Where have I been for TWO WEEKS?!
Mountain climbing. And every time I get to the top of a peak...I find a new, bigger mountain beyond the one I just conquered.
I turned in my application for our Conditional Use Permit for the Town - check! I almost had to sell my first-born child to some traveling gypsies to pay for it, but we decided we would miss her if we did. (At least until the next time she sasses me...then that plan is fair game again.) Now we just waaaiiiit for the public hearing on June 12th to find out if it will be approved or not. That's a long time to hold your breath...
The business plan is written - check! I learned four things from sitting at my computer for 12 hours and writing that blasted thing:
1. You shouldn't skip eye doctor appointments, because I'm pretty sure staring at the computer screen for that long melted my last pair of contacts to my eyeballs.
2. Being a "writer" is of no benefit when constructing a business plan because you're supposed to use the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid!). That meant I had to constantly go back and remove my beloved adjectives, adverbs, and personal flamboyance.
3. Retraining your brain to write about yourself in third-person is ridiculously hard. I don't like it, and the whole thing sounds, to me, like Elmo wrote it.
4. I am not a fan of writing business plans.
I worked with the Director of the Small Business Development Center through e-mail and it has been edited, revised, and polished. Now I'm just waaaaiiiiiiiting to meet with the SBDC's Certified Public Account to complete the Financial section. Shockingly, it turns out that some people have things in their life going on besides getting my business started (ummm what?!), and the CPA is unavailable until next week.
I did meet with the Loan Portfolio Manager from the bank to discuss loan options. I was pretty indignant when I found out that my children do NOT count as collateral. ("But THAT'S where all my money is?!") I was also informed by the LPM that my financial statement was the funniest one he had ever received. (Baby Steps for Stepping Stone) Not because of my financials (which would've been MY guess), but because of all the notes I had stuck on it. His favorite: the note in the middle of our monthly budget that said, "Don't judge me."
I certainly haven't sat idle while waiting for the inconsiderate CPA to return from her vacation, however. (Seriously...how COULD she leave at a time like this?!)
I have turned my attentions to Social Services (a.k.a. The People That Own Me Once I'm Licensed and Forevermore) instead.
First of all, I was an idiot for thinking that reading their 99-page Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers guide three times (with a highlighter...and I took notes!) was an accomplishment. I was informed by the woman I spoke with at the Central Licensing Office that I also needed to make friends with the following documents:
Code of Virginia (56 pages)
Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (42 pages)
General Procedures and Information for Licensure (37 pages)
No problem. I like to read. I mean, usually it's like, a murder mystery or historical fiction....but, I can be a good sport and highlight stuff and take notes in all these manuals, too. I'll have to do it in my "spare time" though, because she dropped another pile of "to-do" in my lap, as well.
Also, it turns out that having a degree in education, and 7 years of teaching experience, isn't enough to qualify me as the Director of my own facility. If you're thinking, "No way!" don't worry, I'm right there with you. Ok, so a 20-hour online course to get "management training" and a Director's Certificate, it is. No biggie, I've been through worse.
Now let's talk employees...
I was patting myself on the back for having most of the "who" parts worked out. THAT is always my first mistake - feeling accomplished. Finding the perfect employees is a drop in the bucket. I also need to make sure that they have/receive the following:
1. 24 hours of staff development (before we open)
2. CPR certifications
3. First Aid training
4. MAT training (for giving out meds)
5. Training in identifying and reporting child abuse
6. Training in performing Daily Health Observations
7. Tuberculosis screenings
8. Background checks (including sworn statements, criminal history, and registry checks)
9. Staff orientation
Well, that's cool...I'm just going to have to talk everyone into giving me their entire summer. I'm sure they won't mind. I will bribe them with...love and appreciation.
And while I'm reading, taking an online course, and training my staff... I just need to type up a few documents.
1. Emergency Preparedness Plan (which has to be coordinated with your Local Emergency Manager)
2. Injury Prevention Plan
3. Playground Safety Plan
4. Student/Parent Handbooks (with Policies & Procedures)
5. About 30 different forms for registration, medicine, allergies, etc.
6. Employment applications
7. Employee contracts
8. Schedules for each age group
9. Schedules for employees
10. LOGS FOR EVERYTHING
No problem! I'm an organized person. I found some resources online for a lot of it (I'm a Google pro...but so is my mom). I even have a friend who offered to help type and create documents (LOVE her!)
So where does that leave me?
Tired. That's where.
And yet...still excited!
I'm working with a designer that a friend hooked me up with on my logo. (Eeeeek!) I have my website up and published. (It's still a work in progress though - I don't have all the info I need to call it "done" yet.) I'm scheduled to attend my orientation with Social Services on July 8th. (I was told to bring all of my "friendly" documents along...ugh.) I'm also supposed to meet with an insurance agent to get quotes on liability insurance for the business in the next few weeks.
Oh yeah...
And I'm still teaching second grade full-time...while trying to fit in the whole "wife and mother of two" thing...
The hubs needs a shout out here. He has been cleaning (only as is absolutely necessary, but still...whatever he does - I DON'T have to do) He has been dropping off AND picking up the kids. He has been the "dance mom" when I couldn't. He even took on the task of researching grants for me. He's earned major brownie points.
The important thing to remember is this: It CAN be done. It WILL be done. And WHEN it is...
“Happiness is different from pleasure.
Happiness has something to do with struggling, enduring, and
accomplishing.” - George Sheehan
♥M
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