Cultivating Classroom Harmony with Prerna Richards

In this episode, Krystle Steinhoff from Thrive Early Learning provides a comprehensive guide on trademarking your early childcare business. 

Our Expert Krystle Steinhoff

Krystle, CEO and Executive Director of Thrive Early Learning, is dedicated to crafting an ideal environment where children, parents, the team, and the community can flourish together. Raised in Statesboro, she crossed paths with her husband, Rob, in Richmond Hill over two decades ago. Krystle's drive to establish Thrive stems from her journey as a working mother of two boys, now aged three and almost two, navigating the challenge of finding reliable care when she needed it. Before embarking on her journey with Thrive, Krystle honed her skills as an attorney specializing in corporate and trademark law for several years.

In this episode, we cover:

- Identifying what to trademark
- Considerations for childcare businesses with multiple locations
- Filing for a trademark
- Post-trademarking considerations

A sneak peek inside the episode:

“As entrepreneurs, we put a lot of time and money into coming up with a name, and then you've got to do the branding and the marketing, and there's nothing worse than spending all of that time and money on those things only to get a cease and desist letter from somebody who has a name that's similar.”

In this episode, we chat with Bobby Franzo and Sam Slater from PB&J TV, a camera system and streaming app service for childcare and daycare. We explore how they contribute to safer schools and smarter operations.

Our Experts Bobby Franzo & Sam Slater

Bobby Franzo, Co-Founder and Principal at PB&J TV is a driving force in the childcare industry with over a decade of experience. He leads PB&J's efforts to redefine safety and operations in education using cutting-edge technology. Bobby shares insights from PB&J's inception, lessons learned, and the importance of advanced camera solutions in schools. With a focus on empowering educators and providing peace of mind to parents, Bobby's expertise guides best practices for implementing camera systems.

Sam Slater, PB&J TV's Customer Experience Director, is the epitome of a family man, having married his high school sweetheart and delighting in fatherhood with his two daughters. A devoted Saints fan, he navigates life's highs and lows with resilience. In his pivotal role at PB&J TV, Sam channels his passion into ensuring every customer interaction reflects the "we are family" ethos. From calls and emails to social media, he strives to create a warm and caring experience for customers, extending the PB&J TV family spirit. His dedication goes beyond, as he actively contributes to creating diverse programs, making a lasting impact on the customer journey.


In this episode, we cover:

- Background and PB&J TV's origin
- Safer schools and smarter operations
- Transition from fear of cameras to embracing transparency

A sneak peek inside the episode:

“I want to flip the switch on the idea of a teacher being fearful of a camera being in the classroom. Because as long as you're doing what you're supposed to be doing and operating the way you're supposed to be operating, that camera's there to protect you."

In this episode, Melissa Lush of Force of Nature Clean offers her expertise on mitigating health risks in childcare settings.

Our Expert Melissa Lush

Melissa Lush, Co-Founder and CMO of Force of Nature, combines her background in product development at Procter & Gamble with her mission to clean up the cleaning industry for people and our planet. By creating certified carbon neutral, toxin-free alternatives to traditional cleaning products, and educating families and businesses about simple changes they can make to be more sustainable, Force of Nature is driving meaningful change in the industry.

In this episode, we cover:

- Research on health risks of cleaning products
- Understanding cleaning chemicals
- Positive actions for healthier choices

A sneak peek inside the episode:

“You know, we've all used these products for years and we just have ingrained in our minds how they should be. So the whole education piece is just-  it's so important."

In this episode, business and leadership coach Aleta Mechtel joins us to discuss what it means to be a leader with better business practices in the childcare industry.

Our Expert Aleta Mechtel

Aleta Mechtel, a seasoned professional with 22+ years in early childhood education, has transitioned into a Business & Childcare Leadership Coach. Starting as a teacher and progressing through various roles, she honed expertise in business systems, marketing, leadership, and strategic planning. Successfully growing her business to four locations and launching complementary ventures, Aleta now leverages her experience to assist business leaders, especially in childcare. She offers services such as Business Coaching, Strategic Planning Masterclasses, Accountability Coaching Masterminds, and Substitute Teacher Placement to help others navigate and succeed in their respective industries.

In this episode, we cover:

- Leadership priority
- Broader priorities in the business journey
- Employee retention strategy
- Customer service and relationship building

A sneak peek inside the episode:

“You want the leadership at the top to want to or should be building a meaningful work environment: somewhere where you’re constantly giving recognition and building relationships.”

In this episode, Kelly Pritchard from Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning School shares how she supports teachers and parents as a community.

Our Expert Kelly Pritchard

Kelly wanted to address the challenges of finding quality childcare. After an exhausting search into educational based childcare, Kelly and husband John found Childrens Lighthouse and were immediately drawn to their unparalleled curriculum, extraordinary safety standards, and community focused mission. Beyond her professional background, Kelly emphasizes the importance of genuine passion and kindness. Committed to providing a nurturing and educational environment, she is excited about creating a special space for learning, love, empowerment and positively impacting lives in the community.

In this episode, we cover:

- Equal focus on parents and teachers
- Recognition and acts of kindness
- Customer service as a cultural element
- Philosophy of transparency and continuous improvement

A sneak peek inside the episode:

"I think sometimes childcare owners aren't in their business enough, in my opinion. Because I feel as though if owners are more present, it's one thing to be physically there, but being present and getting to know your families and your teachers goes a long way and they appreciate that. It shows the love."

In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Vazquez from EOS Worldwide to explore strategies for efficiently nurturing and leading your team as a childcare centre manager.

Our Expert Jennifer Vazquez

Jennifer Vazquez, a seasoned entrepreneur, founded a highly successful company in 2009, expanding it to over 30 staff and 1000 clients. Acquiring three preschool centers later on, she navigated the challenges of managing 50 staff and over 300 children. Jennifer's solution came through the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), resulting in a remarkable 700% increase in net profit and a regained sense of control over her life. In a successful 2021 exit, she sold her centers to a firm retaining both staff and business model. Now dedicated to EOS coaching, Jennifer simplifies tools and principles, guiding entrepreneurs to achieve business goals and align teams effectively.

In this episode, we cover:

- Balancing skills and culture in recruitment
- Time management in employee growth
- Monitoring staff progress
- Navigating individual vs. centre needs

A sneak peek inside the episode:

"I wasn't the best at hiring management staff for many years. That's when I was wearing multiple hats, and, you know, there was a lot of turnover—unfortunately, very stressful. But then I learned that if it's not my expertise, I need to hire someone for whom this is their specialty, and they excel at it. It's not an expense; it's a true investment, and the return on investment that I received was amazing."

In this episode, we discuss structured physical education, active play, and enriching programs for children with Megan Bowling of Stretch-N-Grow.

Our Expert Megan Bowling 

Driven by a deep commitment to children's well-being and a sharp understanding of franchise development, Megan is Director of Franchise Development at Stretch-n-Grow, the leading children's fitness franchise. Her primary objective is to inspire dedicated entrepreneurs to partner with the company in their commitment to nurturing joyful, healthy, and successful futures for children globally.

In this episode, we cover:

- Defining "Getting children moving"
- Options for encouraging movement
- Success with enrichment programs

A sneak peek inside the episode:

"While free play is so important, so is structured physical education. And so when I'm talking about that and getting children moving, I am talking about that structured portion. The National Association of Sports and Physical Education, recommends that preschoolers have at least 30 minutes of structured physical education daily. So that's different than just running on the playground or kicking balls around with their friends."

In this episode, we speak with Tara Franklin of Child Development Schools about data-driven decisions within change management.

Our Expert Tara Franklin

Tara Franklin, a 20-year education industry veteran, serves as the manager of school operations at Child Development Schools, a leading early childhood education provider. She oversees business operations, customer relations, and talent development across multiple centers, ensuring quality and compliance. Tara's expertise in data-driven strategies and collaborative leadership enhances learning experiences and outcomes, driven by her deep belief in the power of education for transformation.

In this episode, we cover:

- Definition of change management in early education
- Real-world scenario of data-driven decisions in change management
- Empowering beneficiaries and constituents through data
- Data ownership and responsibility

A sneak peek inside the episode:

" I think change management empowers me with the ability to put myself in other's shoes: I care about people, their thoughts, their values, their experiences - because the early childhood industry is truly about relationships. And what stuck with me about change management is the "Yes, and..." approach. You don't have to be a profitable business, or choose quality and experience. Change management really enables organizations to marry the data and the goals with the people component of the industry." 

In this episode, Beth Cannon offers insights into how leaders can effectively steer their teams using powerful tools for leadership and growth.

Our Expert Beth Cannon

Beth Cannon is a renowned early education leadership figure known for her compelling and unique approach to empowering teams. A sought-after speaker, coach, and consultant, She has created impactful training programs, delivered transformational keynotes, and is the force behind 12 Stretch-n-Grow franchises. With a background in communication and education, her expertise spans business, fitness, and education domains.

In this episode, we cover:

- Embracing change and adaptability
- Self-awareness and team dynamics
- Overcoming bias with the Enneagram
- Rethinking organization structure
- Team growth strategies

A sneak peek inside the episode:

"Antifragility is not a lack of empathy. It's accepting the brutal facts of the current reality and realizing we're still here. I think that the leaders who were fragile aren't still here anymore. The ones who have remained standing are here - and they are ready to dig in, level up, and learn more about how to be the best leader they can be. So that when things do get hard again, they won't be bogged down in being the bottleneck in their business."

In this episode, we discuss ways how to add value to help childcare businesses prosper with Kathe Petchel from Hinge Early Education Advisors.

Our Expert Kathe Petchel

Kathe Petchel has been involved in early childhood education since 1980, starting as a public school teacher before opening her own preschool center in Virginia. She now owns three sites in Charlottesville, serving over 300 families. In 2017, Kathe joined HINGE Advisors, initially as a staffing and operations consultant, and now focuses on client relations, helping sellers determine the value of their early childhood education businesses. She is known for her expertise and presentations on childcare topics, and has spoken at various conferences and is actively involved in multiple associations within the field.

In this episode, we cover:

- Prioritizing and organizing value-adding options
- Value-adding actions in childcare businesses
- Anticipated challenges for childcare business owners

A sneak peek inside the episode:

"Make sure that whatever your core values are, you're really living them and everyone in your school can talk about them, especially the tour giver, the director, and that you know you try your best. And we have a tough job. Honestly, it's getting harder all the time. try your best to solve a problem within your core values if at all possible."