Podcasts about child care success summit

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

Send us a textIn this episode of "Child Care Conversations with Kate and Carrie," our dynamic duo dives into their recent adventures at childcare conferences. They chat about their roles as authors, coaches, and trainers, sharing highlights from the Child Care Success Summit in Chicago. Kate and Carrie emphasize the power of networking and the importance of using the right terminology in the childcare industry. They also introduce their new book, "Don't Chase the Monkey," and discuss the Director Success Academy. Whether you're an owner, director, or vendor, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive in the childcare industry!Support the showThanks for Listening

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 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

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  

Kris welcomes Donna Naleway, Owner & Director of Kid Country Childcare, celebrating her 20th anniversary in business. In October 2015, Kid Country Childcare earned the Silver Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state's quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development providers. Donna was also the runner-up for the annual Child Care Rockstar Radio Contest this year. Since joining the Child Care Success Academy just two years ago at the height of the pandemic, Donna has learned and changed so much about her business. She shares her top enrollment strategies, how automation has changed her business, why mindset is everything, and much more.   Key Takeaways: [7:17] Donna gives an overview of how she got into the business of childcare, what her current enrollment looks like, and how she'll be celebrating 20 years in business. [12:36] Fun Fact about Donna: when she met her husband she laid out her entire business plan for him so her career goals were loud and clear. [14:09] All about Donna's ever-growing family life. [15:32] How the Child Care Success Academy inspired Donna to expand her business. [16:39] Donna has built a brand over the last two decades that includes putting the children first, getting outside, and getting high-quality certification. [21:24] Getting her systems automated and using CRM are two of the biggest game-changers Donna has implemented since joining the Academy. [22:35] How thinking outside the box with a virtual assistant has made a huge impact on Donna's business. [24:22] The Academy has taught Donna the art of delegating different tasks as well as other key improvements. [26:46] Changing mindset and surrounding yourself with the right people can change everything. [28:48] Donna's investment in automation has paid off in dividends. [30:38] Plain and simple; Donna made filling her enrollment spots the top priority. [33:29] It's okay to override the guilt in charging families knowing you're giving them quality staff and quality offerings. [36:31] What was it like for Donna to tell her story on stage at The Child Care Success Summit… and how you can too! [40:51] How Donna defines a Child Care Rockstar. [41:38] What books is Donna reading? [42:53] A final reminder that mindset really is everything.   Quotes: “We truly do put the children first.” — Donna [17:28] “One of the things that we do is we over-staff our classrooms.” — Donna [18:37] “That's one of the things that I love about the Academy; it's people that are serious about childcare and doing the right thing.” — Donna [19:57] “I'm definitely looking at far more big-picture things than I had been doing the previous 18 years before I found you guys.” — Donna [26:11] “This can be done as a successful business and it doesn't have to be a business that you're just paycheck to paycheck.”— Donna [27:36] “I know we're more expensive than our close competitors, but we have more to offer.” — Donna [35:24]  “Mindset is powerful.” — Donna [43:00]   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 Kid Country Childcare Rock Star Stories: Success Secrets of Preschool Leaders Around the Globe The Ultimate Child Care Marketing Guide: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Success The 77 Best Strategies to Grow Your Early Childhood Program The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Educators: Secrets to Living Your Best Life In and Out of the Classroom  

Christine McNally is a heartfelt leader and educator in our space and has been doing childcare for close to 25 years, since 1998. You may also recognize her from appearing on stage at the Child Care Success Summit, telling her story and sharing her amazing video for hundreds of engaged listeners. In this episode, Christine joins Kris to talk about her school, Under the Magic Pine Tree, a small Early Learning Center in Gardnerville, NV that is currently serving a waitlist with 92% enrollment. Christine talks about why she saw a need to open up her own daycare after a low-quality experience with another care center, how she keeps her positive mindset, and why she feels everyone is a rockstar in child care. Christine also provides some great resources for curriculum and marketing, and fills us in about her famous Great Dane that was a show dog! Key Takeaways: [6:02] Christine talks about opening Under the Magic Pine Tree, a small Early Learning Center in Gardnerville, NV. She has three classrooms licensed for 48 children and serves kids nine months of age until they go off to kindergarten. Currently, there is a waitlist and enrollment is at 92%. [8:33] Christine has been in early childhood education since 1998 and started at 19 with her own in-home daycare after she felt her son wasn't getting proper care. She tells a horrifying story about the low quality of care that a daycare tried to pass off on her son, and Christine knew it wasn't good enough for her son or other parents. [12:39] Christine and her husband have been together since they were teens and they still like each other even after working together and spending almost every waking moment together!  Her fun fact is that she loves going on an RV trip, and even went on an extended one for four weeks, getting to see many beautiful sights. [13:57] Second fun fact: Christine used to raise and show champion Great Danes! You could catch one of her beauties, Shine, as the spokesdog for Pergo Flooring. [16:33] What sets Under the Pine Tree apart from other learning centers? Great parent communication, a clean center, and commitment to excellence from every member of the staff. [19:44] How does Christine keep her positive mindset and energy up? [24:14] Christine was chosen as a finalist in the Childcare Rockstar Contest in Vegas and had an amazing entry and incredible video. What was it like to go on stage in front of 900 people and share her story? What other goodness came out of putting herself out there? [27:00] Christine talks about the decision to foster and growing up with a foster brother. [34:33] As a founder of the Nevada Child Care Association, Christine talks about what initiatives we can expect in the future. [36:21] To Christine, if you are in the child care business and passionately making a difference, you are a rockstar. Every one of her team members is a rockstar, from her assistants to her leads to the kitchen staff.   Quotes: “I think what sets us apart is we have really high expectations of ourselves. That trickles down.” — Christine “One of our core values is quality.” — Christine “I am a positive person anyway. I just always see the cup half-full.” — Christine  “I absolutely love being in this academy. I've met so many wonderful people that have opened so many different doors.” — Christine “Even when the world has us down for the moment, we're not going to stay down for long.” — Kris   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Under the Magic Pine Tree Best In Show Becky Bailey Frog Street Havens of Hope The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness, by Jeff Olson Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul, by Howard Schultz and Joanne Gordon Simon Sinek

The Child Care Success Summit in Las Vegas just wrapped up, and there was so much love, support, and fun! On this week's solo episode, Kris shares three takeaways from the Summit, from leaders and keynote speakers Marshall Goldsmith, Stedman Graham, and Andre Norman. Kris also discusses The Great Resignation, along with just how many people in almost every industry are leaving to find different work, and what we can learn from it when it comes to new ways of staffing to bring in and keep the right staff. Kris talks about things you can do to inspire your staff, how to really listen when they give you feedback on how to be better, and why you should dare to be dangerous.   Key Takeaways: [2:51] The Great Resignation is a term reflective of the record number of people quitting their jobs and looking for something different. The pandemic resulted in many employees looking at what they really value, and shifting their work to find something more meaningful, possibly with more benefits, better wages, or more freedom. [3:03] Over four million people quit their jobs, or roughly three percent of the workforce. So, three out of every 100 people quit in August in just one month. The hardest-hit industries include hospitality and retail, where employees cite long hours and a lack of flexibility as top reasons for leaving. [5:10] We also have data that shows that 892,000 workers and restaurants, bars, and hotels quit in August. Retail was greatly affected as well, with over 700,000 employees leaving. [6:11] Employees are less willing to work long hours for lower wages. [6:43] Early child care is unique in the way that we have meaningfulness and the ability to impact little humans built into what we do. [12:06] Your homework: what does the Great Resignation mean to you? How can you benefit from it, and how can you protect the people that are currently working for you that you want to keep? What may be an upcoming challenge for you in terms of the Great Resignation? [12:40] Key Takeaway Number 1 — Marshall Goldsmith: Ask how you can be better. Then let people know you've heard them, and that you are going to take actionable baby steps to try and get better. [16:34] Key Takeaway Number 2 — Stedman Graham: Dare to become dangerous. How dangerous are you? When you are dangerous, you are bold. You look fear in the face and laugh at it. [20:01] Special congrats to Jamarrion Tabor, the winner of the 2021 Child Care Rockstar Awards! [22:02] Key Takeaway Number 3 — Andre Norman. Love yourself, and translate that intense love to others.   Quotes: “What's happened as a result of the pandemic is human beings are looking at their lives intensively and wanting to shift their life into a different opportunity, a different vibe, a different energy.” — Kris “We have the ability to impact little lives and little humans. We have meaningfulness and making a difference built into what we do.” — Kris “Dare to become dangerous.” — Stedman   Sponsored By: PB&J TV — Don't forget to mention Kris Murray for a special offer!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Marshall Goldsmith Stedman Graham Triggers Academy of Hope Andre Norman

Author and speaker Mike Michalowicz has already blown away Child Care Success Summit, and this week he brings his wisdom and expertise to the podcast. Mike talks with Kris about his bestseller, Profit First, and his latest book, Get Different, created to inspire small business owners to get out of the sea of sameness and stand out. He and Kris talk about why being different is the first way to garner success, how we can be less fearful about being authentic, and Mike explains the passion behind his mission to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty.   Key Takeaways: [8:45] The setbacks that Mike has had in his career have actually been setups to his success. He took the lessons that he learned to create content that can help entrepreneurs learn to be permanently profitable. [11:04]  It's almost impossible to change ourselves but it's very possible to channel ourselves. [11:52] Fun Fact! Gorgeous supermodel Christie Brinkley was a client of Mike's, and yes, she is even taller in real life. [13:39] What are the common mistakes Mike sees small business owners fall prey to? [14:50] When something different is present, we pay attention to it. Garnering attention is the first step to garnering business. [16:22] It is not self-serving but actually what Mike describes as the “ultimate act of kindness” to promote a business that you feel can help humanity or offer your community something that provides a helpful service. [17:05] How we treat our customers and do business is the best example of our marketing and the way we build trust with prospects. [20:23] Mike shares some examples of businesses he has worked with that have gone from boring and basic to standing out. Between funhouse mirrors and a powerful wifi hack, it is very possible to think outside of the box and succeed. [23:40] Standing out can be scary, but when we believe that what we offer can help people, it is our responsibility to get the word out.   Quotes: “It's almost impossible to change ourselves, but it's very possible to channel ourselves.” — Mike “I believe marketing now is the ultimate act of kindness.” — Mike “That's the beautiful thing about being different, is it usually costs very little.” — Mike   Sponsored By: PB&J TV — Don't forget to mention Kris Murray for a special offer!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine, by Mike Michalowicz Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored! by Mike Michalowicz Mike Michalowicz Glennon Doyle The Savannah Bananas Christie Brinkley

I am overjoyed and honored to bring you this episode today with one of the top entrepreneurial coaches in the world, best-selling author and speaker Cameron Herold. He has been coaching clients across the globe for 30 years to become multimillion-dollar businesses and is most notably behind the growth of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? He is also the founder of the wildly successful COO Alliance. Cameron has been featured many times in the media including on Oprah and Dr. Phil, and in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fortune, The New York Times, and many more. In this episode, we talk about the power of confident leadership, how to run great meetings, Cameron’s signature concept of Vivid Vision, and so much more. This truly is like a mini boot camp on entrepreneurship. We share a lot of wisdom, laughs, and occasionally some adult language — for anyone that needs that disclaimer if you’re listening in mixed company!   Key Takeaways: [4:00] Events we have planned in our Colorado office as well as upcoming launches including the 10th anniversary of the Child Care Success Summit in Las Vegas. [6:05] Some of Cameron’s top entrepreneurial achievements. [10:06] Why Kris and Cameron are big believers in mastermind groups. [11:48] Fun Fact about Cameron: He’s terrified of networking in small groups! [14:01] Diving into what empathetic but confident leadership looks like. [15:33] Tips on how to have meetings that don’t suck! [19:58] A powerful habit for any leader to instill confidence in employees. [22:37] Kris shares a fun fact about mixing up Zoom links with Cameron. [23:50] What is Cameron’s concept “Vivid Vision” around a three-year-forward look? [27:38] More about the process from The Miracle Morning and SAVERS concept. [31:27] Discussing the COO Alliance and the role of the second-in-command. [36:13] What is Cameron’s focus for 2021? [37:21] What is Kris’s focus for 2021? [39:01] What one thing would Cameron change if he had to do it all over again?   Quotes: “The more that I invest in myself, the more that I scale my companies. And it’s no longer about me learning all the information, it’s knowing the people that know the information.” — Cameron “I flip the org chart upside down.” — Cameron “The reality is meetings don’t suck at all. We suck at running meetings.” — Cameron “Every meeting has to have a clear purpose, just the one sentence of why we’re here.” — Cameron “Every meeting can have a maximum of three outcomes.” — Cameron “Every meeting has to have an agenda.” — Cameron “Every meeting has to start on time.” — Cameron “Every meeting should finish five minutes prior to the scheduled ending time.” — Cameron “No agenda, no attend-a!” — Cameron “I like to have the leader speaking last.” — Cameron “The CEO really is the Chief Energizing Officer.” — Cameron “Entrepreneurs are famous for saying, ‘I have such good intuition!’ Not really. The only reason your intuition is so good, is you’re the only one that sees the vision.” — Cameron “Just have more fun along the way.” — Cameron   Sponsored By: GROW YOUR CENTER   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Leadership Mastery for Early Educators Early Bird Tickets for the Child Care Success Summit in Vegas Fall 2021 Cameron Herold Invest In Your Leaders Course COO Alliance Second In Command Podcast Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in 3 Years or Less, on Amazon Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable, on Amazon The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM), by Hal Elrod on Amazon Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future, on Amazon Free PR: How to Get Chased By The Press Without Hiring a PR Firm, by Cameron Herold  and Adrian Salamunovic on Amazon Genius Network The Trust Mindshare Collaborative

Beth Cannon of Stretch-n-Grow, an international children’s fitness franchise, joins me this week. Beth began her child care career over 20 years ago with Stretch-n-Grow and quickly became the most successful affiliate in the world. She has taken that knowledge and transformed it into a speaking, training, and coaching career for early learning leaders. Today we focus on strategies to stay positive with all the stressors that come our way in the industry and especially from the pandemic. We also talk about the importance of collaboration, knowing your why, self-awareness, and how to use tools like the Enneagram Test to identify your strengths.   Key Takeaways: [2:59] Kris is committed to doing an in-person Child Care Success Summit in 2021. [8:20] Beth talks about her experience with Stretch-n-Grow. [9:30] Going into her 50th year, Beth was ready to make big expansions in her speaking engagements. Then COVID-19 hit and decimated her plan; so she took it digitally. [13:01] Fun fact about Beth: She’s a fitness instructor, hot yoga teacher, and is very involved in women’s ministries. But she was a very wild teen that got sent to boarding school! [16:15] A lot of Beth’s mindset for refocusing came from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why. [17:33] Leaders with passion will funnel that down to their team and foster a positive culture. [19:28] You have to find your own unique joy that spreads to your team, brand, and clients. [22:25] All about the Enneagram Test, how knowing your number helps you focus on your strengths, and the numbers Beth sees most commonly in child care. [26:40] Kris talks OFIs and Beth shares her techniques for evaluation such as ABC teams. [31:10] The importance of empowering your team through collaboration. [34:00] How to tackle the stress and burnout added to our plates due to the pandemic. [37:20] We have to choose gratitude and need to identify fear in order to confront it and not let it control us. [45:00] If Beth could put a message on a billboard, it would be “Just Breathe,” and “You’ll Never Regret Being Kind.”   Quotes:   “Turning lemons into lemonade, here in 2020!” “Especially in this pandemic year, it’s been so exhausting and many, many people wanting to throw in the towel.”   “You’ve got to remove the negativity. You’ve got to get back to your passion. You’ve got to spill the joy that you have for what you do onto your team because that’s the only way that you can lead them.” “Good culture does not happen unintentionally.” “Work on strengthening your strengths; don’t worry so much about trying to fill in the gaps of your weaknesses.” “There’s no rhyme or reason to the things that are happening right now.” “Can we choose gratitude over grumbling?”   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit Beth Cannon Speaks Beth Cannon’s Facebook Group Stretch-n-Grow Enneagram Test Start With Why Will Bowen Made for This Podcast Jennie Allen Amy Porterfield John Maxwell Books Dave Ramsey Christy Wright Jim Dew Podcast  

Child Care Rockstar returns this week for the first time since the Child Care Success Summit.  Kris is joined by Jim Dew, CEO of Dew Wealth Management and creator of the Functional Wealth Management process. Jim has 23 years of experience building wealth management for entrepreneurs and has been featured in Inc., Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, and more. He is also a sought-after speaker and author of Beyond a Million. Jim shares a few of the valuable lessons he learned while working as a door-to-door salesman that still apply to running a business. Jim dives deeper into his Protect, Manage and Grow approach to managing wealth and Kris shares a deeply personal story about wealth protection in her own family.   Key Takeaways: [:51] Kris reveals some highlights from the virtual Child Care Success Summit 2020 including meeting with one of her heroes; Simon Sinek. [6:51] The daycare business is essential and continues to thrive despite the challenges presented during the pandemic. [10:42] Jim and his wife, Mimi, help entrepreneurs like Kris that are generating more than $1M revenue to create virtual family offices. [13:03] In between his time being a public-school math teacher and his current career, Jim was a door-to-door salesperson. From that experience, he learned the importance of knowing your numbers; a lesson that applies to all entrepreneurs. [16:37] Jim’s approach focuses on three key outcomes; a compelling focus, wealth discovery, and an impeccable infrastructure. The three main areas he coordinates advice for his clients are Protect, Manage, and Grow. [18:08] Jim discusses common pitfalls he sees from his entrepreneurs and how his wealth management approach, including outsourcing to the right professionals, helps combat them. [25:08] The concept of the Family Wealth Office comes from observing billionaire strategy, but Jim adapts this structure for his entrepreneur clients and dives more thoroughly into his approach of Protect, Manage, and Grow. [28:43] Kris used Dew to help her to launch an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and talked about how it can be a game-changer for centers. Jim covers the key benefits of an ESOP and who it may be right for. [33:17] In regard to the Grow aspect, the first thing Jim talks about is tax planning. Another piece is investing outside of and diversifying your business. [36:23] Kris shares a deeply personal story about wealth management and protection in her own family that she encourages listeners to learn from, as well. [38:41] Jim tells an anecdote about a compelling focus technique that he learned from his personal trainer as it relates to entrepreneurs.   Quotes: “We are essential. We are the true heroes. You guys are the unsung heroes.” — Kris “We are surviving and thriving.” — Kris “You have to know your numbers to really be good at what you do; whether you’re doing door-to-door sales or whether you’re running a multimillion-dollar childcare center.” — Jim “Professional mountain climbers get to the top by taking small steps, not big steps.  Think about that lesson.” — Jim “Often there are all kinds of things that entrepreneurs are not doing that they could do.” — Jim   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit — Watch Summit Highlights! Grow Your Center Dew Wealth Management Make Rich Real Quiz Beyond a Million: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook for Expanding Wealth, Freedom and Time Simon Sinek Simon Sinek’s TED Talk Business Lunch Podcast Genius Network Podcast EO Fire Podcast The Road Less Stupid Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It The Automatic Millionaire

This week, Kris is joined by Brian Duprey, Certified Child Care Coach and the Director of Business Development at The Child Care Success Company. He is a 20-year veteran who came to his first Child Care Success Summit in 2015 and became a coach in 2017. Last year, Brian wrote his first book, Child Care Millionaire, for early childhood business owners wanting to grow their business into a (multi) million-dollar company, and he also co-authored The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Education with Kris. Kris and Brian discuss surviving COVID-19 as a child care center owner, money managing, marketing, expanding business, tour tips, escaping to Jamaica, and more.   Key Takeaways: [6:55] Brian talks about how his five locations, Little Angels, are operating during COVID-19.  From closures to lowered capacity, to utilizing funding programs; he is now operating at a higher occupancy than pre-pandemic. [9:44] Brian shares his best tips for how his businesses survived the pandemic, including transparency with his employees, outreach to his competitors, donuts, and pizza. [12:45] Why anyone interested in expanding their business needs to (virtually) attend Brian’s breakout workshop “Innovation Expansion Opportunities” at The Child Care Reimagined Success Summit and why he recommends people should strive to be salmon. Yes, salmon. [14:33] Brian opened nine schools and has never borrowed from a bank; he owns four of his five buildings and he opened his first center with only $5,000. [16:20] Having multiple schools gives you more flexibility and helps you leverage staffing, productivity, profits, and more. Five schools are much easier to run than one. The hardest school to open is #2 because people are so emotionally invested in their first school and don’t want to relinquish control. [19:00] Buy in cash and quickly pay off debt so you, too, can spend half the year in Jamaica! [20:42] Thanks to the strategies learned from the Child Care Success Summit, Brian has done more with his business in the last five years than in the 15 years prior to the summit. [23:23] Brian talks about how a strategy session/coaching call works. Schedule your free call here! [28:12] The three major “pain points” Brian finds when coaching clients are enrollment, staffing, and the daily overwhelm. He dives deeper into how he approaches overcoming these and why there are tips he only teaches on these phone calls. [30:18] Treat tours like a sales call and other tour tips. [35:26] Brian is most proud of the book he co-authored with Kris; The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Educators. He values his educators and their happiness and wants to change the mindset to a place where they want to make a difference. Owners need to read this, too!   Quotes: “When you focus on helping other people, and not just yourself, you get helped in the process.” — Brian “Five schools are much easier to run than one.” — Brian “A tour is a sales call.” — Brian “The most important person in a team is the person watching the children.” — Brian   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit — offering $1 ticket Grow Your Center Brian Duprey Little Angels Schedule a Coaching Call Child Care Millionaire (Brian’s book on Amazon) The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Educators (Kris and Brian’s book on Amazon)

Lori Semke is the Executive Director at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool in Minnesota. She joins the show to share her game-changing strategies on weathering the storm as a team during tough times, why dedication and intention in enrollment really do make the difference, and what it is like working as a part of a Visionary/Integrator team with her schools owner and previous guest Dawn Uribe. Lori also shares her experience taking home the Director of the Year Award this past October at The Child Care Success Summit™ and how that honor has inspired her mission even further.  Key Takeaways: [1:09] Mis Amigos is a Spanish Immersion Preschool and currently has three locations in Minnesota. [2:44] Lori has been the Executive Director at Mis Amigos since 2012 and worked before in the legal field as a litigator along with three years at the non-profit Children’s Law Center of Minnesota. While at the non-profit, it was apparent that she had a passion for both helping children and using her law background, which she gets to do plenty of both in her position at Mis Amigos.  [5:07] Lori won the Director of the Year 2019 Award at The Child Care Success Summit™ this past October. Judging by the nominations that came flooding into Kris’s inbox, Lori is very well-loved by her team. [8:11] Lori wears many hats as the Executive Director, including enrollment, working with vendors and HR, and carrying out the visions for growth and expansion. She has to be focused both on the day-to-day and the larger picture. [12:53] It really moves the needle when you have one person focused on enrollment. Whether it’s an Enrollment Director or Specialist, they can make sure every step is well-thought-out and executed. [19:02] Families need to feel that they are wanted and that their enrollment is appreciated and welcomed. This is where a great leader needs to communicate with the team from the top down so they know exactly how to provide that concierge-type experience. [30:48] No matter how strong a team is, they will go through some challenging times together. This is where communication is key, so everyone can know what the plan is and their individual roles in keeping things balanced and healthy. [36:18] The team at Mis Amigos has greatly benefited from sharing their guidance as leaders and acting as mentors to help one another. [43:02] To Lori, a child care rockstar is someone that has overcome challenges despite obstacles, and remains to have a large passion for what they do. They are motivated to grow and love creating incredible experiences for those along their path.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit — offering $1 ticket Grow Your Center Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool Mis Amigos Facebook Ep 34: “Giving Children the World with Dawn Uribe”

Neydary Zambrano won Owner of the Year at the 2019 Child Care Success Summit, and this week she shares her wisdom on growing enrollment, marketing, staff happiness, and culture. Neydary talks about the metamorphosis her school, Magic Memories, has gone through in 2019, now with nine locations throughout Pennsylvania. She and Kris also talk about the responsibility that a true child care rockstar has, how CRM has helped her track and understand data, and the importance of empowering directors and teachers.   Key Takeaways: [1:09] Magic Memories started as one center with 65 children and now has nine locations throughout Pennsylvania with an enrollment of 570 and 140 staff members. They focus on learning through play and socialization. [2:19] Neydary has been in the field for 13 years and also has experience in management and social services. It was after her daughter’s food allergy left her yearning for a school with procedures and policies that got followed that ended up with her deciding that her next move would be in childcare management. [6:51] Fun Fact: As a Venezuelan, Neydary loves to get out and dance! Music is very important to her and her culture. [12:22] The pieces fell in place for Neydary to purchase the centers, and their first focus has been the culture. [19:46]  Neydary saw firsthand that when you treat your staff with love and respect, they will give you so much more than what you can ask for. [24:02] A few key tools that helped Neydary and Magic Memories greatly with marketing is to never stop advertising, utilize Facebook, CRM, and Grow Your Center. [28:48] Growing as a leader has helped not only Neydary grow, but her team also expands with knowledge and confidence. [33:07] Neydary defines a rockstar as a supporting caring leader who is willing to grow, and also go above and beyond to help others. This title is fulfilling but does come with the responsibility of making decisions for people outside yourself.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit Magic Memories @MagicMemories The Slight Edge Grow Your Center Think and Grow Rich Atomic Habits EntreLeadership

Many of you saw Les Brown speak live at the Child Care Success Summit in Dallas, and saw first-hand how his words can be life-changing and bring you to both laughter and tears. Today he joins the show to talk with Kris about the influences on his own life and path, his tenets for quality and joy in our lives, and why embracing and sharing our story is critical to really shape the lives of children and their families. Les is one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers and is a highly-sought-after resource in business circles ranging from Fortune 500 CEOs, small business owners, non-profit and community leaders all over the world.   Key Takeaways: [4:30] Les is a former foster child and was a high-energy kid in special education that felt misunderstood until he found a friend in a speech teacher. Teachers have the power to disrupt limiting beliefs and challenge children to realize they are good enough for success. [9:11] Working changes our perspective of life. You must work on yourself continuously, and hone in on your communication skills. It shows people who we are and gives us the power to open doors to our opportunities. [11:54] Les’s advice for a successful life both on the inside and outside: Surround yourself both personally and professionally with OQPs (Only Quality People). Set aside time to center yourself and work on your mind. Don’t make other people’s problems your own. Give to yourself first, and once your cup overflows you can give to others. Laughter is truly the best medicine. Be intentional about your happiness. Get enough rest, and fill your day with high-quality content from what you read to what you listen to. [22:03] Les is a 27-year prostate cancer conqueror. He is a shining example of embracing the joy and opportunities of life and using his lessons to be of service to others. [23:17] People do business with who they know, like and trust. This is why you must get to know your own story so you can share it with others.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit Les Brown Les Brown You Got to Be Hungry Tour

 In today’s episode, Digital Marketing Expert and real-life Rocket Scientist Bruce Spurr joins Kris for a talk on how to win the digital marketing game using Facebook ads, Google Maps, and Google Search. They touch upon how to get your school to stand out, even above the “big boys” of advertising, ways to leverage your ad no matter how small your budget, what consists of a great ad, and how to use digital marketing to keep your enrollment high or fill the empty spaces. He and Kris reminisce of the olden days before social media, and ways that they have learned to adapt and work together in the current landscape to help child care owners overcome their challenges in the field. Strap in, and get ready to launch into the digital marketing stratosphere!   Key Takeaways: [4:22] Special announcement! The Child Care Success Summit announces their celebrity speaker, Les Brown. Les is one of the world’s top motivational speakers, and he himself has a tie in the child care market, so this is one experience not to miss. They are almost at 80% full, so be sure to get the tickets while they last, using promo code: ROCKSTAR to get a $100 discount off the full price. [7:31] Bruce and Kris met while at the Frank Kern Mastermind Group. [8:52] Fun Fact: Bruce has some Lebanese ties in his family, and traveling with his wife is one of his favorite parts of the way he has set up his life. He calls into today’s episode from Beirut, Lebanon and gives us an update on the current political climate and perspective there. [10:52] Bruce shares how he went from a physical labor job as a construction worker, to entrepreneur building e-commerce sites, then marketing and advertising. He has a Degree in Physics and Engineering and is a rocket scientist by education. [11:40] He was at the Web 2.0 Conference when Twitter was launched, and one of the first thousand people to open up a Twitter account. [15:42] All the owners Bruce has had the chance to meet are kind and loving people, driven by a purpose to help. They are in it for the passion of making a difference in the lives of children and leaving a legacy, but often are run by their business, instead of running their business. When Kris and Bruce work with the owner together, they win the battle of hiring in a tight labor market and the battle of filling up the school in a competitive community. [21:54] Bruce explains why people need to do Facebook ads, and how it’s important for people both just indirectly scrolling and also searching in a focused manner for child care centers geographically close to them. [25:54] SEO used to be about getting listed on a page, now it’s about getting listed in Places and Maps. Google is smart and figured out the search algorithm on a specific school in general, and organic articles and information on how to pick a school in general. It is a huge game changer and Kris and Bruce have even seen people triple their results once they get the Google Maps piece of the puzzle figured out. [30:00] When Bruce works with clients to determine the lifetime value of the customer, it is clear spending the initial marketing money to attract them is a drop in the bucket to secure them long-term. [33:40] The “Insights” tab on Facebook is a magical place, where you can look for your most popular posts, what gets the highest engagement (aka hunting for unicorns) and what gets the normal or not so big response (the donkey). Bruce explains how to drill down to hit your target market in a Boosted Post and why you may want to use Targeted Ads for an even more specific reach. [38:28] Even just $5-$10 can be a great budget to start Boosting and Re-Boosting your post. When something works, keep doing the same. [40:41] Bruce explains the difference between the two different types of ads. For an ad that is simple and straightforward with an offer or incentive for enrollment, they call it a “tuition credit” instead of a discount. [47:59] The biggest challenge Bruce has had is focusing on one thing and not getting too distracted by opportunity. [53:59] Your school’s success depends on getting yourself in the digital marketing game. It is a fun journey to play around and see what part of it you like best, whether it’s creating videos, managing the back end of ads or posting photos and captions. [56:05] Invest in some tools such as a selfie stick and mic to enhance the quality of your videos and audio.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray Child Care Marketing Solutions Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit  Les Brown  Frank Kern  Google Maps Google Business  Facebook  Preschool Podcast 

Don Alley is the owner of Center Stage Preschool in Ashburn, VA, and is an example of the results that unfold when you focus and dream big. Don has 30 years of experience in martial arts and has been running his three karate schools successfully for the last twenty years. He built his preschool from scratch in 2016 and quickly filled his location. He joins Kris for a great chat including ways to use playfulness and personality to stand out of the crowd and set yourself apart with high-level marketing assets, expert tips on how to delegate successfully, his future plans of expansion and growth within his schools, and how he manages running multiple brands. This episode is chock full of action items you can use to shift your business right away, so be sure to take some notes of what changes you can begin to implement immediately.   Key Takeaways: [2:40] Fun Fact: A Facebook ad with video usually outperforms a regular post with just a photo by double the amount. A professionally edited video is great, but even just a homemade one from your phone still does the trick. [3:29] Don is our newest Platinum Plus member in the Child Care Success Academy. [4:35] As a special thank you, Kris will be choosing comments left on the podcast page, blog or iTunes and mentioning them on this show! If you want your school to be mentioned, be sure to write it in the comment. You can check out the podcast page on the website here. And, just for listening to this episode, you can save $100 off when you use the code “rockstar” for the Child Care Success Summit. [7:41] Don merged his passion for karate, child care, and theater to create a place for children to experience a unique and challenging curriculum. [11:28] Don married his elementary school crush after he randomly bumped into her years later, and had the courage to ask her out. [12:58] Pick up the pen and journal. It’s therapeutic, and even just writing one page a day is a great way to get the flow moving. Don cites the book The Artist’s Way as a great way to get started. [16:52] Don leverages both of his businesses, and uses the customer base and geographic proximity as supportive tools for recommending the other. [19:14] To have ten locations by the end of 2020 is Don’s goal for the next several years. He also loves helping people figure out their “aha” moments, so consulting and some business-to-business endeavors may be on the horizon as well. [25:57] Don may be the owner of Center Stage, but he thinks of himself and his business assistant/partner Heather as the co-founders. Heather has been instrumental in helping him run his life and business in an organized fashion, so he felt great about both of them working in tandem to create their dreams from scratch with her as Director. He gave her a ton of autonomy within a structure, and she ran with it and is a leader herself while taking a lot off Don’s plate. [30:01] New hires and potential team members must have the right attitude and energy first, as that is something that is next to impossible to train into someone. [30:43] Center Stage’s capacity is 54 and they are currently full, especially thanks to the Enrollment Boot Camp. [32:58] Don uses person-to-person marketing for his karate schools. They will attend events, festivals and give away a guest pass to bring people in. He realized quickly that he needed a different strategy for preschool, and the internet was the best way to make it happen. He first created a flashcard video, and within a short time he had over 30,000 views and was getting recognized in the community as the “preschool guy”! [38:33] If you feel too shy or introverted to put yourself on camera, there are still many workarounds for making great videos, including using kids, another employee that would love to be the face of the business, or taking acting or coaching classes to develop on-camera skills. [45:50] Don’s karate training and mentors taught him to always learn, find solutions, and level up. He uses that mindset for growth in his own profession and the way he inspires others to think of bigger solutions to big problems. [46:56] Don’s definition of a rockstar is someone who is trying to add a tremendous amount of value to their communities with their business, at a level where they themselves have delegated the role of Director.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray Child Care Marketing Solutions Child Care Success Academy Center Stage Preschool Don Alley The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron Super Kicks Karate Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money — That The Poor And Middle Class Do Not!, by Robert T. Kiyosaki Flash Card Video Marketing   Rich Dad's CASHFLOW Quadrant: Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom, by Robert T. Kiyosaki Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill John Maxwell  

Sharon Foster, owner and operator of Bells Ferry Learning Center, joins Kris today for a conversation on how to build positive parent relationships, customer service, and how owners and staff can protect themselves during bad reviews or negative social media comments. They discuss strategies on enforcing policies, the proper mindset regarding payment, and when it’s okay to respond to a negative review, and tips of what to say so you stay responsive and professional, yet firm in your own values and vision. Sharon also shares the ways she has had to pivot her vision as both a leader and business owner over the years to make sure her product was meeting the needs of the market.   Key Takeaways: [2:52] As a special thank you, Kris will be choosing comments left on the podcast page, blog or iTunes and mentioning them on this show! If you want your school to be mentioned, be sure to write it in the comment. You can check out the podcast page on the website here. [6:24] Another special thank you gift! Just for listening to this episode, you can save $100 off when you use the code “rockstar” for the Child Care Success Summit. [7:33] Sharon entered the field with Kinder Care in 1979 and became a Kids R Kids franchisee in 2001, and is now the owner and operator of Bells Ferry Learning Center, which has two locations. She is also working with a partner on a new venture called Georgia Afterschool Program. Sharon is the author of Ready? Set? Kindergarten!, a month-by-month guide for preparing your child for Kindergarten. She is currently serving as the President-Elect of the Georgia Child Care Association. Sharon’s schools are in the suburbs of Atlanta, within a four-mile radius. [10:07] At the age of 12, Sharon volunteered at KinderCare, where her younger brother attended. She kept at it and was earning a paycheck by the young age of only 13. She continued on to other jobs but always knew that her heart was in child care. Flash to a few years later, when she became a franchise owner for Kids R Kids, which then became rebranded Bells Ferry Learning Center. Rebranding made a huge difference due to the location she was in, as many of her potential customers were intimidated by the prices of a large national chain. [14:42] Sharon is a huge fan of the Zac Brown Band, has been to three different countries to see them, and celebrated her 50th birthday by seeing them in Austin, Texas! [16:12] The tagline for Bells Ferry is “Love is Spoken Here.” [17:24] Your message and product both need to match what your market wants, the results they are interested in, and what they are able to afford. [19:19] The original location stays at about 175, year round, as they have three state-funded Pre-K programs that keep summer attendance up. The Marietta location is about 60% of their 198 enrollment. [21:39] Sharon’s first coping mechanism for a negative review or feedback is to contact Kris. Finding a trusted colleague or mentor to rationally talk things over can help immensely. [22:38] A common thread of Sharon’s negative reviews has been with the family has owed money. They may even try to use a bad review as a type of blackmail to have their debt lowered or erased. Sharon and Kris recommend enforcing the payment rule and continuing to work on the mindset that you deserve to be paid in full and on time. [24:52] Surround yourself with the people that love you and your business, and they will help you through the negative reviews. Also, the energy around the reviews tends to dwindle off after about 48 hours. [27:02] Sharon shares a story on how responding to one negative review ended up gaining her 12 new enrollments. [28:45] Sharon does not try to spend time and energy online pleading the case of an invalid review. One suggestion of how to model good customer service language is to look at hotels’ responses that are proactive and positive towards their customer concerns and complaints. [33:41] While Sharon jumps in and helps out in almost every aspect of the business, she focuses on the payroll, online advertising and supporting the directors and delegating the rest. She is always available to her staff as a sounding board but takes pride in setting them up to be self-sufficient and confident in their own independent leadership decisions. [37:14] Sharon and Kris recommend being sure you have at least six months of operating capital and three cycles of payroll before starting the business officially. Start marketing earlier and more than you think to get a good flow of enrollment within the first six months. If you need help finding a business and marketing resource, check out the Child Care Marketing Boot Camp. [40:29] Sharon sees a rockstar as someone that dedicates themselves day in and day out to child care, no matter what position or level they are at! [46:19] Sharon wrote Ready? Set? Kindergarten! with her teachers as a month-by-month hands-on activity guide for parents. Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray Child Care Marketing Solutions Child Care Success Academy Sign Up for Enrollment Bootcamp Waiting List KinderCare Kids R Kids Bells Ferry Learning Center Ready? Set? Kindergarten!: A month-by-month guide for preparing your child for Kindergarten, by Sharon Foster Georgia Child Care Association Zac Brown Band Child Care Marketing Boot Camp Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life, by Ron Clark Canva  

Steve Lloyd, visionary and co-owner of Busy Little Hands Learning Center, is a model of growing by leaps and bounds when you apply the right mindset, practices, and leadership in your school. Steve talks with Kris about his unconventional journey into child care, and how he and his mother Jessica have morphed and expanded Busy Little Hands with the help of some amazing and highly engaged staff. It’s a deep dive into the culture, core values, service standards, employee retention, motivating millennials, healthy communication habits, and how to create a pleasurable atmosphere with everyone involved being empowered and accountable.   Key Takeaways: [1:05] The Child Care Success Summit in Dallas is soon upon us. For those that have not registered yet, it has sold out over the past several years, so don’t sleep on it! It is October 25-27, and you can expect amazing speakers, new content, and over 700 owners and industry leaders sharing their tips for success in running schools. [5:09] And wait — there’s more! Kris has offered a special promo for podcast listeners only! When you purchase your Summit tickets at: Childcaresuccesssummit.com, enter the code: rockstar at checkout and receive an extra $100 off your ticket. The offer is good until the tickets sell out. [6:25] Busy Little Hands Learning Center in Centennial, CO has expanded to 131 kids and 33 team members. Steve Lloyd is co-owner along with his mom Jessica and her sister back in 2008. Steve and his wife have three kids. Steve in his third year of Platinum membership of the Child Care Success Academy. [9:45] Steve’s brother Sam inspired him with his mission to make a difference in people’s lives, and make his work really matter. He started studying medicine and worked as an ambulance paramedic. After a few years when his mother Jessica offered him work running the school, he followed that calling and is grateful now for making the right choice. They knew that investing in themselves first was of utmost importance to running a good business, and attended the Child Care Summit. [14:00] Steve also spends time with adolescents, as a dedicated volunteer Scout Master. [16:41] Their five-year plan: to have three to five schools in the Denver area over the next several years and for his mother Jessica to retire. [18:45] Defining your “why” with core values helps employees understand and respect the decisions and actions asked of them. [20:42] The five core values of Busy Little Hands that they hire upon and live by every day: 1. Family First 2. Fun 3. Respect 4. Integrity 5. Progressive [24:02] Millenials are highly motivated by a sense of purpose, belonging and impact. The more they feel their work matters, the more invested they will be to live the core values of their school. [28:24] Core values define why you do what you do, but your service standards define how you do what you do. [29:39] Steve is very excited about Busy Little Hands service standards. 1. Safety 2. Consistency and Reliability 3. Responsiveness 4. Friendliness [37:34] Shaping your core values and service standards is a long-term process. It’s a marathon, not a sprint and takes time for everyone to adapt and agree but it’s worth the work it takes to implement them. [43:18] Steve is shifting towards the idea of a weekly Zoom meeting with his staff and compensating them for a casual evening meeting where staff get to be home and in the comfort of their own home. [48:42] When your boss is also your mother, the bar for creating an environment of excellence is set even higher. Steve feels that despite the challenges that have popped up along the way, they have made him an even better leader and decision maker. [51:21] Steve defines a rock star as someone that knows their vision, and takes steps towards it every day. Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray Child Care Marketing Solutions Child Care Success Academy Sign Up for Enrollment Bootcamp Waiting List Busy Little Hands Early Learning Center The Book of Mormon The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines Into Massive Success, by Jeff Olson The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work, by Shawn Achor steve@busylittlehandselc.com

Kris Murray is a business coach and marketing consultant exclusively for the early childhood industry. As President and Founder of Child Care Marketing Solutions, her mission is to make a difference in the lives of one million children, by helping more than 5,000 clients create and lead businesses that provide early learning excellence for families and employees. Kris is the author of two top-rated books, The Ultimate Child Care Marketing Guide and The 77 Best Strategies to Grow Your Early Childhood Program, and is the host of the world’s largest conference on early learning business success, the Child Care Success Summit (in its 6th year). To learn more about Kris, her team, and the clients she impacts, please visit http://www.childcare-marketing.com. Connect with Kris Murray on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kris_murray Check out Kris Murray's podcast, Child Care Rockstar Radio: http://www.childcare-marketing.com/podcast/   About Educators Lead: Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders three days a week to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact. Educate. Inspire. Lead. http://www.educatorslead.com

Our episode this week is chock full of industry insights, innovative ideas, and nuggets of wisdom that you can plug right into your child care or preschool business! We are joined by the amazing Evan Goldman from Early Education Group. Evan is a true veteran in the industry and his take on the growth and change in the landscape is truly inspiring. He shares his family’s impressive background in high-quality early education and then he and Kris do a deep dive on several topics related to the business of early learning. Tune in to hear Evan’s advice on how to find your unique messaging in such a competitive field, an insider view on how funding and regulations could be improved and what a true rock star is to him. We think Evan is a rock star himself, and maybe we'll even have him as a return guest one day as he and Kris hike up Machu Picchu!   Key Takeaways: [1:02] Kris gives a wrapup of a very successful Child Care Success Summit 2017 Conference in Chicago. Thank you to everyone that helped make this transformative and amazing event a success. [6:43] Evan was influenced by his parents at a young age to make a difference in the education world. His parents were educational entrepreneurs and pioneers in the industry for over 40 years. His father was the provost of all the graduate education at Nova Southeastern University. His mother was a second-grade teacher and really valued early childhood education. Together they started a large chain in the early 80’s called Another Generation Preschool. Evan learned from the ground up and learned all aspects of the industry, including education, funding, organization, etc. [8:07] During Evan’s time at Kaplan he identified partnerships and funding streams and helped organizations meet their highest needs. [9:33] Evan lists a few of the changes he has seen in the industry over his many years of expertise and experience: massive consolidation and growth, state-funded Pre-K and subsidized child care, quality improvement systems, rating scales, and blended funding. It’s a much more competitive landscape with many more choices. [12:17] Evan is very tied to both Florida to North Carolina. He loves extreme travel and shares some of his recent amazing trips! [15:18] Evan’s current venture that he has been doing for the last decade is the Early Education Group. He shares his mission, clients and partners he works closely within all different industries. It is clear he is passionate about developing relationships with companies that have a mission to better education. [20:47] Strategic and high-quality messaging is something very important to both Evan and Kris. [28:33] Kris and Evan take a look at funding streams and how the model has changed over the past decades, with new challenges in both politics and technology. [36:59]  Evan shares his thoughts on common misconceptions within education and the value and experience of smaller neighborhood-based environments. [43:24] Evan describes the qualities a true rockstar has for him, using his experience of over three decades in the industry. [48:38] Evan gives the resources he would recommend people should get into right away to educate and inform yourself.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray Child Care Marketing Solutions Child Care Success Academy Holly Elissa Bruno Evan Goldman Kaplan Amazing Explorers Academy Zero to Three Childcare Aware How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, by Paul Tough Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don’t, by Jim Collins     About Evan: Evan Goldman is an early childhood business development consultant with twenty years of experience at the national, regional, state, and local levels. His strengths include a vast network of business relationships among federal, state, and local policymakers, in-depth knowledge of federal and state early childhood initiatives and funding streams, and an abundance of successes in negotiating and implementing important partnerships and collaborations at all levels. Mr. Goldman developed his own company in 2007, The Early Education Group, specializing in identifying and linking partners across public and private businesses, organizations, and governing bodies. Since its inception, The Early Education Group has brokered relationships for national e-learning, publishing, non-profit, and for-profit companies, as well as developed partnerships for higher education, state governments, and private foundations.

Are you having problems with child and family turnover? At our Child Care Success Summit a few weeks ago, industry expert Dennis Vickers spoke to the crowd and cited this statistic: 50% of child and family turnover happens within the first 60-90 days after enrollment. That means HALF of the families that leave your center... The post #72 – How to Help Prevent Parent Turnover appeared first on Child Care Business Tv.

We are still basking in the “afterglow” of the Child Care Success Summit, last week in Las Vegas. So many lives and businesses were transformed. You didn’t attend this year’s Success Summit? We want to see YOU in 2015! Start planning NOW for October 7, 8 and 9 in Orlando, Florida. You don’t want to... The post #71 – 2014 Child Care Success Summit Recap appeared first on Child Care Business Tv.

Do you know what the Zero Moment of Truth is and why it is changing how and when you market? Devin discussed this major change at last years Child Care Success Summit is Atlanta, GA.  If you want to continue to have a full early childhood education program, or want to fill the program you... The post #69 – Zero Moment to Truth – Devin Murray Child Care Success Summit 2013 appeared first on Child Care Business Tv.