Ep. 211 - Chasing Cows and Building Dreams Into a 12-Center Empire with Jennifer House and Jenni Grawvunder
Release Date: 09/25/2025
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Ep. 211 - Chasing Cows and Building Dreams Into a 12-Center Empire with Jennifer House and Jenni Grawvunder
Child Care Rockstar Radio
Kris welcomes “The Jens”, aka Jennifer House (CEO) and Jenni Grawvunder (COO) of Children’s Choice Preschool, to share the remarkable story behind their 12-center child care empire in San Diego County. What started as a nonprofit program with 25 children has grown into a thriving operation serving nearly 1,300 kids across 11 centers (with a 12th on the way) and supported by a team of over 300 staff. From pet chickens to RV-based school openings, the Jens talk about blending practical business strategy with fun, managing both nonprofit and for-profit centers, building culture...
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Ep. 208 - Creating Leadership Magic In Her Ruby Slippers with Rachel Supalla
Child Care Rockstar Radio
Kris is joined by longtime friend, business visionary, and rockstar early childhood leader Rachel Supalla. Rachel is the founder of Vision Tree, a TEDx speaker, and the author of The Playful Leader’s Toolkit, a book packed with wisdom on leading with joy, grounding, and energy. With 10 schools across Montana and Utah, Rachel shares how she’s scaled her business while embracing what she calls “ruby slipper leadership.” They talk about managing energy instead of time, why remote teams need tight leadership structures, and how playfulness is more than just dress-up — it’s a strategy...
info_outlineKris welcomes “The Jens”, aka Jennifer House (CEO) and Jenni Grawvunder (COO) of Children’s Choice Preschool, to share the remarkable story behind their 12-center child care empire in San Diego County. What started as a nonprofit program with 25 children has grown into a thriving operation serving nearly 1,300 kids across 11 centers (with a 12th on the way) and supported by a team of over 300 staff.
From pet chickens to RV-based school openings, the Jens talk about blending practical business strategy with fun, managing both nonprofit and for-profit centers, building culture through grace and accountability, and how a vivid vision exercise helped reawaken their passion (and their animal sanctuary dreams). They also share some great advice on marketing, building a community, and not staying stuck as a leader.
Key Takeaways:
[8:24] The Jens join Kris from sunny San Diego.
[9:37] Jen House reflects on starting Children’s Choice in 1998 as a nonprofit with 25 children.
[10:11] They now operate 11 schools, with the 12th in escrow.
[11:27] Jenni G shares how she started as an aide in 2008 and worked her way up.
[12:28] The hilarious Yellow Pages story of how Jenni found her job and showed up with a posse.
[13:35] They now care for nearly 1,300 children and manage over 300 employees.
[14:25] The pet mascots of Children’s Choice.
[17:29] How a vivid vision exercise during a mastermind reignited Jen’s goals.
[18:08] Why events, parent engagement, and low ratios keep them nearly full.
[19:56] How they separate their nonprofit and for-profit businesses.
[22:55] Culture tips: give grace, hold accountability, and never stop training.
[23:51] Why adaptability has been key to their continued growth.
[24:05] Their dynamic: Jen is the visionary; Jenni is the implementer and numbers brain.
[26:34] Jenni recalls stepping up as a leader during COVID after Jen’s family loss.
[28:18] Jen reflects on shedding the nonprofit scarcity mindset and embracing self-worth.
[30:15] Their marketing strategy includes events, banners, mailers, and constant hustle.
[33:38] Why they gave up enrollment specialists and returned to director-led tours.
[36:02] Jenni’s personal journey of staying in California and building a life she never imagined.
[37:33] Their next move? An RV to launch school #12 on the road.
[39:12] The Jens share their fun facts, including chasing cows and running a puppet business.
Quotes:
“I told her, when I interviewed with her the first day, I said, ‘I’m gonna run one of your schools one day.’ And here I am.” — Jenni Grawvunder [11:43]
“You say give grace, but we also have to hold accountability.” — Jennifer House [23:13]
“Everything that we do, we learn from, we grow from, and who I am today is because of the things that I went through.” — Jennifer House [35:17]
“You’re always marketing. Even when you’re full, you keep marketing.” — Jennifer House [32:52]
Sponsored By:
ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)
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Mentioned in This Episode:
The Child Care Success Company
The Child Care Success Academy
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