We were lucky to catch up with Christina Farmer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Consistency!!! You have to be consistent. This is one thing I have learned in the last 5 years of my life. If you want to be successful you must be consistent.

Discipline!! On the days that you don’t feel like getting out of bed. Those days you do not want to face the world because you are tired or because you are not motivated, discipline must take over.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Christina Farmer. I am from Raleigh, NC born and raised. My career path started in Criminal Justice. I went to Wake Technical Community College to pursue a career as a homicide detective. I have always taken an interest in solving cases. However, one thing I was not prepared for was having to potentially identify children victims. I knew in my heart that I would never be able to face a family with such harsh news. While attending school I was working at a childcare center in the two year room. While working there I felt a strong connection to the children. I loved watching the children explore the world around them. I would become filled with so much joy when my students would master a skill for the first time. Something as simple as walking down steps and jumping off the last step with no assistance. Their little faces would light up with excitement. It feels good to be able to share those little moments with my students. I knew the childcare was meant for me because when I got out of bed in the mornings, I was ready to get to work and teach my students. I changed my major my second semester from Criminal Justice to Early Childhood Education.
From there I began taking classes and utilizing everything I was learning. I was very eager to learn more and more about the field. I had a true desire of becoming one of the best in my field. Eventually I opened a Family Childcare Home and while running that business I pursed my Bachelors Degree at North Carolina Central University in Durham North Carolina (EAGLEPRIDE lol)
While working on my degree my Family Childcare Home obtained a 5 star rating by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education. That was an awesome yet stressful experience.
I had my FCCH for 10 years and I loved it. I feel like I am one of those educators that wanted to explore the world and I wanted my students to get that same experience. Outside of the academics I would take my students on trips to different museums, parks, theme parks, beaches etc. I knew that some children will never get those types of experiences, so why not be the one that gives these children and their families something to remember?
It was my duty to educate the children both inside and outside of the classroom.
After 10 years of owning and operating a FCCH, I merged with a partner for a few years. Together we reopened a childcare facility. While working collaboratively, I learned so much about myself and what it takes to make a partnership work. Eventually we went our separate ways and I took time away from the childcare field as an owner. I stepped back into the classroom and realized that I was not happy. I wanted to do things outside of the box. I take pride in taking chances that others in this field will not. I am proud of the way I look at building cultural experiences for my students and their families.
The families that I have served and now serve are wonderful people from all walks of life. I make it my business to help them when and where I can. I’ve helped with their bills, tuition groceries, etc. Many of these families need help and being there for them takes the stress off of them.
Throughout my journey I had to take time off and After taking time off I began tutoring children ages 0-9 in math, reading and reading comprehension. This kind of sparked my interest in owning and coaching again. After weeks of thinking and praying, All About Melanated Excellence, LLC was born.

Some of the families I catered to throughout this time were in need of childcare however I was unsure if I still wanted to pursue the field full time.

One day out of the blue, I received a call about a space opening that I had been waiting a few years to hear from… and at that moment I knew it was time to re-enter the field but this time…. With a true sense of direction. I was ready to do things differently.

This time I plan to take things to a whole new level within the childcare field. I am going to educate children, families and other educators within this field. I am building a legacy with the field.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

We are open and honest with the families at our centers. Those families tell more families that tell more families. This is how we have grown our clientele.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Word of Mouth. People love to feel like that are being heard. When it comes to families their most prized possessions are their children.

Before enrolling their children, we meet with the parents and listen to their needs and desire for their children. We are transparent about what we do and do not offer. We NEVER attempt to “sell perfection” to potential families.

We are open and honest with the families at our centers. Those families tell more families that tell more families. This is how we have grown our clientele.

If you are honest and it shows… you’ll always have clients and many will be loyal.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.allaboutmecec.com
• Instagram: allaboutme.crv
• Facebook: All About M.E. Child Enrichment Center