Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Knight.
Hi Tiffany, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The seeds for Mini Minds Academy were planted well before I realized this was my passion and purpose. For nine years, I worked at Knight’s Learning Center in Conyers. Here I was introduced to early childhood education. After a six years break from being in the classroom, motherhood inspired me to create an in-home classroom. I wanted an environment where my son could fully explore through all five senses. An environment specifically catered to him and his current developmental level that would unlock his love for learning and exploration.
Watching my son grow and rapidly retain the information I poured into him, I wanted to create a way for other mothers to start educating their little ones from home BEFORE entering the school system. Knowing how fast-paced life can be for moms, I wanted to bring the experience to them in their homes with very little interruption to mom’s schedule and essentially give parents a break while giving their minis structured learning time.
God’s timing is EVERYTHING. We started eight months before the pandemic hit. We had our soft opening, enrolled new students, started getting the word out and then everything came to a hard stop. While a hard stop, it was only a brief one, our specialty was the perfect solution for the need to social distance and the concern that our little ones would “miss out” developmentally.
This is where we bridged the gap and found our niche.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road?! Now you know God gives his hardest battles to the strongest soldiers. Our 1st year was us proving ourselves. Toddler tutoring?! What is that and why would a toddler need tutoring?
We learned veer a bit away from the word tutoring as it gives the wrong 1st impression. We were challenged by parents and spectators! Our sessions were free or extremely low cost until we were able to show our system works. We were making sales not making money. I’ll call it paid market research, every cent was reinvested back into the company.
The biggest struggle was during the initial shutdown and the months following, because we were a “New Business” there were no bailouts or loans.
As an owner and a mother, my personal struggle was sacrificing quality time with my son, my true inspiration and MMA’s 1st testimony.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a learning and development company. Our specialty is children five and under however we also offer tutoring services for children up to 10Y (5th grade).We assist parents with all stages and milestones as well as Pre-K readiness for their toddlers.
While we work specifically with our mini’s in 1 on 1 sessions, we are also an asset and resource to parents for advice, recommendations, tips and support during parenthood.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Communication and transparency is the foundation for a strong business relationship, it helps build trust. Know your audience and acknowledge your limitations. I also had to learn the hard way that I can’t help or reach every family or every child. Sometimes my heart is bigger than my schedule will allow.
Pricing:
- Sessions start at $49.95
- $5-$25 Custom Printable Learning Packs
- $35 for Toddler Busy Book
Contact Info:
- Email: info@MiniMindsAcademy.
com - Website: www.MiniMindsAcademy.
com - Instagram: @MiniMinds.Academy
- Facebook: @MiniMinds
