Tiffany Ford is a dynamic visionary, entrepreneur, consultant and child development expert who has earned the name “The Childcare Guru ” for her extraordinary work to assist families in urban communities to guide their children towards social and academic success. A native of Philadelphia, Tiffany has worked passionately in the fields of childcare and education for more than 15 years. She is the owner of Little Leaders Learning Academy, co-owner of Stages Community School, and the founder of Leaders and Legends Performing Arts Academy, which teaches Jazz, Modern Dance, Ballet, Tap, Drama, Karate and vocal classes in southwest Philadelphia. Her curriculums have been proven to improve self-expression, regulation skills, confidence and academic performance for children and young adults.
As a consultant, Tiffany focuses on training aspiring entrepreneurs in the childcare and youth education fields to start and scale their schools and youth centers. Recognizing the importance of the arts and creativity to the learning process of youth, she plans to grow her programs across the nation, including expanding her performing arts academy.
What is Little Leaders Learning Academy all about?
I am the owner of the Little Leaders Learning Academy, co-owner of Stages Community School, and the founder of Leaders and Legends Performing Arts Academy, all located in Southwest Philadelphia. My focus is on providing top-level education to underprivileged youth, as well as giving them positive outlets through the arts for self-expression, building relationships, and to develop them into successful, positive, and productive members of society.
Additionally, we provide resources for parents so they can understand and be more actively engaged in their child’s learning and development. I also train other aspiring educational entrepreneurs on how to start their own childcare centers.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I grew up in Southwest Philadelphia in a rough community where there was violence and many of your typical issues impacting low-income, urban communities. I was also exposed to domestic and drug abuse, and I found my refuge in the performing arts. I danced for many years and did oratorical competitions. I was always passionate about the arts, so after I went to college – I worked in social services and then ended up getting my Master’s in Psychology with a minor in Childhood Development. My experiences as a youth, and knowing the impact that the arts had on me, inspired me to open my own schools to provide those resources to more children.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
- I think it is important that as an entrepreneur you have patience. I actually believe patience is a skill. A lot of us want things instantly. We want to see it flourish in two or three years. But sometimes it will take five to six years for it to be able to operate itself. You have to be willing to go through the process.
- Resiliency – being able to bounce back from hard times. There will be a lot of hard times when you are operating a business. You have to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel even when you don’t think it is there.
- Ability to lead a team. A lot of entrepreneurs feel they can do everything themselves. They don’t want to take that risk financially to pay a person who is skilled in a particular area. Without a team your business will not grow. Whether it is business support or direct care, either way, you need people, and you need to be able to lead a team, network, and build partnerships.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process. What has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Over the years, word of mouth has definitely been the best form of marketing because we work directly with people, so they are able to share their experiences. However, post Covid, I have had to step it up a little bit and integrate my social media presence and take additional measures. Public Relations has also definitely impacted my business because it helps build more credibility. That ties in with social media and it helps a lot.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
Never put more on your calendar than you think you can do in a day. Do not overcrowd your calendar. It is better to minimize your calendar than to overcrowd it so you can make sure it gets done. I only put three things on my calendar a day. When I first started, I was putting so many things down and I wasn’t able to do it and I got overwhelmed. I set deadlines for myself and I am honest with people about when it will get done, so they know what the expectations are.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
- For me, my biggest mistake was partnering with someone who did not share my vision. When that happens, you will get to a crossroad where you are going separate ways, and if you can’t come to a common ground, that business isn’t going to work. You have to find a partner where you have the same vision, or don’t partner with anyone. It is daunting to get out of a partnership. It is just like a divorce. Horrible.
- Assuming that everybody had my best intentions at heart. When I first started, I was so open with my goals and wanted to share them with everyone. But, I realized that I couldn’t share my goals with everyone. Some people are waiting on you to fail, unfortunately. I learned to dream by myself
- Not having a good bookkeeper. Accounting and bookkeeping from the beginning is a must. I was doing it all by myself, but I couldn’t focus on accounting while focusing on growing my business, and that created challenges.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
Recognizing the impact that I am making on my students and hearing the parents express their appreciation for the work that I am doing with their kids. Every time I have thought about leaving, they tell me how much the kids need me.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
Start a business that is solely needs based. I would do my research to figure out what the people need and not what I think they need. Today, childcare is still the business I would start because it is not going anywhere. There is always a need for it, so I guess I wouldn’t do anything different.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
Communication is key, still. I’m always trying to improve my communication skills amongst my team. In the past, I worked in a chain of command. I reported to my admin team and they reported to my direct care staff. But, what I am doing now is trying to focus on training my leadership on the importance of communication as well what that looks like and what it can do for a business. I believe that increasing communication amongst all parties involved is very important.
What is your definition of success?
Knowing that I helped someone else. Knowing that I was able to achieve my goals while helping others. It doesn’t mean I am always going to win, but I am also learning from all of my mistakes.
What are your plans for the future, and how do you plan to grow this company?
I am definitely focused on growing my performing arts academy and taking that to the next level. Our goal is at the end of the year to put on a big musical production that emphasizes the things our students learned during the year. Not only do they cultivate their acting, singing, and dance skills, they really get involved with the planning, the production – and the backstage aspects like costuming. We want to be the preferred performing arts school in Philly, and when we travel for competitions, we want to make an impact everywhere we go.
Also, through my consulting services, I am teaching other aspiring educational entrepreneurs how to launch and scale their own schools. So, I will definitely be doing more of that as well.
How can readers get in touch with you?
Readers can get in touch with me by reaching out on Instagram at @tiffany_thechildcareguru. Also, they can check out what is going on with Little Leaders Learning Academy at www.littleleadersphilly.com and Legends Performing Arts Academy at www.leadersandlegendspac.com.
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