Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yesel Gutierrez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yesel, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I’ve actually lived both sides of this, which I think makes the answer a little more honest.

I used to teach in a public school, so I know exactly what a “regular job” feels like. The structure, the predictability, but also the lack of flexibility. My days were planned down to the minute. If I needed to go to a doctor’s appointment, take a day off, or even just catch my breath, it wasn’t simple. Everything had to be scheduled, approved, and worked around the school calendar.

Now, as a business owner, I have a completely different kind of life. I can set my own schedule, take time off when I need to, and handle things like appointments without it turning into a whole process. That freedom is something I don’t take for granted.

But I’d be lying if I said I never think about what it would be like to go back to a regular job.

The last time that thought really hit me, it was one of those long days where everything felt like it was piling up at once. I had a lot on my plate like e-mails, decisions, things that needed my attention and none of it could really be pushed off because I am the one in charge. I remember sitting there thinking, when I was teaching, life was predictable and I thrive on predictability. Even on hard days, there was a clear schedule and plan set for you, predictable.

As a business owner, it’s different. Even when you’re technically “off,” your mind isn’t always off. There’s always something you could be doing, fixing, or improving. That mental weight can get heavy sometimes.

But when I really sat with that thought, I realized something important. I don’t actually miss having a regular job. I miss certain parts of it, like the structure or the clear cut roles. What I have now, though, is something I didn’t have before, control over my time and my life.

So for me, it’s not about being happier in a simple, yes or no way. It’s about what I value more. And at this point in my life, the flexibility, the freedom, and the ability to show up for myself when I need to outweighs the comfort of a traditional job.

If anything, those moments of doubt just remind me to build my business in a way that supports my life, not takes it over.

Yesel, 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?

My sister and I are the founders of “Mi Cielito Azul ECC” formerly known as “Mi Cielito Lindo ECC”. We both started our careers as public school teachers, so working with children has always been at the heart of what we do. During our time in the classroom, we developed a deep understanding of how kids learn, grow, and thrive but we also saw the need for more individualized care and flexibility, both for children and for families. That’s what led us to start our own daycare.

Now, we provide a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where children can learn, play, and develop at their own pace. Mi Cielito Azul ECC isn’t just about supervision it’s about creating a space where kids feel supported, encouraged, and genuinely cared for. We focus on helping children build foundational skills like social interaction, independence, and early learning habits, all in a way that feels natural and engaging for them.

One of the biggest problems we help solve for families is peace of mind. Parents want to know their children are not only safe, but also in an environment where they’re being poured into emotionally, socially, and developmentally. We also understand how important reliability and communication are, so we make it a priority to build strong, trusting relationships with the families we serve.

What sets us apart is our background in education combined with the personal, close-knit environment we’ve created. We bring structure and intention from our teaching experience, but also offer the warmth and flexibility that many families are looking for. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach and we really take the time to understand each child’s personality and needs.

What I’m most proud of is the environment we have built. It’s a place where children feel comfortable, parents feel confident, and there’s a real sense of trust and community. We’ve been able to create something that supports not just the kids, but the families as a whole.

What I want people to know about me and Mi Cielito Azul ECC is that we truly care about the children we work with. This isn’t just a job for us, it’s something we are truly passionate about. We treat every child with patience, attention, and love, and are committed to making sure they’re in a space where they can grow and feel secure every day.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building our audience on social media honestly started as a leap of faith. In the beginning, it was scary. I think a lot of people can relate to that fear of putting yourself out there and wondering what others will think. There’s always that voice in the back of your mind saying, what if this doesn’t work? And for us, it felt even bigger because if our business failed, it wouldn’t be private it would be visible. People would see it. That was something we really had to push through.

What helped us take that first step was our optimism, along with the support of our friends and family. They encouraged us to show up, to share what we were building, and to not let fear hold us back. So we started posting, nothing perfect, just real moments, updates, and glimpses into what we were doing in our daycare.

Over time, people began to connect with that. We weren’t trying to be overly polished or something we’re not, just genuine. We shared our passion for working with children, the environment we were creating, and what families could expect. That consistency and authenticity made a difference.

As our social media grew, we realized it wasn’t just about gaining followers—it was about building trust. Parents want to feel comfortable and confident when choosing someone to care for their children, and social media gave us a way to show who we are, operate, and what we truly care about.

For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice would be: Don’t wait until everything is perfect to start. Just begin.
Be yourself, be consistent, and don’t let fear of judgment stop you. People connect with realness more than perfection. And most importantly, lean on your support system when those doubts come up, because they will. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but if you stay consistent and genuine, it will come.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Losing our mom changed everything for us. It was one of those experiences that really puts life into perspective. In the middle of that pain, we realized just how short and unpredictable life can be. It made us step back and ask ourselves what we truly wanted—not just for our career, but for our life as a whole.

At the time, we could have easily stayed in what was comfortable and familiar. But that loss shifted something in us. It made us realize that we don’t get unlimited time, and that if there’s something on your heart, something you feel called to do, you can’t keep putting it off.

That realization is a big part of what gave us the courage to fully step into building our business.

It wasn’t easy. There were moments of fear, doubt, and uncertainty, especially knowing we were stepping into something so visible and unpredictable. But every time we felt hesitating, we went back to that perspective: life is short, and I want to live it fully, doing something I truly love.

That mindset helped me push through the hard days, take risks, and keep going even when things felt uncertain.

If there’s one thing that experience taught me, it’s that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship, it’s about allowing those moments to shape you, to give you clarity, and to push you toward the life you really want.

And for us, that means building something meaningful, making an impact, and not being afraid to go after it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.micielitoazulecc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micielitoazulecc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Mi-Cielito-Azul-ECC/61555452570204/