Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebecca Kessler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rebecca, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
The shift from working for someone else to being a business owner is a big one! There were so many parts I thought through— the learning curve of LLC formation, taxes, licensing and a million other practical details that I knew would require a lot of work. It seemed more than worth it for the trade up of being my own boss. But, there were also a number of things I hadn’t stopped to consider. Some were exciting— like identifying the values that were important to me (oh yeah, that’s part of my new role!). Some were daunting— NO taking the day off because I’m exhausted or have personal issues going on (oh yeah, that’s part of my new role). The first couple years have felt like a yo-yo of emotions. I was either enjoying the creativity and excitement of the new venture OR I was stressed to the max and wondering what I’d gotten myself into. Though I think those feeling will level out over time, I don’t imagine they will go away. Being a business owner is a ride. It’s what you sign up for. But, ultimately, it’s a ride that you cultivate, nurture and enjoy with a very deep satisfaction.
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 have been working with young children my entire adult life and I love it! Opening a small neighborhood schoolhouse for preschoolers has been one of the most natural (albeit ambitious) things I’ve ever done. I provide high-quality early education to children ages 2-5 in a home setting. We learn through play in a cozy, colorful, clean, safe, sensory-rich environment.
I try to make each child and family feel like an extension of my own.
Sunny Days Preschool is a magical place.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
When it comes to reputation, there are no shortcuts. Who you are and what your brand has to offer shows up in the day to day. You can certainly buy a google add and present your brand any way you choose, but the success lies in the humanity of your business. Your patience, your kindness, your fairness, your excellence — these are the qualities that clients remember and that develop your reputation.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Believe it or not, hanging flyers has yielded more clients/results than any adds or social media posts for me. That grassroots style of marketing is a reflection of what I’m trying to create in my small business. I want it to feel like a familial/neighborly community, so I’m strategic about flyering in my neighborhood.
Contact Info:
- Website: sunnydaysschoolhouse.com
- Instagram: @sunnydaysschoolhouse2022
- Facebook: Sunny Days Preschool