Libsyn Directory

Becoming the Provider of Choice with Scott Whitaker

Release Date: 06/06/2024

Episode 199 with Rachel Davis — Follow Your True Calling

Child Care Rockstar Radio

This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children’s Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models. Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Rescue Mission to creating a faith-driven, community-focused child care network where high standards, deep relationships, and genuine care intersect. She shares the heart behind her mission to support nontraditional working...

Episode 198 with Jessica Harris: Be The CEO of Your Life

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Jessica Harris is the owner of Four Sisters Childcare in Linden, Utah — a thriving center named after her four daughters. Alongside her husband, she’s built a program that’s now serving 91 full-time equivalent students with a capacity of 86 and a waitlist. But her real work goes beyond enrollment. In this episode, Jessica shares her journey from running a home daycare to leading a full-blown center, all while growing as a leader, navigating fear, and learning how to truly step into her power. She opens up about the deep personal habits that ground her, the way she teaches...

Ep 197 with Neshanta Linson: Creating an Extended Family In Her Community

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Neshanta Linson is the owner of Hermes Enchanted Garden, a boutique early childhood program in Lower Alabama. Starting as a home-based daycare, her center has grown into a thriving, community-driven school that blends classical education, family values, and a strong sense of connection. Beyond her role as a business owner, Neshanta is deeply committed to servant leadership, fostering an environment where families, staff, and children feel like an extended family. In this episode, she shares how she built a family-centered school culture where staff and parents feel truly connected. Neshanta...

Ep. 196 with The Sisters (M. Mercedes & Maria Consuela): What Does ECE Stand For? Empathy-Courage-Excellence

Child Care Rockstar Radio

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

Ep. 195 — Jacob Jensen: Stack Your WINS for Massive Momentum

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Jacob Jensen is the Executive Director of The Learning Station, a Christian-based child care organization in Myrtle Beach, and a coach for the Child Care Success Company. As a husband and father of two boys, Jacob is dedicated to providing exceptional early education while upholding core values like positivity, family, and excellence. With three schools serving nearly 500 children, Jacob focuses on empowering leaders and driving success in the child care industry. He is passionate about building strong communities and helping child care businesses thrive. In this episode, Jacob...

Ep. 194 — Creating Beauty From Tragedy with Michelle Masjedi

Child Care Rockstar Radio

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

Ep. 193: Tameenah Adams — Feeling Alive in ’25

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Tameenah Adams is a Certified Child Care Success Academy (CCSA) Business Coach and a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully owned and operated multiple childcare centers in the DC Metro area. As a coach, she helps childcare owners streamline operations, build high-performing teams, and achieve sustainable growth. With over 25 years of experience in HR, business management, and leadership development, Tameenah launched ChildcareHR to support childcare owners with HR, compliance, and scaling their businesses. In this episode, Tameenah and Kris dive into the feelings wheel and discuss...

Ep. 192: Thomas Brawner - Build a Great Team Around You

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Kris welcomes Thomas Brawner, Owner and CFO of Alta Schoolhouse, a Montessori-inspired preschool located in Lakeland, Florida. Thomas first talks about his and his wife's journey to Lakeland - his wife had previous experience as a director at a childcare center, while Thomas came from a business background but shared a passion for working with kids. Thomas provides an inspiring glimpse into the strategies he and his wife used to successfully open Alta Schoolhouse, after facing challenges with their first two location attempts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the dynamics of their...

Ep. 191: The Power of Story with Brenda and Geordie McClay

Child Care Rockstar Radio

In this episode, host Kris Murray welcomes Brenda and Geordie McClay, the dynamic husband-wife team behind Bright Ideas Child Care and Learning Center. Brenda and Geordie share their remarkable journey, from Brenda's initial desire to be an elementary school teacher to opening their first childcare center in 2009 and expanding to a second location in 2020. The McClays discuss the challenges they’ve faced, particularly with hiring quality staff during the pandemic, and the strategies they’ve employed to overcome these hurdles. This includes partnering with local high schools to develop an...

Ep. 190 — Fail Your Way To Success with Constance Sholar Cherry

Child Care Rockstar Radio

This week, Kris welcomes Constance Sholar Cherry, the powerhouse owner of Creative Home Academy, to share her remarkable journey from home daycare to running multiple thriving centers. Constance discusses her growth through challenges, especially navigating the launch of her center during the pandemic, and emphasizes the “don’t just survive, thrive” mindset. Constance also highlights the value of creating a positive culture, personal development for staff, and the rewards of seeing children go from surviving to thriving. Key Takeaways: [9:15] Constance joins the show and...

More Episodes

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

Key Takeaways:

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

[5:01] More about The Pachamama Alliance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quotes:

“That’s really my goal, to make them the most impactful inside their niche so that they can help those businesses that are truly looking to grow and serve.” — Scott [9:38]
“I can’t think of any better journey than taking an owner and helping them move from growing into a place of freedom into a place of an empire.” — Scott [16:34]
“Retention is all about relationships and results.” — Scott [18:16]
“As we look at this retention model, we have to look at it as a relationship and results with the child and relationship and results with the parents, and it’s got to be an equal focus there.” — Scott [19:00]
“My first challenge to anybody and everybody considering identifying who their avatar is is to come from a place of abundance.” — Scott [42:47]

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