Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Davis.
Jasmine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Over 20 years ago my mother started Jazzy’s Daycare and Learning Center because she didn’t want to send me to daycare. Growing up, there were always kids around. Being an only child, I enjoyed having other children to play with during the day. I went off to college for Criminal Justice in hopes that I would become a juvenile probation officer. Once I graduated, I realized I rather stop children from entering into the criminal justice system. After careful deliberation, I figured the best way to help at-risk youth would be to provide them with quality programs that focus on their interests and help them achieve their educational and personal goals. In 2016, I pursued a Masters in Child, Youth and Family Studies with a focus on Youth Development.
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?
It has been smoother than I thought. With God as my CFO, I’ve learned nothing is impossible. My mother’s business has always run smoothly but she was retired when I decided to join her in the family business. While I was subbing at a Daycare we were informed they were going out of business to turn the school into a doggy cafe. The school immediately had to pack up and prepare to move. We started to pack up the school and throw away EVERYTHING. Instead of throwing it away the school let me take whatever I wanted home for my daycare. I was able to throw my mother’s old daycare stuff and furnish it with gently used stuff from this daycare. It was at this moment I knew I was doing what God called for me to do. Once I got started, finding clients was the hardest part. As a marketing strategy, I went to several community events to pass out cards, bags, and candy. One particular event I passed out over 100 bags and I didn’t receive any traffic to my website or 1 like on facebook. Being persistent, optimistic and referrals from family, friends, and strangers I was able to triple my enrollment this year.
Please tell us about Jazzy’s Creative Center.
It was hard to find my niche. There are a billion daycares in the world so it was a struggle to figure out what set me apart. The first thing is that we are a family-owned and operated business. My mother, father and I make sure that everyone that we service feels loved and that they are apart of a family. We offer a family dynamic to families that may not have a complete family unit or a family at all. Being an educator I offer a fun and engaging way to learn for all ages. Jazzy’s provides a learning environment for infants (asl, my baby can read) toddlers (preparation for Pre-K and kindergarten) and schoolers (college and career readiness, literacy enrichment, life skills). Starting from infancy, they are read to multiple times a day and I work to make sure they reach every developmental milestone. My most proud moment happened over the summer. Using a curriculum I created, I taught four and five-year-olds sight words to broaden their vocabulary and introduce them to reading. I had one pupil learn over 100 words and go into kindergarten reading at twice her reading level.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory was going to the Duncanville library. I would go and spend hours looking for the books I couldn’t find at my school’s library. I would check out books for entertainment, gain knowledge or to teach me a skill. I used a few library books to teach myself how to play the piano. I also enjoyed going to Power House; the before school program at Life School Oakcliff. I would get to school early but there was always something fun to do or someone new to talk to.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Jazzyscreativecenter.com
- Phone: 2144579109
- Email: Jazzyscreativecenter@gmail.com
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