POPULARITY
Have you ever been curious about launching a franchised child care center and how it differs from creating a business from scratch? If so, you'll definitely want to tune in to today's podcast! We're thrilled to introduce you to Michael Smith, the owner of Kids R Kids Prairie Hills in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As part of our men in child care month series, we're shining a spotlight on dedicated men like Michael who are making significant strides in the child care industry. Michael, a relative newcomer to the field, shares his heartfelt journey into child care and how an unfortunate situation led him to explore better child care options for his community. With unwavering determination, he opened a Kids R Kids franchise in Sioux Falls, bringing warmth and care to every child and family he serves. Michael explains the Kids R Kids philosophy of “hug first, then teach” which is something that he and his team proudly follow. Listen in as Michael emphasizes the importance of building a nurturing environment while navigating the challenges of being a man in a traditionally female-dominated industry. He highlights the significance of tracking essential metrics and the transformative guidance he receives from Child Care Genius University, especially through our personalized coaching sessions. Through this experience, Michael has gained crucial insights into optimizing his business strategies, improving retention rates, and implementing effective marketing techniques. If you're a budding entrepreneur curious about the intricacies of franchised child care, Michael's insights provide valuable takeaways. Listen in now! To Contact Michael Smith: https://kidsrkids.com/prairie-hills Mentioned in this episode: ALEAF Insurance (Official Child Care Genius Podcast Sponsor), Specializing in child care insurance) Contact Blake Sanders for more information: (972) 866-4065, blake@aleafinsurance.com https://www.aleafinsurance.com/child-care If you need help in your child care business, consider joining our coaching programs at Child Care Genius University. Learn More Here. https://childcaregenius.com/university Connect with us: Child Care Genius Website Submit a Podcast Question Here Like us on Facebook Join our Owners Only Private Mastermind Group on Facebook Join our Child Care Mindset Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Buy our Books Check out our Free Resources
Do visits from your state licensing consultant stress you out? Is the workplace culture in your child care business not what you'd hoped it would be? Our next guest may help ease your mind on these topics. Ronnae Williams is a former licensing inspector in the state of Georgia. She has worked for KinderCare, Kids R Kids, and is now an adjunct professor with the Child Care Genius University. Today we're going to be discussing improving your workplace culture and how to be better prepared for licensing visits. Ronnae discusses how workplace culture can impact compliance. "When you're in a space where the culture is honesty, integrity, wellness, compliance then that's the tune that everyone's marching to." As a child care owner, you can feel empowered knowing you can adjust the workplace culture in your child care business. Ronnae shares some strategies owners can use to set the culture. What kind of workplace culture do you want to create? Define it. Write it down & hang it up where others can see the direction you're going. Then implement it with your team. Ronnae points out that communication with your staff is key to creating a positive workplace culture. Having guidelines and setting expectations can help your team be successful. It's important to point out the positive things that team members are doing and not just criticize. As we like to say, catch your team members doing things right. Ronnae expresses the importance of "knowing your team as people and not just your workers. Meet them where they are as people and that helps with building the culture." Ronnae started a child care consulting company called Culturally Yours Consulting and Training. She can assist child care businesses in obtaining a license. Ronnae also offers state approved training for Georgia and Florida. If you have any state compliance issues you'd like to discuss, Ronnae has a wealth of knowledge to share. Ronnae is excited to be a part of our Child Care Genius University. If you need help in your child care business, consider joining our coaching programs at Child Care Genius University. Learn More Here. https://childcaregenius.com/university To contact Ronnae Williams: www.culturally-yours.com https://m.facebook.com/CulturallyYoursConsultingandTraining?_rdr More About Ronnae Williams: An Early Childhood Education expert and professional, with over 15 years of experience including: Lead preschool teacher Child Care Center Management State Licensing Consultant Regional Manager for a nationally recognized child care franchise Marketing Project Manager for a nationally recognized Child Care franchise Strategic Partnership Sales Manager And so much more… I have a Bachelors of Science in Child and Family Development and a Masters in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management. My experiences within the early childhood industry along with my education, has allowed me to support hundreds of child care facilities across the U.S with licensing compliance, compliance for accreditation, licensing complaint investigations, civil actions, franchising, and so much more. Mentioned in this episode: ALEAF Insurance (Official Child Care Genius Podcast Sponsor), Specializing in child care insurance) Contact Blake Sanders for more information: (972) 866-4065, blake@aleafinsurance.com https://www.aleafinsurance.com/child-care Connect with us: Child Care Genius Website Submit a Podcast Question Here Like us on Facebook Join our Owners Only Private Mastermind Group on Facebook Join our Child Care Mindset Facebook Group Follow Us on Instagram Connect with us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Buy our Books Check out our Free Resources
Are you shaking in your boots when you see your licensing inspector pull into your parking lot? If your heart rate sped up, or your mouth went dry just reading that sentence, this episode is for you! Our guest on the Podcast, Ronnae Williams, a former licensing inspector for the State of Georgia, brings us insights for building a great relationship with your licensing rep. Ronnae has also worked for Kindercare, Kids R Kids, and the Child Care Success Company. She knows the industry very well and has bundled all of that valuable knowledge into her new consulting business, Culturally Yours. Her mission is to help child care owners navigate child care licensing issues so that they are always in compliance. She also opens up on how school culture impacts your program quality and correlates to licensing citations. There are key indicators of a good culture and a poor culture that are almost always present and discernable by your evaluators. Ronnae shares her advice for building a positive culture in your child care center. Ronnae divulges a couple of humorous stories of how poorly run programs tried to hide or get away with blatant violations. She says there's no covering up your lack of systems or processes when the inspector arrives. If it wasn't in place before, it won't magically fall into place when they arrive. The kids will tell on you, a staff member will tell on you, or it will be so obvious that systems aren't in place that you just can't hide it. You will always get caught if you aren't following rules or trying to get away with something you shouldn't. Instead, just make quality and being in compliance a priority. Ronnae applauds schools that have a collaborative environment. She says, “You can't singlehandedly run a center by yourself. It's a team effort.” When the team works together to bring ideas and complete projects together, it's almost always a sign of a positive culture. This means a better, safer, higher-quality environment for the children. This is why she is so passionate about helping child care business owners start winning with licensing. If she can help more centers get ready and stay ready, and help them get out of licensing quicksand, it means better, safer environments and experiences for young children! To contact Ronnae Williams, email Ronnae@culturally-yours.com Tune in to hear the answer to this week's listener question: Dear Brian & Carol, Our licensing inspector hates us. She is always hitting us for the littlest things. I cringe when she walks in the building. Is there a way I can request a new inspector? (Guest Ronnae Williams answered this question live on the podcast, and you don't want to miss her answer - her advice might shock you!) Child Care Owners: Join our private Child Care Millionaire Mastermind Facebook Group to network with other business owners like yourself. Ask questions, get tips, share stories, network. https://www.facebook.com/groups/childcaremillionaire Learn more about Brian and Carol Duprey at https://www.childcaremillionaire.com
On this segment of Did you know… Sunni and Lisa acknowledge the transition of both, DMX and Prince Philip. If you haven't heard about the discrimination that took place Kids R Kids daycare in Roswell, GA… you've got to tune in. So, all the controversy surrounding the perceived disrespect of the flag by kneeling and how the soldiers fought for our freedom… it appears that the police in Virginia have no respect for our soldiers… especially after pepper spraying and physically assaulting an African American/LatinX soldier during a traffic stop. *deep, really deep breaths* On this episode of Active Allyship…it's more than a #hashtag! Sunni and Lisa talk to Linda Gordon, author of The Second Coming of The KKK, The Ku Klux Klan Of the 1920's and the American Political Tradition. Linda shared what she was marinated in… both her parents were immigrants. She shares her experiences growing up in a progressive home and how that shaped her views.Linda shares with the ladies how this book came to be! It wasn't originally a whole ass book. She uses words like “brilliant” and “social movement” to describe this organization. Puzzling? Absolutely! *listen to hear the explanation*Linda shares the origins of the KKK, the secrecy of it and how the next generation of klans men/women were a social movement. Very interesting conversation, the KKK is and will always be a terrorist organization. Conspiracy theories? Yes! What's interesting is that many of the strategies used in the 1920's are being used today. Any community that isn't Anglo is a prime target. Fear-mongering. Intimidation. Inadequacies. Oz Syndrome. Structural Racism? Systemic Oppression? Infiltrating local, state and federal government. Yes. It's real.If you aren't already, please follow us on IG @activeallyship.podcast! And of course, there's our Facebook Page, Active Allyship…it's more than a #hashtag! Drop us a line or two… Be sure to Listen. Subscribe. Rate. Review. Share. the podcast!Cali by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboiCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/wataboi-caliMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/qXptaqHIH5g
In Autumn of 2001, Lou tried something new and gave childcare a shot. It went much as expected. Also, Lou tells Chris about his experience with anti-depressants, the time he got expelled from school, and then Dan makes a guest appearance. Today Lou tells Chris about his 43rd job, Kids R Kids.
As a previous licensing consultant herself and now part of the Child Care Success team, Ronnae Williams has some great insight into how child care leaders can make the best of licensing. She shares practical tips to get organized and in a positive mindset, both of which will set up a good foundation for a visit from a licensing representative. Ronnae also has helped large chains and franchise organizations with everything including marketing to enrollment and stresses how not just knowing the rules, but really understanding them can make a world of a difference. Key Takeaways: [11:33] Ronnae started working for KinderCare and Kids R Kids but found her way into Licensing after helping in a multitude of positions and roles. The expertise of working with large chains and franchisees helped give her different perspectives on the industry. [16:00] Fun Fact: Ronnae is a new gardener and even just braved the Georgia heat to plant her first pear tree! [17:16] One of the best practices for a successful licensing visit is clear communication and not just knowing the rule book, but understanding the information and general rules. If you have questions, Ronnae recommends emailing them so there is a saved thread of information. [21:10] A positive mindset before a licensing visit is crucial, so you aren’t stressed or nervous but instead assured and confident. [23:57] Organization is key! You can be the binder queen like Ronnae, or use electronic filings if your state allows it. The more you have the information easily accessible and organized, the more confident you will feel. [31:20] Two sets of fresh eyes on your building may be better than just one. That way, they may see things you aren’t able to. [32:18] A few of the areas where issues tend to pop up are supervision and ratio, the playground, and medicine. [38:22] We assume that parents understand quality, and it’s our job to really step up and educate parents on what they should look for throughout their journey of finding the right school for them. [43:33] To Ronnae, a rockstar is someone who sets goals with passion and focus, and then continues to hit those goals and exceed even their own expectations. Quotes: “People that did better had a grasp of the rule book.” “You want to understand the rule, not just understand previous actions.” “Visit day is test day.” “Parents know child care, but they don’t really know quality.” 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 Child Care Authority Child Care Exchange The 5-Day Crush Your Fall Enrollment Challenge KinderCare 1Place Kids4Kids EntreLeadership The Magic (Secret), by Rhonda Byrne
The Mustache Messiah is joined once again by the host of "What Did I Think About This Week?!", Janean! We discuss the joys and struggles of raising a child, and how our parents lessons have taught us better ways to parent our kids now. Enjoy everyone! Subscribe to "What Did I Think About This Week?!" Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/what-did-i-think-about-this-week/id1438897194?mt=2&fbclid=IwAR1vhlXIoIaZFO8Ws-BCXJQAH7E0-sZmQVvFwYY5xyub1CIfdg90c9cffwM&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Anchor(with links to all other platforms): https://anchor.fm/twwnean
Sania Khiljee is a serial entrepreneur as well as social media expert. She owns Losers to Legends, which is a social media education and consulting company. Losers to Legends started as a motivational movement on social media and has grown over 1.4 million followers. Now, Sania helps entrepreneurs start and grow their business through social media with books, video training, and group coaching at www.socialmediawithsania.com She also is the co-owner of a private preschool Kids R Kids in Katy, TX and is the founder of a subscription box called Bumble Brain Box, which she sold in 2017. When she’s not blogging or running businesses, Sania loves to spend time with her husband and 2 cats and travel the world.
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
Before you read the title 'Rich to Riches' and think one thing, tune into this episode and realize it is the exact opposite. Sania Khiljee is an extremely successful entrepreneur who has mastered the art of building businesses and her social media platforms. Sania Khiljee is a serial entrepreneur as well as social media expert. She owns Losers to Legends, which is a social media education and consulting company. Losers to Legends started as a motivational movement on social media and has grown over 1.4 million followers. Now, Sania helps entrepreneurs start and grow their business through social media with books, video training, and group coaching at socialmediawithsania.com. She also is the co-owner of a private preschool Kids R Kids in Katy, TX and is the founder of a subscription box called Bumble Brain Box, which she sold in 2017. When she’s not blogging or running businesses, Sania loves to spend time with her husband and 2 cats and travel the world. Want to podcast? Want to take your current podcast to the next level? Go to: www.beginpodcastingnow.com and fill out the form for a free consultation. Follow us on social: Facebook: www.facebook.com/gnmpodcast Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/growthnowmovement Instagram: www.instagram.com/gnmpodcast Twitter: www.twitter.com/gnmpodcast
Napoleon Hill Foundation Certified Instrutor and MWR Life Inspiration Ambassador, Tom Cunningham (too tall) interviews Sania Jamil Sania is the founder & CEO of Bumble Brain Box, a monthly subscription box that teaches parents how to play with their newborn, infant, or toddler to help teach social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and auditory skills. She is also a franchisee for Kids R Kids in Katy, TX, helps operate two other locations, and assisted in launching the Kids R Kids franchise in China. It was this exposure to early childhood education that inspired the idea behind Bumble Brain Box. Sania is passionate about education, personal development, and storytelling, so she chronicles her day-to-day life in the small business and startup world on @howgr8pplthink on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. She is also outspoken about the challenges of being a female Muslim entrepreneur and hopes to overcome the stereotype. http://www.bumblebrainbox.com/