How to Build an 8 Figure Childcare Business
How to Build an 8 Figure Childcare Business
How can business owners turn a side hustle into a mission-driven business?
My original, burning desire was simply to leave my day job. I was working part-time for my little brother at his bolt manufacturing company in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The factory environment was intense—big machines constantly humming and clanging, a very masculine, dirty setting. While some people thrive in that environment, it just wasn’t for me. I was managing quality assurance and marketing while raising little kids at home.
Being a family-run business, it was me, my brother, and our dad. I wanted to break free and create something of my own. My initial goal was straightforward: make enough money with an online business so I could quit my job at the bolt factory. By 2009, I did it. I built an online business teaching others how to start daycares, and I’ll never forget the day I realized it was generating enough income for me to quit.
As the business grew and I poured everything into it, my desire evolved. I wanted to make a larger impact, especially for women who were underserved and lacked access to foundational business knowledge. No one was teaching them concepts like lifetime customer value, unique selling points, building a world-class website, differentiating from competitors, or understanding basic money math. Once I started helping women develop these skills, my drive to create positive change only deepened.
How can business owners build and maintain team trust?
I’m a huge fan of Patrick Lencioni and his book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. When a company lacks a strong culture, there’s often an absence of trust. Poor leadership decisions can erode the trust I’ve worked hard to build within my team.
For instance, in 2021, I hired a talented individual as my COO, but it wasn’t the right fit. Within two years, he left the company, and during his time here, he impacted the team’s trust. He didn’t follow through on commitments, wasn’t clear in his communication, and occasionally created drama. It ended up being a poor decision on my part, and I do regret it.
However, we parted on good terms, and we’re still friends. I’ve learned not to beat myself up over it. I talk openly about what I can share, move forward, and learn from the experience. One of my mottoes is “win or learn.” For me, there’s no failure—it’s either I win or I learn and move on.
When should business owners take extra time to make decisions?
For me, decision-making has become instinctual. After 13 years, I’ve developed strong intuition, which I rely on, but I also apply logic, past experience, and strategic thinking to each decision. The biggest consideration with decisions is their unintended consequences—some can be positive, but often, they’re not.
One thing I do now that I didn’t do earlier in my career is to take more time with decisions. I sit with them longer, considering all potential downstream impacts as much as possible. While you can’t predict everything, you can at least try to foresee the ripple effects.
I’m also a fan of John Maxwell, who emphasizes that not every decision will be perfect. He advises making adjustments and pivoting as needed. For hiring, I follow the principle: “hire slow, fire fast.” Taking time to find the right person is crucial, but if a hire turns out to be a poor fit, it’s important to let them go quickly.
How can entrepreneurs prioritize family and business?
I have two children—my daughter is 18 and just graduated from high school, and my son is 21. Growing this business has been like raising a third child. I launched it when my kids were just five and three years old, and my connection to my niche developed naturally; since my kids were in childcare, I began working with their preschool owner during the recession. She became my first client, and we traded daycare fees for my help in improving her business.
The family component has been huge. It was challenging because my ex-husband was home with the kids while I traveled around the country, building the business, speaking, and forming client relationships. I definitely felt some mom guilt, but when I was home, I focused on creating memorable experiences with them. We went on trips to places like Yellowstone, Jackson, Wyoming, and Disney, building wonderful memories.
They saw me working hard on something I was passionate about, and I think that has lasting value. Now, I’m a single mom with full custody, and it wasn’t easy raising two teens while running a business full-time, but I’m celebrating their success. My daughter is heading to Savannah College of Art and Design, and my son is living and working in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I’m proud of the journey and the example I set for them.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.*
