By April Bender

Why I Chose to Get Out of My Comfort Zone

When I first transitioned from working in my center to working from home, I felt like I had finally made it. I was free—free to design my day, free to focus on the big picture, and free from the constant demands of center life.

That freedom didn’t last long.

One day, my leadership team called me, their voices breaking with tears. They were overwhelmed, ready to quit. Every day was a cycle of putting out fires, staying late to finish their work, and feeling completely lost when it came to leading our team.

At that moment, I realized I needed help—not just for myself but for them too. That’s when I reached out to Brian and signed up for coaching with CCGU.   Sindye reached out to each of my team leaders and encouraged them to keep going. The relief on their shoulders was instant, and it gave them a renewed sense of purpose. Coaching didn’t just change their energy; it transformed our center.

Am I Living the Life I Want to Live?

At first glance, it looked like I had everything I wanted. I had my own childcare business, a comfortable lifestyle, and the pride of being my own boss. But beneath the surface, things didn’t feel as fulfilling as they should.

I started asking myself some hard questions:

• Am I truly growing—or just treading water?
• Am I making my job harder by trying to do it all myself?
• Am I planning for my future—or just stuck in survival mode?

These questions were uncomfortable to face. I realized I had fallen into a trap of maintaining the status quo rather than building the business I had always dreamed of. That’s when I knew something had to change—and I couldn’t make that change alone.

My Business Before Coaching

Before coaching, I was stuck in a cycle that I didn’t even recognize as a problem.

Yes, I was making money, and my lifestyle was comfortable. But I was exhausted because I was doing everything myself—payroll, problem-solving, and even staying late to clean up after hours. The more I took on, the more my team struggled.

My inability to delegate effectively led to staff burnout. They were overwhelmed, under-supported, and left to fend for themselves without clear guidance.

Meanwhile, I had settled for the bare minimum in my business. Enrollment was stagnant, growth had plateaued, and my goals felt more like distant dreams than actionable plans.

Every day felt like running on a hamster wheel—constant motion but no real progress. Looking back, I see how much I needed to shift from just “getting by” to building something sustainable. Coaching became the answer to finally breaking free of that cycle.

How I Turned My Business Around

Delegation didn’t come naturally to me at first. It felt risky to let go of tasks I had always handled personally. But as I began to trust my team, I saw the positive ripple effects almost immediately.

Before coaching, a typical day meant I was involved in every little detail, from fixing minor issues to closing up the center. My burnout trickled down to my staff—they were overworked, undervalued, and frustrated.

Once I started delegating, my team gained confidence. It wasn’t just about handing over tasks—it was about giving them the tools and support they needed to succeed. Mistakes I made, like overloading them without proper training or guidance, became learning opportunities for all of us.

I also realized how easy it is to settle for mediocrity. Doing the bare minimum to “get by” might save time in the short term, but it was costing me long-term growth. Coaching helped me see that striving for excellence isn’t just rewarding—it’s sustainable when you have the right systems in place.

What I’ve Gained

The transformation coaching brought to my business is hard to sum up in words, but here are some of the most impactful changes:

• Time-saving resources. The Vault has been a lifesaver. Whether I need a policy, a form, or a new system, I no longer have to start from scratch. It’s like having a toolbox ready for every challenge.
• Real support and accountability. My coach has been a constant presence—not just for guidance but for reassurance when things felt overwhelming. She pushed me to think bigger and gave me actionable steps to get there.
• Empowered growth. I used to feel alone in chasing my goals. Now I know I have a team behind me, both in my center and through the coaching community.
• Staff feeling cared for, not just a number. Coaching helped me focus on building a positive team culture where staff feel valued and supported.
• Effective delegation without added stress. I learned how to hand off tasks in a way that empowered my staff instead of overwhelming them.
• The ability to work on my business, not in it. With the right systems in place, I’ve gained the freedom to focus on long-term goals and big-picture growth.
• Incredible friendships. The connections I’ve made with other business owners and coaches have been a source of inspiration and camaraderie.

One of the biggest wins? Increased enrollment. This allowed us to raise pay scales and retain our top-tier staff. Investing in my business has paid off in ways I never imagined.

How It’s Changed My Team

The most meaningful shift has been in how my staff feels. Before coaching, I thought delegating was just about shifting workload. But it’s so much more than that. When done right, delegation shows your team that you trust them, value their contributions, and are invested in their success.

Now, my staff feels cared for—not like cogs in a machine but like integral parts of a shared mission. This has transformed our culture, boosted morale, and strengthened our connections with one another.

The best part? I’ve been able to focus on big-picture growth. Working on my business instead of in it has given me a sense of freedom I never thought possible.

Testimonial

Jessica Goeken, a member of our team, says it best:

“I am so grateful to have an owner that puts so much dedication and pride in her work and is always pushing us to be and do better. The opportunity that she has given me to be a part of CCGU and to have my own coaches has changed the way that I interact with our teachers and our families for the better. The knowledge, ideas, and struggles that we all share and overcome together makes the day-to-day operations so much easier to handle when you know that help is just a phone call away. Thank you, April and CCGU, for giving me the opportunity to learn and become better each day!”

Coaching has taught me that success isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about building a foundation of support, trust, and growth. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step, know this: you don’t have to go it alone. Coaching can help you turn things around—and even rediscover the passion that inspired you to start your childcare business in the first place.

To find out more about how Child Care Genius University Coaching can help your business, book a free discovery call today.