Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Harris.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Loaded question! (laughing) I’d say it began around age 12 or 13. My sister and I were always the designated Summer babysitters for my younger cousins; this eventually helped me acquire the skills I needed to land a job working in a daycare as a preteen. Initially, this wasn’t the idea I had in mind at all! My aunt is a nurse and I actually wanted to pursue a career in nursing. I’d watch ‘ER’ on the TLC channel until one day, there was a REALLY bad episode that made me squeamish and I said, ‘ABSOLUTELY NOT! Time for a new direction!’ (laughing) I thought about my decision and eventually chose working with children. From this point, the goal was to own my own childcare center. After graduating college, I taught Pre-K for about two years back in my hometown of LaGrange, GA at TLC (Teaching Loving Caring). I love that place! It made me realize how important it was to have a family-oriented environment among staff, students and parents. I continued teaching elementary school and preparing myself to become more marketable as a business owner and professional in the childcare industry. In 2018, I was in the process of purchasing a daycare center and built a great relationship with the owner. but in the end, it wasn’t economically feasible because I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to expand the business in the future had I wanted. I didn’t want those types of constraints so I ultimately decided against the purchase. There were SEVERAL hindrances after this. Understandably so, attempting to open a daycare, especially in Georgia, is not for the faint at heart. I was online constantly looking for buildings. My friends were sending me links to buildings until eventually, I began thinking of how I could eliminate this part of the process altogether. Then, the idea to start a mobile event sitting & childcare business came. It was the perfect opportunity to couple two of the things I loved most; meeting new people and working with children.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road hasn’t been smooth but similar to anything one works hard to manifest, it is always worth it. I realize that this is just the beginning but ‘mind over matter’ is an important mantra to adopt. I breathe in difficult moments and remind myself that this is the business God gave me. Therefore, he has already equipped me with everything I need to shoulder the obstacles. I will say, in the beginning, the hardest part was finding viable resources in my research process; this is a unique business idea so there aren’t very many like it. But I was very much aware of how necessary it was to adhere to any state guidelines for businesses of this kind. I developed a good relationship with some of the Bright From The Start directors (partially because I was calling them every single day with questions, I’m pretty sure they got tired of seeing my name on their caller ID lol) But, when you want to do something and your name is attached to it, go through the hoops so that it’s done correctly. Your name attachments are everything.
This pandemic has presented a completely new challenge also. People aren’t gathering and when your business is centered around events that aren’t happening; it can be detrimental so I also think it’s important to be adaptive to current times. Start zeroing in on other gifts and business ideas when one has to be placed on hold.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Kidz Corner Event Sitters & Childcare is a mobile/on-site childcare agency that services weddings, corporate events, family events and more! So, in short, the part where you have to bear the burden of telling your event guests ‘NO KIDS!’ is out of the door because we handle all of that for you! We come throughout the duration of your event and set up engaging activities for the kids to do while the adults have a great time, without worry! The most important aspect of the business is that we’re conveniently close, so the need for parents to ‘peek in’ on their little ones is satisfied because we’re right there! I’m proud of the unique service opportunities we offer to our clientele and with me having nearly 10 years of teaching experience, it helps make managing the events that much easier. Different age groups have different interests and my experience in a school setting has helped me understand the needs of children! All in all, the sitters and I know the importance of allowing children to be children. They need opportunities to be free and have fun, safely! School settings are extremely structured so this business is another opportunity for me to also have creative fun with preparing their activities.
What were you like growing up?
I had many interests as a kid; one especially was dancing. I loved watching ballet, I started liturgical dancing when I got older and eventually danced for my college liturgical team. I loved music, I loved Art and I also loved writing. Writing would be, I’d have to say, a gift for me also. Both my sister and I write; which we likely got from our mom. I was inquisitive as a kid too. I asked A LOT of questions. In fact, one of my uncles once told my mom he couldn’t watch me anymore because I asked too many questions (Lol!) But that was just me. I loved understanding how and why things were the way they were. I was interested in knowing how the very first step, and all other subsequent steps helped to create a finished product. I was observant and my mind was always working. I wanted microscopes and science experiments as a kid.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kidzcornereventsitters.com
- Phone: 4705588879
- Email: kidzcorner@kidzeventsitter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidzcornereventsitters/
Image Credit:
Andrea Harris
LaTonia Andreana
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