Note from Crystal: I asked Joy if she’d share her story with you all, because I thought it was great example of how you can creatively take your life lessons, mistakes, and experience and turn it into a product and/or online business. Starting a preschool might not be the right idea for you, but I’m guessing you have other life lessons and experience that you could turn into a marketable product.
Guest post from Joy of StartAPreschool.com
I can’t believe it’s been 5 years — 5 years! — since I started my preschool. Some days, I can’t remember a time I didn’t have my preschool. Other times, it seems like just yesterday that I was having my first day.
But really, I’m truly humbled any time I think of our little home preschool. Especially when I remember that just 5 years ago, I had no clue how to start a preschool. Seriously!
I was a single mom, newly divorced, with 3 kids. And I was just weeks away from being broke. I thought my only option was to go to work and put my kids in daycare, or start a daycare of my own. As you can imagine, I was a nervous wreck.
Finally, this idea came to me: “Why don’t you START a preschool instead?”
I couldn’t believe it. Was it really that obvious? All I had to do was the opposite of everything I disliked about the idea of starting my own daycare.
I wouldn’t have to change diapers. Instead, I’d only teach 3 to 5-year-olds. I wouldn’t work all day long. Instead, I’d only teach for a few hours each day. Best of all, I’d be able to teach and play with my kids… and I’d get paid to do it!
Starting My Own Preschool
But within several weeks I made a lot of mistakes. Wasted a lot of time. And spent a lot of money. Why, you ask?
Because I had no “manual” to follow. No “checklist” to mark off. No one to hold my hand and tell me what to do. I had to figure it all out myself. And I learned (a lot) about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.
And that’s when I committed that no other woman would have to struggle as much as I did trying to figure out how to start a preschool. So, I vowed that I would teach women how to start a preschool.
This quickly grew into my driving force and my mission in life. I wanted every woman to know about this great option!
So while I was busy running my own preschool at home, I launched my website and set to work writing down all my thoughts, tips, and processes. I asked myself over and over, “What did you need to know when you started your preschool?” and “What mistakes did you do that you’ll never do again?”
I found that writing down my thoughts took quite a long time (after all, editing is rough!) so I started creating training videos instead. I found it easier to just sit in front of a camera and talk for 30 minutes. Before I knew it, I had 10 hours of video coaching. Then, I watched the videos and wrote our business workbook, adding in anything I had forgotten in the videos.
After that, I asked myself, “What did I wish I had back then that would have made starting a preschool so much easier?” That’s when I created our curriculum, forms, licensing guidelines, marketing strategies, and website templates — because I knew those materials would save them so much heartache in the end.
Ultimately, I wanted to make sure that they had everything they needed to make sure their preschool was a big success.
Just like I learned what not to do as I started my preschool, I also learned what not to do when I started my online business. I learned that, more than anything, your family comes first. And I had to be careful not to let my online training business take over what precious family time I had left. There were days, weeks, and even some months when I had to “tone down” the amount of training I could provide, because I needed to devote more time to my family.
Though it’s been 5 years, every day I am just as thankful for the opportunity to stay home with my kids, teach preschool, and teach other women.
For the past 5 years, Joy Anderson has been on a mission to teach other women how to start their own preschools. As a single mother to 3 children, she discovered how she could start a preschool and also provide for her 3 children while only teaching a few hours each day. She currently owns two successful preschools and also helps women create a supplemental or full-time income through starting their own preschool businesses through her training materials at StartAPreschool.com
Shawna Wyse says
Wow, what a wonderful and inspiring story. I am a stay at home mother and babysit part time. I am very interested in your video’s but my computer won’t let me click on ” Your free video now”. Can you still send me your information please to my email.
Joy Anderson says
Hi Shawna, you bet. Please email me at joy AT startapreschool DOT com and I’ll send you more information 🙂
Kristin says
WOW! I love this idea! I already homeschool and think I could probably do this at some point! I am so glad you have already paved the path, because I would have NO IDEA where to begin! Thank you so much for your post!
Kemi Quinn says
That is an amazing and inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jen says
What a great story! Thanks so much for sharing. I love that you not only were able to figure out how to come up with a plan that worked for your family, but you took it to the next level to figure out how to help other women too.
Steph @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
That is so cool! I have always thought that would be a rewarding thing to do. One day, when we retire from the car business, perhaps that’s what I will do 🙂 Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
Angi says
I love your story, Joy! Crystal thanks for adding your “note”. I remember you once replying to someone’s comment that, “you’re only stuck if you think your stuck”. I truly believe that and this is a great real like example.
Esther says
Impressive!! What a great business idea!
Dawn says
Congratulations! I love your personal story and concept. If I was looking to start a small business like this I would definitley consider buying your program. I like the your website.Is it wordpress, leadpages or another service?
Thanks for sharing your story and good luck !
Joy Anderson says
Hi Dawn! Our website is actually good ol’ HTML, though I need to upgrade to WordPress to make my life easier 🙂
Emily says
This is such a great idea! I went to grad school to receive certification in Early Childhood Education Administration. I’ve since then had a baby and have another one due any week now. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom since I received my certification and training, and always thought I would have to put off using it until much later. This gives me some encouragement for the days ahead though! I enjoyed working in a preschool setting and this would be so much more ideal than daycare for my situation. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
Amazing! I’m sure that was a huge effort to launch. Our preschool AND your online business. What a fantastic idea.
Angel@wahpursuit says
I’ve thought about starting a preschool in the past. Awesome inspiring story! I really enjoyed it!
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
That’s amazing, Joy. Such a creative idea–lots of creative ideas actually! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story!
Jaimie says
I have been a preschool teacher for over 20 years and it all started when I wanted to be with my youngest and last child. Eventually I earned my Directors Certification in college, opened my own preschool and Infant Toddler program, when the economy crashed I lost it all…luckily I had the knowledge and skills and certifications and opened a home daycare. I made 52K a year and hired my friend to help me. It was a great time a great success. Lots of fun to be had…I wouldn’t have changed it for the world!! If I could offer one piece of advice…take an Early Education 101 course!! and volunteer at a local preschool to see if you have what it takes!!
Joy Anderson says
Jaimie – Love the tip! Yes, every woman (even mothers with lots of experience) can benefit from the “WHY” behind Early Childhood Education. Another great resource is NAEYC for additional information about how children learn best. 🙂
Carrie says
This is such an awesome story! And Crystal I totally agree with you that everyone has a book or a business inside them. That’s one of the reasons I wrote one of my ebooks – to show women how to find this body of knowledge and turn it into an income. Not only can we make money from that, but we also help others.
Paula says
Would be interested in your ebook Carrie. I love what I do, Legal Assistant but would prefer to be my own boss for something I can do at home. I would love to do legal work from home. So many have told me I should do a bakery or restaurant because I am a good cook & am great with people. But our town has so many restaurants I hate to fight for their customers, they are all good restaurants too…. Your ebook may give me some better ideas as my youngest is 2 1/2 & I would love to be home with him, be home when my older kids get home after school and be ‘free’ to go when I need to go.
Jessica says
In my city, you’d still need a license for this. And be careful about the advertising, or else you could end up being audited by the department of education!
Summer says
I wondered about licensing too…wonderful that she offers tips for free and curriculum but does she provide information for state regulations/licensing. Either way, great post! I home school my girls and I’m going to research this idea 🙂
Joy Anderson says
Hi Summer, you can find out your state’s licensing requirements by going to Google and searching for:
“Yourstate daycare licensing requirements”
Even though you’ll be starting a preschool, every state lumps preschools into the “daycare” category, so you’ll start there first to see if you need to be licensed, and what to do. 🙂
Joy Anderson says
Hi Jessica,
Thanks so much for your comment on licensing. And you’re absolutely correct – in many areas you’ll need to get a license to teach preschool in your home. (We are also state licensed, and we highly recommend it.) 🙂
Patrenia says
This is absolutely awesome! Talking about thinking outside of the box?!?!?! 🙂
Julie @Logger's Wife says
That is so awesome. I have a B.S. in Child Development but I stay home with my daughter. I am always wondering what ways I can help bring in some income and actually use the degree I paid so much for. Doing an in-home daycare is out of the question. Sounds like you found a great way to make it work.
Melissa says
What an incredible story!
Sonja says
Wow! I am super impressed!!! I was just thinking the other day…”How do single parents do it?” And you did it, plus a lot more! Fantastic outside-the-box thinking! Congrats for all the work and that you toned down sometimes…balance is key!!!