Child Care Rockstar Radio

Child Care Rockstar Radio is the podcast for child care owners, daycare leaders, and early childhood education entrepreneurs who want to grow a stronger, more profitable child care business. Hosted by Jennifer Conner, CEO of The Child Care Success Company, each episode features conversations with child care experts, preschool owners, and industry leaders who share practical strategies for child care leadership, enrollment growth, marketing, team culture, and business success. If you run a child care center, daycare, or preschool program, this podcast will help you build the systems, leadership skills, and mindset needed to grow your program and create a lasting impact on children, families, and your community.

Ep. 223 — Protect What You’ve Built with Sharita Brown 03/19/2026

Ep. 223 — Protect What You’ve Built with Sharita Brown In this episode, Jennifer shares a personal moment that slowed her down and clarified what matters most: impact, leadership, and protecting what’s been entrusted to you. That framing sets the tone for a grounded conversation with Sharita “Rita” Brown, a long-time early childhood leader and Child Care Success Company coach, about one of the fears many owners carry quietly — the allegation that can shake everything. Rita walks Jennifer through a season where her centers faced a false report, and they couldn’t immediately produce the proof they needed. Instead of spiraling, they tightened their standards: documentation, overstaffing to protect ratios, and leadership that showed up in the building, not just on paper. This conversation is a real look at how “inspect what you expect” plays out when it’s no longer a slogan, and why the simplest protection is often the most overlooked: documenting, consistently, as a team. Key Takeaways: [:08] Jennifer reflects on a recent car wreck and how being “shaken” clarifies what matters, and why “protect what you’ve built” is more than a mindset. [6:07] Rita recounts the moment a false report landed, and they couldn’t quickly find documentation to prove ratio coverage. [8:45] The emotion behind it: feeling helpless — and realizing systems exist to protect children, staff, and families. [10:24] What changed immediately: pushing systems, tightening documentation, and temporarily overstaffing to protect against ratio risk. [14:28] “Inspect what you expect” as the non-negotiable leadership shift, especially across multiple sites. [16:45] The practical reset: going into each center, one-on-ones, rebuilding buy-in, and modeling standards in real time. [19:26] A more recent allegation (2025) and what it looked like to be ready this time: systems, documentation, leadership alignment, and no case. [21:36] Rita’s “one thing” every owner can do today: document, and make sure your team is documenting. [28:41] Stepping into the CEO seat means boundaries: staying reachable without being on the floor every day and building leaders who can carry the work. Quotes: “What matters to me is not about playing a game. It’s not about chasing something, wanting bigger and better. It’s more about living a life that matters to me. It’s about making an impact. It’s about leading well and protecting what’s been entrusted to me.” — Jennifer [2:43] “So we really pushed our systems and made sure that our documentation was in place from that moment, because we didn’t have any proof to show them otherwise.” — Rita [11:43] “Inspect what you expect.” — Jennifer / Rita [14:04] “I think sometimes, as owners, we don’t realize that there’s no shortcut to time, there’s no shortcut to personal interaction, there’s no shortcut to modeling the behaviors you want to see.” — Jennifer [18:03] “Make sure your team is documenting.” — Rita [21:08] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/40527355

Ep. 222 — When Loving Kids Isn’t Enough with Michael Ingram 03/05/2026

Ep. 222 — When Loving Kids Isn’t Enough with Michael Ingram A new season of Child Care Rockstar Radio begins with Jennifer Conner, CEO of the Child Care Success company, stepping in as host! Jennifer shares the real behind-the-scenes of her own journey: buying a struggling center, realizing “love and passion” alone won’t sustain a business long-term, and learning how systems, finances, and leadership create the stability that protects your mission. Then Jennifer welcomes Michael Ingram, a legacy child care leader and school owner with multi-generational roots, to talk about the kind of leadership growth that doesn’t show up on an org chart. Michael reflects on moving from defensiveness to connection, mentorship and choosing community over isolation, and learning how to create space. Michael also shares how mentorship changed his leadership, and why being the one everyone calls for answers can be a signal that it’s time to find your own room of mentors. Key Takeaways: [1:10] Jennifer shares her journey from childcare owner to building a strong leadership team and moving to Mexico. [1:25] She highlights how systems, finances, and leadership are critical to a sustainable childcare business. [2:28] Jennifer talks about shifting from running schools remotely to becoming a coach and CEO rooted in love for children and families. [9:32] Michael reflects on taking feedback too personally early on and learning to get comfortable with discomfort. [16:20] Michael explains how stepping aside from his own ego and seeking mentorship transformed his leadership. [20:22] He describes his school’s model, which includes on-site OT, speech, and ABA therapy for children with higher needs. [22:31] The challenges that Michael faces in his school, and how he works to overcome them. [26:02] Michael’s passion for advocacy and advice for someone who wants to get involved but doesn’t exactly know how. [29:11] Finding the right group that advocates for your cause. [31:17] QTIP - Quit Taking It Personal, and how Michael learned to not take things so personally. [35:23] Learning how to give and take space as a leader, and embracing the mantra “just for today”. Quotes: “The version of you that started your center isn't necessarily the version of you that sustains it or carries it forward.” [4:44] - Jennifer “I had to get out of the way of knowing all the answers and allow the people who I am here to serve and work with to help me figure out those answers.” [10:05] – Michael “Where there's uncomfortability, that's where growth is. You know, that's the innovation of growth. And so, I had to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” [11:04] - Michael “You just have to embrace the uncomfortability, and then you can step into greatness.” [11:20] - Michael “We are doing great things, and we are ready to accept families and support families where they're at. And I think when you have a voice, and you use that voice, other people often will hear it, and it will energize them to rally around a cause that you're passionate about.” [29:43] - Michael “When you operate out of space, that’s when things fall into line.” [35:09] - Michael Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/40280385

Ep. 221 — Happier Mamas, Happier Babies with Camille St. Martin 02/19/2026

Ep. 221 — Happier Mamas, Happier Babies with Camille St. Martin In this heartfelt sendoff episode, Kris sits down with her very first hire, Camille St. Martin, for a deeply meaningful conversation about the postpartum experience, nervous system regulation, and the importance of truly seeing and supporting new moms. Camille, now a mother of two and the founder of Ritual Movement Mama, shares how her own experience of isolation and identity loss after childbirth sparked a mission to help mothers reconnect with their bodies, their breath, and their inner wisdom, one slow movement at a time. Together, Kris and Camille explore what it means to return to yourself after birth, how child care leaders can support the full family system, and why “happier mamas” really do lead to “happier babies.” This episode also marks a full-circle moment and a big transition — Kris’s final episode as host of Child Care Rockstar Radio before passing the mic to new host and CEO of the Child Care Success Company, Jennifer Conner. Key Takeaways: [9:35] Camille talks about her experience of feeling isolated and disconnected after her children were born, and her desire to create a community of support for new moms. [10:14] Ritual Movement Mama is aimed at helping new moms feel at home in their bodies and regulate their nervous systems. [15:14] Camille shares her personal journey of quitting drinking and the coping skills she developed, which inspired her to help other new moms. [17:43] Camille speaks candidly about postpartum depression screenings, the cultural default to medication, and the urgent need for alternative, holistic support. [23:04] Instead of a rigid routine, Camille now teaches a “wheel of anchors,” small, accessible practices like breathwork, movement, and prayer that help moms feel grounded again. [25:27] Camille’s personal life and projects. [27:05] Fun fact! Camille INDEED was a professional hula hoop performer! [31:26] Her new virtual program offers guided journaling, somatic movement, and imagery-based integration for women navigating identity shifts in early motherhood. [34:58] Camille reminds child care leaders that they may be one of the first outside interactions for postpartum moms, and that those early moments imprint deeply. [35:50] Kris reflects on her own child care experiences as a new mom, emphasizing the power of environments that support both the baby and the mother. Quotes: “Moms right now are so isolated, and there is not a lot of support, and there isn’t a lot of support around healing as far as stepping into motherhood and transitioning into motherhood and learning how to cope and how to regulate our nervous systems and how to move into motherhood gracefully.” — Camille [10:04] “Lots of times we have the biggest shift of our lives and everything rearranges on the inside, our whole nervous system has been rearranged, and everyone just expects us to bounce back and go back to normal, and there’s just not even a witnessing or a holding or a ceremony.” — Camille [11:29] “I would say it’s kind of a real honoring and reverence for the transition into motherhood through movement and other integration processes.” — Camille [31:18] “Regulated mothers equal regulated children and happier families.” — Camille [33:18] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal | /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/40108025

Ep. 220 - Becoming Stronger and Getting Better Each Day with Cynthia Maher 02/05/2026

Ep. 220 - Becoming Stronger and Getting Better Each Day with Cynthia Maher Are you ready to grow stronger as a leader and show up bigger for your center? This week, Kris sits down with Cynthia Maher, owner and founder of Bedford Child Development Center in Michigan, and a proud finalist in the 2025 Child Care Rockstar Contest. Cynthia shares what it felt like to be on that big stage, the personal breakthroughs she experienced, and the mindset shifts that are helping her move forward with more clarity and confidence than ever before. With over 20 years in the field, Cynthia opens up about her team culture, marketing strategies, and why her center’s motto, “treat others as you want to be treated”, is more than just words on a wall. Key Takeaways: [3:14] A big podcast announcement! [8:04] Cynthia shares how she's using discounts and community awareness to drive enrollment at Bedford Child Development Center. [9:21] She’s been in the field her whole adult life and has owned her center for over 20 years. [10:10] Cynthia lights up when she talks about watching children grow and hit those magical “lightbulb” moments. [12:49] For her, this work is more than a job — it’s a calling and a ministry. [13:44] Cynthia reflects on how much she’s grown as a leader, especially in shifting her mindset around business ownership. [15:13] She gives a peek into her personal life, from her supportive husband to the joys of being a grandmother. [18:21] Cynthia breaks down the community partnerships that are helping her center thrive, like working with the local library and schools. [23:24] Her leadership style centers on treating staff like family and making sure every team member feels supported and properly trained. [24:34] Building a strong, connected team culture has always been a top priority at Bedford. [26:06] Cynthia walks through how her admin team is structured to help things run smoothly and support both teachers and families. [27:53] She talks about what it was like to be a finalist in the Rockstar Contest, and how it helped her step more fully into her power. [31:20] Her “why” keeps her going: helping kids, building a legacy, and showing her team what’s possible. [33:12] Cynthia encourages other leaders to take the leap, invest in themselves, and keep learning, no matter what stage they’re in. Quotes: “The development and watching children grow and flourish and getting those aha moments with the light bulb has always been like something that just drives me.” — Cynthia [10:10] “It has always been my ministry to be with children and to work with the children.” — Cynthia [12:49] “Our motto has always been to treat others as you would want to be treated.” — Cynthia [23:24] “Just building that sense of teamwork and a culture that inspires excellence has always been what we have been focusing on.” — Cynthia [24:34] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39919005

Ep. 219 - Having a Seat at the Right Table Is Everything with Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross 01/22/2026

Ep. 219 - Having a Seat at the Right Table Is Everything with Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross Kyleigh Tolman and Keaton Ross are the powerhouse sister duo behind Klever Kidz Academy in rural Southeast Oklahoma. With three centers and over 300 children served, Kyleigh and Keaton have built something deeply rooted in family, community, and intentional leadership. During their chat with Kris, they share how they’ve infused fun, core values, and heart into their culture, from heart-shaped tattoos with their leadership team to parent survival kits and walkout-proof staff meetings. They also open up about enrollment challenges in rural areas, personal development routines, and how finding the right community has shaped their success. This episode is a playbook in purpose-driven leadership and the impact of building a strong internal culture in early education. Key Takeaways: [4:48] Kyleigh started Klever Kidz Academy in 2011, and Keaton joined in 2023; together, they now lead three centers serving over 290 children. [6:32] As co-owners and sisters, they divide responsibilities based on strengths and have found a rhythm that balances business and family. [8:32] Kyleigh shares the origin of the Klever Kidz name and her early passion for creating a safe, loving environment for children. [11:10] The sisters share personal insights about their families and the importance of maintaining a supportive work-life balance. [11:52] The leadership team bonded so deeply they got matching heart-shaped tattoos — on their left feet! [14:02] They’ve built a close-knit team culture grounded in core values, with staff meetings so engaging that no one wants to leave. [20:48] In a unique Oklahoma model, they’ve built contracts and partnerships that help sustain their rural enrollment. [22:34] Their personal development practices include books like The Miracle Morning and strong morning routines to lead with intention. [25:09] Facing inflation, low birth rates, and local competition, they’ve used strategic enrollment tools like waived fees and parent survival kits. [29:11] They prioritize building strong relationships with licensing reps and being visible in their communities. [31:11] Their marketing strategy includes going back to basics and focusing on human connection and word-of-mouth. [32:30] The Parent Survival Kit is a small but thoughtful gift for new families that makes a lasting impression. [35:07] Their biggest advice: build a trusting, collaborative relationship with your licensing rep. It pays off long-term. Quotes: “Heart-shaped tattoos because we lead with heart.” — Kylie [12:21] “We always try to make sure we have the right people in the right seats.” — Kylie [13:49] “I’d say we are really a close-knit leadership team. We’re like a family, and then we are intentional about that, and that’s one of our core values as well. And we’re always incorporating our core values and making sure our leadership team is instilling those core values into our staff.” — Kylie [14:16] “We are their family. We are that connection they’re looking for.” — Kylie [20:17] “Align yourself with the right people and then implement as fast as you can without burning out. It’s a hard one, but it is possible.” — Kris [38:49] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Hal Elrod — /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39713105

Ep. 218 - Stamp Your Center’s Footprint in the Community with Megan Ferring 01/08/2026

Ep. 218 - Stamp Your Center’s Footprint in the Community with Megan Ferring Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! In this episode, Kris sits down with Megan Ferring, a dynamic regional director at Hamilton Heights Child Development Center, where her 16-year journey began as a preschool teacher. Megan’s deep commitment to both operational excellence and playful leadership recently earned her the Director of the Year award. Kris and Megan talk about how Hamilton Heights approaches leadership structure, branding, and enrollment strategy across its six locations. Megan shares her perspective on centering community connections, building team culture, and developing consistent processes across all sites. She also reflects on her growth from shy teacher to confident presenter, the importance of celebrating wins through initiatives like the Hammy Awards, and how servant leadership, inflatable silly Santa costumes, and “yellow box” muffin runs all play a role in culture-building. Key Takeaways: [7:24] Megan shares about her family life, including her 17-year-old and 12-year-old sons and her love of camping with her husband of 18 years. [8:01] She began working in early childhood during high school and has now been with Hamilton Heights for over 16 years. [9:12] Her leadership journey has included roles as a preschool teacher, toddler teacher, assistant director, director of special projects, and now regional director. [13:06] Megan emphasizes the importance of building brand recognition and making your center a household name in the community. [14:17] Community outreach strategies and partnerships with early childhood networks. [17:43] She encourages leaders to recenter on their program’s unique strengths to maintain and grow enrollment. [19:52] In her new company-wide compliance role, Megan oversees SOP alignment, staff file audits, and training expiration alerts using BambooHR. [24:05] She finds value in the Academy’s team program for helping leaders feel less alone and more connected. [27:05] Megan uses playful leadership tactics like inflatable costumes, scavenger hunts, and holiday games to boost team morale. [30:27] She prioritizes understanding how each team member feels appreciated using workplace love languages. [33:59] Megan shares how her leadership team supports one another through challenges with trust and shared commitment. [34:24] She defines a childcare rockstar as someone who shows up every day to serve children and families with heart. [36:28] Hamilton Heights recognizes excellence through company-wide shoutouts and the annual “Hammy Awards” celebration. Quotes: “The thing that I’ve recognized about myself is that I’m a lifelong learner. That fuels me. So being able to do that and put it into my toolkit is just great.” — Megan [12:31] “I think the big thing to learn in all of this is that it’s important that you put your footprint in the community that you’re serving.” — Megan [14:09] “I think that in that team room, something special happens. In the main room, too. You don’t feel alone; you’re hearing that people are struggling with the same issue you are, and it makes you feel better. And that you’re not in it alone.” — Megan [24:02] “Not everybody has the same heart and drive that I do, and that’s okay. It’s what sets me apart.” — Megan [37:44] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39460510

Ep. 217 - Not Your Typical Childcare Center with LaVonda Paul 12/18/2025

Ep. 217 - Not Your Typical Childcare Center with LaVonda Paul This week, Kris welcomes LaVonda Paul, a trailblazing early childhood leader and fourth-generation entrepreneur, for an inspiring conversation about legacy, leadership, and the power of showing up. As the owner of Small Impressions Child Development Center in Taylors, South Carolina, LaVonda has spent 19 years building a community-first program. In the episode, LaVonda talks with Kris about how she’s cultivated deep trust with families, built a rock-solid team culture, and gone all-in on advocacy, helping shape policy while showing up for children, parents, and educators alike. She opens up the community programs she’s launched and why she might just run for office one day. This is a powerful look at what it means to lead with heart, purpose, and unapologetic commitment. Key Takeaways: [7:37] LaVonda shares the origin of Small Impressions, which she’s led for 19 years. With 90 students currently enrolled, she prioritizes quality over quantity and deep relationships with families. [8:57] Her journey in early childhood education began at the and in after-school programs, where she realized the impact she could make by working with younger children. [10:13] LaVonda reflects on launching her center while going through a divorce, raising a one-year-old. Her leap of faith led to a thriving business — now co-run with her husband, Curtis. [11:40] Fun fact: LaVonda is afraid to fly, but that doesn’t stop her from being a world traveler! [13:34] LaVonda details what sets her center apart: low staff turnover, deep parent engagement, teacher-parent conferences, onsite therapy, and advocacy for families. [17:27] She’s active at the state level, working with lawmakers and Chambers of Commerce to advocate for childcare investment and workforce development in South Carolina. [18:06] LaVonda explains her entrepreneurial drive as generational — a fourth-generation business owner who didn’t want to live with “shoulda, coulda, woulda” regrets. [19:41] LaVonda explains running her school like a real school, where she acts as more principal than babysitter. [21:53] Kris and LaVonda talk about the importance of taking ownership when mistakes happen. [31:59] Lavonda’s advocacy work includes training for childcare workers, as well as expanded services and access for children with behavioral or developmental needs. [33:06] What’s next for LaVonda and Small Impressions? Quotes: “I’m about quality as opposed to quantity. I don’t want to pack out my classroom because I don’t want to lose my sense of being able to connect with my students, um, being able to connect with my families.” — LaVonda [8:10] “That speaks volumes within itself, that children and families believe in our program here, that they stay with us, five, six years. I have a family here that’s been here for 12 years.” — LaVonda [9:02] “I’m a risk taker. I’m gonna jump off that cliff. One or two things are going to happen, either God’s going to catch me before I fall, or he’s going to give me wings and teach me how to fly, but he’s taught me how to soar.” — LaVonda [10:40] “It’s better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all. So why not try to create something special with my own ideas?” — LaVonda [18:32] “Take ownership when you screw up. Take ownership when you don’t always get it right.” — Kris [22:34] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39371250

Ep. 216 - What “Trust the Process” Really Means with Kris Murray 12/04/2025

Ep. 216 - What “Trust the Process” Really Means with Kris Murray It’s solo episode time! Kris shares insights from her new book, The Antidote to Fear, and outlines three practical ways to trust yourself and the process. She talks about embracing fear and self-doubt, including her “yoga mat” moment that changed her career direction. Kris discusses manifestation as a giving process and highlights the importance of creating quiet spaces for intuition and growth. She also gives an update on her recent women’s retreat in Maui. Key Takeaways: [2:22] Kris explains the concept of “trust the process” from the Success Academy’s guiding principles. [11:11] How fear can come in and stop us from taking action on following our intuition and going towards our calling. [14:28] The yoga mat moment that came from a moment of stillness and changed Kris’s life. [15:00] Hug your fear? Why going towards your fear is actually one of the best things you can do to alchemize it. [17:25] The importance of tapping into gratitude. [18:08] Overcoming self-doubt. [21:24] Calling out the “B.S.” in your life, and why having a coach or mentor to help you through the process is great. [22:04] Manifestation as a giving process. [33:26] Kris talks about manifesting a fun book club where she is surrounded by sisterhood, and her beautiful partnership. Quotes: “When you feel fear, the ultimate strategy, the ultimate antidote to fear, is to move towards it. It’s to actually embrace it and to feel it and hug it.” — Kris [15:24] “The opposite of fear is actually love. So the way to alchemize the fear is to love it, and to tap into gratitude.” — Kris [17:25] “Manifest from the giving energy, the loving energy, and everything in your world can change.” — Kris [33:26] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39175925

Ep. 215 - How Disney's Service Values Can WOW Your Customer with Vance Morris 11/20/2025

Ep. 215 - How Disney's Service Values Can WOW Your Customer with Vance Morris Kris welcomes Vance Morris, former security guard turned Disney leader and successful entrepreneur, for a trip to the happiest place on earth — great customer service! Vance helps business owners get, serve, and keep clients for life through creating experiences and response-required marketing. He shares real-world strategies to delight customers, build community buzz, and drive word-of-mouth referrals. In this episode, Vance breaks down Disney’s hiring and training magic and the “why” behind it, how it transforms the customer experience, the role of linertainment, and how to make operational consistency actually fun, all with a lens on how these lessons can translate to the early education business. He also walks through the steps to Disney-fy your business and opens up about how to navigate loneliness in leadership. Key Takeaways: [2:53] Kris and Vance agree — no cell phones out in the water, unless you are playing music! [7:11] Vance talks about the changes at Disney, including the increase in employees and the impact on customer service. [15:22] The importance of addressing leaky holes in the business process and improving customer experience through small changes. [15:30] Gifting and reciprocity in building customer loyalty and trust. [16:57] Disney’s “linertainment” or the entertainment that helps people stay energized and happy while they wait in line. [19:09] The “what, how, and why” at Disney and the importance of running things on a system and process. [20:07] Systems give you freedom, and the importance of consistency and efficiency. [26:43] What we can learn from the hamburgers at McDonald's! [27:07] Having an engaged team and empowering people. [32:23] Building trust and reciprocity through gifting and special “thank you” treats. [37:03] Vance Morris introduces his coaching program and the concept of systematic magic, which helps businesses map out the customer journey. [39:50] Finding your community when you are an entrepreneur, and the downside to isolation. [41:50] Vance’s Disney event business and the unique experiences he offers, including a nine-course wine pairing dinner. [50:06] What’s next for Vance in the future? Quotes: “I much prefer to work with the mom and pop, Main Street business, where we can have an immediate, noticeable impact, not only on the experience, but on the finances and how profitable customer experience can be.” — Vance [10:55] “What is the company doing to entertain you during that wait period and make it not feel so bad?” — Vance [18:08] “The secret sauce behind all of the experience stuff at Disney is that Disney runs on systems. And literally runs on three words: what to do, how to do it, and why do we do it that way? And everything has a what, how, why behind it, and the reason for this.” — Vance [18:39] “Systems give you freedom. You’re not locking down creativity.” — Vance [20:07] “The boss doesn’t always have the answers, and asking your employee, well, what would you do? And you’ll be surprised a lot of times, because, you know, they’re pretty smart.” — Vance [25:57] “Isolation kills entrepreneurs.” — Vance [39:18] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/39111625

Ep. 214 - Fixing a Broken Culture with Intentional Leadership with Ashanti Ordone 11/06/2025

Ep. 214 - Fixing a Broken Culture with Intentional Leadership with Ashanti Ordone Kris welcomes Ashanti Ordone, the Founder and CEO of Gifted & Talented Academy, and the 2025/26 Child Care Rock Star Award winner! They talk about expanding from a home daycare to three locations, transforming her school’s culture, and overcoming challenges in the early childhood education landscape. Ashanti shares her powerful story of building a thriving early learning center, detailing how she developed rock-solid core values and poured into her leadership team, implemented innovative leadership strategies, and turned her school’s culture into a model of excellence. Key Takeaways: [6:02] Ashanti shares her background, starting Gifted and Talented Academy in Indiana with her mom in 2002. They are family-owned and family-focused. [6:21] Fun fact! They started with a home daycare and expanded to a center within three months due to high demand. [14:31] Ashanti discusses her transition from practicing law to early childhood education, driven by her passion for working with children. [17:07] How Ashanti’s legal training and education background have been instrumental in her success in the child care industry. [18:21] Ashanti talks more about her family and personal life, along with her love of a good beach! [21:53] What led Ashanti to Kris and the Child Care Success family in 2018. [23:47] Ashanti implemented strategies from the academy, focusing on core values and culture, which led to significant improvements. [25:42] Ashanti explains how they crafted their core values: family, education, respect, excellence, and fun. [31:30] Teachers were involved in the interview process to ensure a good cultural fit, and core values were incorporated into interview questions. [36:19] They have a core value of the month award to recognize team members who exemplify each value. [38:21] Ashanti gets candid about the struggles that providers are facing, and the importance of staying focused on your mission and staying on the course. [42:30] The power of keeping a positive mindset and building with consistency and focus. Quotes: “I don’t think there’s anything more important as a cornerstone, a foundational element to your culture, than core values that you actually live and breathe.” — Kris [4:55] “She is absolutely my why. She is the reason that family and education are so important to me.” — Ashanti [10:13] “I think that that combination of just that core value of education, growing up with a mom who is an educator, and having a passion for young children, combined with the legal training, is what helps me to be successful in business.” — Ashanti [17:33] “For me, I think the biggest game changer that first year was focusing on our core values and really starting to turn our culture around.” — Ashanti [26:40] “If family is one of our core values, then you have to fit into this family.” — Ashanti [35:26] “Excellence, again, means we’re a culture of continuous improvement, so we don’t settle for where we are right now. Our culture is amazing, but culture is living and breathing, and so we’re always working on it, and we’re always striving to make it better.” — Ashanti [35:47] “When you feed yourself with a positive mindset and you really spend time working on your spirituality and your growth mindset, it helps you actually prepare for the challenges, be grateful for them, and work through them.” — Ashanti [42:43] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/38906890

Ep. 213 - Getting Your Operational “Stuff” Together with Jami Hartmann 10/23/2025

Ep. 213 - Getting Your Operational “Stuff” Together with Jami Hartmann Want to stop the revolving door of teachers and create a rock-solid childcare team? Kris talks with Jami Hartmann from Trainual about how the right systems can transform your center’s operations. They dig into practical strategies for finding great staff, training them effectively, and keeping them motivated. Jami shares some great insights on getting your whole team aligned, creating smooth onboarding, and using technology to make documentation easier. If you’re struggling with staff turnover and want to build a more consistent, high-performing center, this episode is packed with real-world solutions that can help you level up your team. Key Takeaways: [5:00] Kris launches her new book, ! [9:02] Alignment is at the core of what Trainual offers, and to think of it as a digital version of your childcare center. [10:05] The need for operational consistency to deliver exceptional customer service and meet parent expectations. [10:35] Jami shares her professional journey, including her transition to Trainual, impacting the maternity leave policies, and the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. [12:35] The beauty of Trainual’s supportive work environment. [17:33] Fun fact — Jami was on Wheel of Fortune as a teenager! [19:30] Jami explains how Trainual helps childcare centers by providing a centralized platform for documenting and training staff. [22:09] Graduating from Google Docs and how Trainual allows for the creation of standard operating procedures and having a well-documented and accessible playbook for childcare centers. [26:33] Successful documentation needs everyone on the leadership team to contribute and take ownership of their processes. [28:54] More about the AI component of Trainual, including the content creation piece. [33:31] Jami identifies the top challenges in the childcare industry, including finding and retaining staff and managing parent communication. [35:47] It can be a red flag when a center has constant turnover and a revolving door of staff. [41:55] Jami shares Trainual’s plans for future product development, including enhancing AI capabilities and integrating with other tools. [44:33] The feature of a public share link that parents can always refer back to. Quotes: “At the core of what we do is really about alignment.” — Jami [9:06] “The inconsistency, or consistency in operations based on how your staff knows the playbook, is the cornerstone for going towards great customer service and giving parents that exceptional experience. It’s very difficult to do that if you aren’t all on the same page together.” — Kris [10:19] “At the core of that growth is that we genuinely care about our customers, and our success is dependent on our customers’ success.” — Jami [13:17] “Trainual works really well for any people-powered business.” — Jami [30:42] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/38607780

Ep. 212 - Leveraging Word of Mouth Marketing for Fast Growth with Josh and Pamela Hernandez 10/09/2025

Ep. 212 - Leveraging Word of Mouth Marketing for Fast Growth with Josh and Pamela Hernandez Kris welcomes Josh and Pamela Hernandez, owners of Montessori Kids Universe Stone Oak. The duo talks about their path into early childhood education and opening up MKU, tips for starting out with cash flow out of the gate, and enrollment strategies that worked for them. They also chat with Kris about using referral rewards, how they balance family and business, marketing tools that help them build trust and stand out in their community, the need for the industry to collaborate more, and how they keep their staff happy and inspired. Key Takeaways: [5:04] Joshua and Pamela talk about the history of MKU of Stone Oak, and how they got into the ECE field. [8:58] They currently have 37 team members. [9:27] The wins and challenges of creating (and keeping) great employees. [14:50] Joshua and Pamela discuss their marketing strategies, including Google and Facebook ads, and their active presence on social media. [15:19] The importance of referrals in their business model, offering bonuses for both staff and families who refer new enrollments. [21:06] Working as a husband-wife team and the importance of dividing responsibilities based on their strengths. [26:04] Pamela shares her inspiration from her mother, who was a social worker and professor, and her own passion for education, while Joshua talks about his mother’s influence and the importance of hard work and dedication. [30:03] Thinking long-term with employees and getting them in a mindset to stay with the company for years to come. [34:48] Will an expansion be in the future? [38:14] Remembering that building something new takes persistence, but it is one step at a time, so keep going! [40:24] The need for better collaboration. Quotes: “At this stage in both of our businesses, we’re more firefighters right now. So wherever there’s fire, that’s where we go.” — Joshua [5:11] “We have a beautiful culture that we’ve built, and we go above and beyond to show our teachers how much we care and love them, and want them to be a part of the team.” — Pamela [10:40] “We both bring our strengths to the table, and we have created what I feel is a beautiful team of husband and wife.” — Pamela [21:39] “Growth is a process, and sometimes the best lessons come from challenges.” — Joshua [35:05] “Building something meaningful takes time, persistence, and a lot of heart, but it’s worth every step.” — Joshua [38:03] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/38484850

Ep. 211 - Chasing Cows and Building Dreams Into a 12-Center Empire with Jennifer House and Jenni Grawvunder 09/25/2025

Ep. 211 - Chasing Cows and Building Dreams Into a 12-Center Empire with Jennifer House and Jenni Grawvunder 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 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: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/38284440

Ep. 210 - When You Love Kids This Much, Success Comes Naturally with Dominique Gill 09/11/2025

Ep. 210 - When You Love Kids This Much, Success Comes Naturally with Dominique Gill Kris welcomes Dominique Gill, heart-centered leader and owner of Unique Kids Childcare in Nashville and Smyrna, Tennessee, to share her journey to multi-site child care leader. Dominique opens up about starting as a young mother seeking affordable child care, working in exchange for tuition, and eventually moving from home-based care to two thriving centers. Dominique built her program around love, family, and celebrating every child’s uniqueness. She discusses the challenges of opening during the pandemic, shifting into leadership, raising tuition for the first time, and creating a supportive culture where both children and staff can thrive. Key Takeaways: [7:00] Dominique talks about her two centers, and more about her background, starting as a teen parent and transitioning to in-home child care due to financial constraints. [8:41] She describes the evolution of her business, eventually expanding to a licensed center during the pandemic. [12:28] Dominique is a busy woman! She has a large, beautiful family, including four foster children. [14:02] Dominique explains the origin of her center’s name, “Unique Kids,” and its significance in embracing diversity among students. [15:21] She describes the family-oriented atmosphere at her centers, with herself and her mother actively involved daily. [15:25] Building a family-centered culture that supports both staff and parents. [19:37] Dominique’s struggle shifting from home-based provider to confident leader of a team. [19:52] A game changer from joining the Academy — surveys! Dominique talks about how the surveys conducted with parents and staff revealed areas for improvement, particularly in management and fairness. [20:18] Dominique reflects on the importance of setting clear expectations and contracts to maintain order and respect within the organization. [21:33] How parent and staff surveys humbled her, revealed blind spots, and strengthened her leadership. [24:36] Going from people-pleasing to people leading. [26:37] The hardest challenge she faced was raising prices, and how accountability helped her push through. [30:23] Dominique explores additional revenue streams, such as hosting birthday parties, offering in-house field trips, and partnering with external providers. [32:33] Dominique’s fun fact: she’s shy and introverted, even though she’s often on the dance floor at Academy events! [34:42] How an accountability partner from the Academy kept her on track and boosted her confidence. [37:34] Dominique’s vision: building legacies for her children and creating lasting impact through her centers. Quotes: “Find your uniqueness in a world of differences. Our kids are from different areas of the world, the city, and situations, but they’re still unique in some type of way.” — Dominique [14:39] “Treat people fairly, but not the same.” — Academy Coach Tamina [24:55] “Having accountability partners was just amazing.” — Dominique [27:38] “Everywhere I’m going is where I need to be, so I appreciate where I’m going and how I’m getting there, and all the obstacles that are putting me through. So I’m grateful for the company and everybody around, because without anybody here, I don’t know how I would be able to just get up and keep going, but we are headed to creating legacies for my kids, and that’s my biggest thing.” — Dominique [37:50] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/38096320

Ep. 209 - A Family Affair! Tales of a Multi-Generational ECE Company with Tea Shong and Trina Romanowski 08/28/2025

Ep. 209 - A Family Affair! Tales of a Multi-Generational ECE Company with Tea Shong and Trina Romanowski Kris sits down with Tea Shong and Trina Romanowski, the powerhouse mother-daughter duo behind a thriving, multi-site early childhood business in Michigan. Winners of the Partnership of the Year Award at the Child Care Success Summit, Tea and Trina share how they scaled from an in-home daycare to three high-quality centers, all rooted in purpose and shared vision. They discuss navigating family dynamics, leading with clarity, embedding nature-based learning, and using creative systems like coaching calls and color-coded lanyards, to keep their team culture strong across every location. Key Takeaways: [3:26] Kris starts to shift to all things prep! [7:03] Tea and Trina talk about their family’s involvement in education and coaching, blending their expertise in both fields. [9:03] The business has grown from a small in-home center to a high-quality program with three locations, serving approximately 250 children. [11:24] Tea and Trina talk about winning the Partnership of the Year award at the Childcare Success Summit, and what that meant to them. [12:49] Tea and Trina share their impressive fun facts! [15:55] Their family dynamics and the challenges and rewards of working together in a family-owned business. [17:08] How they incorporate natural elements into their centers, including outdoor nature trails and using natural materials. [20:02] Their coaching structure, including weekly Zoom meetings and collective coaching calls. [21:19] Having a VA to help them with administrative tasks. [22:13] How joining the Academy helped them. [27:57] Using a color-coded lanyard system to reinforce core values, and other techniques that have become culture drivers. [31:52] Running a business that empowers both the staff and the children and their families. [33:24] Investing in a CRM system. [34:05] ECE owners are very sometimes reluctant and shy about telling their story, and it’s important to know and share yours! [39:44] Tips for moving away from a fear-based mindset and being able to separate from people that aren’t a fit for your business. [41:27] The importance and beauty of self-love. [44:08] What’s next for Tea and Trina? Quotes: “Sharing your vision with your team sets the course, and it gets everybody excited and enthused and energized and in a positive mindset around where you're headed, and that can reduce fear, anxiety and that questioning that goes on in people's minds.” - Kris [2:44] “From being a small in-home center to just basically keeping everyone alive and healthy and learning basic stuff to now a company that's doing all of this curriculum just being that next notch of a childcare center, that’s where we're at now.” - Trina [10:09] “Our mission is to ignite the spark. So if that speaks on the passion and all that goes with it, I think that's what truly sets us apart from other programs, and then just really valuing nature as an aspect of our program as well.” - Trina [17:08] “I think we need to give shout outs to this organization. If Tea hadn’t talked me into joining here, I would still be the director and drowning and trying. I could never be in the position where I am coaching and inspiring people.” - Trina [19:10] “Be patient with yourself. Do little by little, and keep reaching for those higher goals.” - Trina [21:05] “I think if there's one thing that I can say made a huge difference, the biggest difference would just be investing in a CRM system.” - Tea [33:40] “Knowing that whatever happens to me is happening for me, not to me.” - Tea [44:08] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37902510

Ep. 208 - Creating Leadership Magic In Her Ruby Slippers with Rachel Supalla 08/14/2025

Ep. 208 - Creating Leadership Magic In Her Ruby Slippers with Rachel Supalla 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 for productivity. Rachel also opens up about living with ADHD and how it shapes her leadership style, creativity, and drive. Key Takeaways: [5:26] Rachel shares her evolution from center owner to coach and consultant, and how joining the Child Care Success Academy changed her career path.[6:36] She talks about scaling rapidly across three regions and how Vision Tree emerged as her consulting and leadership training brand.[9:05] Rachel loves lake life and is a proud mom of four kids and grandma to baby Zeke. [10:39] Fun fact: Rachel’s trip with her grandma (who some thought was her sister) to Ireland at age 13, including a spontaneous solo in a pub, was an early clue that she’d someday take the stage.[12:46] Rachel explains how The Playful Leader’s Toolkit came out of her ADHD-fueled trial-and-error experiences, and why she believes burnout is not a badge of honor. [14:12] Ruby slippers became a metaphor for grounding, confidence, and leadership clarity, especially in high-pressure seasons. Once you’ve got the right shoes on, you can do anything! [16:41] Managing energy (not just time) helps Rachel structure her day and lead effectively, especially as a neurodivergent leader. [20:24] She breaks down the “max of 10” rule for direct reports and why it protects leadership bandwidth across large teams.[24:34] Rachel gives a deep dive into her favorite systems: Playground, JotForm Enterprise, Teachable, and Zapier.[27:16] Playfulness isn’t fluff — it’s a mindset that supports innovation, brain-based leadership, and mental reset when teams are stressed.[32:03] Rachel walks through her M.A.G.I.C. framework, the five pillars of playful leadership. [35:40] Doing a TEDx Talk was terrifying and transformational; the unexpected outcome was a deeper conversation about ADHD and leadership. [39:15] Rachel shares her seasonal schedule, non-negotiables like football and summer in Montana, and the power of team infrastructure. [41:48] She teases her upcoming course, focused on helping women scale their culture without losing their soul. Quotes: “I think that’s probably where I learned the most about how to run a remote team, was being an employee for the Child Care Success Academy.” — Rachel [7:46] “You go up the ladder in life when you’re succeeding and you’re accomplishing, and you get to this level of contribution, and that’s the level that I feel like I’m at. And I want to give back. I want to help people do it faster, the right way, from my mistakes. So that’s what inspired me to write my book.” — Rachel [13:46] “That’s when I’m most productive, when my energy is managed. It doesn’t have anything to do with time. You can have time blocked. You can have all the time in the world. But if your energy sucks, you’re not going to get anything done.” — Rachel [17:46] “I think that’s been the biggest thing, learning to manage my energy.” — Rachel [18:29] “From the beginning, we have learned to automate, delegate, eliminate.” — Rachel [21:10] “Play is not just, let’s dress up and have a potluck. It’s a mindset.”— Rachel [26:15] “I am very passionate about this playful leadership concept. It’s an idea. It’s silly to some, it’s weird to others, and it’s powerful to others. And I really do think that if you embrace it, it’s going to change the way we teach children, it’s going to change the way we lead our companies, and it’s going to make the world a more happy, innovative, creative place, which is what we’re lacking right now, and so I am very passionate about that.” — Rachel [36:48] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37714130

Ep. 207 - You Can’t Save Your Way to Success with Gigi Schweikert 07/31/2025

Ep. 207 - You Can’t Save Your Way to Success with Gigi Schweikert Kris welcomes Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy, to explore what it takes to lead at scale and stay grounded in the human side of early childhood education. With 85 centers across the U.S., Gigi shares how she thinks about quality, culture, and decision-making at the organizational level, and why trust is still the best metric. They discuss industry trends, mentorship, and the habits that help leaders grow. Gigi also reflects on what she’s learned after publishing 18 books, raising four children, embracing grandmotherhood, and showing up consistently for her team and community. Key Takeaways: [6:52] Gigi explains how Lightbridge Academy evaluates quality across its network and why it comes down to trust more than checklists. [8:52] Gigi talks about her passion for mentoring women in leadership, her new role as a grandmother, and how watercolor painting gives her space to recharge. [10:54] Both Kris and Gigi reflect on the importance of creating safe spaces where women can speak openly about challenges and goals. [13:42] Gigi breaks down the balance of running a business with high accountability while preserving joy and mission-driven work. [16:08] Lightbridge is made up of 20% company centers and 80% franchise centers. [20:38] The Serene Seedlings rollout program. [23:50] Gigi reflects on how technology, when used intentionally, can improve connection and enhance the customer experience in early childhood environments. [25:45] She shares a (funny) standout memory from a speaking engagement in China and what it taught her about cultural differences and the universality of leadership challenges. [33:51] Kris and Gigi talk about the upcoming Child Care Success Summit, with Gigi returning as a main stage speaker, and why she’s especially excited for this year's event. [41:22] Why you have to spend money to make money, and you can’t save your way to success. Quotes: “I really see ECE so much as that quality piece, that education piece, that opportunity to make sure that every child gets the best start, from zero to three, zero to six, etc. And so I’ve always said that early childhood education is the trust business.” — Gigi [6:52] “At the end of the day, when I am out in the field and looking at quality, my judgment of quality is trust.” — Gigi [7:56] “Being a mentor for women is one of the most meaningful and fulfilling things that I do.” — Kris [10:37] “I just want to make sure that I can create a safe space wherever I go, where people can feel like they can be themselves and talk about their vulnerabilities and talk about their aspirations with equal enthusiasm to overcome whatever barriers and boundaries they might have.” — Gigi [11:45] “Families are about love, reconciliation, understanding, and about getting through tough times together, and about having each other’s backs and all those things. I think childcare centers are the same. They just look different all over. So my desire, my personal desire and passion, is that every child has access to affordable, quality childcare. I just think it’s paramount.” — Gigi [19:36] “I want people to recognize that in so many ways, when you think you can’t, you can.” — Gigi [35:19] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37579350

Ep. 206 - Leadership Lessons in Child Care with Regina Miller 07/17/2025

Ep. 206 - Leadership Lessons in Child Care with Regina Miller Kris welcomes the joy-inducing and magnetic Regina Miller, a nationally recognized trainer, author, and owner of Trailblazers Academy in Wichita, Kansas. With nearly five decades in early childhood education and 35 years in leadership, Regina shares fantastic insight into what it really takes to lead a team, stay connected as an owner, and build lasting impact in your center. Regina shares some great takeaways from her new book Leadership Lessons, including how to hire smarter, mentor without ego, and avoid becoming an absentee owner. Kris and Regina also talk about how to stay engaged, inspire your staff, and create a culture that works, starting at the top. Key Takeaways: [5:05] Some exciting new info about the Summit! [7:06] Regina brings more than 47 years of experience in early childhood and 35 years in leadership, with a clear focus on mentorship, literacy, and building long-term community impact. [8:58] After losing her daughter in 2022, Regina downsized her center to honor her daughter’s dream and now focuses on a smaller, literacy-driven program model. [11:46] She has no plans to retire and emphasizes purpose-driven longevity in leadership, reinforced by consistent self-care and boundaries. [14:13] The beauty of an early wake-up time. [17:02] Her newest book, Leadership Lessons, was years in the making and centers on transparency, personal growth, and lessons from mistakes made as a leader. [20:34] Regina encourages leaders to stop being intimidated by talented hires. She views strong team members as a resource to grow the organization, not as a threat. [23:18] New directors often assume the title alone is enough. Regina challenges them to build systems, listen to input, and avoid siloed decision-making. [25:59] Veteran leaders can become disconnected. She emphasizes the importance of owners remaining present and actively involved in culture-building. [30:18] Regina is deeply involved in policy advocacy and stresses the need for early educators to be consistently vocal with legislators, not just during funding crises. [34:04] Fun fact: You may catch Regina on the dance floor, and she moved for four hours at her own birthday party! [34:24] Joy and energy are core to Regina’s leadership style, and she believes team morale can be shifted through presence, celebration, and meaningful connection. [36:13] The connection between dancing and leadership. [39:03] For introverted leaders, Regina recommends finding trusted allies, preparing in writing, and participating in leadership through small, strategic actions. [41:54] Regina uses creative, real-world training exercises, like immersive people-watching in Las Vegas, to help emerging leaders build confidence and self-awareness. [45:04] Her upcoming literacy program not only supports child development but also functions as an enrollment strategy by drawing families back into the center. Quotes: “I believe that all of us have a part. So there’s no better school, bigger school, best school. There’s all of us, and then there are all of these children that need us.” — Regina [8:43] “Hire someone smarter than you.” — Regina [22:08] “As a new leader, be willing to listen.” — Regina [24:14] “Leaders cannot ask of their people what they’re not willing to do themselves. And a lot of times you can’t just delegate that down.” — Regina [29:28] “Once I dance, I make everybody dance. I can boogie off anything you give me.” — Regina [39:29] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37400285

Ep. 204 - From Home to Center: Young Leadership in Action with Whitney Burkman 07/03/2025

Ep. 204 - From Home to Center: Young Leadership in Action with Whitney Burkman Kris welcomes young inspiration and rising leader Whitney Burkman, owner of Magnolia Academy in Payson, Utah. Whitney shares more about her journey from in-home childcare to a full 125-spot center before age 30. She talks about building confidence as a young business owner, gives some great advice for hiring, marketing strategies, leadership challenges, and the critical role of mindset in growing her successful childcare business. Key Takeaways: [4:55] Whitney opened Magnolia in 2022, and they are currently at 122 enrollments. [7:43] Opening a center at age 27 and what inspired the move from home to center. [12:59] How is Magnolia Academy different from its competitors? [15:44] Becoming an off site owner and the shifts she had to make in her habits and mindset when going from in home to an actual center. [21:09] Whitney’s chaotic home life (in the best way) with a busy husband and four boys. [23:43] Whitney shares some of her best marketing and branding tips. [27:12] Enrollment and staffing is always cyclical. [28:42] Using organic content for social media to show the cool things going on at Magnolia Academy. [30:30] Lessons learned in leadership and building a team. [35:04] Reminding staff that there is always something that can be fixed, but they also must remember it is a business with parents and children depending on them. [38:06] Whitney shares challenges as a young leader and owner. [40:53] What’s next for Whitney in the rest of 2025 and beyond? [45:57] How joining the Academy and shifting her mindset helped change things for Whitney. Quotes: “I feel like I've really been able to pull that in-home feel into my center, which makes us stand out a lot.” [13:56] - Whitney “I feel like our program has just far exceeded just giving trust into my teachers and my directors and letting them do what they're supposed to do.” [20:08] - Whitney “You can't make everybody happy.” [30:56] - Whitney “To me, leadership is not for the faint of heart. It's not easy to do all those things. It's much easier just to smooth it over or pretend like everything's fine and shut your door, but that's not really serving people.” [37:02] - Whitney “Once I was able to change my mindset, then just everything else fell into place, my enrollments, my staffing, just everything. It's just weird how it works.” [46:02] - Whitney Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37207890

Ep. 203 - What’s Your Customer Journey? (And Why You Should Care) with Brett Nelle 06/19/2025

Ep. 203 - What’s Your Customer Journey? (And Why You Should Care) with Brett Nelle Kris welcomes Brett Neller, CEO of LineLeader by ChildcareCRM, to explore the real meaning of the customer journey in child care, and why it’s critical for sustainable growth. Brett shares insights from his professional evolution, including how dropping his kids off at care centers helped him deeply understand the needs of operators. He and Kris talk about enrollment challenges, operational bottlenecks, mapping a full customer journey, and how automation can power human connection, not replace it. They also discuss fear-based leadership, what small businesses often get wrong in scaling, and why “state-of-the-art” doesn’t have to mean complicated. From CRM misconceptions to the power of unified data, Brett drops insight after insight on how to grow with intentionality, and why understanding your brand touchpoints matters now more than ever. Key Takeaways: [6:49] Brett shares how he got started at LineLeader in 2018 and how the mission of the early childhood industry drew him in. [9:30] Brett explains how their offering goes beyond a CRM. [10:20] What is the customer journey really, and how does understanding it boost your enrollment? [12:18] Many small businesses are still using whiteboards and sticky notes to manage leads, and why that doesn’t scale. [13:02] Brett breaks down what most get wrong in enrollment. [15:08] How automation can be a gift for parent experience, and why tech doesn’t have to feel robotic. [16:07] Brett shares more about his family life, and how he and his wife rely on child care as well. [18:28] Fun fact — Brett grew up in a military family and moved many times throughout his childhood. [19:30] The biggest mindset shift for owners: from reactive to data-driven. [22:04] How to spot where you’re losing families in your funnel. [25:55] The real ROI of mapping your journey: improved staff morale, better conversion, and clarity. [27:03] The “wow” experience. [30:31] Brett and Kris talk about the danger of fear-based leadership and the difference between helpful automation and shiny object syndrome. [34:17] Practical tips on how to start your journey mapping even with a small team. [39:45] What it really means to lead with empathy and insight. Quotes: “I love the mission behind the space. I love having kids and then dropping my kids off every day at childcare centers. So every day I see operators. And it’s been fun to live the professional journey in parallel with, you know, the personal journey of raising kids.” — Brett [6:46] “Our thesis is to provide the best unified platform experience for staff and parents from a digital experience perspective.” — Brett [10:12] “That’s the most important aspect of the family journey when they’re seeking care, is that you need to execute a great tour. If you don’t, that’s the make or break point, where a family is either like, I’m in or I’m out.” — Brett [23:02] “Yeah, you have to get your teams excited about engaging and selling your school. It shouldn’t be a dirty word. We have the opportunity to serve this family. Sales is service, and so let’s just use that service mindset and get our teams excited about being able to win that family over so that we can actually make a difference in the life of that child.” — Kris [28:19] “The first thing we generally ask is what’s your customer journey, and have you mapped it out?” — Brett [33:09] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/37040665

Ep. 202 - A Great Story of Scaling Up and Growth with Adrianne Agulla 06/05/2025

Ep. 202 - A Great Story of Scaling Up and Growth with Adrianne Agulla In this episode, Adrianne Agulla, CEO of Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers in Nebraska and the true definition of an education entrepreneur, joins Kris. Adrianne shares how she went from working in the corporate world to owning six successful daycares and a catering business called Milton’s Amazing Kitchen. Together, she and Kris talk about growing from three to six locations, empowering a leadership team, using VAs to streamline operations, creating a strong scorecard, and what it really takes to scale with excellence. Adrianne goes through the very real ups and downs of growing with intention and building a company that inspires. Key Takeaways: [6:19] Adrianne owns and operates Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers, with six centers across Nebraska. She originally purchased three as a package in 2017 and has grown from there. She also owns Milton’s Amazing Kitchen, a catering company focused on child nutrition. [8:27] Hamilton Heights believes that it’s their professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today’s world, and they have a focus on play. [9:31] Adrianne’s earlier career included leadership roles at Coca-Cola and ConAgra, before pivoting into child care. [11:30] She juggles the business while raising three busy teenagers. [13:46] Adrianne shares reflections plus a funny story about upgrading her wardrobe from a trip to Vietnam. [15:19] What benefits Adrianne has found being part of the highest-level membership of the Child Care Success Academy: the Empire level. [22:15] She explains her leadership structure, including a director of ops, finance lead, and a high-tenure team. [24:15] The leadership team meets weekly to review scorecards and KPIs. Accountability plus support equals success. [28:55] Adrianne shares how she works with three virtual assistants (VAs), including one for marketing, one for data and reports, and one for administrative support. [31:05] She talks about the industry-wide challenge of attracting and retaining staff and how her company stays focused on its leadership vision. [38:37] Her 2025 goals: simplify, streamline, and build an even stronger team. [40:55] Why she acquired a catering business and how it’s improved their food program and opened new business channels. Quotes: “We say that we’re very serious about play. And we believe that it’s our professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today’s world.” — Adrianne [8:27] “That combination of loyalty and commitment and tenure and then new energy and new ideas and fresh faces, has created a really, I think, a unique and just a sustainable culture.” — Adrianne [9:12] “We are working to create an Early Learning Company that inspires because of the opportunity it creates for staff, families, and children, and so we are just trying to be single-mindedly focused on what it means to create abundant opportunities for our staff from a professional development standpoint, from a wage standpoint, and from a benefit standpoint.” — Adrianne [34:40] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/36791765

Ep. 201 - Gamification in Parenting AND Business with Zac Alcampo 05/22/2025

Ep. 201 - Gamification in Parenting AND Business with Zac Alcampo Zac Alcampo, Creative Director at Grow Your Center, brings a fresh perspective to leadership, culture, and creativity in early education. With two decades of experience in the gaming industry, Zac is a dynamic entrepreneur and inventive strategist who has helped build immersive digital experiences that merge gamification, artificial intelligence, and user engagement. Now, he’s applying those same ideas to the world of child care — reimagining everything from team collaboration to marketing to parenting itself. In this episode, Zac joins Kris to talk about gamification in parenting, business, and leadership. They cover how AI can boost productivity and creativity, how to use jam-style collaboration in your team culture, and how behavioral design can be a powerful tool in both the classroom and the breakroom. Key Takeaways: [6:15] Kris shares her summer travel adventures and spiritual coaching work. [7:48] Zac joins from Minsk, Belarus, where he splits his days between parenting and leading creative tech projects. [9:12] Zac explains how his video game industry background led him to gamify tools at Grow Your Center. [13:24] From Microsoft to Bangkok startups, Zac’s global career shaped how he solves problems creatively and at scale. [18:23] He shares how he co-parents a bilingual preschooler and how every moment becomes a playful game. [25:51] Fun fact: Zac is a seasoned street dancer and battle organizer who once crowdfunded a street culture festival in Thailand! [33:07] Kris and Zac talk about the tools that the GYC team uses to build next-level content. [37:48] Zac explains how “art directing” AI is the key to using it effectively. It’s not about replacing creativity but amplifying it. [45:31] Zac outlines the structure of a “session” — collaborative cycles that build energy, creativity, and connection. [48:26] Gamification isn’t just games; it’s strategic behavior design. Done well, it increases engagement without being overwhelming. [53:45] Ideas for using gamification in parent events, leadership retreats, classroom behavior, and team training. [55:08] Tip: Split leaderboards into categories so everyone has a lane where they can win and feel valued. [56:28] S3 clients will soon see new gamified systems for onboarding, tracking progress, and celebrating wins. [58:59] Zac spills some beans on what’s coming to S3, including visual progress tools, Slack AI, and more rewards. [1:01:35] Zac shares what he’s most excited about: launching the M3 platform (Marketing Made Easy) for 2026. Quotes: “I always tell people, GYC is childcare center marketing on the outside, but inside it’s this crazy, cool tech, innovative kind of machine going on inside.” — Zac [9:40] “I have to say, I have a huge sense of purpose with everything that I’ve learned in my career beforehand and applying it to child care centers.” — Zac [12:10] “Everything turns into a game, and it’s quickly become like having a little best friend.” — Zac [18:50] “That’s the biggest thing, the mentality shift in the team, instead of like a doer, or just like, you know, a run-of-the-mill worker, really put into their heads to just act like the art director of what you’re doing, and use the AI as a pencil, a really, really fast pencil. And you still have to know what looks good. You still have to have your design principles and your theory in there, but you can just produce so much more content with that.” — Zac [40:11] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/36663655

Ep. 200 - Every Day Is A Gift with Vernon Mason 05/08/2025

Ep. 200 - Every Day Is A Gift with Vernon Mason He’s back! The great Vernon Mason returns as one of the podcast’s most popular guests to help celebrate this milestone 200th episode. He and Kris reflect on leadership, legacy, and what it really means to be present. In this episode, Vernon shares his beautiful wisdom and journey from growing up in an in-home child care program to building and selling a five-site child care business, and now helping grow The Nest into a 52-location powerhouse. Together, he and Kris chat about the realities of leadership today including accountability, toxic positivity, turnover trends, universal pre-K challenges, and financial uncertainty. They also remind us that every day is a gift, and leadership is all about showing up authentically, building real relationships, and staying grounded in gratitude. Key Takeaways: [6:15] Kris, the bucket list queen, talks about her adventure to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. [8:09] Vernon is the only person to be on the podcast three times! [9:19] Vernon talks about being the “trifecta” in child care. He shares how he grew his child care company from one to five centers before selling, and how that transition shaped his leadership. [16:18] Is labor starting to stabilize? [22:04] The mindset to get out of fear-based leadership, crisis mode, and the scarcity mindset. [24:26] The difference between toxic positivity and effective leadership and management. [27:33] Strategies for accountability and preparing for the unknown in the future. [30:15] The importance of both staying optimistic and taking action in the right direction. [34:15] Building a parent referral reward program. [38:29] Vernon talks about The Nest and maintaining relationships with leaders. [42:47] Incentivizing teachers to stay present and view the classroom as a safe space. Quotes: “We don’t have a dress rehearsal for this. This is the real show here, right? There are no do-overs, right? This is the life we’ve been given, and I want to make an impact. I want to be the best person that I can be.” — Vernon [15:17] “Accountability without a relationship is viewed as harassment.” — Vernon quoting Stephen [19:22] “Your people will never be more enthusiastic than leadership.” — Vernon [22:04] “Whatever you focus on most, you get more of.” — Vernon [25:57] “To me, presence is everything. That’s it. We only have this moment, so we’ve got to just juice it up and just be here for it.” — Kris [42:16] “The kids, they have that sixth sense, that intuition, they’re going to feel that whether the teacher is coming to the day with the energy of openness and presence or worry and stress and fear and arms crossed.” — Kris [44:41] “I really feel as if this industry is in my DNA.” — Vernon [46:52] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal , by Vernon Mason /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/36479685

Ep. 199 - Follow Your True Calling with Rachel Davis 04/24/2025

Ep. 199 - Follow Your True Calling with Rachel Davis 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 families through innovative programming and reflects on her leadership evolution, from being hands-on with every detail to stepping into a visionary role. Rachel also discusses navigating hiring challenges, working with refugee families, and building a program where inclusion, safety, and excellence are the foundation. Key Takeaways: [5:33] Rachel launched Children’s Promise Centers in 2009. Now she operates two locations in Albuquerque and is open 20 hours a day, serving families who need flexible care. [6:37] Her journey began in Denver at the Rescue Mission, where she discovered a passion for supporting the working poor. [10:50] Starting Children’s Promise wasn’t easy — Rachel faced funding barriers and self-doubt but found clarity by leaning into faith. [13:29] One grant rejection helped her clarify her mission — family support, not just academic outcomes. [16:35] Rachel became an early adopter of online learning tools and video systems long before it was common in child care. [22:21] Her passion is serving the working poor — families who don’t qualify for help but still struggle to access care. [24:10] Children’s Promise is the only program in Albuquerque open until 2 a.m., meeting a unique community need. [24:45] Monthly family dinners offer a chance for connection, storytelling, and celebration. [25:58] Her team focuses on relational care, celebrating small wins, like a child’s first steps. [27:00] They’ve supported families who are refugees, including children with medical needs and trauma backgrounds. [30:24] Security is high-tech, featuring “James Bond-style” systems and extensive training for staff. [32:19] Rachel reflects on her shift from being in every detail to trusting her team with day-to-day operations. [36:40] She now focuses more on visionary leadership, delegating while maintaining accountability. [41:04] Her staff go through the same training she’d want for someone caring for her own kids. [43:54] One of her locations features an open-concept floor plan, encouraging transparency and teamwork. [50:39] She speaks on the power of prayer and being intentional about the energy she puts into her work. [52:04] It’s not about growing for growth’s sake but also about community development and showing up with excellence. [53:15] Rachel reminds us: Don’t grow until your heart and leadership are ready. Quotes: “I’ve always had a passion for the working poor, and I like to say that because it’s not those that are homeless, but they’re working to try and get a hand up, but they just can’t, and they just don’t get the same quality and excellence as others. And so that’s really where a lot of my passion has come from.” — Rachel [22:45] “We create kind of a relational community approach to everything. So whether it’s our staff or families or whoever it may be, we’re all about building the community and working with the resources around us.” — Rachel [21:32] “The other big thing is just wins, to celebrate each other, right? Even if little Johnny just took their first step, let’s celebrate that, because it’s a big deal to those families.” — Rachel [25:58] “I’ve always told people, I’m not going to put them in our program if I wouldn’t leave them with my own kids.” — Rachel [41:04] “We’re about the community and how we develop, not about just necessarily growing the business. We’re about community and helping people develop and grow, and that’s our focus.” — Rachel [52:04] “We want to do everything with excellence, and the only way to do that is to put my heart in.” — Rachel [53:15] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/36227985

Ep. 198 - Be The CEO of Your Life with Jessica Harris 04/08/2025

Ep. 198 - Be The CEO of Your Life with Jessica Harris 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 resilience to her staff, and how she learned to treat herself like the CEO of her own life with systems, policies, and boundaries. She talks with Kris about how she rebuilt from burnout, found peace in structure, and created a culture where small daily wins add up to big growth. Key Takeaways: [2:58] Kris is heading to Bali to work on her leadership, mindset, and spiritual growth. [7:02] Jessica and her husband run Four Sisters Childcare, named after their four daughters. The center started as an in-home program and now serves 91 FTE students with a waitlist. [8:28] A push from Kris at a conference inspired Jessica to expand into a center — an idea that changed everything. [11:42] Jessica was never someone who dreamed big, but learning to shift her mindset has helped her move from fear to confidence. [16:59] The past year brought clarity: her center’s “why” is teaching resilience, not just to children, but to her staff. [19:04] Personal growth, including spiritual habits and consistency, helped Jessica move through fear and burnout. [22:02] Missing her daily practices for just two weeks during Summit reminded her how essential small habits are for inner peace. [23:29] Jessica teaches her staff to create “personal policies and procedures” the same way a company would, down to details like where to leave a retainer at night. [26:51] Her team resonated deeply with the message, and starting small helped them follow through on goals they’d struggled with for years. [28:09] Jessica applies the CEO mindset to social media habits too: setting systems and supervision helps her stay accountable without cutting Instagram out entirely. [30:46] Systems = success. Whether it’s the gym or your phone, adjusting your system helps you follow through. [36:41] Just like sharing your brownies, it’s important to share your strengths and successes. [38:17] Marketing strategy: strong Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram stories, a busy road, rotating banners, and word-of-mouth from alumni families. [41:56] Jessica and her husband pursued a second location but learned through the process that they needed a little more time to prepare. [44:25] Not getting the building was a hard lesson in acceptance but also an opportunity for growth, reflection, and systems testing. Quotes: “Get comfortable being uncomfortable, and you’ll see the growth.” — Jessica [12:30] “I have slowly been learning my passion and realizing that resilience, along with communication, is just huge. It’s huge.” — Jessica [19:05] “We are our own CEOs, and we have to have policies and procedures for ourselves, and we have to follow them just like a company. If you don’t do that, it fails.” — Jessica [23:29] “If you do what you say you’re going to do, then you have a higher level of deservingness, self-love, and value.” — Kris [27:50] “When things either go my way or don’t go my way, it’s like, I’m not going to put power into wanting to claw at it and control it and need it and be in resistance to the fact that it’s not working. It’s just to be in acceptance and it’ll flow.” — Jessica [45:08] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35998465

Ep. 197 - Creating an Extended Family In Her Community with Neshanta Linson 03/27/2025

Ep. 197 - Creating an Extended Family In Her Community with Neshanta Linson 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 also talks with Kris about the power of mindset shifts and personal growth in leading a successful business, the ECE Mafia, and the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability. Key Takeaways: [7:42] Neshanta started her program as a home daycare and expanded into a boutique school due to growing demand. [8:33] The name Hermes Enchanted Garden came from blending two meaningful influences — an early childhood program she admired and her family’s cloth diaper business. [10:41] The culture of her school is laid-back yet structured, emphasizing Southern values, community, and support. [12:50] Fun fact: Neshanta loves folding a hot towel and hates traveling home with dirty clothes! [14:10] Neshanta is part of the mafia! Well, the ECE Mafia, a small group of accountable, high-performing child care leaders who challenge each other to grow. [15:05] Joining the Freedom track of the Child Care Success Academy helped Neshanta implement systems, delegate leadership roles, and reclaim her time. [19:01] For Neshanta, 2021 was a pivotal year — she battled personal losses, business struggles, and health challenges, but found strength through her team and accountability group. [22:39] Working with Kris on mindset coaching and awakened leadership has helped Neshanta recognize the impact of ego, expectations, and balance in business and life. [27:46] Rather than traditional tours, she hosts one-on-one “meet-and-greet” sessions to ensure a mutual fit and strong parent-school relationship. [30:22] Her strong word-of-mouth reputation allows her school to stay fully enrolled without aggressive marketing. [32:27] She learned to set boundaries to avoid over-giving and protect herself and her team from burnout. [33:30] Hosting family events like Mom’s Night Out and private Facebook community discussions helps strengthen parent connections. [37:32] A rare snow event in Alabama reminded her how much parents and communities rely on child care centers as a support system. Quotes: “I would say our culture is laid back, but structured and firm. We believe that kids need to have a balance. I’m a Southerner, and so Southern values really matter to me, and so we want to instill those Southern values into our students. We want them to be well-rounded kiddos.” — Neshanta [10:55] “I think we have cultivated a small community where they (the staff) hang out outside of work. They’re becoming real friends and real family, and that’s who we are. Family.” — Neshanta [11:16] “It’s like putting the right people in the right seats and people love to give more, especially if that’s their gift.” — Neshanta [18:09] “I’ve always been a bit driven, and nobody can tell me no if I believe that that’s where I’m supposed to be.” — Neshanta [19:04] “Real love just is. And being authentic, which is something that I do professionally, being authentic is a way to be, and a lot of times that ego gets in the way of that. And so you have to check yourself in the roles that you play, in your shenanigans when that ego comes to play, and then just realize that life just is. And you have to realize life is about duality, but you want to be balanced.” — Neshanta [24:03] “I think that part of our unique brilliance is holding space for parents to be parents.” — Neshanta [26:36] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35838040

Ep. 196 - What Does ECE Stand For? Empathy-Courage-Excellence with The Sisters (M. Mercedes & Maria Consuela) 03/13/2025

Ep. 196 - What Does ECE Stand For? Empathy-Courage-Excellence with The Sisters (M. Mercedes & Maria Consuela) 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: [4:31] M. Mercedes and Maria are the winners of our 2024 Child Care Rockstar contest! [7:28] Their decision to join the Child Care Success Academy marked the start of crucial changes, moving from makeshift sticky-note systems to structured processes. [8:08] More about St. Francis, located in Alton, Illinois. [10:21] Fun Fact: One sister reveals her Dominican Republic roots and bilingual background, while the other shares her love for writing letters and a wild adventure running down an active volcano in Nicaragua. [12:18] How their program has grown and changed since they came in. [14:06] Having families pick their schedules. [16:33] Implementing software. [18:42] Enrollment and getting the word out about St. Francis. [19:47] Learning what ECE meant — The Sisters have grown a lot! [21:26] Sharing more about their 38 Mission partners. [24:37] The Sisters discuss overcoming a “cray cray” work culture by embracing the right mindset, focusing on gradual improvement, professional development, and maintaining a clear goal. [27:04] Advice to those who may be in a daunting work situation and out of their comfort zone. [29:25] Taking baby steps toward your core values and getting employees bought in. [30:38] What made The Sisters want to enter the Child Care Rockstar contest? [34:40] Kris shares about the first ECE Conference she attended at NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children. [37:00] The Sisters define a Child Care Rockstar, and the balance between heart and will. Quotes: “All we had to go was up. So we were given that opportunity and the Academy gave us the tools that we needed.” — Sister Mercedes [14:00] “There’s such a great desire to share freely and it’s a really beautiful experience.” — Sister Mercedes on The Academy [16:08] “Even though you're scared, know what the goal is. In your mind, see it and keep your eye on it, and don’t be discouraged.” — Sister Mercedes [27:19] “The core value piece is one of the biggest shifts that you're going to make in their mindset as professional educators, and how you want them to show up too.” -— Kris [30:00] “I think a Child Care Rockstar is someone who has a huge heart and a courageous heart.” — Sister Maria [37:40] “A rock star is someone who can see the star, who can see where your goal is, and then take those steps courageously, fall and get up, have arguments and make up and be stronger because of it.” — Sister Mercedes [39:01] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35372375

Ep. 195 - Stack Your WINS for Massive Momentum with Jacob Jensen 02/27/2025

Ep. 195 - Stack Your WINS for Massive Momentum with Jacob Jensen 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 talks with Kris about his journey from growing up in child care with the awesome Donna Jensen as his mom, how his experience in mortgage sales and ministry shaped his leadership style, and how stacking small wins creates massive momentum and helps to prevent burnout. Jacob also has some great insights into using community events and a “whatever it takes” approach to boost enrollment, embracing technology, and the COACH acronym (Call Out & Call Higher) as a key strategy for empowering staff and fostering growth. Key Takeaways: [5:58] Jacob grew up in child care. His mom, Donna Jensen, founded The Learning Station. He talks about returning to lead his family’s business after exploring careers in mortgage sales and ministry. [10:31] More about Jacob’s (very busy) family life. [12:18] Fun fact: Jacob’s front two teeth are fake, and knocked them out during a wild event the same day he was supposed to take his now wife out. Everyone is pretty happy she decided to give him another try! [14:10] Challenges in the industry include technology and child care leaders learning to build their own systems to stay efficient. [18:42] The power of consistency and the “captain” analogy. Many child care leaders are busy plugging holes in a sinking ship instead of standing at the helm and leading with strategy. [22:07] Lessons learned in the ministry that Jacob carried over to childcare. [27:51] Stacking small wins builds momentum. [31:02] Seasonal thinking helps prevent burnout. Understanding when to push hard and when to pause and reflect keeps businesses sustainable. [33:37] The Learning Station now follows a “whatever it takes” approach, removing barriers and offering promotions to secure sign-ups. [38:52] Ways that The Learning Station markets everywhere parents are, including community events, partnerships, and a grand reopening to stay top-of-mind. [42:20] The “COACH” analogy. [42:49] The importance of finding the hidden talent on your team. Quotes: “I always joke with Donna that I need 10 centers before 2030. But we're, we’re excited, and it’s been an honor to help her bring to fruition that dream that she’s always had.” — Jacob [9:40] “Obviously, it is a passion-based industry, and so there's a lot of different heart-tied elements to the fact that the margins are not as big as they are in other industries, and so you're operating with fewer resources.” — Jacob [15:13] “I think the biggest thing that I noticed is you have to create your own thing. You have to take the bull by the horns and say, okay, if not me, then who's going to do it?” — Jacob [15:38] “Consistency, consistency, consistency. That will save leaders so many headaches and also give your people a roadmap for how this place runs and how we do things around here.” — Kris [18:50] “When you’re in leadership, you are the captain of the ship.” — Jacob [18:53] “You have to have a vision of where you want to go.” — Jacob [19:10] “Sometimes when you’re under the water, you have to hold your breath, and you have to just paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle, paddle until you get to shore. But the shore is there, and just understanding that it’s a season. It’s a really good mindset because it's way easier to run hard when you see the finish line.” — Jacob [19:33] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal , by Clay Scroggins , by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin , by Dale Carnegie /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35372055

Ep. 194 - Creating Beauty From Tragedy with Michelle Masjedi 02/13/2025

Ep. 194 - Creating Beauty From Tragedy with Michelle Masjedi 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 business, from implementing clear SOPs to maximizing technology for efficiency. Key Takeaways: [5:38] Michelle secured a $1M grant to open The Journey Continues, a new child care center expanding infant and preschool care in a child care desert. [7:01] Michelle’s child care journey is deeply rooted in family, with her husband playing a key role in property acquisitions and business operations, while her children are also involved. [8:26] Michelle’s early career in early childhood education led her from teaching to business ownership, where she has spent 32 years shaping child care programs. [10:53] The California fires destroyed 289 child care centers and family daycare homes, leaving hundreds of families without care. [15:55] Michelle and other local directors mobilized immediately, forming a response team to provide emergency child care, distribute resources, and advocate for displaced families. [20:11] Michelle and her team created a to help directly affected families cover the cost of child care. [23:55] The experience reinforced the importance of strong leadership, defined roles, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in managing a crisis. [25:08] Being named as a Child Care Rockstar finalist this past year, and a few best practices that have helped Michelle grow her business. [27:15] A few of the many benefits Michelle has gained from joining the Academy. [33:07] Michelle secured a $1M grant to open The Journey Continues, a new child care center expanding infant and preschool care. [36:44] More about the vision for the new center, including serving children from 18 months to after school and the anticipated timeline for completion. Quotes: “In the Pasadena Altadena area, there are 289 child care centers and family daycare centers that were lost in the fires — 289 — which is hundreds of children that immediately lost both their homes and their childcare.” — Michelle [11:41] “I immediately wanted to, just like wrap my arms around and protect people from that. And how could we do that quickly?” — Michelle [13:30] “Even in all of this devastating disaster, there’s been so much beauty in the community coming together.” — Michelle [21:59] “No matter how difficult and challenging it is, find the good.” — Michelle [23:45] “Really, the Child Care Success Academy changed everything for me. I really had some excellent tools in my toolbox, but I was missing so much. And when I joined the academy, it’s been five years now, I learned so many things.” — Michelle [26:22] “What if you could actually take on more and do more and grow to levels you never even imagined? And that was something I never allowed myself that opportunity or even thought, and that’s what the academy really did for me.” — Michelle [29:18] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Donate to Michelle’s GoFundMe to help provide child care scholarships for families in need: /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35277115

Ep. 193 - Feeling Alive in ’25 with Tameenah Adams 01/30/2025

Ep. 193 - Feeling Alive in ’25 with Tameenah Adams 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 everything from life post-pandemic to stepping back into abundance — not just financially, but personally. They explore the importance of self-love, creating a life of ease as a leader, and embracing a daily rhythm that feels peaceful and fulfilling. Key Takeaways: [8:46] Learning to surrender and taking it one day at a time. [11:26] The biggest lesson learned from the pandemic. [13:07] Tameenah shares how she’s shifted to a reward system based on how her heart, mind, and body feel, rather than material things. [19:04] The connection between self-love and effective leadership. [20:40] Strategies for managing overwhelm and staying present. [25:52] The importance of surrounding yourself with the right community. [29:43] How outsourcing can create more time and efficiency. [35:17] Practical strategies for financial recovery and smart money management. [38:06] Overcoming fear and leading with confidence. [42:07] Transparent leadership and leading with grace. [44:48] Exploring the power of the Feelings Wheel. Quotes: “I was at the intersection of my life. I had to make a choice because, quite honestly, there were times I didn’t even know if I could make it another day. What kept me hanging on was knowing my children needed me.” — Tameenah [7:56] “I’m learning now that there is a different reward system. My reward comes in how my heart feels, how my mind feels, how my body feels. Am I able to sleep well? Rewarding myself really doesn’t cost anything.” — Tameenah [13:07] “I’ve started the journey to really look and love me. I’m healing from the hurt in my life and how I hurt myself. Self-love is being kind to yourself.” — Tameenah [18:33] “I stay plugged into a community that can serve me and understand me, where I feel safe.” — Tameenah [25:00] “Your intentions have to equal your impact.” — Tameenah [35:22] “It’s all about the energy you bring into your leadership decisions.” — Kris [40:08] “I’m leading differently because I’m leading even more transparently.” — Tameenah [42:18] “I’ve taken my power back. There is nothing anyone can say about me that I haven’t transparently shared myself. I’m not going to walk around in shame for anything.” — Tameenah [43:47] “What people think of me is none of my business. What I think about me is my business.” — Tameenah [48:20] Sponsored By: Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: : use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal /episode/index/show/childcarerockstarradio/id/35084570

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