Today we’d like to introduce you to Sesealy Owens.
Hi Sesealy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of doing something that would make the world a better place. At a young age, I couldn’t grasp what that meant, but I always knew I needed to create the life that’s always lived in my head. I began my career after graduating from Talladega College in Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing. I have over eight years of sales and marketing experience working at numerous tech companies.
And although working in the tech industry was a great experience, I come from a family of educators. Beginning with both of my grandmothers, whom I’ve always been inspired by. I realized how fulfilling a career in education can be, thus desired to get involved in this field.
When the opportunity of owning a school came to my husband and I, I was terrified but also excited about the possibility of starting to make a difference. My husband always to me, “they say if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” that moment was the impetus for me and my husband to take over the Montessori School in Decatur a year ago. While still working my full-time tech job, I immediately began working overtime, cutting back on my spending unless it was an absolute necessity, and literally saving every dollar I had in order to purchase this business and enter a new venture.
So today, as the owner of the school I’m able to incorporate my love of education with my business skills, and it’s already proving to be a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been challenges, a few obstacles – but so far, we’ve been able to overcome them. For example, along with many small business owners, hiring great talent and maintaining morale during these challenging economic times are currently our biggest challenges. Another was purchasing a business in the middle of the pandemic, that alone presented many obstacles we had to figure out “on the fly”.
But with every obstacle we faced so far we’ve been able to overcome and it’s only made us stronger.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Decatur Montessori School?
Decatur Montessori School is an AMI-certified school dedicated to providing children six weeks to 6+ years old with an environment in which they can develop their human potential to the highest degree. As the Owner of the Decatur Montessori School, I oversee high-level operations including but not limited to client satisfaction, management structure, business growth, and financial planning.
What sets us apart from others is that we’re the most affordable Montessori school in the community with one of the lowest student to teach ratios. We’ve established a comfortable environment for the children that seems like their second home.
We’ve just opened a new toddler classroom.
Our teachers have been with the school for many years – some 20+
We have partnerships with partnerships with Emory University Work/Life Program, CDC, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Dekalb Medical Center – -those partnerships include offering priority admission, special discounts, application fee waivers and other perks for parents working with these organizations. These benefits truly help establish the school as part of the community in Decatur.
WHAT IS YOUR MAIN OBJECTIVE IN SEEKING PUBLICITY FOR THE SCHOOL
To establish ourselves as an elite school in the Decatur community and to increase student enrollment.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would tell them to start slow. It doesn’t matter how slow you’re going, as long as you start and don’t stop. History shows that most things that were built fast, also fell fast, so just take your time.
Also, create lists. Lists are your best friend. Write a goals list for the year of everything you want to accomplish, hang it on your bedroom wall so every morning you wake up that is the first thing you see. From there, break those down into small daily lists. I’m notorious for writing a list or note on my phone and making sure at least 3 items are checked off every day which helps me reach my larger goals.
And whenever you do something that helps you towards your goals, reward yourself, a win is a win…keep going and never settle.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sesealyw@gmail.com
- Website: www.decaturmontessori.com
Image Credits
Sesealy Owens
