Today we’d like to introduce you to Muna Abbas and Martha Wubneh. Them and their team share their story with us below:
The journey and drive for Dreamcatchers started in unique ways for Muna Abbas and Martha Wubneh. Muna was born in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and immigrated to America by her parents for a chance at a better life. Schooling was held to high standard for her as her parents gave up everything to see her prosper. Her parent’s selflessness grew Muna’s ambitions to become successful and give back as much as she could. As for Martha, she was a first-generation American in her family. Her drive began after visiting Ethiopia, her mother’s homeland, for the first time. “Going to Ethiopia opened my eyes to the massive amounts of opportunities, I’ve been oblivious to here in the states”, Martha expresses. See being from a third-world country and realizing how your parents and a lot of your own people weren’t given the same chances sparked a light. Determination to become successful and return majority profits to the less fortunate became the mission. Muna and Martha both knew of each other, as their communities were entwined but it wasn’t until they both began working at the same school that they realized their goals aligned. Their determination for success grew in two different ways, and their reasons for becoming philanthropists came from separate experiences but destiny brought their partnership together. Over the course of the years, while still working together at the school, both grew a bond as they discussed business ideas and ways profits could be used for minorities. March of 2020 when the global pandemic hit. Muna and Martha were out of work, and they saw these unfortunate circumstances as an opportunity to start what they had already envisioned.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey of opening Dreamcatchers Care was definitely not an easy one. Being two female minorities who are young created many obstacles. Not to mention the challenge of opening a business during a global pandemic. With government facilities shut down, a process that typically takes two weeks, like receiving approved building permits took them six months. Obtaining permits and licensing was prolonged drastically. because of the pandemic. Construction materials were low or out of stock in many hardware stores. Orders for equipment took months just to receive, and install dates were impossible to book. The pandemic put a toll on them, but not as much as being young females in a male-dominated industry. “Without a doubt, our demographic attributes must have allowed these contractors to believe we were incompetent fools”, says Muna. These “licensed” contractors ran them through an abundance of obstacles, it’s hard to pivot just a few. I mean it was ridiculous, contractors were showing up on their own time, disregarding deadlines, leaving the construction site un-worked on for days on end. Doing the bare minimum so it looked completed but then having to re-visit its months later after failing multiple inspections. Signing contracts with set prices and having them attempt to raise it mid-job, due to “accidentally misquoting it” was the type of unprofessionalism they encountered. Contractors you’re paying disrespecting your time, belittling your wants and requests as if they’re doing you the favor. Stealing materials not only from them but other contractors as well. It was exhausting begging them to do their jobs as “licensed” contractors. Muna and Martha started to take matters into their own hands. If the lights weren’t working in one of the bathrooms they hopped on a ladder and checked it out. Leak on the side of the building, they bought a ranch to shut it off. Contractors not showing up to their inspection, they were up at 5 am doing it for them. A contractor once bluntly told them he couldn’t make it to their job site because he had a deadline for another job. That statement alone helped them realize that their young age and appearance will cause hardships down the road. These contractors weren’t incompetent in what they were doing, they just didn’t feel the need to show them the same respect and work ethics as they were obligated to with others. During the duration of their construction period, they were left on the back burner and never taken seriously.
“Unfortunately, I can go on and on about their deceitful and malicious ways but to be honest with you without enduring these challenges we wouldn’t have gained the knowledge and skills that we have today”, says Martha. The obstacles they faced only helped them grow as entrepreneurs. There is not a book in this world that could have taught them the things they learned through this experience.
We’ve been impressed with Dreamcatchers Care, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dreamcatchers Care was established during the peak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Founders Muna Abbas and Martha Wubneh took a leap of faith with their dreams of opening a learning center. Given the abruptness of the federally mandated quarantine, they were sure that the educational system would be impacted. Cumulative learning loss would be substantial, causing educational gaps to further widen in their community. While their community may not be able to control the virus, Dreamcatchers was more than prepared to deal with its repercussion on education.
Dreamcatchers’ mission is to close educational gaps by providing higher education while making it accessible to every household regardless of social or economic background. Dreamcatchers Care is a diverse educational institution, mainly focusing on early childhood education and an after-school learning recovery program. Their research-based learning programs and team of experienced educators strive to offer an engaging environment to promote a thriving educational journey for each individual child. Every child’s educational development is Dreamcatchers’ first priority. Through various in-house scholarships, grants, and extended hours, they are confident in the program being accessible to any household type.
Dreamcatchers also provides a distinct program that differentiates them from their competitors. The Young Executives™ program allows twelve student-executives to join each year. These twelve young execs represent themselves as board members to a company they will construct from the ground up. From designing business cards to creating their own LLCs, they are allowed to innovate as entrepreneurs. The program will teach each young executive the basics of opening a business. Their goal will be to market the products/idea they created and generate real income. The Young Executives™ program allows this 12 student-execs to earn a share in the company they started and will have legal rights to them even after graduating the program. This curriculum is designed to educate young minds to become self-sufficient in the real world. Muna and Martha take pride in their one-of-a-kind program as educators and entrepreneurs.
As children of hard-working parents, Muna and Martha understood that many families have demanding work schedule that inhibits flexibility with their child’s schedule. To elevate the stress on parents and impact on the child’s educational development, Dreamcatchers offers extended hours. Dreamcatchers is open 6 am to 11:30 pm, 7 days a week. Parents are able to customize their child’s schedules with ease and flexibility.
It truly does “take a village to raise a child” and Dreamcatchers is ready to be that village for many years to come. Become a Dreamer parent or refer a parent, by doing so you can also help them reach their goal of putting 50 percent of their profits back into many communities.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you would like view the vlogs of our journey and our future Young Executives™ tune in on our YouTube channel (Dream Catchers Care).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dreamcatcherscare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamcatcherscare/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCka8d2jxhTonLZt11p-w1kA
