In this episode of the Building Texas Business Podcast, I speak with Amyn Bandali, CEO of Ivy Kids Systems. Amyn shares the story behind Ivy Kids, a premier childcare and education provider founded by his parents. He reflects on how their move to Pearland, Texas, and the challenges they faced finding quality childcare led to the establishment of their first school. Since then, the family business has grown to 20 locations, with 16 more under development.We discuss the decision to franchise the business, the importance of building a culture of empowerment within teams, and Amyn’s philosophy on leadership. He explains how empowering employees with autonomy, transparency, and responsibility has been key to Ivy Kids' success. Amyn also talks about navigating challenges, including the impact of the pandemic, which required the business to pivot toward virtual programs and innovative approaches to childcare.The conversation highlights the critical role of early childhood education in shaping lifelong success, the importance of continuous innovation, and how technology like coding and robotics is being integrated into Ivy Kids’ curriculum. Amyn also shares insights into managing a franchise system and the value of fostering strategic relationships and learning from setbacks.This episode is filled with practical lessons for entrepreneurs and leaders who aspire to create sustainable growth and a strong company culture.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Amyn Bandali is the CEO of Ivy Kids Systems, a premier childcare brand founded by his parents in Pearland, Texas, offering education from infants to pre-K and afterschool programs.
The company was inspired by the founders' personal experience of struggling to find high-quality childcare when they first moved to the United States from Canada.
Amyn joined the business in 2015 and initiated the franchising strategy, growing from 5 corporate locations to 20 total locations with 16 more under development.
The company emphasizes a culture of empowerment, focusing on giving employees autonomy, transparency, and timely feedback while understanding the "why" behind strategic initiatives.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy Kids pivoted to online learning and alternative programs, generating a million dollars in revenue for franchisees despite significant enrollment drops.
The company is innovating its curriculum by incorporating coding, robotics, digital parent assessments, and classroom camera access to enhance early childhood education.
Amyn's leadership style prioritizes empowering team members, setting clear visions, and allowing individuals to develop their own key performance indicators (KPIs).
The company values continuous learning, participating in franchise associations, mastermind groups, and local business networks to share best practices.
Amyn learned a critical leadership lesson during the pandemic about truly empowering his team by trusting them during challenging times.
The company's educational philosophy is grounded in research showing the critical importance of early childhood learning in a child's development.
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