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

Hi Quanella, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I love being a nanny and the entrepreneurial journey I’ve been on for the past 10 years. It’s hard to believe I’ve been in this field for 25 years, and I recently added birth and postpartum doula services to my repertoire in 2020. The freedom that comes with being a business owner is incredibly fulfilling.

However, there are moments when I reflect on what it would be like to have a regular job. Just the other day, after a long day of caring for a toddler, I sat in my living room, enjoying a rare moment of quiet. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow through the window, and I took a sip of tea, considering my day. It was busy juggling different clients and dealing with last-minute schedule changes.

At that moment, I thought about the structure of a 9-to-5 job. I imagined a routine where I would clock in and out, have set breaks, and not have to worry about my schedule’s unpredictability. I thought about how nice it might be to have a predictable paycheck and the comfort of knowing that my weekends and evenings are genuinely my own.

But as I continued to reflect, I realized my flexibility as a business owner is invaluable. I can travel with my family on a whim, I don’t have to stress about finding a parking spot, and I can enjoy meals on my schedule. Plus, my clients understand when I have to step away from an emergency, like a client going into labor. That level of trust and understanding is hard to replicate in a traditional job setting.

Ultimately, while I sometimes consider the appeal of a regular job, I come back to the conclusion that the joy and fulfillment I get from being a business owner far outweigh the challenges. I thrive on the relationships I build with families, my impact on their lives, and the freedom to carve my path. That realization reinforces my commitment to this journey and reminds me why I love what I do.

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?

I’m a passionate childcare professional and entrepreneur who began my journey as a teenage mother of two. Faced with the high childcare cost, I worked at my children’s daycare to take advantage of the discount while nurturing my love for children. This experience blossomed into a fulfilling career when, in 2005, I embarked on my first live-in nanny job. This opportunity provided me with a stable foundation and allowed me to escape a challenging situation in Memphis, Tennessee, and start anew in Atlanta.

Over the years, I’ve accumulated over 20 active childcare certifications, continually expanding my knowledge and skills to serve families better. In 2021, I launched AskNannyQ.com, a dedicated platform designed to create a safe, judgment-free space for parents. Here, they can ask questions about parenthood without fear of criticism. To date, I’ve addressed over 8,000 inquiries, providing valuable insights and support to families navigating the complexities of parenting.

As a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, I empower new mothers by educating them about their rights and the childbirth process. I firmly believe that knowledge is power, and I strive to equip women with the tools to advocate for themselves during this critical time. My doula services go beyond childbirth; I offer resources and guidance on postpartum recovery and infant care, ensuring mothers feel supported at every step.

One of my proudest achievements is my commitment to community service. Each year, I donate five free doula services to new mothers who may not have access to this vital support. This initiative reflects my belief in the importance of community and support for mothers during their transition into parenthood.

Recently, I partnered with Medicare’s Healthy Moms Healthy Babies Doula Program in Georgia to help address disparities in maternal health, particularly for African American mothers. This cause is incredibly close to my heart, as I recognize the urgent need for equitable healthcare and am dedicated to positively impacting this area. Additionally, I serve on the board of a 501(c)(3) organization called Celebs Give Back, which collaborates with various celebrities to assist families.

My experience as a young mother who has faced and overcome significant challenges sets me apart in this field. I understand many parents’ fears, doubts, and uncertainties because I’ve lived through them. My approach combines professional expertise with empathy and relatability, fostering a unique bond with the families I serve.

My Pride and Vision

I take immense pride in the supportive community I’ve built through AskNannyQ.com and the positive impact my doula services have had. My mission is to empower parents by providing guidance, support, and resources to help them navigate the beautiful yet challenging journey of parenthood. We can create a nurturing environment for our children—one question at a time.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I launched AskNannyQ on my 40th birthday, I wanted to create a platform where parents could find reliable childcare resources and support. It all began with sharing practical tips on finding a daycare or nanny and what essential questions to ask during the hiring process. My goal was to empower parents with the information they needed to make informed decisions, and I hoped to foster a sense of community around those shared experiences.

One day, my husband encouraged me to share some of the entertaining daycare stories I often recounted to him. He believed that these anecdotes could resonate with a broader audience. Taking his advice, I began posting these stories on TikTok, focusing on the wild and humorous aspects of my experiences as a nanny while ensuring I never shared any personal information about my clients.

To my surprise, people loved it! I found that authenticity and relatability were key. I started sharing not only funny stories but also insights into the daily life of a nanny, the challenges parents face, and the unique moments that happen when caring for children. This approach helped me connect with an audience that appreciated the humor and humanity in my experiences.

Over the past four years, my audience has grown exponentially. I now have approximately 450,000 followers on TikTok, 10,000 on Instagram, and 4,500 on YouTube. What’s remarkable is that this growth stemmed from simply being myself and sharing my genuine experiences without any pretense.

### Advice for Those Just Starting to Build Their Social Media Presence:

1. Be Authentic: Share your true self and your experiences. Authenticity resonates with people and helps build trust.

2. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages. Building a community means fostering relationships with your followers.

3. Find Your Niche: Focus on a specific area where you can provide value. In my case, it was childcare tips and entertaining stories.

4. Create Consistent Content: Post content regularly to keep your audience engaged. Consistency helps you stay relevant and allows your audience to anticipate your posts.

5. Utilize Different Platforms: Don’t limit yourself to just one social media platform. Each platform has its unique audience and style—experiment with what works best for you.

6. Listen to Feedback: Pay attention to what your followers enjoy and engage with. This feedback can guide your content strategy.

7. Have Fun: Enjoy the process! If you’re having fun, your audience will feel that energy and be more likely to engage with your content.

Building an audience on social media is a journey that requires patience and dedication. But by staying true to yourself and genuinely connecting with your audience, you can create a thriving online community. Don’t give up! Be consistent, persistent, and faithful
Always remember why you started.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes, my side hustle as a nanny transitioned into my full-time business, and it’s been an incredible journey. I started nannying full-time, which allowed me to connect deeply with families and children. During this time, I often found myself helping my clients’ friends find nannies. I loved the process of matching families with caregivers, and it was rewarding to see how much of a difference it made in their lives. In 2015, I assisted six families in finding nannies, and this experience sparked an idea in my mind.

I began to realize that there was a demand for a more structured approach to connecting families with qualified nannies. I started researching what it would take to establish my nanny service. I looked into the necessary certifications, legal requirements, and best practices for running a childcare agency. This research laid the groundwork for what would become my business.

### Key Milestones:

1. Research and Planning (2014): After helping several families, I spent time researching the nanny industry, understanding the needs of families, and identifying gaps in the market. This was a crucial step in defining my business model.

2. Launching the Nanny Service (2015): After months of planning, I officially launched my nanny service. I started small, focusing on building a local reputation and establishing relationships with families in my community. Word-of-mouth referrals played a significant role in my early growth.

3. Building an Online Presence (2017): Recognizing the importance of digital marketing, I created a simple website to showcase my services and began utilizing social media to reach a broader audience. Sharing tips and insights about childcare helped draw in potential clients.

4. Expansion of Services (2020): In 2020, I expanded my offerings to include birth and postpartum doula services. This addition allowed me to support families during a critical time and positioned my business as a comprehensive resource for childcare.

5. Creating a Community (2021): I launched AskNannyQ.com, creating a platform where parents could ask questions about childcare without fear of judgment. This initiative provided valuable resources and fostered a supportive community for families.

6. Growing the Audience (2022-Present): Over the years, I’ve built a significant following on social media, which has provided additional visibility for my services. Engaging with my audience allowed me to connect with families beyond my local area and establish myself as a trusted expert in childcare.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned the importance of being adaptable and responsive to families’ needs. My side hustle has grown into a thriving business that not only supports my family but also contributes to the well-being of countless others. I’m proud of the community I’ve built and my services’ positive impact on families navigating the complexities of parenthood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asknannyq.com
• Instagram: AskNannyQ
• Facebook: AskNannyQ
• Linkedin: AskNannyQ
• Twitter: AskNannyQ
• Youtube: AskNannyQ

Image Credits

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