Today we’d like to introduce you to Margarita Diaz.
Hi Margarita, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At 13, my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I got older. I said I would open a daycare center and go to school to study early childhood and education. She responded you do not even know English. We had just arrived in St. Louis from the Dominican Republic, but for reasons, this is what my heart has always wanted to do. Work with children. Of course, it was tough, starting from the bottom, new language, country, environment, people, and more. I graduated from high school and started college at St. Louis Community College to obtain my degree in early childhood and education. After completing them, they made me take additional classes because English was my second language. In the process of finishing them, they told me I did not need to take them since I knew how to communicate well; I attended those classes for no reason. But that did not stop me; then, I moved forward with my field courses. I completed all my early childhood and education courses but got pregnant with my firstborn, Ashton, so I decided to stop. Even though I finished all the required early childhood and education courses, I still needed to take the general courses to obtain my degree. Then, I started working at childcare centers to gain the experience I needed to build a strong resume. After working at multiple daycares, I got tired of being just a teacher when I had college credit to qualify as an assistant director/director, but no one allowed me to show my skills or trusted me. So, I started the process of opening my own Center. I have a business partner, Crystal Sewell. She has a business degree, which I need to be able to be where I am now. She trusted my skills and knowledge and partnered with me to open Angelitos de Dios Daycare bilingual (Sunshine Daycare Center). We make a wonderful team. We only care about our little Sunshine, hardworking teachers, and lovely parents; we have built a loving and caring environment for them. This past year has been amazing; there have been experiences of learning, difficulties, and big accomplishments.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Setting the space up and creating an inviting, welcoming, safe, and lovely environment for children and parents was the smoothest and best thing I have ever done. I am highly creative, organized, and enthusiastic, and I put my entire heart into Sunshine Daycare Center since day one. My vision and creativity are together in a space that is now a licensed childcare center. I still cannot believe it became exactly how I wanted it to be. Of course, we had our downs when we first opened. Our business name is Angelitos De Dios Daycare LLC; when potential customers call, they ask, “Is this a daycare only for Spanish speaking families?” That was when I realized that being a bilingual center did not have a clear definition for sudden people, and now, it is how we expected. Then we decided to add a DBA name to change the views; that is when it became Sunshine Daycare Center. But we still ensured we let everyone know we were bilingual and open.
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your business.
Our preschool focuses on teaching and getting our children ready for kindergarten. We are bilingual, and our children learn Spanish, experiencing a diverse environment. We have children from everywhere; everyone is welcome. We collaborate with our parent’s needs, pricing, schedules/times, situations, and more; we are here to help the community, the single mothers needing extra assistance. I provide all the help I can to all my family; Sunshine is my baby and means everything to me. It was hard, and rocks were on the way while trying to accomplish my dream. I will do everything I can to continue to make it better.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
Even before we opened, we created social media (Facebook) to let everyone know what was coming, when, where, and more. Then, I created a Google account close to the opening time. That is a fantastic way for people all around to conveniently see/find your business. Then, created a website, which helps ensure businesses are more professional and provides information that parents are looking for. Made flyers and took them around the area, other businesses, apartment complexes, churches, and city hall. But we also decided to pay for USPS services to deliver our flyers to all the closest homes around St. Ann. That helped us immensely. That put our name out there. We need to think creatively to promote what is offered when you open.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://losangelitosdedios.wixsite.com/sunshinedaycare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losangelitosdedios123?mibextid=ZbWKwL
