You Gotta Get Up and Try

A Journey into The Wilds

I am learning that building a business requires things I didn't know I would need. A host of supportive friends and talents, for one. The vision is so clear in my head, and I know I will rock this once we are on our feet, but when I sat down to put everything on paper... I got overwhelmed. The clarity in my head somehow wasn't translating; I was at a loss for some structure and order of tasks. But did I question this whole process and the entire basement filled with preschool items stacked halfway to the ceiling?

Yes I did. Just all of it.

So, while flailing, I happened to listen to this podcast and came across this guest: Jessica Zweig, author of 'Be.'. I promise i do believe in synchronicity, but I think I forget about that until it happens again. Jessica is up here telling her story (one I cannot at all relate to) and ultimately how she did a life belly flop into some big failure (this I definitely can). What she ends up doing is writing a book on authentic marketing and business strategy. I'm not going to lie- I never pegged myself as someone who buys a business book. But her interview was so incredibly real and inspiring and I found myself thinking that these are the kinds of people who should be taking over corporate everything. Instantly I knew what I wanted: I want to be a business that embraces the best things I have to offer as a human and attracts its success, not by pitching a gimmick or some kind of niche service, but just doing my best and trusting in my skills and experience. There is no perfection standard when my model is based on who I am; I'm not perfect. I think Jessica is right: most people are out here committing to a method for success when the most inspiring people are out in the worlds just putting themselves into the work they believe in. There is room for growth in that. There is room for change.

Ok, but yes I needed a business plan. My whimsical moment floated out the window when I thought about sitting in my loan interview, beaming smile on my face, suggesting that since I've showed up, I am enough. You can believe in me lol. Jessica had the answer to this too, which I'm pretty sure is something from Business 101, but she expands this model into an authentic, personal look at my objectives (and actually blew my mind with the extensions she leads you to).

Why am I offering this service? What do I have to give that is unique to the industry? What are my clients really getting out of coming to me instead of any other preschool out here?

So I spent some time thinking about what I'm actually here to do. I thought about my community and what I see going on in the world, at schools, and in homes. There are a lot of loud voices when it comes to schooling, but no matter what perspective you are coming from, I think most can agree that schools are not meeting the needs of our kids. Whatever we might chalk that up to, the evidence is all around us. Something needs to change. I am committing to my business like I have committed to myself: BE the change. So, after a significant amount of discussion and soul searching, here are the foundations I chose for The Wilds:

I know the power of connection. I have seen and felt the difference this has made in my own life, and in my work relationships. I have witnessed parents investing in their child's education more fully when they understand what their teachers are doing. I have been humbled by parents quietly thanking me for including their customs in our room and allowing their child to be represented in a real way. I have cried for children I haven't had the knowledge or resources to help because our community is so disconnected parents have no idea where to reliably turn. I aim to change that by creating a network of trusted resources so we can come together for our children and give them the very best we can.

So? Into the Wilds We Go.

This isn't a usual path for someone opening a preschool. There is no clear path for me as I develop policies I desperately want to keep non-conformist in a setting where there has to be some for kids to be safe and offer parents a reliable experience. I've decided I'm ok with grey areas. I'm alright with being challenged to change my perspective- that is where I learn and become better than I was yesterday.

It is my hope that this school will evolve with my community; I want to be a positive part of it! We are cutting a path in education that others have forgotten about. It is overgrown and full of cobwebs; hold on to your potatoes!