by admin | Sep 11, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
If you’ve worked with a coach or you’ve been part of a life-changing membership, you’re likely to have experienced change. Or what I like to call “The Metamorphosis Experience” or “ME Experience”.
Because this week we’re not thinking about the baby steps. Nope. We’re diving in deep with the big stuff.
So, what does this sort of change look like?
Growing through change
Change is often difficult, stressful, and anxiety inducing. Not being in control can bring on feelings of insecurity and put your body into fight or flight mode. However, change is – for the most part – a good thing. The benefits that come from the growth we go through can be countless. But as Brené Brown teaches us, you can only get to courage through being vulnerable.
One thing I’ve learned over the years I’ve been a childcare business owner is that when you allow yourself to be vulnerable and start investing in yourself you become accustomed to change. It’s part and parcel of the process. Instead of worrying about the approaching change, you begin to trust in your own choices and the universe. You have a faith in yourself that you didn’t have before. And that, my friend, is super powerful.
Mindset Metamorphosis
After I stopped putting off investing in myself, and started doing things that were going to help me grow as a business owner, I saw huge changes. Looking back it’s kind of funny, really, that it took me so long to believe. I am now a much better leader because I’ve made this change.
There’s a monumental change in the way your mindset works when you decide to invest in YOU. You begin to prioritize the things that you know will help you to grow. No longer do you waste time on the things that don’t serve you. Instead, you understand that by investing in yourself you can’t possibly go wrong.
You begin to notice the things that seemed important aren’t really, and that your self-development and growth is fundamental. There’s no more putting yourself to the bottom of the To Do list. Because you know that you – and only you – can grow your childcare business to be the best it can be.
Language
Suddenly, you find yourself saying “I can” instead of “I can’t”. There’s a shift in the language you use in your everyday conversations. Those slips of self-deprecation are long gone, and have been replaced by positive affirmations and an innate sense of self confidence. You respond to tricky situations in a totally different way. Instead of reacting to things as we once did, you’ll be able to take a deep breath and the words that come won’t be angry or from your scared inner child.
Going through the Metamorphosis Experience changes the way you speak and interact with the world. Your language becomes more constructive and those around you begin to notice too. And this is great for your team because you’re role modelling what growing and self-development looks like.
Taking action
After your metamorphosis, you now come at things from a different angle. You’re pro-active not reactive. It’s like a sixth sense. You know what needs to be done and you do it. Procrastination becomes a thing of the past because you are not afraid of making mistakes anymore. And taking action and doing the things that are hard and uncomfortable brings with it further satisfaction. Taking action feels good.
You spend less time scrolling social media, or hanging out gossiping with friends and get laser-focused. You choose to spend your time wisely, learning, doing the work, growing. Not shutting yourself off, but just prioritizing the things that matter – YOU and your metamorphosis!
No more putting things off. You’ve had the ME experience and now you’re on a road to greater things. You know it, the universe knows it. Bring. It. On!
Looking at your surroundings
One of the hardest things about your metamorphosis is taking a look at your environment. Not just the space itself, but the people in it. Surround yourself with the doers, the creators, the people who inspire you.
When you’ve invested in yourself, you start to see that there are some people in your life who begrudge your growth. They want to keep you small. Those people are not your people, okay? They’re toxic. I learned fairly swiftly that I needed to have positive women who “get me” in my circle, not the ones who want to keep me from dreaming big. Read more about that here.
Is it time for you to a true metamorphosis experience?
I’ve got a group coaching experience beginning in October that is ideal for you if you’re looking to invest in yourself; if you’re ready to go through some HUGE changes to make progress in your self-development and your business. I want to help you become the best you can be, so I’ve created: “The Simple Childcare Ownership Program“!
It’s a 10 week program that offers you tonnes of value for money. The perfect investment! Become a leader in the childcare field bycoming together and sharing experiences with like-minded women in a private, exclusive community. In creating this especially for you, we’ve taken great care to ensure that the program is content-centered, offers you results-driven experiences that will inspire and motivate you to challenge yourself and grow into the childcare business owner I know you can be! Find out more here.
If you’d like to see more like this and chat with other childcare business owners, I wonder whether you’d like to head over here: Childcare Ninja Facebook group! Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be!
While you’re here, are you in the Childcare Ninja membership yet? We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! It’s full of exclusive resources and support to help you grow your Childcare Business.
by admin | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
Investing in yourself has never been easier, in terms of choice. There’s so many ideas and options floating around the internet, and your inbox is full of people professing to know what a good investment for you will look like.
You want to up-level and reach your goals, but you’re not really sure how to get there.
Well I can tell you, after years of not investing in myself, I only started to see huge growth in my business when I began to see myself as worth the investment.
Putting yourself first
When you put yourself first, you increasingly have more energy to be more productive in your work and you’re more motivated to grow your business. And because you’ve invested in yourself, you’ll find that you’re able to add more value to others. Unlike many other investments you could make – the stock market, real estate, horses – investing in YOU is never a risk, because there’s always a benefit.
People start to notice you
Nely Galán, the author of “Self Made“, describes how, when you choose yourself, “people will notice you, and they will choose you over and over again.” You put an end to passively waiting for things to happen to you, taking a lead and investing in yourself, so you take action and begin to move closer to being the you you’ve always dreamed of.
Here are some ways you could be investing in yourself:
- Improving your health and wellness – by looking after yourself you’re protecting your future.
- Booking a workshop or course – professional development and adding to your skills is vital!
- Watch, listen and read – Women who read, lead – am I right!?
- Attend networking events – surround yourself with other phenomenal women aiming high.
- Hire a business coach – this is a biggy and is a key one for leveling up!
- Prioritize self-care and breaks to increase productivity – you certainly can’t pour from an empty cup.
All of these are opportunities to invest in YOU. Set yourself a challenge to do a few of these each quarter and watch how much progress you make! I know that you’ll be amazed.
Getting into the right mindset
By investing in any of the above list, you’re getting into a childcare business owner mindset. You’re prioritizing yourself and showing leadership. All of the examples are going to demonstrate to your team that this is the way things should be. That when you lead it isn’t all about being at your desk 24/7 and neglecting your well-being. Nor is it about spending your days swanning around the mall with the Amex. Role modelling these to your staff and your family is true leadership.
And once you start investing in your self, it’s like you’re saying to the universe that you’re ready for success. It shows that you’re getting into the mindset for being a childcare business owner.
Investing in your future
I’ve got a Masterclass coming up where I will be covering the 5 foundations I recommend for making childcare ownership simple. After years of experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that owning a childcare business consists of 5 main steps. These steps can be broken down very simply so you’re not overwhelmed in your journey to successful and simple childcare ownership. And although they’re all of equal importance, some of these are overlooked!
In a nutshell, the 5 Foundations for Simple Childcare Ownership are:
- Mindset
- Planning
- Research
- System Building
- Legacy Creation
And these are the simple steps I’ve noticed in my thirteen plus years of being a childcare boss! And when you start investing in yourself and in professional development like this, you’re beginning to think like a successful Childcare Boss.
I would love to see you in the Masterclass! If you have any questions don’t forget that I’m always in the Facebook group and if you haven’t already joined here’s the link The Childcare Ninja Members Group.
by admin | Aug 26, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
When it comes to putting passion into action, I’ve often found childcare business owners don’t do this enough. Yes, of course you’re passionate about your families and the care of the children, but what else lights you up?
Let me tell you a story about why it’s important that we don’t put all our eggs in one basket. And why we should look at our passions when we diversify our incomes.
It was all going so well
Back in the days – about 13 years ago – when I was running my childcare solely from my home, I had no other form of business. I ran my daycare, I looked after my own family. That was that. All was going really well – the children in my care were thriving and their parents were appreciative and kind.
Suddenly the rug was pulled from under my feet. The government had major budget issues. They froze childcare payments to those who needed them. Families in my daycare relied on that so they could send their children to me, in order to go to work. Government subsidies was where a significant amount of my income was coming from. And when they froze the payments, I found myself with less than I needed coming in.
I was facing three months with no pay outs from the government to cover those families. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Around me I could see other childcare businesses shutting down, but I was sure as hell not going to be one of them.
Searching my passion
I needed an additional source of income – STAT. Thinking about all my skills and passions, I began to search for ideas I could implement to supplement the gaping hole in my finances. It needed something that wasn’t dependent on the government or my daycare parents.
There were a couple of events and weddings I went to around this time, and I noticed that there were parents struggling – understandably! – to keep kids quiet and that those babies were bored outta their minds. A light bulb moment occurred!
I could put my passion into action! Soon after the idea came to me, I set up my very own Events and Weddings Childcare Service. I began offering babysitters on and off site for both the organizers of the events and to those attending. All this was in addition to my home childcare. I was serving other families, and it wasn’t focused on those at work so I didn’t need to worry about subsidies.
Where does your passion lie?
What are you passionate about? Is there something you’ve always wanted to experiment with, but you weren’t sure how to incorporate it into your life? Perhaps you pushed it aside to focus on your childcare business.
Well, I want you to learn from my mistakes. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Use your passion to diversify your income. We love what we do but I’ve been taught the importance of speculation! Figuring out a way of getting income from alternative sources is key!
Look at the hobbies and skills you’re excited about. Are you a talented musician? You could be offering musical sessions in your daycare or using the network of parents in your childcare business to spread the work about piano lessons. Or maybe you could play at events and ask parents to tell their friends. Minimize the work by implementing through your business.
Perhaps you’re an artist or amazing craft maker who could offer extra sessions in the daycare, or sessions at the weekend or after school to bored kids or in the evenings to folks who want to learn from your skills. If you’re into something pretty, these are highly sought after for things like bachelorette parties.
Put your passion into action
This isn’t the time to be humble. If you have a skill – outside of being a childcare ninja that is – use it! Whatever it is, it’s necessary to diversify your income streams to protect yourself and your childcare business.
By taking something you enjoy doing in your free time and creating a cash flow from it, you’re putting your passion into action. This sounds exhausting, but it needn’t be. Ensure you utilize word of mouth, making the most of the networks you have available, i.e., your parents!
And I implore you to do it now. There are unstable times upon us and you have a duty to yourself and your family to do what you can to look at other income streams.
Growth and Legacy
This is also an opportunity to think about growth – do you always want to run a childcare business? Or can you see yourself doing different things after you’ve sold it or moved on? Your passion project and side hustle could then become your main source of income instead of just a back up.
And what about the vision for your legacy? What does that look like for you? I like to say that your childcare business can be the catalyst to growing an amazing life, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing. It can be the start of amazing things.
And I see a bright future in you! There’ll be no stopping you once you put your mind to it. Trust me, I’m a ninja!
I hope you found this blog helpful to think about your future. If you enjoyed reading this, and would like to see more like this and chat with other childcare business owners, I wonder whether you’d like to head over here: Childcare Ninja Facebook group! Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be!
While you’re here, are you in the Childcare Ninja membership yet? We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! It’s full of exclusive resources and support to help you grow your Childcare Business.
by admin | Aug 21, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
Being a childcare boss isn’t for everyone. So how do you know if you’ve got what it takes?
I’ve been in the business for a long time and I have seen people come and go. Sometimes, they think running a childcare is easy and they have a shock when they realize that it’s quite different from other types of businesses. For one, there’s tiny people to think about, not just the profit margins!
Other times, they’ve got no experience running a business at all and despite a huge love of working with children, it becomes overwhelming and they’ve given up.
Just as you don’t start on the line of a marathon without hours of training, you also have to begin the race with the right mindset. And the same goes with being a childcare business boss. We’ve got to be prepared and in the right head space to be successful.
Anyway, here are a few things I’ve learned about whether you know that being a childcare boss is right for you and how to get into the childcare boss mindset…
So have you got what it takes?
Truth of the matter is, only you can answer this question honestly. This is an opportunity for you to think about your why. What motivates you to run a childcare business? Why do you want to be a childcare boss?
However, you just need to take some time to meditate over and contemplate these questions. Lean into the fear. Is there anything holding you back? How do you prepare for challenges you face? Is there a pattern? How could you bring that to being a childcare boss?
Achieving what you put your mind to
In my experience people have the ability to do whatever they set their minds to. Therefore, if your mindset is ready, you’re ready!
Think about the people you know who’ve run marathons – they start preparing months in advance. They train hard, and most of them will tell you that it’s not about the physical prep, it’s about breaking the mental barriers. Once you’re able to show your brain that you can run 18 miles, it doesn’t take much to convince it that another 6 miles will be okay.
Same goes for mountaineers. Months of preparation and the right gear, but at the end of the day, it’s ultimately down to their mindset.
Another example is Paralympic athletes. They compete in the face of adversity. Some of them have lost legs in battle, yet they come out fighting! It is all about mindset.
Getting into the right mindset
Hopefully you’re getting the idea that so much of this is down to having the right mindset! So how’s yours?
First, check how your mindset is towards being a childcare boss. And once you’ve looked at that, it’s time to begin taking steps towards creating or
growing your childcare business.
Journal about your fears around leadership, your motivations for running a childcare business, think about your soul goals and where you see yourself in five years. Really get to grips with where you feel you’re at in mindset terms.
I hope this blog has got you thinking about whether this is right for you, and I hope the answer is, “For sure, Ms. Nyckie!” I know you’ve got what it takes.
I have a 3 day challenge coming up that dives into this. Taking part in the challenge will allow you to gain freedom from your fears of childcare ownership. You’ll be given simple steps to reignite your fire & make you the passionate and proud childcare boss you know you can be. This challenge is going to get you laser focused and give you the clarity you need to move your childcare business from bleak to booming!
Click here to register and get my FREE tool to help you get into the right mindset!
And if you’re not already over in the Childcare Ninja Facebook group, come and say hi! We’d love to welcome you into the space and find out how you’re getting on. We’re an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! If you’re interested in becoming a part of the community, join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
by admin | Aug 14, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
This year has really thrown us some curve balls, hasn’t it? But it hasn’t all been terrible. I never thought that I’d be writing an article that featured two childcares, a global pandemic and a wedding. Honestly! Some of the stories and memories I’ve had from this time are up there with the best of ’em. And today’s blog is one of those good ones.
So let me begin…
“What a beautiful home you have, thank you so much for doing this.”
Those words came from the Mother of the Groom, as we stood in my kitchen while her son and his groomsmen were preparing for the Bride and her entourage. They were fixing each other’s collars and straightening their ties, giving their shoes one last buff. Each one of them was smiling and filling the room with happiness.
People flowed throughout my home with nothing but laughter, joy and celebration on such a glorious day. It seemed to be perfectly created as a wedding gift from God for our own happy friends.
Last minute “I dos”
When I stopped and looked around on the big day, I thought to myself how special it had turned out. The bride looked divine in her floral gown and her new husband was so smart. The guests were all dressed up, a few masks, but people respectfully distancing and it felt like a happy and non-judgmental environment, where love conquered all.
The ceremony was so incredibly beautiful, the food delicious, and the newly married couple were radiant. Everything was so beautiful and joyous that you wouldn’t even think that this awesome festivity had only been planned five days prior. I know! Jaw dropping, right?!
There were a couple of minor tweaks, due to the situation, but otherwise you’d never know! In fact, because the neighbor’s garden waterfall was in the background of some of the photos, relatives thought we’d gone somewhere exotic, not just my backyard!
Pandemic induced fear
The date had been set for months to take place later this year, but when Covid hit 2020, fear came too. So with the fear of our state being on lockdown again and in general conversation, the plan evolved on Monday to have a wedding in my home on Saturday.
We had to plan things a little faster than normal. But the changes we made were barely noticeable – especially to the untrained eye! I had no idea that you could get wedding cakes – beautiful ones! – from Sam’s Club, and I wouldn’t have known if no one had told me. I wondered how they’d managed to source one so fast! Amazing.
Neither was there time to organize fancy caterers, so we fed everyone chipotle – which went down a treat! And all the decorations for my home and the garden were last minute purchases from Michael’s craft store, but they were also well received by the guests.
The Pittsburgh Cookie Table tradition was the only thing that was missing. You know the one! Where all the family and friends bake for a special table laden with cookies. Mmmm. Well, there wasn’t time, but I don’t think people missed it too much.
Growing my childcare business
Which brings me to explaining how any of this has anything to do with two childcares!
It’s quite simple really. 13 years ago, this moment would not have been possible. Through years of testing out ideas, systems and processes to grow my childcare business. I started that business with very little and – through perseverance, my love of kids, and a belief in myself – I’ve grown it into a multiple 6 figure company that has allowed me to help create timeless memories both inside and outside my childcare business.
It brings tears to my eyes thinking about what a beautiful day I was able to provide for the couple who got married, and how much my financial situation has changed in a decade. Being able to give back like this is why I do what I do. And I know you can do this too. You can grow your childcare business into a sustainable and dependable 6 figure business that opens doors for everyone you love.
(With huge thanks to the incredibly talented photographer Anu Kolawole at MercyWerks Studios for kindly allowing us to share her beautiful images of this special day.)
Are you ready to take your childcare business from bleak to a booming success?
Click below to find out how!
by admin | Aug 7, 2020 | Blog, Uncategorized
Recently I’ve been asked how I manage the vacation situation in my childcare business. After so long in the daycare world, I’ve learned that I am a workaholic and I need to take a break. And I’m sure you’re the same. It’s really hard to step away from the day-to-day running of our businesses because we’re so involved and because we care!
So how do I handle it? How do I ensure that I take a proper break, that my team gets a fair vacation, all while keeping clients happy.
Well here’s a few things I’ve learned along the way that might help you.
Give as much notice as possible
It is super helpful if you can get your dates out to your daycare families and to your team as early as humanly possible. This allows everyone to make plans and come to terms with the dates you’ve set.
You want to get it out in a newsletter in advance of the year ahead. I send a notice out to all my families in November, ready to for the upcoming year. This gives them plenty of notice to find temporary care, or to book their own vacation time from work. It even gives them a chance to book travel!
Be predictable
As much as possible, keep roughly the same date. This doesn’t mean plot out exactly what you’re doing for the next five years on precisely the same dates, just that it makes it easier to remember if you have a vacation in the same month each year. Perhaps you go away for spring break, or for a fall getaway, or you might take a break every August like I do.
Taking a vacation at a similar time each year makes it more memorable for families, ensuring that they can plan ahead and not forget.
The families who’ve been using my services for a long time always feedback that it really helps them figure out their plans. They know that every summer I take a week off in August where I close all my settings and my team also has a break.
Should you close?
As I mentioned above, I choose to close my business for one week each year. It wasn’t always this way. What I used to do was say I was taking a week off, not closing, and letting my team take the reins. However, the reality was that I couldn’t switch off my boss brain. I’d find myself checking in after a couple of days. My break ended up being more like working from home. Which isn’t my idea of a vacation! So a couple of years ago I decided enough was enough. We all deserve a proper vacation time.
As a smaller childcare business, it may be beneficial to close the whole childcare for your vacation time. It’ll save you stress, and ensure you come back refreshed, motivated and ready to be boss again.
A break for everyone
So we now close each year in August. Just for one week. Not only can I recharge my own batteries, it also means that I can ensure that my whole team gets a well earned break, because we all know that if we’re not made to take a break, we’d all just keep on going right?! They need time with their own families, to catch up with friends and maybe even head off on a camping trip.
In terms of organization, it’s also a massive breath of fresh air! No need to schedule in a few days here and there for each member of staff, figuring out if you’ve got enough adults to fulfill ratio requirements. The timetable for staff vacations could give anyone a headache, and if you’ve got more than one childcare facility, that is a guarantee! So trust me when I say it’s been a game changer to just close and all take a break at the same time!
Give an incentive for parents
It might seem like a big ask, but your families know you need a break too. They understand and are nearly always receptive. As long as you’ve given them plenty of notice, they’re appreciative and they love you coming back with a renewed zest for their kids!
You can ask them to partner with you for vacation closure. Offer them a discount on care or even a free week, if you think it’ll ease the blow. Generally I haven’t had to do this myself, but I know it’s helped other childcare owners bridge the gap with their families.
All in all, by taking care of the vacation situation well in advance, you’re making it easier for everyone involved. You can breathe and rest fully on your designated break, in the knowledge that your team are doing the same. Your families all know you’ll be back in a week to welcome them with open arms, and that you’ll be a lighter, brighter team for the time off!
I hope you found that helpful. If you liked this, I wonder whether you’ve found the Childcare Ninja Facebook group yet? We are an army of childcare professionals who are sharing ninja-sharp skills to transform our businesses into childcare empires! This is Childcare Ownership all Grownup! Interested in becoming a part of the community? Join us for more tips on how to make your childcare business the success it deserves to be! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram!
