Today we’d like to introduce you to Aneshea Green.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My idea for this business started like most other business ideas. There was a service that I needed that, to my knowledge, wasn’t available yet! I come from a close-knit family and we all like to meet up and hang out. But the issue would always come about, “who is going to keep the kids?” This dilemma would leave us to our own devices of finding suitable sitters for our children.
Most of the time we were able to find individual sitters for our children, but there were some occasions where sitters could not be found in that lead to “cancellation conversations”, disappointments, and a lot of “maybe next time.” For me, it all came to a boiling point during what I would like to refer to as “the year of three weddings.” During this particular year, we had three family members that were getting married all within two or three months of each other. In addition to the stress of having three weddings within the same season, we were all also involved in some capacity with all three of the weddings. Which left us in quite a child care predicament! That was when it finally dawned on me that providing quality on-site childcare is a greatly underserved niche! I mean it was truly a DUH moment for me, like the kind where you hit your own head with your head!
I say that because I have over a decade of experience working with children in both in early childhood setting as well as public school special education, and in my humble opinion, I was born for this! It has always been one of my goals is to own my own child care facility and this is in my foot through the door! The name came to me one day while I was helping my uncle valet cars for a local African-American owned restaurant in the Downtown Dallas area called 1011 Grill. I figured that valets bring cars to people, Child Care Valet will bring Child Care to people, and thus the name and concept was born. Not only does Child Care Valet provide on-site childcare for special events, we also provide private in-home childcare for date nights, family gatherings, girls night out, etc.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When was being an entrepreneur ever equaled a smooth road? Never! Of course I’ve had obstacles, and to be quite frank and honest with you all, my biggest obstacle is myself. Being an entrepreneur and stepping out on faith has been one of my biggest obstacles especially since I am a single mother and I have a 10-year-old son that depends on me for everything! If I fail, we fail, and failure is not an option! So I would say that I get in my own way because I am afraid to fail! I am slowly getting over this idea because I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13 has always been one of my go-to Bible verses when I begin to self-doubt and question my purpose on this Earth. Besides myself being an obstacle, I believe that exposure has also been an obstacle that I faced. Since I am a sole proprietor everything is coming from me and I don’t have the funding for expensive ads or vendor space at bridal shows to advertise to my primary target audience. I do have a website domain which I pay for through Google sites as well as a Facebook business page in an Instagram account that I used to promote my business. But as of right now business is through word-of-mouth and referrals.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Child Care Valet – what should we know?
Child Care Valet provides QUALITY on-site childcare for local special events, as weddings/receptions, church events, family functions, office parties, date night, girls night out, etc. I put emphasis on the word “quality” because our employees actually have previous experience working in the early childhood or public school setting. These individuals are not just here for a paycheck but are here for the love of caring for children and I believe that this is one of the factors that sets us apart from others.
Our slogan is “You provide the space we provide the play.” Each set up is different and is with accordance to the client’s needs and wants! The traditional set up would be basically like an open area childcare center. Complete with different centers and/or play areas for children of various ages. There would also be a separate area for infants and toddlers under a certain age as well as a gaming/ movie area for older kids if they choose not to play with the toys that are available. We can also accommodate the set up to include certain themes if the client so chooses to, such as a princess/prince theme western, luau/beach, or neon/glow parties. One thing that makes me proud is that I am providing a service for parents to just get away for a few hours and enjoy some adult time without having to worry about their children.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that my determination and the fact that I refuse to fail is one of my greatest assets as an individual. I am very strong-willed and if I set my mind to do something, you better believe that’s what I’m going to do! I am setting an example for not only my son but also for my younger cousins as well as strangers I don’t even know! I am not letting the fact that I am a single mother and a double minority did tear me from achieving my dreams and goals. Too many individuals have paved the way for me in order for me to be successful and to use the tools that they left for me in order to continue to build my legacy! I can’t let their suffering and struggle be in vain!
Pricing:
- $10.00 per hour ($5 for the 2-3 siblings) 4-hour minimum- Private in-home care (3 child max)
- $250 for 4-hours on-site child care (up to ten children)*
- $500 for 4-hours on-site child care (up to twenty children)*
- ***extra staff fee will apply for more than three children under seventeen (17) months
Contact Info:
- Website: www.childcarevalet.com
- Phone: (214) 836-7035
- Email: aneshea@childcarevalet.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mompreneur.educator
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/childcarevalet
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