t I just record it? So that was the brainchild behind that.” — Jennifer [42:13]

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use the code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Jennifer Conner 

Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You, by John Warrillow

@thejenventure