Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandra Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sandra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Every child has the potential to grow into something extraordinary. Every child we meet could be the next doctor that could cure cancer. After losing my dad suddenly to cancer in 2021, I would love for that child to give a family a chance of never feeling that pain but for them to become someone great. Kids need the adults in their lives to show love, respect, support, and patience to grow into their full potential, starting with us as parents. I always wanted to be a part of that. Working with kids has always been a passion of mine. I wanted to make a difference in their lives. Help them grow to their full potential. I started working with kids from a young age. No matter how many jobs I had, I always returned to childcare. As I got older and started a family, I began offering my service as a stay-at-home mom, but I wanted to make a difference the right way. I took the classes needed to become a family child care provider. I wanted to create a childcare service that parents could trust and their children could feel safe. We have to protect our future.
When a parent enrolls their child in my program, I want them to know that their child is one of the most critical people in my life, and I will protect them as my own, but they know that I am stern and their child is learning and having fun. I love seeing the children grow and helping take the stress and worry away from parents. We’re not perfect because there is no such thing as ” the perfect parent.”, but we can strive to become better parents. That differs from parent to parent. You may be that parent that wants to further their education, apply for a promotion, or that single parent that needs some alone time. We all strive to be better individuals to become better parents.
As a childcare provider, I wanted to provide a childcare service that is loving and a haven for all our children, but I also wanted parents to feel secure leaving their children in our care. As a childcare provider for a decade, parents were constantly asking, “when would I start providing nighttime or weekend care.” Parents were having trouble finding reliable childcare outside the regular childcare hours. I understood the desperation of not having adequate childcare. I knew that was a problem parents were facing, and I wanted to create a solution to the problem we as parents face. That was when I decided that I would develop a babysitting agency. At one of my babysitting jobs, I had a parent say, “where have you been the last five years of my life.” That touched my heart because that is what we strive for at Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency.
Sandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I migrated to the United States in 1990 from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. I love to have fun. I believe life is too short. We should enjoy life while we can. I guess that’s why my childcare philosophy is that kids learn best through play. I’m a straightforward girl. I would rather spend my time at home with my husband and kids. Give me a horror movie or a juicy romance book, and I will be content. I am a huge football fan. My favorite team is the Baltimore Ravens. Even though I am not good at it, I like playing sports, but I like girly things (make-up, heels, and handbags). I love to get my hair and nails done. I love to dance. My favorite music is dancehall, but I will listen to and dance to all types of music. You can’t believe the looks I get driving through Baltimore City listening to the Jonas Brothers, but that’s me. That’s what makes me, me.
I am an energetic mother of four. I have two boys and two girls. Christian is fifteen years old, Cheyanne is twelve years old, King is nine years old, and my baby girl Bella is five years old. She started kindergarten this year, and I cried. You think I wouldn’t because I have been through it three times already. I am a very active mother. I am a mother who will check their phones and show up at school without notice. I try not to miss any games or after-school activities. I introduce myself to their teachers every year. Their teachers have all my and their father’s contact information in the event they need to contact us. I do believe in disciplining my children, but my children understand they can come to talk to me about anything. As strict as I am, I have an excellent relationship with my children. My fifteen-year-old comes and talks to me about anything. I always try to keep that line of communication between us. Everything I do is to provide a better life for my children. I started my childcare business with my children as the driving force. I know what I wanted from childcare service for kids, so I implemented those values in my babysitting agency. All the skills I learned throughout my years as a mother and a working mother are the driving force behind the opening and operation of Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency.
I am not only a mother, but I am also a wife. I have been married for thirteen years. My husband is my rock. He has supported me through the ups and downs of operating and building my band. My success is due to his support. Sometimes when I want to give up, he holds me accountable. He gives me the courage to keep reaching for my goals. I run all my ideas by him, and he is always eager to listen and provide positive feedback. He’s been running my childcare business with me since I became a childcare provider. The children love him. Sometimes I think the children love him more than they love me, and some parents love that there is a man around for their boys. We’re a team.
During my younger days, I didn’t like being outside. I was a homebody. My passion for working with kids started when my sister got married and started a family. I remember when my nephew was about three years old. He always wanted to get into everything, so we would put things out of his reach. He would take telephone books and stack them together to reach what he wanted. That intrigued me, and I wanted to know more about children, so I started working at various childcare centers. I have worked with children from birth to high school students with disabilities.
Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency offers a solution to parents’ trouble finding reliable babysitters. I started Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency because I understand the need for reliable babysitters. I love making memories with families. The best feeling is when a parent contacts me to give me an update on their child and how thankful they are for our service. I have many ideas for Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency, and I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I wanted to create a team of babysitters with the same passion for working with children and wanting to make a difference in their lives. I have met some fantastic babysitters like Terra Fields and Shanique Brewer. They have been with the agency since the beginning, and I couldn’t have done it without them.
I want parents to know we are an agency made by parents for parents. Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency works. What sets us apart is that “we care.” I wanted to create an agency that would help parents navigate through parenthood, and I did just that.
Let us step in while you step out!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Reputation can be built or torn down based on character, communication, and trust. My passion for working with kids has developed the Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency’s reputation. When I enter a parent’s home, I show up with a smile on my face. I am giving each child the respect they deserve. I am getting on their level and addressing them by name. Bring activities to keep them learning and having fun. Everything Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency offers. I like to make sure our parents are getting just that. No surprises. A parent shouldn’t wonder what happens to their child. No one wants someone constantly trying to ‘spin” events. We have to give it straight to the parents so the Kreative Kidz Babysitting Agency can continue to receive their trust.
It’s not enough to build a good reputation; you also have to protect and maintain it, which takes authenticity in your professional relationship.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Some advice I have for managing a team is communication. Communication is key! Show your team that you are human and you make mistakes too. Be active. You should contact your team regularly and be accessible to them. How you treat your team can determine your business success level. Treat your team like human beings whose personal lives are meaningful. Giving your team the resources they need to do their jobs properly is essential. We’re setting our babysitters up for success which sets our agency up for success.
Be fair but stern with your team. Don’t be afraid to let go of anyone that is a risk to your band. People only do what you allow them to do. Starting Kreative Kidz Babysitting agency, I had a parent who tried contacting our babysitter outside the agency, and the babysitter immediately notified me. I was very thankful for her being honest and loyal to the agency. Show your team you care, and they will show you they care. My team is the best. They have challenged me to be better, and I appreciate that. When you find a team that wants to see your business successful just as much as you do, keep them. They’re priceless. I’m taking this agency to the top and taking Terra and Shanique along with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kreativekidzagency.com
- Instagram: @kreativekidzbabysittingagency
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreative-Kidz-Babysitting-Agency-107626304965306/
- Other: Email: [email protected]