{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 202 - A Great Story of Scaling Up and Growth with Adrianne Agulla","description":" In this episode, Adrianne Agulla, CEO of Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers in Nebraska and the true definition of an education entrepreneur, joins Kris. Adrianne shares how she went from working in the corporate world to owning six successful daycares and a catering business called Milton\u2019s Amazing Kitchen. Together, she and Kris talk about growing from three to six locations, empowering a leadership team, using VAs to streamline operations, creating a strong scorecard, and what it really takes to scale with excellence. Adrianne goes through the very real ups and downs of growing with intention and building a company that inspires.   Key Takeaways: [6:19] Adrianne owns and operates Hamilton Heights Child Development Centers, with six centers across Nebraska. She originally purchased three as a package in 2017 and has grown from there. She also owns Milton\u2019s Amazing Kitchen, a catering company focused on child nutrition. [8:27] Hamilton Heights believes that it\u2019s their professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today\u2019s world, and they have a focus on play. [9:31] Adrianne\u2019s earlier career included leadership roles at Coca-Cola and ConAgra, before pivoting into child care. [11:30] She juggles the business while raising three busy teenagers. [13:46] Adrianne shares reflections plus a funny story about upgrading her wardrobe from a trip to Vietnam. [15:19] What benefits Adrianne has found being part of the highest-level membership of the Child Care Success Academy: the Empire level. [22:15] She explains her leadership structure, including a director of ops, finance lead, and a high-tenure team. [24:15] The leadership team meets weekly to review scorecards and KPIs. Accountability plus support equals success. [28:55] Adrianne shares how she works with three virtual assistants (VAs), including one for marketing, one for data and reports, and one for administrative support. [31:05] She talks about the industry-wide challenge of attracting and retaining staff and how her company stays focused on its leadership vision. [38:37] Her 2025 goals: simplify, streamline, and build an even stronger team. [40:55] Why she acquired a catering business and how it\u2019s improved their food program and opened new business channels.   Quotes: \u201cWe say that we\u2019re very serious about play. And we believe that it\u2019s our professional responsibility to protect childhood from all of the external threats in today\u2019s world.\u201d \u2014 Adrianne [8:27] \u201cThat combination of loyalty and commitment and tenure and then new energy and new ideas and fresh faces, has created a really, I think, a unique and just a sustainable culture.\u201d \u2014 Adrianne [9:12] \u201cWe are working to create an Early Learning Company that inspires because of the opportunity it creates for staff, families, and children, and so we are just trying to be single-mindedly focused on what it means to create abundant opportunities for our staff from a professional development standpoint, from a wage standpoint, and from a benefit standpoint.\u201d \u2014 Adrianne [34:40]   Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Hamilton Heights Child Development Center Milton\u2019s Amazing Kitchen ","author_name":"Child Care Rockstar Radio","author_url":"https:\/\/childcaresuccess.com\/podcast\/","html":"