{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 210 - When You Love Kids This Much, Success Comes Naturally with Dominique Gill","description":" Kris welcomes Dominique Gill, heart-centered leader and owner of Unique Kids Childcare in Nashville and Smyrna, Tennessee, to share her journey to multi-site child care leader. Dominique opens up about starting as a young mother seeking affordable child care, working in exchange for tuition, and eventually moving from home-based care to two thriving centers. Dominique built her program around love, family, and celebrating every child\u2019s uniqueness. She discusses the challenges of opening during the pandemic, shifting into leadership, raising tuition for the first time, and creating a supportive culture where both children and staff can thrive.   Key Takeaways: [7:00] Dominique talks about her two centers, and more about her background, starting as a teen parent and transitioning to in-home child care due to financial constraints. [8:41] She describes the evolution of her business, eventually expanding to a licensed center during the pandemic. [12:28] Dominique is a busy woman! She has a large, beautiful family, including four foster children. [14:02] Dominique explains the origin of her center\u2019s name, \u201cUnique Kids,\u201d and its significance in embracing diversity among students. [15:21] She describes the family-oriented atmosphere at her centers, with herself and her mother actively involved daily. [15:25] Building a family-centered culture that supports both staff and parents. [19:37] Dominique\u2019s struggle shifting from home-based provider to confident leader of a team. [19:52] A game changer from joining the Academy \u2014 surveys! Dominique talks about how the surveys conducted with parents and staff revealed areas for improvement, particularly in management and fairness. [20:18] Dominique reflects on the importance of setting clear expectations and contracts to maintain order and respect within the organization. [21:33] How parent and staff surveys humbled her, revealed blind spots, and strengthened her leadership. [24:36] Going from people-pleasing to people leading. [26:37] The hardest challenge she faced was raising prices, and how accountability helped her push through. [30:23] Dominique explores additional revenue streams, such as hosting birthday parties, offering in-house field trips, and partnering with external providers. [32:33] Dominique\u2019s fun fact: she\u2019s shy and introverted, even though she\u2019s often on the dance floor at Academy events! [34:42] How an accountability partner from the Academy kept her on track and boosted her confidence. [37:34] Dominique\u2019s vision: building legacies for her children and creating lasting impact through her centers.   Quotes: \u201cFind your uniqueness in a world of differences. Our kids are from different areas of the world, the city, and situations, but they\u2019re still unique in some type of way.\u201d \u2014 Dominique [14:39]   \u201cTreat people fairly, but not the same.\u201d \u2014 Academy Coach Tamina [24:55]   \u201cHaving accountability partners was just amazing.\u201d \u2014 Dominique [27:38]   \u201cEverywhere I\u2019m going is where I need to be, so I appreciate where I\u2019m going and how I\u2019m getting there, and all the obstacles that are putting me through. So I\u2019m grateful for the company and everybody around, because without anybody here, I don\u2019t know how I would be able to just get up and keep going, but we are headed to creating legacies for my kids, and that\u2019s my biggest thing.\u201d \u2014 Dominique [37:50]   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 Unique Kids Child Care Center ","author_name":"Child Care Rockstar Radio","author_url":"https:\/\/childcaresuccess.com\/podcast\/","html":"