I am a licensed daycare provider (since 2001), and I am also a home schooling parent (4th and 6th grades) so I can truly relate to what you are saying. Business and entrepreneurship has always been my first love. So coming from that perspective let me give you some really sound advice. Don't concern yourself with how the children perceive your business name. The children are not the ones with whom you will be doing business. The parents are. Why Titika is a very exotic sounding name (rolls off of the tongue nice and sounds special), it may to some present an expectation of unprofessionalism and people may just move on because of they have predetermined certain criteria ahead of time based on scripts of what they "believe" about people and business. I can say this without shame because my name is "Bonita". I'm African American...my name is Spanish...it means beautiful...but it is an ethnic name...and I want to attract as much business as possible and not limit myself to any particular group of people. Money is green...it's not black and white..so I want it to come from all sources black, white, brown, etc. etc.
As far as security. Family daycare providers information is public. Anyone can get your information by calling your states licensing department. If your last name would sound more professional I suggest that you use it and add "family day care" to the end of it. The way that you protect yourself as a daycare provider is not putting your home address on your flyers or business cards. This is your home, so people, even potential clients, need not be encouraged to drop by your house anytime they please...particularly while you are in the middle of having dinner or scolding your child for hitting his/her sibling. Get what I'm saying? You protect yourself by not accepting everyone who calls your home or who shows up w/ a smile. Remember that the interview goes both way. Turn up your senses. Your intuition. Look at how the parents are dressed. See how they interact w/ their own children..w/ their spouse...are they trying to dominate you in your own home..do they appear to be the kind of people that will work well with your family environment...this is a family day care in your home and you've got to live with it, be comfortable in your own home...and feel safe.
I suggest also that while you are building your daycare...don't look at any other business options....including the teaching. You have to build the daycare so that it is sound...make sure that their are no holes in your contract...watch, listen, learn and adapt it from each significant event that occurs right from the start. You can't do that if your mind is divided to many places at one time. Remember, you can have it all...you just can't have it at one time. I run several other businesses. For example, I teach CPR/First aid to daycare providers and foster parents on the weekends...I knew that I would be branching out and increasing the services that I offered in connection w/ my day care license...but that happened over time...w/ a plan...and when the time is right. Consider that right now may not be the time to add to the daycare. The daycare is your brand new baby. New babies need 24 hour care until they grow some....
Just my two cents...maybe even three...
Bonita
To: entrepreneursathome@yahoogroups.comFrom: titika723@aol.comDate: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:15:08 -0500Subject: [entrepreneurs] Re: Name for my new business
Thanks for all the suggestions!? Please keep them coming!I can understand the dilemma of using my name for recognition on one hand, but also a problem with security.? I do like the idea of using just my first initial because I have been called "T" for most of my life by some people.? When I was about ten, my mom found me a shirt with a big "T" and the word "shirt" written next to it in tiny little letters.? That kind of thing would be great for the kids, I think.Also really like the idea of something that focuses on learning, security, and fun.? Something like Great Explorations Camp and Care??I do want to have a Christian focus in my home, but I don't think I want that in the name of the business.? As the business grows, I hope to put more emphasis on the Christian aspect, but I don't want to limit it in the beginning.?I'm a single mom of three who had to give up homeschooling after my divorce.? I'm hoping this business may enable me to resume homeschooling in the future.? So, in addition to making it a summer camp, I can also envision it turning into a small school.? Since I'm interested in parenting, nutrition, and educational kinesiology (the relationship of movement to learning) I hope to eventually begin teaching classes in these subjects to my parents and others who might be interested.? Part of my problem is having too many interests.Just met with a representative from SCORE the other day who was very helpful.? He gave me a whole list of people to call to make sure everything is legitimate, and is helping me put together my business plan.? Initially, the plan will be just to help me with goal-setting and planning, but next year I'll use it as the basis for getting a loan for a van.Biggest hurdle right now is just getting all the repairs done on my house!Thanks for your input.? I'm learning alot from this group.Titika__________________________________________________________More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
_________________________________________________________________
Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser!
http://biggestloser.msn.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Need help? Contact Vickie at vics4us@yahoo.com .
http://www.educatingforsuccess.com .
To subscribe: entrepreneursathome-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/entrepreneursathome/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/entrepreneursathome/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:entrepreneursathome-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:entrepreneursathome-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
entrepreneursathome-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
