Daily Inspiration: Meet Dionna Kirk

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionna Kirk.

Hi Dionna , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve had a passion for children my whole life. My first experience started while working at a daycare center that my own son went to while I was in college working on my bachelors degree. After graduation, I went back to school to get my Masters in School Counseling with the hope to become an elementary or high school counselor. I’ve always loved working with children and supporting families, but for a long time I knew I wanted to do it in my own way creating a safe, nurturing, high quality environment where children could truly thrive.

After Covid, I felt the timing was finally right. It gave me the push to stop doubting myself, stop procrastinating and fully pursue my passion. My realtor and husband found my building and we hit the ground running. I took the leap of faith and made the commitment to turn what I’ve always loved into a business. This road has been everything but easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’m so proud of what I’ve been able to build in one year of business.

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?
Some of the struggles was finding a building that I felt I could see myself in and grow. I felt like it needed to be perfect.

Funding (how was I gonna pay for all of this)

One of the biggest struggles was stepping out on faith with three kids of my own and starting a new business. That scared me the most knowing that our household would go from two steady incomes to only one.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a daycare owner, my role goes far beyond daily operations. I’m responsible for creating a safe, burying, and structured environment for children, while also supporting families and leading my staff. I oversee licensing and compliance, curriculum quality, staff training, parent communication,’ and the overall culture of the center. Most importantly, I set the tone making sure every child is seen, valued, and cared for as an individual.

What sets my business apart from other daycare centers is that we focus on quality, consistency, and relationships. We’re not just a place where children are watched, we’re intentional about development, structure and emotional support. I am a very hands on owner, so families know who I am and trust that I’m personally invested in their child’s growth and safety. We emphasize a nurturing environment, clear communication with parents, and a team that truly loves what they do. Families choose us because they feel the difference. Their children are learning, growing, exploring new ideas and most of all being genuinely cared for.

What I am most proud of after just celebrating one year of business is the resilience it took to get here. There were moments when it was hard, moments when I wanted to give up and moments when I had to put the business first even when that meant personal sacrifice. But I stayed committed. I’m proud that I created a safe, clean and loving space where children are learning and families feel supported. I’m proud of the team I’ve built, proud that I kept my doors open, and stayed true to my vision even when things weren’t easy. One year in, the business is still standing, growing and making a real impact on Atlanta’s Southside and that means everything to me.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important quality contributing to my success is resilience. Being a daycare owner requires patience, consistency, and the ability to keep going even when things are challenging. There have been times when the workload was heavy and the pressure was high, but my resilience keeps me focused on the bigger picture providing quality care, supporting families, and building something meaningful. I don’t quit when things get hard, and that persistence is what continues to move my business forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.kirkwoodlearningacademy.com
• Instagram: @Kirkwood Learning Academy
• Facebook: @Kirkwood Learning Academy