Kris welcomes Donna Naleway, Owner & Director of Kid Country Childcare, celebrating her 20th anniversary in business. In October 2015, Kid Country Childcare earned the Silver Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development providers. Donna was also the runner-up for the annual Child Care Rockstar Radio Contest this year. Since joining the Child Care Success Academy just two years ago at the height of the pandemic, Donna has learned and changed so much about her business. She shares her top enrollment strategies, how automation has changed her business, why mindset is everything, and much more.   Key Takeaways: [7:17] Donna gives an overview of how she got into the business of childcare, what her current enrollment looks like, and how she’ll be celebrating 20 years in business. [12:36] Fun Fact about Donna: when she met her husband she laid out her entire business plan for him so her career goals were loud and clear. [14:09] All about Donna’s ever-growing family life. [15:32] How the Child Care Success Academy inspired Donna to expand her business. [16:39] Donna has built a brand over the last two decades that includes putting the children first, getting outside, and getting high-quality certification. [21:24] Getting her systems automated and using CRM are two of the biggest game-changers Donna has implemented since joining the Academy. [22:35] How thinking outside the box with a virtual assistant has made a huge impact on Donna’s business. [24:22] The Academy has taught Donna the art of delegating different tasks as well as other key improvements. [26:46] Changing mindset and surrounding yourself with the right people can change everything. [28:48] Donna’s investment in automation has paid off in dividends. [30:38] Plain and simple; Donna made filling her enrollment spots the top priority. [33:29] It’s okay to override the guilt in charging families knowing you’re giving them quality staff and quality offerings. [36:31] What was it like for Donna to tell her story on stage at The Child Care Success Summit… and how you can too! [40:51] How Donna defines a Child Care Rockstar. [41:38] What books is Donna reading? [42:53] A final reminder that mindset really is everything.   Quotes: “We truly do put the children first.” — Donna [17:28] “One of the things that we do is we over-staff our classrooms.” — Donna [18:37] “That’s one of the things that I love about the Academy; it’s people that are serious about childcare and doing the right thing.” — Donna [19:57] “I’m definitely looking at far more big-picture things than I had been doing the previous 18 years before I found you guys.” — Donna [26:11] “This can be done as a successful business and it doesn’t have to be a business that you’re just paycheck to paycheck.”— Donna [27:36] “I know we’re more expensive than our close competitors, but we have more to offer.” — Donna [35:24]  “Mindset is powerful.” — Donna [43:00]   Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Kid Country Childcare Rock Star Stories: Success Secrets of Preschool Leaders Around the Globe The Ultimate Child Care Marketing Guide: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Success The 77 Best Strategies to Grow Your Early Childhood Program The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Educators: Secrets to Living Your Best Life In and Out of the Classroom