Exploring Life & Business with Kawanna Ellis of Early Start Learning Deferment Center but were known by our logo “Ready Set Learn”

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kawanna Ellis.

Hi Kawanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is rooted in purpose, not perfection.

When I started Ready Set Learn, I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t have investors, fancy marketing, or a blueprint handed to me. What I had was a vision and a deep conviction that scholars deserve more than babysitting — they deserve love, structure, and a foundation strong enough to follow them for life.

Ready Set Learn was created as a place where every scholar could feel seen, safe, and celebrated. I believed in building something intentional, even when it meant standing alone, because compromising purpose was never an option for me. From the very beginning, this work was about more than running a business it was about shaping lives.

The RSL Way isn’t a slogan. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a way of leading, teaching, and living that puts faith, family, and culture at the center of everything. It’s about being intentional with your choices, building systems that outlive you, and holding fast to your “why” when the work gets hard.

Over the years, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about operations or growth it’s about showing up for scholars who may never remember your name, but who will forever carry the confidence, values, and belief you planted in them. It’s about holding your team accountable not for control, but because you care too much to let them settle for less than their best.

Today, Ready Set Learn is the result of faith guiding my steps, community shaping our culture, and love becoming our ultimate strategy. This journey is my story but more importantly, it’s an invitation to lead with purpose, build with intention, and believe in something bigger than yourself.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road and I’ve learned that loving your calling doesn’t mean it won’t hurt.

People often think running a childcare center is about patience and passion, and it is but what no one really talks about is how much of yourself you give away in the name of purpose. Purpose is beautiful, but it’s also expensive. And many times, the cost is felt at home first.

There were seasons where I poured so much into the scholars, families, and staff that my own family received what was left of me instead of the best of me. That was one of the hardest truths to face realizing that the very thing I was called to do sometimes took the most from the people who love me most.

I’ve also experienced moments where I gave everything love, care, excellence and still watched families walk away. Not because they were wrong to choose what was best for them, but because it reminded me that you can be amazing and still be left. That kind of hurt cuts deep when you build something from your soul.

There were days I wanted to quit more than once, sometimes ten times in a single day not because I hated the work, but because I loved it so deeply. Every rejection felt personal. Every loss left a mark. That’s the cost of leading with your whole heart.

But then something always pulls me back. A parent calling to share a milestone their scholar reached. A toddler counting in Swahili. A former staff member telling me they learned how to lead with love because of this work. In those moments, I remember I’m not just running a center. I’m planting seeds.

This calling has cost me a lot. But it has also given me purpose, perspective, and proof that what we’re building matters. And for me, that makes it worth everything.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At my core, I am a builder of systems, people, and purpose. Ready Set Learn is not just a childcare organization it is a thriving community rooted in faith, family, and vision. What began as turning empty rooms into classrooms became a blueprint for what it truly takes to build something that lasts.

As The Childcare CEO & Strategist, I specialize in creating intentional, high-quality early learning environments that go far beyond supervision. We design systems that support scholars, families, and educators at every level academically, emotionally, culturally, and operationally. From curriculum and classroom structure to staff development and leadership pipelines, Ready Set Learn is known for doing childcare with strategy, excellence, and heart.

What sets us apart is that we don’t separate purpose from business. We lead with intention even when it’s lonely. We build teams, systems, and cultures that outlive us. We invest deeply in our educators, tell the truth about the struggles behind the scenes, and celebrate the scholars who grow into confident leaders because of what they experienced here.

I’m most proud that our brand tells the real story. We don’t just show the wins we honor the work. Our staff struggles, our systems, our scholars-turned-leaders, and the “why” that drives everything we do are all part of the Ready Set Learn identity. This is not childcare done lightly; this is calling-driven work done with structure and accountability.

What I want readers to know is this: Ready Set Learn is proof that you can build a vision-driven organization without losing your faith, your standards, or your sanity. Our offerings, services, and training models are designed for families, educators, and leaders who want more than a program they want impact.

The RSL Way is more than a book, and more than a brand. It’s a movement. And it’s an invitation to lead, build, and believe in something bigger than yourself.

Any big plans?
The future for me is about scale with purpose. I’m looking to take The RSL Way beyond the classroom and into homes around the world. One of the biggest things I’m working toward is launching a global children’s series that teaches children from the very beginning that they are scholars.

This series will reflect everything Ready Set Learn stands for: confidence, culture, language, learning, and love. It’s about helping children see themselves as capable, curious, and powerful learners, while also giving families tools to support development in meaningful, intentional ways. It’s not entertainment for entertainment’s sake it’s education with heart and strategy behind it.

I’m also excited about expanding Ready Set Learn as a brand through curriculum, media, and leadership development. That includes supporting educators and childcare owners with systems, training, and strategy that allow them to build strong programs without burning out or losing their purpose.

At this stage, the vision is bigger than a single location or model. I’m building legacy work something that can reach families globally, uplift educators, and shift how early childhood education is seen and valued. What I’m most looking forward to is watching the seeds we’ve planted locally grow into impact worldwide, all while staying rooted in the same foundation that started it all: faith, intention, and belief in our scholars.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ready-set-learn.webflow.io/
• Instagram: rsl_atlanta