The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I learned about my own limitations, such as a paralysing impostor syndrome. I slowly realised that what I am offering was unique and that realisation came from the most generous and heartfelt feedback I got from the parents. I am humbled by the trust these people have in me. I have so much more reverence about every family’s unique climate and more respect for parents who try to do their best to support their children in becoming more of themselves.
My friends know me as being quite scattered, but I managed to organise myself better than I would have thought. In preparing an optimal environment for both children and parents, there are a lot of things I need to remember and time management is essential.
I am also quite happy that I stuck to the formula I believed in and held on to my vision rather than following other success recipes. So, I kept tweaking and refining what I knew in my heart was the right thing for me and respectful to the people I was trying to serve. I did have days when I doubted myself, but, with the help from my family and people who believed in my idea, I regrouped, got up and tried again. After all, if I am to be truthful to Montessori, I had to befriend my mistakes and learned the generous lessons that lay in them.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The benefit for me was to experience it for myself as a participant as well as a founder. I wanted the best start for my child, and I knew that a real authentic community was lacking in my life. On a professional level, it was the first time I had the opportunity to work with a blank canvas where I can have the freedom to implement some of my ideas I had developed in my career. It was a learning curve. I had a sense of liberation in some ways, but also appreciated some of my former managers and mentors’ way more for leading any project that involved very young children, particularly in a social context where educators are so undervalued.
For me, the difficult part was that I was never a businessperson, and it was difficult for me to think about the financial stuff. I had to learn a few skills and organise myself around admin jobs. I also managed to think of marketing as a way of communicating about my vision in an authentic way. I wanted to be in alignment with everything I did in terms of my venture.
I have also learned how to hold on to the vision and not compromise the quality of our sessions. And I believe that this is how the atmosphere is magical and nourishing.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope to be able to offer my insights to more people. I am developing a reflective journal for parents with well-researched information and some reflective writings. Initially, I wanted to offer this as a keepsake for all the people that come to our groups, but I would like to make it available to a larger public.
I am also thinking of offering consultancy for individuals or early years settings – for school leaders who would like to make space for parent and child communities. I would love to spread the insights I have gathered in the last couple of years.
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