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E236 The Realities of Expansion: Balancing Growth and Relationships in Child Care with Jessica Kelley

Child Care Genius Podcast

Release Date: 12/02/2025

E260 Smart Ways Child Care Owners Can Boost Profitability Without Cutting Corners with Brian and Carol Duprey show art E260 Smart Ways Child Care Owners Can Boost Profitability Without Cutting Corners with Brian and Carol Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

Are you trying to grow your child care profits—but worried it will come at the expense of your staff or the quality of care you provide? This is one of the most common challenges owners face, and in this episode, Brian and Carol tackle it head-on with practical, real-world strategies that actually work. Tune in to this episode of the Ask Brian and Carol series as they answer a listener’s question about increasing profitability without cutting corners. Listen in as they break down key steps like raising tuition strategically, maximizing enrollment, and using your current capacity more...

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E259 What Every Child Care Business Owner Needs to Know About Tuition Increases with Brian Duprey show art E259 What Every Child Care Business Owner Needs to Know About Tuition Increases with Brian Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

Are you still charging the same tuition you did years ago—and quietly losing money because of it? In this Child Care Genius Training Podcast episode, Brian breaks down why raising your child care rates annually isn’t just smart—it’s necessary for long-term success. Tune in to hear 10 practical reasons, from keeping up with inflation to improving staff retention and staying competitive in your market. You’ll also learn how to communicate rate increases with confidence and clarity to families. If you’ve ever felt hesitant or guilty about raising tuition, this episode will shift your...

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 E258 The Coverage Gaps That Could Cost Your Child Care Business with Brian and Carol Duprey show art E258 The Coverage Gaps That Could Cost Your Child Care Business with Brian and Carol Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

Are you truly protected—or just hoping nothing goes wrong in your child care business? When it comes to insurance, what you don’t know can cost you everything.   In this episode of the Ask Brian and Carol series, Brian and Carol Duprey tackle a critical question from a listener: what insurance is essential, and how do rising insurance costs impact your bottom line? Tune in as they break down the must-have coverages every child care owner should understand—from liability and abuse coverage to EPLI, workers’ comp, and more—along with practical rules of thumb to help you evaluate...

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E257 The Financial Discipline That Creates Multi-millionaires with Brian Duprey show art E257 The Financial Discipline That Creates Multi-millionaires with Brian Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What if the key to building real wealth in your child care business isn’t making more—but managing what you already have better? In this Friday Training episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, Brian Duprey breaks down the powerful habit of living below your means and why it’s essential for long-term success.   Tune in as he shares practical benchmarks, real-life examples, and simple strategies to help you reduce financial stress, build cash reserves, and reinvest back into your business. This is one of the most important financial lessons for any child care owner who wants...

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E256 Rainy Day Ready: Smart Money Strategies for Child Care Owners with Brian and Carol Duprey show art E256 Rainy Day Ready: Smart Money Strategies for Child Care Owners with Brian and Carol Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What would happen to your business if an unexpected financial storm hit tomorrow? Would you be prepared… or scrambling to stay afloat? In this Ask Brian and Carol episode, Brian and Carol Duprey tackle a powerful listener question about how to create an emergency fund for business surprises. Listen in as they break down practical, real-world strategies to help child care owners build financial security, from living below your means to setting up automatic savings systems that grow consistently over time. Tune in to this episode to hear how simple shifts—like reallocating revenue, paying...

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E255 How Your Mindset Shapes Your Team, Culture, and Enrollment with Brian Duprey show art E255 How Your Mindset Shapes Your Team, Culture, and Enrollment with Brian Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What if the way you talk to yourself is shaping your leadership, your team, and even your enrollment results? In this Friday Training episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, Brian Duprey breaks down the powerful role of positive self-talk and how it directly impacts stress, decision-making, and overall success as a child care owner.   Tune in to this episode to learn how shifting your internal dialogue can strengthen your mindset, boost confidence during tours, and help you lead your team with clarity and calm—even during challenging seasons. Listen in as Brian shares practical...

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E254 Ask Brian and Carol: How to Catch Financial Problems Before Small Issues Become Big Problems with Brian and Carol Duprey show art E254 Ask Brian and Carol: How to Catch Financial Problems Before Small Issues Become Big Problems with Brian and Carol Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What financial numbers should child care owners really be watching each month before small issues turn into big problems? In this episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, Brian and Carol Duprey kick off a brand-new Ask Brian and Carol series by answering a question so many owners need help with: which financial metrics matter most when it comes to spotting trouble early and protecting profitability.   Tune in to this episode as Brian and Carol walk through the key numbers every owner should be reviewing on a regular basis, including enrollment, full-time equivalent enrollment, tour...

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E253 Turn Your Child Care Business Expenses into Free Travel with Brian Duprey show art E253 Turn Your Child Care Business Expenses into Free Travel with Brian Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What if the money you’re already spending in your child care business could fund free travel around the world? The Friday Child Care Genius Training Podcast is back with a brand-new episode after a period of reruns while Brian Duprey recovered from surgery. In this episode, Brian shares a practical strategy for turning everyday business expenses into powerful rewards using airline credit cards—helping child care owners earn miles, unlock travel perks, and even fly first class without paying first-class prices. If you want simple ways to keep more money in your pocket while getting more...

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 E252 Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Smart Ways to Diversify Your Child Care Business with Brian and Carol Duprey show art E252 Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: Smart Ways to Diversify Your Child Care Business with Brian and Carol Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

Building a successful child care business takes more than strong enrollment. It also requires thinking ahead about stability, growth, and creating multiple sources of revenue. In this episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, we explore the power of diversification and why relying on a single income stream can leave your business vulnerable to economic shifts, subsidy delays, or unexpected market changes.   Join Brian and Carol Duprey as they share practical insights on how child care owners can strengthen their financial foundation by expanding beyond just one center or one revenue...

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E251 The Love Bank: Simple Habits That Strengthen a Lifetime Partnership with Brian Duprey show art E251 The Love Bank: Simple Habits That Strengthen a Lifetime Partnership with Brian Duprey

Child Care Genius Podcast

What does a strong marriage have to do with building a successful life and business? In this special episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, Brian Duprey takes a moment away from the usual business conversations to share something much more personal. As Carol celebrates her birthday week, Brian reflects on the incredible partnership they’ve built over 35 years of marriage and the simple habits that have helped keep their relationship strong.   Tune in to this episode as Brian shares heartfelt stories about Carol, the love of his life. From weekly flowers and opening car doors to...

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More Episodes

Expanding your child care business is more than just adding another location—it’s about growing your impact, your leadership, and your heart for families.

 

In this week’s episode of the Child Care Genius Podcast, special host Sindye Alexander, COO of Child Care Genius, fills in for Brian and Carol Duprey to chat with Jessica Kelley, a seasoned child care owner from Clarksville, Tennessee. With over 23 years of experience and a second location now underway, Jessica shares her story of growth, community connection, and leadership grounded in relationships.

 

Listen in as Sindye and Jessica discuss the challenges and rewards of family-run businesses, from balancing roles with a spouse to building strong teacher-parent relationships that make every family feel like part of the Red Barn Child Care family. Jessica opens up about the lessons she’s learned through expansion, what makes her center a beloved part of the community, and how she’s adapting her marketing and management strategies for the next phase of growth.

 

You’ll also hear Jessica’s heartfelt take on empowering her team, delegating effectively, and the importance of having a coach and community to lean on when business gets tough. Whether you’re dreaming of expansion, fine-tuning your leadership, or simply seeking inspiration from another passionate owner, this conversation is full of insight, honesty, and encouragement.

 

Tune in now for a candid, inspiring discussion that reminds us that success in child care isn’t just about growth—it’s about people, purpose, and the heart behind it all.

 

 

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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

 

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