We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful D. Golden. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with D. below.

D., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be successful it takes GRIT! I was born in the late 80’s just before the whole internet thing really started to explode. I can remember the one time and the only time in my life that I spent 3 hours in an AOL chat room talking about absolutely nada. I told myself I would never waste this kind of time again. I got nothing out of it. I was always taught to work hard not matter if you were doing the dishes or a final exam, there was no difference.

As a person who has worked with ages 0 – 18 years in my career as an early childhood education consultant and childcare owner to a college professor, I see that children and teens lack motivation because they haven’t been exposed to quality childhood education programs that foster their creativity in a nurturing environment if that makes sense! As a result, children grow up with a disconnect between being superficial learners and lifelong learners. I am an advocate for high quality early education programs! That is why Real Deal Childcare, my weekly podcast, is so important to me. I want parents, teachers, and industry experts to understand what really goes on in childcare and the importance of quality early learning experiences. Success means, to me, the desire to be tenacious even when no one is looking. The desire to not accept failure and the desire to be the best. I think the proliferation of the internet has really hindered their ability to exhibit these characteristics and expand on them, but it is also difficult because the computer is the way of the future!!!

D., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in the industry as a child, and really thought I had my career path set and somehow got called back into the childcare industry. I am most proud of making incremental differences in young children and seeing their growth and development each year. When they reach development milestones, so do. This means I might have learned how that 3 year old learned that new concept in a different way than this friend. Early Childhood Education is always evolving. I am most proud of seeing parents showing pride when their children succeed and telling them “I’m proud of you.”

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being a consistent childcare center, being a clean childcare center, following rules , communicating with parents. Being present for teachers and parents each day. Most of all showing love to thousands of children over the years.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn putting all my book sense and degrees and pride aside and just listen before I make a decision as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: @Realdealchildcare
• Instagram: @Realdealchlidcare
• Other:Subscribe at Apple Podcast and Spotify to D.Golden or Real Deal Childcare

Image Credits
D.Golden is me, and the name of my podcast is Real Deal Childcare