Shows
Child Care Rockstar RadioKris Murray: What Would You Love? What would you love in your life? This week, Kris goes solo to explore the power of possibility and heeding the universe’s call—wet pants and all. She recaps highlights from the Child Care Success Summit and reflects on her own journey from CEO to strategic founder. This shift, she shares, has opened doors to new passions and personal growth. Through her transformation, Kris inspires listeners to step outside their comfort zones and fully embrace life’s possibilities. At the end of the episode, she talks about her new coaching, combining conscious leadership with business badassery. ...2024-11-0750 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 175 - Creating a World Worth Being In with Raj JanaKris welcomes Raj Jana, co-founder and CEO of the mental health app Liber8. Raj shares his entrepreneurial journey and how he created Liber8 to help people manage stress and mental health. He and Kris discuss their passion for entrepreneurship and using their gifts to help others. They talk about the importance of improving our world and mindfully creating a world worth living in through compassion and small acts of kindness. Raj highlights Liber8 programs, including emotional lab reports and group coaching cohorts, which help users better understand their triggers and find tailored tools for personal growth. 2024-04-2542 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 143 - Lunch and Learn: The Groundhog Day Economic OutlookIn the first Lunch and Learn mini-episode, Kris dives into some noteworthy and newsworthy economic outlook announcements in our world, and how they can affect the childcare industry. She covers the top three things (plus a bonus) that you must have to survive a more full-bodied recession. Before you get stuck living the same day over and over like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, pay attention to these three things! Key Takeaways: [4:55] Kris talks about the tech layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Wayfair. [5:27] Tech is the leading f...2023-02-0217 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 142 - The Real Truth About Boss Mode with Bruce SpurrKris welcomes friend and Grow Your Center partner Bruce Spurr back to the show. They first talk about how they got to be co-founders and work partners, and the recent developments of Grow Your Center. Then, they jump into the topic of “boss mode”: what it really means to be in boss mode, and how to tell if you are in hustle or grind mode instead. Bruce and Kris share some practical tips for getting out of working tirelessly in your business and how to become a data-driven business so you are making the most of your time, energy, and...2023-01-1957 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 141 - Motivating the Masses One Human At A Time with Lisa NicholsLisa Nichols brought down the house at the last Summit, and Kris was lucky enough to have her back on as a guest this week. She talks about her journey of becoming, the major influences along the way, and the key pieces that she embodies to elevate into a leader. Lisa and Kris talk about mindset issues, triumphing in the face of challenge, and the importance of speaking up even when your voice shakes. Lisa goes into more detail about how she built her team and leveraged her own success and the fact that you can create a world...2023-01-0552 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 140 - Part 2 of My Spiritual Journey: Meet Kirra ShermanIt’s a beautiful episode this week as Kris connects with one of her mentors, Kirra Sherman. They first talk about how life pulls us in different ways emotionally throughout our human journey, and how we can learn to face both the joyful and negative heartbreaking things with courage and an open heart. Kris and Kirra talk about how setting aside just 5 minutes a day to feel your feelings can have a profound effect on your whole life, what a pain body is, and how carrying around feelings of trauma can have an impact on us that we may no...2022-12-1557 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioPart 1 of My Spiritual Journey: The Eckhart Tolle RetreatIn this special solo episode, Kris dives into her recent experience while attending Eckhart Tolle’s “The Depths of Being” retreat, with his amazing wife and teaching partner Kim. Kris dives deep into learning to let go of outcomes and expectations and shares some key learnings and takeaways while embarking on this spiritual journey in the beautiful land of Maui, Hawaii. She opens up about some personal changes as well, and what she has learned about just letting go and relaxing into what is throughout the process. At the end, Kris shares a few easy ways that you can practi...2022-12-0156 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioGetting Your Powerful Message to the Right Audience with Kim Walsh PhillipsKris welcomes very special guest Kim Walsh Phillips, founder of the business coaching and education company Powerful Professionals, best-selling author, and MBA-free self-made millionaire. Kim is the behind-the-scenes secret weapon of some of the biggest names in business, including Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank and Dan Kennedy, and went from 32 clients to over 11,000 clients in less than a year. Kim shares some six- and seven-figure tips for social media marketing, automation, and email copy. She and Kris discuss how to make sure your message goes out to the right people, and that it keeps them entertained and engaged th...2022-10-0644 min
The Leave Your Legacy ShowKris Murray - Damien Lillard's Camp, Training in Chicago, Kris's Golf Game | The Leave Your Legacy PodcastWelcome everyone to "The leave your legacy podcast" hosted by former Iowa Hawkeye and current head coach of the Cedar Rapids Prairie girls' basketball team, Kenyon Murray. In this episode Kenyon interviews his son Kris Murray of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team and discuss the upcoming basketball season, pros and cons of being an identical twin, falling in love with basketball and much more...Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!LISTEN ON: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eT2xdz...ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...AMAZON: https://music.amazon.com...2022-10-0533 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 133 - Innovation in the Classroom: A New Way to Help Kids Read with Jodi McMasterKris welcomes Jodi McMaster, an incredible innovator, teacher, and the force behind Circus Vowels. Jodi talks about how she created Circus Vowels to help kids learn to read in an intuitive and interactive way. She talks about the real-world success she’s seen with the product and gives her advice on how you can add more value, celebrate the small wins, and play a bigger game. She and Kris also share some great takeaways on growth vs. fixed mindset and you will have to guess which one was able to fly at zero gravity without an issue! ...2022-09-0844 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 132 - Money is a Reflection of What You Feel You’re Worth with Rachelle CalinaIt’s all about money, finances, and recognizing your worth this week, with Rachelle Calina, CPA and Founder of Honest Buck Accounting. Rachelle shares her journey into starting a fantastic early learning accounting and financial metrics firm, and details some financial benchmarks and best practices to be set up for success no matter your size, capacity, or what’s happening in the outside world. Rachelle and Kris talk about how to add value to your customers, measuring your money metrics, and how to use simple math and forecasting tools to drive more profit into your business. Rachelle shines a ligh...2022-08-2543 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 130 - Eliminating Isolation in This Crazy World with Maureen ThompsonKris welcomes Maureen “Mo” Thompson, M.Ed., founder of the Rocky Mountain Kids Club, for the first live interview. Mo talks with Kris about creating a mobile learning space by outfitting her RV, how we can break barriers between children and adults, and how to help children embrace their weirdness. Mo discusses how reducing isolation might positively impact gun violence and how it’s up to the community to help children that have nowhere else to turn. It’s a powerful and insightful episode that is much needed in today’s world. Key Takeaways: [11:41] A...2022-07-2846 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp.125 - Changing the World of Non-Profit Education with Joan DillonIf you are feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and under-appreciated, this episode is for you. Kris welcomes friend and client Joan Dillon with the Glassboro Child Development Centers in New Jersey. Joan is also the “Change the World Winner,” and after hearing her talk about her commitment to her core values, it’s quite clear why. Joan talks about the shift she made from feeling like she needed to do everything at her center to learning to trust her team and helping them feel empowered and on board with the company’s values. Joan talks about taking control of her own health a...2022-05-1952 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 123 - The Secret of Being Happy Every Day with Marshall GoldsmithKris welcomes world-renowned coach and author Marshall Goldsmith for a fun conversation on learning to accept feedback, balancing achievement and aspirations, and the fact that we all need help. Marshall talks about his new book, The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment, and the reasons he sees people forgetting to be happy. Marshall gives a few practical and easy tips to get you out of the constant achievement mindset and into one of appreciation and joy. He and Kris also discuss how great leaders aren’t afraid to do any of the jobs around them. Tune in for a su...2022-04-2128 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 122 - The Real Deal on Eliminating Overwhelm from your Life with Tanya DaltonKris welcomes nationally recognized productivity expert, Founder & CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co., bestselling author, speaker, and growth strategist, Tanya Dalton, this week. Tanya talks about a few of her most successful habits and hacks for getting out of overwhelm and harnessing your energy in a way that makes you productive, efficient, and refreshed. Tanya first talks about why so many of us are overwhelmed in both our professional and personal life, the beauty of boundaries, and more about the inspiration behind her first book, The Joy of Missing Out, and her new book On Purpose. Tanya and Kris also...2022-04-0741 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 121 - Be the Change You Wish To See With Stephanie ParraKris welcomes Stephanie Parra, Executive Director of All In Education, a non-profit advocacy group for underserved communities and families, particularly the Latino communities. Stephanie talks about All In’s mission to focus on closing the performance gap of Latino students and the Latino community and how we can help parents be more confident partners in the education process alongside teachers. She and Kris talk about developing value-based leaders, why being a daring leader is important to shake up the status quo, and how early education leaders are the foundation of closing that gap for our children. Stephanie talks about so...2022-03-2449 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 120 - An ECE Pioneer: The Secrets of Her Success with Carol LevinsKris welcomes Early Education pioneer Carol Levins to the show. Carol created a school from nothing and ended up with a business that now has 14 locations, serving over 3,500 children. Carol talks about how a passion for learning sparked her path in education, how she crafted her teaching positions to elevate her teachers and keep them for 20‒35 years, how her door to door marketing led her to get to know the families on a personal level, and her advice for exiting a business. Carol and Kris also talk about how to know when it’s time to walk away vs. when to h...2022-03-1053 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 119 - Helping Foster Growth In Others with Christine McNallyChristine McNally is a heartfelt leader and educator in our space and has been doing childcare for close to 25 years, since 1998. You may also recognize her from appearing on stage at the Child Care Success Summit, telling her story and sharing her amazing video for hundreds of engaged listeners. In this episode, Christine joins Kris to talk about her school, Under the Magic Pine Tree, a small Early Learning Center in Gardnerville, NV that is currently serving a waitlist with 92% enrollment. Christine talks about why she saw a need to open up her own daycare after a low-quality experience...2022-02-2441 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 118 - Elevating Hard Conversations with Little Ones Featuring Dr. Lauren StarnesKris welcomes Dr. Lauren Starnes this week, VP of Early Childhood Education at Primrose Schools, where she supports curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation. Lauren’s new book, Big Conversations with Little Children, helps provide tools and techniques to help teachers and leaders overcome the stress and hurdles in education. Dr. Lauren talks with Kris about the incredible growth of the Primrose franchise, now with 500 locations, the many hats that teachers wear, how we can build trust with children and parents, and the difference between honest answers and oversharing. Key Takeaways: [8:27] As the VP of Early Chi...2022-02-1038 min
Child Care Rockstar Radio117 - Life Gives To the Giver with Andre NormanAuthor, speaker, and leader Andre Norman truly exemplifies what it means to turn your life around and turn your blessings into gifts for others. This week, Andre joins Kris for an impactful and important episode about how we can shift our life to be something we are proud of and excited to live. He shares his story of going to prison and how he turned it around to create the Academy of Hope and show others support in everything from corporate training to one-on-one sessions. Andre talks about the fulfillment he personally feels while actively working with teens and young...2022-01-2748 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 116 - What Makes a Great Preschool Brand with Isobel WheatcroftIsobel Wheatcroft, Creative Director of Grow Your Center, joins us from snowy Ottawa to talk about GYC, embracing your marketing message, creativity in all its forms, and the elements of great design. Isobel shares how she melded her background in business as a former yoga studio owner and entrepreneur with being a mom and understanding preschool-aged children and infants. Kris and Isobel cover the important topics of branding, identifying your marketing message, what small businesses are missing, and how good marketing and branding is like going on a date. Isobel shares her passion behind taking branding off the page...2022-01-1352 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 115 - Flipping Challenges Into Confidence: A Powerful Love Story with Janaki PatelKris wishes everyone a holiday season, whether this is your favorite time of year or you can’t wait to get to 2022. Then, she welcomes Janaki Patel of the Kiddie Academy. Janaki talks about how she went from one person at an open house and questioning what she was doing in child care to now having her dream team and close to 500 children served. Janaki shares the great story of how she and her husband Hemal met and continue to support one another’s biggest dreams. She talks about marketing and enrollment, why it’s important for leaders to suppor...2021-12-2352 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 114 - Leaning Into Excellence with Jerzell Pierre-LouisKris kicks off this week with a fun new announcement about a recent purchase she made and then welcomes Jerzell Pierre-Louis, Founder of Sprout Early Education Center and Bloom Early Education Center. Ever since Kris heard Jerzell talking next to her table in Las Vegas, she knew she had to have her on. Jerzell shares her game-changing strategies for upping your marketing and enrollment, talks about leaving people better than we found them, and how to model the behavior you want to see to your team. Jerzell gets us jazzed about scaling bigger and better, and how she has...2021-12-0243 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 113 - The Power of Being A Book Author with Mike CapuzziToday’s episode will get you all “shook” up! It is all about the power of becoming a published author. Becoming an author is one of the three things that has changed my life the most. I wrote my first book, The Ultimate Childcare Marketing Guide, in 2012 and it has opened so many doors and propelled my career in numerous ways. My guest today, Mike Capuzzi, is a seasoned business owner turned author turned expert marketing strategist. He specializes in helping people of all industries around the world write books, particularly his trademark “shooks.” We talk all about creating the conten...2021-11-1139 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 112 - Creating a Win Out of the Great ResignationThe Child Care Success Summit in Las Vegas just wrapped up, and there was so much love, support, and fun! On this week’s solo episode, Kris shares three takeaways from the Summit, from leaders and keynote speakers Marshall Goldsmith, Stedman Graham, and Andre Norman. Kris also discusses The Great Resignation, along with just how many people in almost every industry are leaving to find different work, and what we can learn from it when it comes to new ways of staffing to bring in and keep the right staff. Kris talks about things you can do to inspire yo...2021-10-2131 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 111 - Feeling Alive In Your Work With Vernon MasonKris welcomes back Vernon Mason to the show. Not only is he the first guest to return three times, but he is also a highly sought-after influential speaker and the Senior VP of Growth and Professional Development at the Nest Schools. Vernon and Kris discuss the importance of advocacy at a local and national level, building community, and the most important subject in child care right now — the staffing crisis. Vernon gives practical ways to attract and hire key talent that will stay, including benefits, building relationships, the right type of marketing, and an improved pay structure. ...2021-09-3058 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 110 - Why Different Is Better Than Good with Mike MichalowiczAuthor and speaker Mike Michalowicz brings his wisdom and expertise to the podcast this week. Mike talks with Kris about his bestseller, Profit First, and his latest book, Get Different, created to inspire small business owners to get out of the sea of sameness and stand out. He and Kris talk about why being different is the first way to garner success, how we can be less fearful about being authentic, and Mike explains the passion behind his mission to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty. Key Takeaways: [8:45] Mike shares the setbacks that he has had t...2021-09-0931 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 109 - Keeping It Real: Why We Struggle With Being Good Leaders Featuring Shelley SmithIn this incredibly powerful episode, Kris sits down with Shelley Smith, Culture Curator, Author, Speaker, and Consultant. Shelley has a passion for making the lives of others easier and less stressful and has created a world of incredible tools that serve as absolute game-changers. She talks about why culture matters and how to hire the right person and set them up for success, and shares some incredible stats around employee retention from some of her clients. Shelley and Kris talk about the return on investment that occurs when everyone is on board with the same mission and values, and...2021-08-1955 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 108 - Getting Back To Your Purpose with Love and Confidence with Joy Clore WillisKris welcomes Joy Clore Willis, aka Mama Joy, Director of A Kids Gym in Oviedo, Florida. In between cruising around Alaska and spending time with her children and grandchildren, Joy is the busy mind behind A Kids Gym, where they incorporate activity and play as well as traditional physically-oriented services. Joy talks about the changes that came about when she joined Kris’s community, and what she has done to grow her confidence and inspire her staff. Joy also talks about powerful marketing messages that have worked and finding structure during uncertain times. Key Takeaways:...2021-07-2950 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 107 - You Are a Badass: Believe in Yourself with Karina WyllieToday’s episode will inspire you to get out there and be the true badass that you are! My guest today, Karina Wyllie, is a motivated self-starter that owns two home daycares in New York, Koala Park Daycare. While an incredibly accomplished entrepreneur, Karina is still committed to being a forever student in the school of leadership. She takes cues from Tony Robbins, Simon Sinek, The Child Care Success Academy, and more, and it trickles down effortlessly to her staff. We talk about how she operates her schools, what her priorities and insights are coming out of COVID-19, the im...2021-07-0851 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 106 - Meet Our New Second-In-Command: Driven By Connection and Impact with Tom O’ConnorI’m so pleased to welcome our new Chief Operating Officer and Integrator of the Child Care Success Company, Tom O’Connor, to the podcast. And welcome to the team, Tom! Tom brings 30 years of experience in education, after-school care, and early learning expertise. He’s also considered a bit of a master in acquisition and growth as he built his program to 44 locations across Colorado. Tom shares some fundamental and crucial steps for how to just GET STARTED, the ins-and-outs of deal acquisition and deal flow, how to set yourself to be a positive-mindset entrepreneur, leadership lessons, marketing tips...2021-06-1749 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 104 - Training Half a Million Early Educators Over Two Decades with Maria TaylorWe are pleased to bring you an episode focused on professional development with my wonderful guest Maria Taylor. Maria truly knows the child care industry inside and out as a 30-year veteran and CEO of ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI). CCEI is one of our newest partners and you’ll soon see me on their platform teaching about marketing and other topics. Also, they are the sponsor of our (drumroll) upcoming 5-Day Child Care Start-Up Challenge! More about that in the episode. As we look behind the scenes of professional development, we talk about the importance of training an...2021-05-0642 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 100 - A New Season of Female Entrepreneurship with Ali BrownWe did it! We made it to Episode 100! For this milestone episode, I am ecstatic to welcome Ali Brown to the podcast. Ali is one of the top female entrepreneurs and coaches in the world and host of the very successful podcast “Glambition Radio.” Ali also founded the emerging coaching and mastermind group, The Trust, which I am honored to be a member of. She provides some incredible insights around business, leadership, marketing, confidence, why 2021 is the year for women, and so much more. Join me as I reflect on the journey of the podcast and look forward to the w...2021-02-111h 03
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 99 - Rolling With the Changes Into A Successful 2021 with Brittany LutherIn this episode, I am so happy to be joined by the wonderful Brittney Luther. Brittney is an early childhood education leader, owner of two Young Sprouts locations in Texas, and an Empire member in our Child Care Success Academy. During our time together, she shares so many valuable nuggets of knowledge and strategies that she’s learned throughout her journey in the ECE industry that she accredits to her expansion. Brittney also provides us with an inside look at how has been able to grow and retain her enrollment, how she's utilized e-packets to set her schools apart from...2021-02-0434 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 97 - Overcoming Licensing Challenges with Danielle PaigeI am thrilled to welcome Danielle Paige back to the podcast! She first appeared in episode 60 and today we are going to talk all about licensing. Danielle now owns two centers, Academic Explorers, in New York and she talks us through how she expanded to her second location. She shares some of the challenges she overcame during licensing, what she might have done differently, how she chose her second location, what sets her brand apart, and more. Danielle also shares how she can help YOU with your licensing goals. Key Takeaways: [1:31] Danielle shares w...2021-01-2153 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 95 - 2020: Year in Review, Predictions, and ControversiesKris digs in this week to recap the crazy year of 2020 and reflect on her biggest accomplishments and challenges, both personally and professionally. She gives a roundup of the best moments of 2020, the top three insights from the year that we can take into 2021 and beyond, and even shares something controversial as well. This has been a year of strength, innovation, and challenge for many of us, but Kris fully believes the growth of 2021 will be something to uplift us and provide us with even more gratitude for the things we love to do and for the people that...2020-12-3145 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 94 - The Five Guardians with Mecca JohnsonMecca Johnson is an incredible and heartfelt speaker, trainer, and founder of the professional development consulting company My Joy Speaks. Her long and very successful career in early childhood education with Primrose Schools plus corporate experience led her to develop The Five Guardians of Life, which she shares in this week’s episode. Mecca and Kris also talk about finding gratitude in times of stress, why a healthy body matters to a positive mindset, and a few of their favorite resources for sharpening your leadership skills. Key Takeaways: [13:50] Mecca found her calling working wit...2020-12-171h 01
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 93 - Choosing Broadway Over Mom's Basement with Bari BaumgardnerI am thrilled to have Bari Baumgardner on the podcast to share her truly inspiring journey. Bari is the founder of SAGE Event Management; a boutique event production company best known for creating a purpose-driven payday for speakers, authors, and influencers with her “Sales IS Service” approach. If you’re ready to take your own personal leap, this episode will really resonate with you. Get ready to take some notes on Bari’s sales approach, enrollment theory, and her infectious belief in trusting in yourself. Key Takeaways: [4:45] Highlights of Bari’s professional journey in event pl...2020-12-101h 00
Child Care Rockstar RadioBeth Cannon of Stretch-n-GrowBeth Cannon of Stretch-n-Grow, an international children’s fitness franchise, joins me this week. Beth began her child care career over 20 years ago with Stretch-n-Grow and quickly became the most successful affiliate in the world. She has taken that knowledge and transformed it into a speaking, training, and coaching career for early learning leaders. Today we focus on strategies to stay positive with all the stressors that come our way in the industry and especially from the pandemic. We also talk about the importance of collaboration, knowing your why, self-awareness, and how to use tools like the Enneagram Test to...2020-11-1949 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 89 - Never Giving Up: An Interview with Child Care Rockstar Winners 2020 with Heather Jensen and Diane HavensIn this episode, Kris is joined by the mother-daughter team and owners of Kids In Action, Heather Jensen and Diane Havens, located in Kingwood Texas. They share their stories of having a business survive two natural disasters, how they were able to still stay positive, and the importance of building strong relationships. Because of their strength and resilience, they were crowned this year’s winners of the Child Care Rockstar 2020 contest. Key Takeaways: [9:40] Diane started the center in 1998 and it has come a long way. Now, Heather and Diane are able to use the...2020-11-0551 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 88 - Why You Should Use a Family Wealth Office to Get Rich with Jim DewChild Care Rockstar returns this week for the first time since the Child Care Success Summit. Kris is joined by Jim Dew, CEO of Dew Wealth Management and creator of the Functional Wealth Management process. Jim has 23 years of experience building wealth management for entrepreneurs and has been featured in Inc., Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, and more. He is also a sought-after speaker and author of Beyond a Million. Jim shares a few of the valuable lessons he learned while working as a door-to-door salesman that still apply to running a business. Jim dives deeper into his Protect, Manage and G...2020-10-2944 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 87 - The Powerful Benefits of Using a Coach with Brian DupreyThis week, Kris is joined by Brian Duprey, Certified Child Care Coach and the Director of Business Development at The Child Care Success Company. He is a 20-year veteran who came to his first Child Care Success Summit in 2015 and became a coach in 2017. Last year, Brian wrote his first book, Child Care Millionaire, for early childhood business owners wanting to grow their business into a (multi) million-dollar company, and he also co-authored The Happiness Guide for Early Childhood Education with Kris. Kris and Brian discuss surviving COVID-19 as a child care center owner, money managing, marketing, expanding business...2020-10-0844 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 85 - The One About What Shark Tank Is Really Like (and much more) with Dave VasenThis week Kris is joined with Dave Vasen, founder and CEO of brightwheel, one of the leading parent management software platforms that features best-in-class parent communication. Dave shares his journey into developing and launching brightwheel and gives us an exclusive behind the scenes story of appearing on Shark Tank and striking a deal with Mark Cuban. Kris and Dave also talk about transparency in leadership, how providers can feel more confident in sharing their unique gifts, and how to obsessively focus on customers and clients. Key Takeaways: [9:28] Dave’s parents were immigrants from Sou...2020-09-2450 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 83 - Peeling Back the Layers: How to Feel Better and Help the People in Your Life Feel Better with Alyssa CampbellAlyssa Campbell is an emotional development expert, podcaster, and founder of Seed and Sew. She joins the show to talk with Kris about the method of Collaborative Emotion Processing that she co-created, how developing emotional intelligence skills saved her life, and why this work is of the utmost importance for leaders and teachers to deal correctly with the tiny humans of tomorrow. Key Takeaways: [2:28] Once Alyssa developed the emotional intelligence tools she now teaches today, she went from feeling exhausted and drained to now being able to recognize her triggers. Through this, she c...2020-09-1049 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 79 - Leadership and Mindset Shifts from an ECE Veteran with Pamela PiekarskiPamela Piekarski is the President and CEO of Exploring Minds Academy, which has two programs in two different states: Colorado and Kansas. Pamela joins the show this week to discuss her journey into ECE as a Kindergarten teacher in 1978, and share a few amazing golden nuggets of advice and wisdom she has gained from a long and successful career. Pamela talks about her work in Bilingual studies, the value of a coach and mentoring peer group, and how we can feel confident about raising tuition rates. She and Kris also talk about the foundational pieces to have in place...2020-08-1354 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 77 - Four Steps to Get Out of the Overwhelm LoopIt’s a common feeling for entrepreneurs, business owners, and directors to feel completely overwhelmed and unable to get to the core of their purpose because they are so busy on the ‘hot mess express’ putting out fires every day. Kris takes this week’s episode to give a road map to get out of the loop of overwhelm with four practical steps. She also shares details about the 5-Day Crush Your Fall Enrollment program, and why this super affordable game charger of a program may be the best thing you can do for your business, this year. ...2020-07-3040 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 76 - Keys to Happiness: Eliminating Fear, Drama, and Negative Beliefs From Your Life Forever with Jody MarquisIn this powerful and super fun episode, Jody Marquis joins Kris to take a deep dive into mind-blowing concepts such as important questions to ask both yourself and your team, tips for language and scripts when having difficult situations, and shifts we can do to get out of the Drama Triangle and into receiving abundance. Jody also explains the importance of doing self-work when working with kids and shares more on how the Chance for Change Institute works with leaders to transform themselves through their mindset, beliefs, and habits. Key Takeaways: [6:28] The Chance f...2020-07-1652 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 75 - Secrets to Maintaining Full Enrollment During a Crisis with Alvin AyusaAlvin Ayusa is a true example of a Child Care Rockstar, immigrating from the Philippines and living separated from his family for ten years, to now owning two locations in California at 90% enrollment. Alvin shares how his background in systems and software automation helped him understand integral practices in marketing and enrollment, and how the Leadership Mastery class helped him develop a high-level culture. Alvin and Kris discuss some of the amazing action items Just 4 Kids took, including adjusting phone scripts and virtual tours, spreading community goodwill, and clear communication. Key Takeaways: [6:33] Alvin h...2020-07-0951 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 74 - What to Do When The World Doesn’t Go Your Way with Tym the TrainerTym the Trainer has been holding Early Childhood Education workshops and cruises for over ten years and leads his own school brand in Texas, with six locations. Tym joins the show to talk about innovation in school systems, conscious discipline, and navigating the new paradigm in our world to do things differently and innovate post-pandemic. Tym and Kris also discuss how we can think outside the box in the new normal and appreciate the pause button we’ve been given. Key Takeaways: [10:34] Tym and his team started their programs with a focus on cre...2020-07-0256 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 73 - How Profit and High Quality Can Go Hand In Hand with Vernon MasonThis week features a special working-happy-hour episode with beloved guest Vernon Mason. Vernon has been an early childhood administrator for over 20 years and also owned four centers with locations in North Carolina before selling them to a national buyer. Vernon and Kris talk about the future of early childhood and how quality ties in with profitability. Vernon also shares his love for visiting schools on professional development day, and how we can stay connected to our staff and culture while we adjust to getting back to school in the pandemic. Key Takeaways: This is a...2020-06-251h 04
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 72 - COVID-19 and The Early Childhood Business Climate: Trends and Innovations with Ron SpreeuwenbergRon Spreeuwenberg, CEO of Co-Founder of HiMama and host of The Preschool Podcast, joins Kris on the show this week. Ron talks about how HiMama is providing answers and support in the COVID-19 crisis, the surprising results from their survey, and what five things your school can do to come out of the crisis the most successfully and financially viable as possible. Key Takeaways: [4:45] Kris just made a huge dream come to life. After wanting to live in a river home for more than 12 years, she will be living in a beautiful river h...2020-06-1849 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 71 - Case Study of a True Child Care Leadership Journey with Gary PeirceThis week, Kris talks with another international guest, Gary Peirce, who is the owner of Hopes & Dreams Nursery in the Isle of Man, a tiny island between Ireland and the UK. Gary gets opens up and gets vulnerable on what it’s really like to run the school together as a husband and wife duo, with his wife Laura leading the charge on the school curriculum. Gary also talks about the mindset change that occurred as he grew from being an owner to a leader and the detailed story of amazing core value development that has happened within their bu...2020-06-1159 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 70 - Why Lifelong Learning Makes You a Better Leader with Ryan HawkThis week, Kris is joined by Ryan Hawk, author, speaker, thought leader, and host of The Learning Leader Show, a podcast that has millions of listeners and much industry acclaim. Ryan talks about his rising role as an NFL Quarterback, and how he pivoted to creating a show that allows him to have deep and thoughtful conversations with top leaders from all over the world. Ryan gives us a glimpse into what the world of leadership holds for early learning leaders, and practical lessons to provide to your business and beyond. He also shares a few of his favorite...2020-06-0446 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 69 - Improving Health and Safety Processes in the Current Times with Martin BingThe state of the world presently is placing an emphasis on schools upping their game in many ways, with the quality of health and safety being at the forefront of importance. Martin Bing joins the show this week to talk about how his company, 1Place Childcare, provides a tool for leaders and schools to feel secure about their compliance, training, processes, and procedures. 1Place can make sure your plans are well executed and that staff is well trained to ensure a consistently high level of health and safety. Martin and Kris also talk about what new protocols they are...2020-05-3049 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 68 - How To Build Goodwill In Your Community And Get The Lions Share Of Inquiries with Bruce SpurrBruce Spurr, Co-Founder of Grow Your Center, joins the show today. Kris and Bruce talk about what sets Grow Your Center apart as the only world-class digital marketing agency serving the early childhood industry exclusively. Bruce shares what advertising and marketing trends he is seeing that are working in the child care industry, how schools can add value in their advertising while they are still closed. He also explains the importance of producing goodwill content and how the Three H's of social media will help you build rapport and stay top of mind with families in the future. 2020-05-2058 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 67 - Hope and Stirring Up Your Own Inspiration with Donna Thornton-RobertsThis week, Kris is joined by friend and seasoned veteran of the early learning industry, Donna Thorton-Roberts. Donna shares some of her knowledge about being effective, prepared, and proactive during this time, along with some wisdom she personally has gained from going through some tough times in her career, which included going from three to nineteen schools in six years. Donna and Kris also talk about the importance of hiring the right people, offering services to the community, and developing a plan to hit the ground running when society opens back up. Key Takeaways: 2020-05-0758 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 66 - How Dedication and Intention Make All the Difference with Lori SemkeLori Semke is the Executive Director at Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool in Minnesota. She joins the show to share her game-changing strategies on weathering the storm as a team during tough times, why dedication and intention in enrollment really do make the difference, and what it is like working as a part of a Visionary/Integrator team with her schools owner and previous guest Dawn Uribe. Lori also shares her experience taking home the Director of the Year Award this past October at The Child Care Success Summit™ and how that honor has inspired her mission even further. ...2020-04-2353 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 65 - Money and Mindset: Surviving the COVID-19 CrisisDespite the challenging times we are currently in, Kris reminds us that there are ways we can use our time productively and even shift from feeling powerless to powerful. She uses this episode to share tips and strategies to create awareness about our financial situation and our mindset, and also discusses the Paycheck Protection Program, how to use a cash forecasting sheet, and case studies of successful companies that have used innovation to thrive during similar times in history. Key Takeaways: [4:01] Kris explains a program called the Paycheck Protection Program, which you can ch...2020-04-0842 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 63 - Passion and Purpose with Leslie SchreiberLeslie Shriver, Empire member of The Child Care Success Academy and owner of Small Wonders Discovery and Learning Center in Ohio, joins the show about how they stand out from the competition in a rural area, getting freedom in the day-to-day of your business, and the strategy she used to expand from one to five locations since 2011. Key Takeaways: [1:02] Started in 2011 with one center and has grown to five. They are about 85% full, which for her is great. She was a teacher and administrator of a center and has been in the field s...2020-03-1249 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 62 - Nurturing a Culture of Responsibility and Fairness with Veronica NelsonVeronica Nelson of Child Time, Inc. schools in Salt Lake City joins the show to talk about leading through example, what benefits she has experienced as a Child Care Success Academy Empire member, and what happens when owners have to step back in the day-to-day business. Ronnie and Kris also have a vulnerable and authentic conversation about how to know when it’s time to let a staff member go, and how to build a strong environment that encourages honesty and loyalty. Key Takeaways: [:55] Child Time, Inc. now has four locations in the Sal...2020-02-261h 02
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 61 - Stackable Core Values, Branding, and Managing People Well with Karla McCurryKarla McCurry and her husband Doug own Palm Beach Preschools in Florida, now with three bustling and successful locations. Karla joins the show to talk with Kris about the lessons she learned after deciding to become a preschool owner, and how their school focuses on social-emotional learning in a play-based environment. Karla shares how she hires and trains based upon Palm Beach Preschool’s core values, and how learning how to manage people well is one of the biggest components that have led them to success. Key Takeaways: [1:19] Palm Beach Preschool is a pla...2020-02-1150 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 60 - Rockstars Never Give Up with Danielle PageDanielle Paige opened Academic Explorers in Roosevelt, New York, and has built the business to a place where she is at 95% full capacity, and able to work remotely with an extremely capable and dedicated team. She joins the show to talk about the systems and leadership components she put into place that have made the most difference, and how she is able to successfully run her school from Philadelphia. Danielle also talks about how a true rockstar never gives up, and the lessons she learned from experience that she would recommend to those that are just starting out. 2020-01-2942 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 59 - Empowering Staff, Understanding Data, and Committing to Culture with Owner of the Year Neydary ZambranoNeydary Zambrano won Owner of the Year at the 2019 Child Care Success Summit, and this week she shares her wisdom on growing enrollment, marketing, staff happiness, and culture. Neydary talks about the metamorphosis her school, Magic Memories, has gone through in 2019, now with nine locations throughout Pennsylvania. She and Kris also talk about the responsibility that a true child care rockstar has, how CRM has helped her track and understand data, and the importance of empowering directors and teachers. Key Takeaways: [1:09] Magic Memories started as one center with 65 children and now has nine l...2020-01-1648 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 58 - Crisis, Communication, and Planning with Jane HulbertJane Hulbert of The Jane Group joins the show to talk about her crisis communication firm, and how she landed working in education. Jane shares her background working at large companies like McDonald’s, and how it prepared her for helping educational leaders put together a plan of action for times of crisis. Jane discusses the importance of doing the right thing, the events that shifted crisis communication in schools, and the main steps leaders and their team should take in times of crisis. Key Takeaways: The Jane Group is a crisis communication con...2020-01-0246 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 57 - Where There's a Will There's a Way with Victoria LynchVictoria Lynch and her team at First Discovery Children’s Academy in Virginia are having what she feels is the best year yet, and she explains what exactly her process has been for their expansion, growth, and most importantly — fun. Victoria shares with Kris how game-changing it was to finally hire an Executive Director, her methods for delegating, and which of her marketing efforts provided the largest enrollment boosts. Victoria also shares the wisdom she has learned since beginning her journey with First Academy and why a true child care rockstar never gives up on their dreams. Ke...2019-12-1846 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 56 - Scaling Up Your School in Every Way with Nina LemonNina Lemon, Owner and Founder of the Lemon Tree Academy in Georgia, has the enthusiasm and commitment to action and implementation of a true Child Care Rockstar. She talks with Kris about how she went from a pediatric nurse to a businesswoman with two full locations, the biggest challenges she faced as she scaled up and out, and how her love of HGTV plays into making her centers a welcoming environment for children and their families. Key Takeaways: Nina has been in child care for six years and grew up around kids as part of...2019-12-0538 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 55 - Getting to Know Judy Bradby, Child Care Rockstar Winner 2019This week, Kris is thrilled to chat with Judy Bradby, winner of the 2019 Child Care Rockstar Award. As a Pediatric Nurse with over 30 years of experience, Judy saw a need for a place for children who had no other place to go to learn and grow. She opened up LeaRN Lily Child Development Center and through much trial and error and overcoming adversity, now has tripled her enrollment in just 8 months. Judy talks about her nursing background, her mission behind LeaRN Lily, the mistakes she learned along the way, and her vision for the future to provide medical daycare...2019-11-1945 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 54 - 3 Key Principles of Think & Grow RichKris starts this week off with a big announcement — her new book, Rockstar Stories, is out and available! She then dives into the three principles of one of the most important success strategy books out there today, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill. These three principles and their associated action items are the foundation for manifesting your dream life and creating a space where the universe rewards you with what it is you actually seek. Then, Kris gives two real-life examples of what happens when you follow the principles, and also why persistence is key if it doesn’t go...2019-11-0648 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 52 - What We Need to Know About School Security with Jason Russell of Secure Education ConsultantsThis week, Jason Russell, former police officer, Secret Service agent and current founder of Secure Education Consultants, talks to us about the important subject of school security. Jason merged his experience in security and crisis communication with his wife’s knowledge of child care centers and early education to bring a unique service to the market. Jason shares with Kris what exactly SEC does, the assessment process he goes through to make sure schools are secure, the common gaps in security he sees, and how we can move forward to ensure our schools have the highest level of security....2019-09-2451 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 50 - Asset Creation for Long Term SuccessKris Murray shares how the Child Care Success Company works with leaders all over the globe to help them create their road map for a lifetime of business success. She reflects on the last decade of growing the company and celebrates the success and the impact she's made on the industry. She talks in detail about her proven process, "The Kris Murray Method," and how you can model it in your own brand. Kris shares the assets you need to develop for best results in your own business growth, and the importance of using automation when you can. She...2019-08-2749 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 47 0 Playing for a Living with Glenn MorshowerOne of the busiest character actors in Hollywood today, Glenn Morshower, joins the show to talk with Kris. Glenn has appeared in over 200 film and television projects in a career spanning four decades including the FOX hit series 24. Glenn talks about discovering his love for theatre at a young age, and some career highlights that catapulted him forward. He also shares his wonder and optimistic perspective on life, gives us permission to be silly and joyful, and to focus on gratitude when looking to expand and manifest abundance. Key Takeaways: [4:17] Glenn discovered his l...2019-07-1752 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 46 - Scaling Up with Mike GaratoniMike Garatoni of Growing Kids Learning Centers in Indiana joins the show to talk about scaling up, growing, and advice for schools of any size to grow and expand even more. He and his wife Beth found high-quality care quite limited as parents themselves and knew they wanted to help be part of the solution. Mike and Kris talk about the importance of starting from the end goal and working back, delegation, how he empowers his directors, and challenges they faced in the early scale-up phases. They also talk about simple tweaks that have made a huge difference and...2019-07-021h 01
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 45 - Embracing Your Story with Les BrownMany of you saw Les Brown speak live at the Child Care Success Summit in Dallas, and saw first-hand how his words can be life-changing and bring you to both laughter and tears. Today he joins the show to talk with Kris about the influences on his own life and path, his tenets for quality and joy in our lives, and why embracing and sharing our story is critical to really shape the lives of children and their families. Les is one of the world’s most renowned motivational speakers and is a highly-sought-after resource in business circles ranging fr...2019-06-2733 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 44 - Tell Your Story, and Then Never Stop Telling It with Alison Pfeister and Alexandra KroonIn this inspirational episode, we hear from Kris’s very first client Alison Pfeister and her daughter Alexandra Kroon. Their school, the TLC Academy for Young Children in Hudson, Ohio is a family owned business, founded by Alison and her husband in 1989 after the birth of Alexandra, who now serves as the director. Alison shares the story of how TLC continues to be successful after many years, highlights of her journey as an early child care business owner, and provides resources and inspiration for building a culture of play, respect, and transparency. Key Takeaways: ...2019-06-0655 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 43 - Overcoming Adversity and Bringing Out the Best In People with Leann and Jake ChamberlainThis episode we are joined by Leann and Jake Chamberlain, husband and wife team that run Brighton Montessori in Brighton, Michigan. Leann was the recent winner of the Child Care Rockstar contest, and her vulnerable and authentic approach won the hearts of everyone there. They talk about what it felt like to get out of their comfort zone to enter the contest, the ways they continue to grow their enrollment and connect with the community, the unique challenges of working at a Montessori, and what’s next for the dynamic duo. Key Takeaways: [3:21] Lea...2019-05-231h 04
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 40 - Social Proof is Everything In Child Care Marketing with Troy HowardTroy Howard, with the customer reviews and referrals system SoTellUs, joins the show to talk about his passion for combining technology and marketing and how it led him to become an entrepreneur and industry disruptor in the online review space. He and Kris talk about creating social proof, why reviews are so important to us in marketing, reviews and referrals, how to handle negative reviews, and the most powerful elements inside a review. Key Takeaways: [12:25] SoTellUs started as a website design company and then became more of an online ad agency. In 2009, they d...2019-04-1056 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 39 - What You Should Know About Preschool Insurance with Samantha PhillipsKnowing what insurance policies to have and making sure your coverage is the highest quality is of the utmost importance for a child care business owner. Today, Kris talks with Samantha Phillips of Aleaf Insurance about the three top biggest insurance mistakes she sees in the child care field that are common or very concerning in insurance policies and how we can best address them. They also talk about what policies you should have — no matter the size of your school, case studies of actual child care owners changing their insurance to provide better coverage, and how to avoid si...2019-03-2657 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 38 - Implementation and Speed To Results with Michelle Smith-LankMichelle Smith-Lank has been in the Child Care Success Academy for several years and a true definition of a Child Care Rockstar. She talks about how she got into the field and came to open Kids World Learning Center and the lessons in growth, marketing, and expansion she has learned throughout her career. Key Takeaways: [1:32] When Michelle purchased Kids World originally, they were licensed for 69 children; now they are licensed for 156. [5:25] Michelle had a strong business background in Scholastic items and as a college representative and brought that knowledge to opening he...2019-03-1356 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 37 - Kris Murray on The Preschool Podcast — Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategies for Child CareIn this week’s episode, we flip the podcast and replay the conversation Kris recently had with Ron Spreeuwenburg from The Preschool Podcast. They discuss why marketing strategies are important for child care, the change in the landscape of how people should market, and the two main buckets to be sure your strategy is covering. Kris also discusses how to build trust and rapport with potential and existing parents, and why it’s okay to show the whole world how cool and innovative your work is. Key Takeaways: [1:22] The Preschool Podcast is brought to yo...2019-02-2740 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 35 - Bringing Positivity and Integrity into Child Care with Jennifer SlavinJennifer Slavin is the Vice President of Operations at Magic Memories Child Development Centers. She has been working with children and entrepreneurial since she started her own business at age 11, “Best Babysitter.” Today, she discusses her path from starting as Director to growing with the company in the now three locations. She and Kris talk about the importance of having a director that holds everything together like glue, hiring based on core values, how her strategy of onboarding evolved, and how they have developed their culture. Jennifer leads with positivity and connection and shares how she manages conflict resolution and...2019-01-2956 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 34 - Giving Children the World with Dawn UribeDawn Uribe, the owner of Mis Amigos Spanish Immersion Preschool, joins Kris today to talk about her vast expansion mode and how she came to the vision of owning a Spanish immersion school. Dawn is a game changer in her marketplace and she has some great golden nuggets on how to drive your vision forward with a system for freedom, why it’s necessary to schedule in time to focus on goals, how to finance your expansion, delegate to your team, and break through fear. She also discusses challenges that are unique to her situation and gives some practical ti...2019-01-1553 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 33 - Goal Setting and Strategic Planning with Kris MurrayThis week, Kris shares a tried and true roadmap for exactly how she sets and achieves goals. If you are looking to make 2019 the best year yet, listen in, as you will get concrete examples to apply to your personal and professional life. Kris gives great insight on how to get traction towards actually accomplishing your goals, the importance of a tribe, and ways to stay accountable once things are in motion. Key Takeaways: [2:12] Thank you for all your support in this podcast in 2018; we are growing big in 2019! We are the top p...2019-01-0335 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioMargins, Culture, and Servant Leadership with Tony D’AgostinoEntrepreneur and early learning veteran Tony D’Agostino joins us today to talk about understanding margins and your numbers, his ‘near-death’ experience in the childcare business, how to deal with a crisis, and toxic employees. Tony and Kris also discuss how to develop a culture where everyone on the team is accountable with shared values and the challenges currently in hiring and retention in the child care business field. Tony also discusses the mission behind Inspire! Care 360 and the three-pronged approach in helping leaders manage their people, brand, and purchasing. As a bonus, you’ll also hear about Tony’s rock and...2018-12-1900 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 31 - A Roadmap to Creating a Culture of Excellence and Collaboration with Sindye AlexanderDo you have people that show up inspired by your vision? Questions to ask yourself as you build a business and a legacy that stands for excellence in the field. Kris welcomes the Director of Marketing and Child Care Extraordinaire Sindye Alexander, who started out as a client and then grew her center in Michigan from the beginning of doing home daycare. They talk about how Sindye started the business as a way to earn income while spending time with her kids, the impact culture has on both its own business and the community around it, and a peek...2018-12-0657 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 25 - Is M-A-T-H a Four-Letter Word in Your Business?You may think of it as a dirty word, but really, it can be the key to peace of mind, freedom, and clarity in your business. It’s Math. Today, Kris will inspire you to get started tracking so you can live a lifestyle of abundance and make your teachers happier by giving them more benefits, which in turn equals happy kids and happy parents. She gives specific examples and real-world case studies of simple equations to put your money and time into the business where it’s most needed and gives the four categories of metrics. Enjoy the epis...2018-09-1333 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 24 - Fitness, Fun, and a Fancy School Bus with Josh VisserToday’s guest is Josh Visser, a proponent of education and play within an active learning environment. Josh and Kris talk about his school, De Kinderen Huis, and its mission to provide growth through movement and play-based discovery. He also talks about his cool hobbies including his impressive Rubik’s Cube and school bus renovating skills, his process for getting inspired and inspiring his team around him, and how he saw and decided to pursue a child-care opportunity. Josh and his team have set themselves apart in the market and built a vibrant and abundant school with over 50 children enro...2018-08-3050 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 23 - A Relentless Focus on Positive, Healthy Culture with Joe and Lucy LawrenceJoe and Lucy, owners and founders of Little Sprouts in Wisconsin, have an intentionality in everything they do, whether it’s their international flavor, their passion for staying mindful for eco-consciousness, or how they develop their team to show consistent leadership and cohesive culture. They talk with Kris today about working together successfully as a married couple, challenges they have faced and overcome as entrepreneurs, and what’s next on the horizon for their team. Key Takeaways: [3:31] Leading up to building their center, Joe and Lucy were putting in 18-hour days themselves making sure...2018-08-1645 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 17 - The Beauty of Opportunity with Nan RikardNan Rikard, owner and founder of Big Blue Marble Academy, is an incredible powerhouse with an instinct for good business and a big, giving heart. She talks with Kris about her journey of over 30 years in the EEC industry, her passion on giving back in her own family, how she grew to 24 childcare locations in just a few years and assembled such a strong team with a bonded mission and vision in making a positive impact on the world. She shares the three things that are a must when looking for a new site and tips and tricks for...2018-05-2452 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 16 - Service Through Leadership with Julie RoyJulie Roy joins Kris today to share her experience of how she started as an educator in Canada and went on to own nine centers of the Montessori Educational Centers in Omaha, Nebraska. They talk about concrete strategies for how to grow your business, as Julie’s now has a waiting list and is looking to expand into even more locations in the upcoming years. Kris and Julie also share how to structure your corporate office to give you support to grow, how often you really need to be in your location, mindset traps to be careful to avoid, an...2018-05-1046 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 15 - Committed to Growth and Development with Ben PoswalkToday’s episode features a great talk with Ben Poswalk, Executive Director of Paradise Place Preschool. Ben came to Kris as her only local client in Crested Butte, Colorado, with some challenges in the enrollment, marketing, and staffing departments. Once Ben got rolling he not only doubled his enrollment and increased his income by 70%, but won Marketer of the Year and now is making a huge impact in the lives of his children, his staff, and school. Kris talks with Ben about his own mindset shift, how he communicates his own “why” and how it impacted the energy...2018-04-0546 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 14 - Resources and Support for Childhood Education with Ron SpreeuwenbergIn today’s episode, Kris features Ron Spreeuwenberg. Ron is the co-founder and CEO of HiMama, an app for daycares that allows parents to better connect with their children during the day. Ron is a heart-centered leader serving the early childhood education industry with technology and interconnecting his community. He talks with Kris about what inspired him to get into early childhood and create the HiMama app, the balance between visibility and empowerment, the innovation of his benchmark survey, his own adventures in podcasting, and how he is committed to the vision of helping childhood education get more support an...2018-03-2244 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 13 - Defining Your Dream Life, Delegation, and Working From the Beach with Jennifer ConnerToday, Kris and special guest, Jennifer Conner from AppleTree Kids, uncover the secret sauce on how to manage your preschools from the beach, or wherever your dream life may take you. They give the inside scoop how to delegate appropriately, grow from within, empower your teams and have backup systems in place so that you can have the freedom to grow your business and just work on the things that you love. Jennifer is a master of delegation, a model of business success, and now proudly has two locations with a waiting list and a very committed and dedicated s...2018-03-0151 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 12 - Fun, Flexibility, and Family with Tameenah AdamsToday, Kris has the pleasure of talking with Tameenah Adams, owner and leader of Happy Faces Early Learning Academy. Tameenah is a true rock star and shares her core values, vision, and how she has become a transparent and empowered leader that people want to follow. Between her family at Happy Faces and her own seven children, Tameenah plays with some game-changing strategies, high values and a vision that is open to adapt to her environment. She loves promoting herself and her business out in the community and commits herself to being of service and sharing her gifts to...2018-02-1540 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 11 - Grow Your Enrollment, Improve the Industry and Change the World with Chuck GibbsKris is joined by very special guest, friend, skiing buddy, and founder of ChildCare CRM software, Chuck Gibbs. Kris and Chuck have much in common. They both started their businesses around early 2010 and are here eight years later, still great friends with a love for Colorado, working hand-in-hand on impacting the childcare industry and helping others toward their goals and dreams. In this episode, they do a deep dive on what you should be measuring in your business, some game-changing resources you can apply to your business, case studies and success stories on CRM, the specifics of how business...2018-02-0146 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 10 - Innovation, Profit, Protection, and Excitement | Welcome to 2018Kris opens up today’s episode with a thank you to all of her past guests and a fun recap of the amazing conversations over the past nine episodes. Next, she gives tips and keys on how to financially protect yourself and become recession proof. Then, she gives the top two essential tips on how to have a full house, and why you need to get started today. Finally, an exciting new announcement regarding the Enrollment Bootcamp Challenge! Key Takeaways: [1:47] Kris gives a thank you to all of her past guests in 2017 and giv...2018-01-1844 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 9 - Expansion, Leadership and Just Plain Old Fun with Vernon MasonIn today’s episode, Kris is joined with one of her favorite friends in the industry, Vernon Mason. Vernon has over 25 years of experience in early childhood. He shares with us his journey of how he started and some of the key points that allowed him to grow from a school of 30 into now five locations. Vernon is an inspiration as a leader and rockstar! Vernon makes it fun and open, from making the snacks in a classroom to helping directors find the confidence and skills to be great leaders themselves. They also cover hiring and letting employees go, hi...2017-12-2848 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 8 - Partners in Every Way with Brian and Carol DupreyToday Kris is joined with very special and inspiring guests, Brian and Carol Duprey! Brian Duprey is a seasoned 20-year veteran in the childcare industry. Along with his wife Carol, they have opened and operated eight different childcare centers in central Maine and currently, own five schools. They have been married for over 26 years and have five children and four grandchildren. We talk with Brian and Carol about their very inspiring mindset and attitude, overcoming challenges along the way of becoming business leaders, strategies they use when hiring great teachers, and how after all these years of working together...2017-12-2150 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 4 - Complexity, Technology, and Competitive Advantage with Evan GoldmanOur episode this week is chock full of industry insights, innovative ideas, and nuggets of wisdom that you can plug right into your child care or preschool business! We are joined by the amazing Evan Goldman from Early Education Group. Evan is a true veteran in the industry and his take on the growth and change in the landscape is truly inspiring. He shares his family’s impressive background in high-quality early education and then he and Kris do a deep dive on several topics related to the business of early learning. Tune in to hear Evan’s advice on h...2017-10-2652 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 3 - Leading the Future Leaders with Donna JensenIn today’s episode we are joined by child care rockstar Donna Jensen, owner of the Learning Station. Donna’s passion for creating an enriching, safe, and supportive environment is inspiring and the reason why she is always full with a long waiting list of potential families. We hear Donna’s background from working at a local preschool to owning a franchise and ultimately leading to what has become the Learning Station. She and Kris also discuss why a large team works for her, the importance of lists and tracking data, and finding a great mentor. Finally, she shares resour...2017-09-2939 min
Child Care Rockstar RadioEp. 1 - The Beauty of PersistenceWelcome to our very first episode of Childcare Rockstar Radio! Your host is Kris Murray, President of Child Care Marketing Solutions and founder and leader of the Childcare Success Academy. The Academy is the world’s largest and most comprehensive business coaching program for early childhood entrepreneurs and leaders. We kick off the first episode and lay a foundation to talk about the importance of persistence in both professional and personal paths to success. Each week we invite you to join us for an interview with child care leaders and experts that inspire us and shine a spotlight on th...2017-09-2927 min