We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nicole Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

Customers are the lifeblood of any business, and I deeply appreciate my customers who entrust their children in my care. Throughout the year, I express my gratitude to them in various ways, such as giving thoughtful gifts, organizing on-to-breakfasts on special occasions, helping children create cards for Mother’s and Father’s Day, providing Christmas gifts, hosting family engagement events, offering incentives for referrals, and presenting certificates for parent involvement. I truly hope that my customers feel appreciated and valued.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

“I have been working in the childcare industry for over 20 years. My passion for this field developed at an early age when I started working with my mother. She ran a successful child care business, and I learned a lot about providing high-quality care from her.

When it comes to my own Daycare business, I don’t focus on what sets me apart from others in the industry. Instead, I emphasize creativity. I see my daycare as a hidden gem that people may not know about until they find us. To promote my business, I have come up with various creative ideas, including unique activities, improving the environment, and using innovative teaching styles to prepare children for a successful future.”

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

Great Marketing Skills!

Marketing is a skill that I had to learn to grow my daycare business. I improved my marketing skills by taking free marketing classes on how to expand my clientele. Growing your customer base doesn’t happen overnight. It could take a few years. I have been running my daycare business for ten years now, and it wasn’t easy. Although most of my families were recommended by current families, I wanted to reach more potential customers who could find my website on the internet or social media.

I recommend taking pictures of all special occasions throughout the year. Visuals are important for potential customers, and they provide a range of ideas for your services. You can also ask your current and past families to leave a review on Google and other platforms. Posting your events (without disclosing the location) or something special you are doing for your customers is also a great idea. For example, on my website, I have on-the-go break parents for my clients or outdoor events on the event page.

Thanks to my marketing skills, I receive at least three emails or calls daily based on my website and Google site. I have families who found me on the internet and viewed my website. The top five strategies that helped me grow my business are visual pictures, showing events, creating and promoting fliers, giving business cards, and customer reviews on different platforms.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a business owner, I understand the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. To ensure that I benefit my customers, I have often changed directions and pivoted my strategies. However, maintaining mental health is crucial when running a business, and finding the right balance is essential.

Running a business requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and it’s important to prioritize mental health. Some ways to achieve balance include getting enough rest, organizing your day, planning your schedule, and taking mental break days and vacations. Personally, I ensure that I take three vacations every year to recharge and spend time with family.

In the beginning, the business may take priority, but it’s crucial to find the balance that works for you. For instance, I have adjusted my hours in the past to accommodate customer needs, where possible. Ultimately, finding the right balance is key to running a successful business while maintaining personal well-being.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://funandlearningllc.com

Image Credits
Nicole Smith- myself