Leslie Shriver, Empire member of The Child Care Success Academy and owner of Small Wonders Discovery and Learning Center in Ohio, joins the show about how they stand out from the competition in a rural area, getting freedom in the day-to-day of your business, and the strategy she used to expand from one to five locations since 2011.   Key Takeaways: [1:02] Started in 2011 with one center and has grown to five. They are about 85% full, which for her is great. She was a teacher and administrator of a center and has been in the field since 2004. She opened up the center as a response to needing to send her daughter to a preschool that she felt secure about, where the staff was engaged and the culture was positive. [6:46] Leslie has more flexibility now that she works from home and loves knowing she has helped other people become leaders so they can help her run things smoothly. [8:55] Small Wonders offers white diapers, formula, and freshly cooked food at no cost to the parents, which sets them apart from their competitors. The fourth location is also in a lab school, which serves as a feeder for potential new hires from the graduating students. [13:59] They are hiring all the time, which is normal. They track their culture and work on employee engagement, but the industry average is about 43%. [20:28] Small Wonder’s enrollment rate is 90%, which is extremely high. [24:11] Leslie grows her leadership from within by pulling employees that she trusts and believes in out of the classroom and into administrative positions. [27:37] A child care rockstar is someone who feels passionately about what they do and feels in their heart they are making a positive difference in the lives of their family and co-workers. [34:16] Offers for the subsidy market can be an offer for gas and groceries, gift cards, or a drawing for a fun weekend pass that parents and kids would love. [37:02] Leslie originally had a partner, but ended up opening the school and doing the journey on her own. The experience taught her that she is even more capable than she believed.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit Child Time, Inc. Small Wonders Discovery and Learning Center The 77 Best Strategies to Grow Your Early Childhood Program: Proven, Cutting-Edge Strategies Your Competitors Are Probably Not Using, by Kris Murray Grow Your Center Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business, by Gino Wickman The Promise of a New Day: A Book of Daily Meditations, by Karen Casey Perry Marshall