It is hard to believe but I have officially been in business now for 1 year! When Darrell and I agreed that I would stay at home with Carter, we also tossed around different ideas of a small start up company that I could manage from home. With my love for children and my experience hiring caregivers and working hand in hand with parents at the daycare, I decided to try opening up a nanny placement agency. Initially I was going to go work for another small "boutique" agency but then my entrepreneur of a husband encouraged me to just take a chance and open up my own! I can't really remember who or how we came up with the name "Neighborhood Nannies" I believe I was thinking on the lines of.....Chicago trendy neighborhoods???? That part slips my mind. I did know that I wanted to go with the blue/brown colors because of course other than the pink/brown mixture they are my favorite. This year has been quite the experience needless to say. I have worked with some phenomenal nannies and some truly amazing parents. On the flip side I have had my "challenging" parents that have cost me many nights of sleep and too much unneeded anxiety. A big thanks to Darrell & Tricia for always allowing me to vent to them about you know who!!! Neighborhood Nannies took off with a bang and although we have never done any paid marketing the phones keep on ringing. In August I decided to hire on Nicole Neuhalfen. Nicole used to be an employee of mine at Bright Horizons and babysits for Carter occasionally. She is hands down a blessing and has helped me out tremendously and continues to impress me with her drive to succeed. Lastly, I dedicate this posting to my husband, my "rock" Darrell. Without his encouragement, knowledge and creativity Neighborhood Nannies would not be were it is today. He forever drives me to do well and I look up to him professionally and strive to be a "small version" of my workaholic hubby! Darrell also designed my Neighborhood Nannies website and I continue to get compliments on how awesome it looks. It by far knocks the socks off of all my competitors dinky websites. If you have yet to see, please go to www.neighborhoodnannieschicago.com
Well, as I start another year of NN we will see where it takes me......it can be a struggle to manage the business and be a stay at home mom. There are days I want to throw my cell phone out the window if I have to speak to one more non-English speaking nanny, or one more nanny calling to complain, etc.... BUT there are days when I truly enjoy helping a kind family find a the perfect nanny to care for their most precious gift of all.....their child.
I leave you with this quote. It made me laugh and reminds me of how I feel some days about NN.
"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing; that's why we recommend it daily."- Zig Ziglar
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