『Ep. 226 — The Intentional Path to Your Next Location with Thomas Brawner』のカバーアート

Ep. 226 — The Intentional Path to Your Next Location with Thomas Brawner

Ep. 226 — The Intentional Path to Your Next Location with Thomas Brawner

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概要

 In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Thomas Brawner, owner and CFO of Alta Schoolhouse in Lakeland, Florida, to talk about what it really looks like to grow with intention. Thomas shares how he made the decision to overstaff his first location so he could create the space to focus on expansion, prepare for a second school, and keep the first one strong at the same time. Their conversation gets into the real pieces behind that kind of growth: knowing your numbers, making smart tuition decisions, building a team that stays, and learning how to let go of the things that do not all have to stay on your plate. Thomas also talks about something a lot of owners overlook: how much first impressions matter, from your online presence to what families see before they ever walk through the door. He gives great and practical tips for anyone thinking about their next location and wanting to do it in a way that feels thoughtful, steady, and sustainable. Key Takeaways: [5:10] A major season of change is underway for Thomas, including a move from Florida to California, the recent acquisition of a second location, and leadership changes inside the business. [7:03] One of the first strategic moves toward growth was intentionally overstaffing the first school so there was space to focus on expansion. [7:50] Brand identity played a major role in the search for the next location, from the kind of building Thomas wanted to the way Alta Schoolhouse is meant to feel inside its community. [9:21] Overstaffing only works when the numbers support it, which is why profitability, payroll, and long-term opportunity all had to be weighed together. [11:42] Tuition increases were part of the plan, and those pricing decisions were made with staffing, future growth, and culture-building in mind. [14:17] Lower turnover comes from building a better employee experience, including top-of-market pay, paid time off, and extra classroom staffing to prevent burnout. [18:15] Parents are making short lists online before they ever book a tour, which means curb appeal, reviews, photos, and a strong visual first impression matter more than many owners realize. [24:49] Thomas and Jennifer discuss how zoning and land-use research can save owners from expensive mistakes, especially when expanding into a new building or new area. [30:59] Replacing yourself inside the business takes emotional trust, not just systems, especially when handing off responsibilities that carry real financial or relational weight. [35:09] Some of the hardest responsibilities to delegate were parent meetings and enrollment, which required a gradual handoff process built on training, shadowing, and follow-up. [37:00] The bigger lesson underneath all of it is that there is no shortcut to time, and intentional growth depends on letting people learn by doing. Quotes: "Sometimes in the next level of growth, you're asked to let go of the very things that helped you get there, and it asks you to trust your people more, to trust your systems more, to trust what you built can keep working even when you're not holding every single piece together." — Jennifer [1:30] "I could have been at the front desk myself, doing marketing and enrollment and tours, but if I were to do that, I wouldn't be able to have looked for second locations, grown our school, and implemented software and new processes and procedures that have enabled us to grow." — Thomas [10:08] "If you don't know your numbers, then your school is running without you, and it's not running intentionally." — Jennifer [17:30] "You can love kids as much as you can to the best of your abilities, but it doesn't matter if parents don't walk through the door to see it." — Thomas [18:39] "The biggest thing that I can tell people who are either looking to open their first location or just an additional location is to hire the right people." — Thomas [25:17] "I had to get comfortable with the uncomfortability that things might not be done 100% correctly, but I can also make mistakes as well. So human error is always a factor." — Thomas [34:17] Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course! Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray Jennifer Conner 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 Alta Schoolhouse @thomas.k.brawner
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