Today we’d like to introduce you to Skyler Jackson & Ashlea Gray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Skyler:
I started working in childcare at 18 years old, and by 22 I had a dream of owning my own center. I even wrote a business plan and held on to it, but I never really gave it much thought after that. Life moved on and I shifted into corporate America, where I spent the next 12 years. While I was successful and comfortable, I never felt fulfilled or connected to my purpose.
That all changed when my mom knew of a daycare center in her area that was available and helped make the connection for me to meet the owner of the property and acquire the building, and everything I had put on hold years ago suddenly came full circle. I immediately put everything I had into this vision and walked away from the career I felt safe in, to step out on my own as an entrepreneur. It was a huge leap, but it felt right. Grayson’s Learning Garden is the result of years of experience, a long held dream, and the belief that children deserve a safe, loving, and enriching place to grow.
Ashlea:
I always knew this was Sky’s dream. I could see that the corporate world and the money that came with it were no longer fulfilling her. Once the plan became real, I did what I had to do to help get things moving. I stepped in wherever I was needed and focused on being the best assistant and support system possible.
From the beginning, my role has been about helping turn the vision into something tangible. Supporting Sky, handling the behind the scenes work, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks has been a big part of our journey. This has truly been a team effort, and I am proud to be part of building something that means so much to our family and our community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Skyler:
In the beginning, every single day felt like an obstacle. We had no one to lean on and no roadmap to follow. We only knew one other entrepreneur, and she helped us with the very first steps of forming the business, but everything after that was on us. Every decision, every setback, every next move rested on our shoulders.
Mentally staying strong was one of the hardest parts. Not losing hope in the goal was a constant battle. I lost a lot of sleep over the challenges and the fear of failing was heavy. We had never owned anything before and we had no funding to fall back on, which made every day feel like survival mode.
I always say the amount of tears I shed helped this garden grow. I cried every day, honestly. I walked away from a lucrative career and put all my eggs into one basket, and that was terrifying. But it is paying off. This is still the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my life.
Ashlea:
Watching Sky go through that was hard, but I also knew how much this meant to her. There were days where it felt overwhelming, but quitting was never an option. We had to figure things out as we went, learn quickly, and trust ourselves even when the odds felt stacked against us.
We built this with no safety net, just determination and belief in what we were creating. Seeing it come together and knowing how much heart and sacrifice went into it makes every challenge worth it. This journey has stretched us in ways we never imagined, but it has also shown us what we are capable of when we commit fully.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Grayson’s Learning Garden ?
Skyler and Ashlea:
Our work is centered around building and running Grayson’s Learning Garden with purpose and care. We are both very hands on in the day to day operations, making sure every part of the center reflects the values we built it on. From licensing and compliance to curriculum planning, staffing, family communication, and daily operations, we are involved in every layer to ensure the environment is safe, nurturing, and structured.
Skyler leads the vision and overall direction of the center, focusing on creating a high quality early learning environment that is accessible to working families without sacrificing care or education. Her background and passion for childcare drive the standards we hold ourselves to, and she remains closely involved in the classrooms, staff development, and family relationships.
Ashlea supports the operational side by keeping things organized and running smoothly behind the scenes. She focuses on communication, problem solving, and stepping in wherever support is needed to keep everything moving forward. Her role allows the vision to function day to day and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.
Together, our work is about more than childcare. It is about building trust with families, supporting children during their most important developmental years, and creating a center that feels like an extension of home. Seeing the impact we make on children, parents, and our community is what makes this work so meaningful to us.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
No matter what anyone says, no matter the doubts or the fear, do it. If you feel it in your heart, trust it. You can literally do anything you want in this life, no matter your circumstances. Where you start does not determine where you end up.
If you have a feeling that your purpose is somewhere else, don’t be afraid to step out on faith and pursue it. If it doesn’t scare you, that probably means the dream isn’t big enough. Growth and fulfillment live on the other side of fear.
For me, I saw the life I wanted, and I made it happen. You can have whatever life you want—you just have to be willing to work for it, trust yourself, and commit fully. Cry if you need to, fail if you must, but never give up on the vision you know is meant for you. Do it anyway.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.graysonslearninggarden.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565062277468
