We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Whinery recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

When the idea of starting a school popped up in my head, I was in the middle of several big transitions and wasn’t sure I could pull it off. Our family had just returned from a 7-month journey in Asia, we were living out of our backpacks in our friend’s rental home, and my job contract was up in the air due to the pandemic. There were so many unknowns and it felt too big to accomplish; it was July 2020 and Texas school year starts in mid August. My daughter was four at the time and having a safe space for her to socialize and learn was the motivation I needed to get the ball rolling. My partner said he would take care of the legal aspects such as applying for an LLC and he reached out to a real estate agent and friend to help us find a home. The housing market was beginning to sky-rocket, multiple offers fell through because people were offering over the asking price, but our real estate agent was optimistic and encouraged us. I had just graduated a month prior with my AMI (Association Montessori International) Primary Diploma and I shared our idea with friends. The community came together to support us by sourcing materials for the classroom, sewing child size aprons and donating supplies. I kept a running list of items I needed and sent it to everyone I knew so they could keep an eye out. This was during the peak of the pandemic, so many stores were closed. In order to find students, I posted on a few Facebook pages and the emails started flooding in. For the next month, I was writing curriculum, the school handbook, enrollment contracts, finding and making materials, talking to prospective families via Zoom, reading about what I needed to do to become a licensed childcare home, and visiting prospective houses to purchase. I was also looking for temporary spaces I could rent in case we didn’t find a house in time. In mid July, we found a house for sale and they accepted our offer! We received the keys to the house on August 4th, transferred our belongings in storage to the house, and set up the school in 10 days! We had friends and family come to help us unpack, do laundry, set up the school, and assemble furniture for bedrooms. Families came on August 14 to tour the space and meet me, and the first day of school was August 18th!

Jessica, 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 have worked with children and their families for the past 17 years. I received my bachelors in Early Childhood Education and taught in a public school. When I moved to Austin in 2015, I joined a Montessori school and instantly fell in love with the pedagogy and knew this way of life was what I wanted for my own child. My partner and I started taking parenting classes and I went on to receive my AMI (Association Montessori International) Assistance to Infancy certificate (birth-three years) and Primary diploma which specializes in children ages three-six years. The courses were a transformative experience for me as an adult and as a parent, and I wanted to share this with other families. I truly believe Montessori should be accessible to everyone! When the pandemic hit and my child needed a safe space to socialize and learn, I was motivated to get out of my comfort zone and start a school. I now own and run Western Oaks Montessori, a primary Montessori program out of my home in Southwest Austin. Our home was transformed into a beautiful, child-friendly space for children to be loved and nurtured. Western Oaks Montessori provides children the environment and guidance to become independent, confident, and peaceful citizens of the world. I partner with families and build a bridge between home and school. Western Oaks Montessori prides itself on being a community that brings diverse families together to raise children for a much better world.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele at Western Oaks Montessori has been through word of mouth! When Western Oaks Montessori first opened, we received our first group of students by posting ads on local Facebook pages. Since then, we’ve had families stay until their child ages out or they had to move; new families are referred to us by alumni. It makes my heart so happy when families tell me they can’t wait until their younger children are old enough to be in my program. I have met several other amazing humans who run small schools in the South Austin area and have referred families to them and vice versa.

Western Oaks Montessori is thrilled to be one of the 13 schools participating in the Inaugural Small Schools of South Austin Tour. It will take place on November 5, 2022 from 9am-1pm. Families have a chance to visit 13 schools and discover a school that’s the perfect fit for their family! For more information about the tour, email westernoaksmontessori@gmail.com

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

The rich, social, diverse, and inclusive experience that Western Oaks Montessori provides for children brings families in. Our community is a place where children not only feel accepted, but welcomed, loved, and encouraged to pursue their interests. My public school experience helped me adapt to many different learning styles and world-schooling my own daughter has provided me with opportunities to be flexible, open-minded, and creative with the learning process. I partner with families, creating a bridge between the child’s home and school to provide consistency. I love what I do and feel lucky to spend my days learning and growing alongside my students

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @westernoaksmontessoriatx
• Youtube: Western Oaks Montessori ATX
• Other: westernoaksmontessori@gmail.com