I was Willing to Risk it All | Ruby Mbelu | Beyond the Grind #057

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]We on the grind.

[00:00:09]>> What's going on, beautiful people?

[00:00:10]Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Grind.

[00:00:14]>> Hey, if this your first time tuning in, welcome. And please don't forget to hit that subscribe button so that you don't miss out on any of our future content.

[00:00:21]Our podcast is for the doers and the dreamers who are ready to take their lessons and turn them into actions. My name is K.

[00:00:28]>> I'm Alan. And I'm Toasten. Now today's guest is actually an entrepreneur. She is an educator and she is also a community builder. Now she's taken an awardwinning child care business, scale it from 10 kids all the way to 400 plus kids across multiple locations. Now let that sink in. Now I'm I'm excited today because she's here and she's ready to share all the lessons and the strategies behind the growth and her success.

[00:00:57]Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce Ruby and Bellow.

[00:01:03]>> Okay. Okay.

[00:01:05]>> Thank you.

[00:01:05]>> Ruby, welcome to the BTG family.

[00:01:08]>> Thank you. Thank you for having me here.

[00:01:10]Thank you for the opportunity.

[00:01:12]>> And look, first of all, before we get started, can we just admire the dressing today? Like, >> she came red, you know, red.

[00:01:20]>> I had to impress you.

[00:01:22]>> I actually have a testimonial about that. So I Ruby and I and K go to the same church. So I I didn't know Ruby that much, but I did see her. Every time she shows up in church, everybody's like, "Oh, she There she go." You know, you can always tell because she's always dressed. Like she shows up for church.

[00:01:43]All right. So I I got to give it to her.

[00:01:45]I'm not surprised she showed up the same way today. This is the definition of dress the way you want to be addressed.

[00:01:51]So when she walked in, I said, "Yes, ma'am."

[00:01:55]>> Thank you. I was trying to impress you all cuz you know, you all look good for your um podcast. I watch your podcast, >> so I had to I had to come correct. I love it. Thank you for having me here.

[00:02:08]>> That's making them look good.

[00:02:12]No, but jumping right into it, you know, so for all of our guests that come in, we we kind of start with a soft question just to make sure, you know, we we set the table properly before we dive in deep. All right.

[00:02:25]>> Um, >> I didn't know that much about you and your experience uh before you before we had to actually research you and I'm extremely impressed by your background.

[00:02:38]So, thank you.

[00:02:39]>> Um, beyond the professional intro that Kay gave, >> can you give us a little bit more about yourself?

[00:02:46]>> Okay. Um, my name is Ruben Belu, as was mentioned. I am a wife. I'm a mother.

[00:02:53]Um, I have four children.

[00:02:56]>> Um, a wife of 19 years.

[00:02:59]>> Wow. Nice. Yeah. You got to give up.

[00:03:02]Definitely.

[00:03:02]>> 19 years. Yeah. 19 years in count. I'll come back to that.

[00:03:09]Yeah, 19 years in counting. Um, I'm a Christian and >> I have this passion for children >> and that has been the driving force to everything that I have done so far, right? Um, I know that it's a calling. I know it's a mantle that I carry. It's he it's a heavy mantle, >> but I have found a way to turn my purpose into profit, >> okay?

[00:03:41]>> And my I've turned my legacy, if you will, into um like a lasting impact, right? And I can't wait to share everything >> if time permits, right? I can't wait to share with you guys. Um I'm also a woman that is resilient right I have come from you know not so much to you know where I am today by the grace of God and it is by design >> you know um there's there's a process to it and now I'm at the point in my life where I want to share that process with other people so they can also you know attain success and achieve success, right?

[00:04:33]>> I'm also an author.

[00:04:35]>> So, my book is coming out this um summer >> and it's all in the same um it's all in the same reasoning >> wanting to give back to people, reach a wider audience, reach um a global audience, you know, and just give back.

[00:04:54]>> It's like you saw my notes. It's my I'm like you're breaking it down. I love it.

[00:05:00]Right. You you've touched on everything we going to touch on.

[00:05:03]>> And I actually wanted to, you know, kind of scale it back a little bit, right?

[00:05:06]Because you mentioned something, right?

[00:05:08]>> Um, going back >> Mhm.

[00:05:12]>> you went to Tennessee State University, right?

[00:05:14]>> Yes.

[00:05:15]>> Most people graduate looking for a job, >> right? They're looking for that, you know, some some people get an internship, some people get that first job, and then they essentially just ride that wave, right? But that wasn't your story. Can you kind of talk us into what led to you going into the entrepreneurship realm?

[00:05:33]>> Yes. So, I've always had that entrepreneurship spirit. Entrepreneurial spirit because my mom is an entrepreneur. She had shout out to mama.

[00:05:44]Right.

[00:05:45]>> So, she had growing up she had um a restaurant and she had a hair salon. M >> so I was part of the the sales girls like you call them waitress hair a waitress and then for her salon I was part of the hair stylist right so I know how to do like braids and you know all that stuff >> I worked in her salon at a very early age so I knew what business was somewhat right I knew the buying the selling I knew the buying and selling aspect. I knew about rent. I knew about lockup shop. There's something in Lagos called lockup shop. The thugs called abberos.

[00:06:30]They will show up and you know you have to pay something you know pay homage to them or whatever. So I knew how that works. NEPA will show up. You have to you know or they'll cut your light you know. So I knew the bills aspect >> grease the wheels of business >> of business. Yes.

[00:06:46]>> Right. It got to a point, it got to a point in my mom's uh businesses where she would actually let me run it. So, she's home and she's like, "Ruby, go and check on the shops, you know, when I was younger." And I didn't like it then cuz >> what kind what age around?

[00:07:02]>> I was around 14, 15. Okay.

[00:07:05]>> So, I would go to the shops. I could tell how many customers and clients are in there and based on the hairstyles I can tell how much we should expect >> from from you know already.

[00:07:17]>> Yes. Because you know braiding costs less than cornrows or whatever you know.

[00:07:22]So whatever this and I know the set price right there was a system on how much we charge for certain things. So I already I could walk in I already knew when her restaurants same thing with the people eating I could tell you know the rice and stew is different from Eba you know so whatever they eating I could tell then when I head to the kitchen based on cuz we have like certain amount of food you cook a day in in the restaurant business so based on how how much it's gone down I can tell okay if you've if you've sold a whole pot of um jalof rice this is how much should be in the should be in the drawers, right? So, she would I would go collect the money and you know just watch things and stuff like that. So, that was my >> introduction >> Yes. introduction to business. Now, when I was in Tennessee State, I um studied child psychology and um >> I was in the college of education cuz I knew I wanted to be around children and that's another story in itself because I was an only child. M >> so I I thought growing up when I was like maybe five or six I thought that you know doctors were the ones who give children to the parents right >> so I always wondered why no doctor wants to give my mom a child right um it doesn't work like that obviously >> so I knew I wanted to be either a doctor or a teacher cuz I love my teachers and I just love being around children I love the whole playd date when kids come over and I'm still like that till till date.

[00:09:01]I just love having people around. You know, you don't you you don't have to call me and set up an invitation. You just show up and I love it. I love hosting people, right?

[00:09:11]>> And this is from my childhood.

[00:09:13]>> So, when I went to Tennessee State, um child psychology was supposed to be my um premed, right?

[00:09:22]>> Yes. I quickly found out that I don't like blood OR ANYTHING GROSS. SO THAT went my doctor dream. I'm like no cancelled. I can't do this you know. So the next thing was to work with children.

[00:09:36]>> I graduated, got married, moved to um Dallas and I worked in a child care facility.

[00:09:45]Even while I was in Tennessee State I was working at, you know, part-time.

[00:09:50]That was my job. I had a a local grocery shop I was working at and also childcare business.

[00:09:55]>> Okay.

[00:09:55]>> So I moved here, worked in a child care business, scaled, you know, grew to becoming the director.

[00:10:02]>> Nice.

[00:10:03]>> Yes. Becoming the director. Now I got pregnant and I had to stay home.

[00:10:09]>> The reason I had to stay home, we had one car and OB's job was opposite. Obie is my husband. Yeah. His job is the opposite direction from you know my school where I worked as a director. So I had to quit because he's he he makes more. It was the obvious smartest choice. So I had to quit. I quit, stayed home, had my baby. 3 months later the plan was 3 months later I would um go back to work in some capacity.

[00:10:40]>> 3 months later I'm like, you know what?

[00:10:42]I've always wanted to do business, right? So I don't want to go back and be a director in another daycare or anything like that. And I try to explore all my creative sides. Right? So the first thing I'm a very good cook. So I said, "Okay, I'm going to be a caterer."

[00:10:59]Right?

[00:11:00]>> This is a tester on that.

[00:11:02]>> I'm a very good cook. Okay. If I can say so myself.

[00:11:07]>> Put in the comments if you've tasted my food. Right. So um yeah. So I tried I tried the whole catering business. I got two gigs, did it. I was like that's it.

[00:11:16]I'm not I'm this is not this is no. This is not me. Trial and error.

[00:11:20]>> Yeah. I was like done. But I tried it.

[00:11:22]You know that's part of your entrepreneurial story and journey. You tried it. Good. Done. It >> doesn't have to be like the first business you go into like >> the blows. Yeah.

[00:11:32]>> That's the only business I want to do and >> No. No. We all have several different gifts in us and it's okay to explore everything and see what works, right?

[00:11:42]Um, and I'll get back to that in a minute because there's something I want to say with that. Anyway, so the Kwing business, did two gigs, I was done. Then I moved to the next passion of mine is interior design. Like anyone who knows me, I love beautiful spaces. I, you know, my home, I'm always changing out, you know, the decor in my home, you know. So I tried interior design at the time. The friends I had at the time were broke. Okay?

[00:12:13]Stay away from broke friends. Okay? They were broke. So what used to happen? I I I got >> How do you get rich, >> right? That's why we're here. That's why we're here. So um they they took advantage, >> right? So the when they start when they found out that I'm starting my interior design business, it's like, "Oh, Ruby, come to my house. Come and help me, you know, and >> take pictures."

[00:12:36]>> Yeah. And then Yeah. And then I show up with my personality, extroverted. I'm like, "Oh, do you know you can put this throw a pillow here and you can change this curtain here." I'm already giving ideas without being paid for consultation.

[00:12:50]>> So what happens is I come to their house, my next visit, they've Yeah, they've implemented everything.

[00:12:58]And my husband was like, "What are you even doing? Like, you've not made one penny from this from but you've helped all your friends decorate all their nurseries, all their houses, you know, what are you doing?"

[00:13:10]>> And then he had a long talk with me.

[00:13:13]He's like, "Are you ready to go back to what God has really called you to, which is child care?" You know, cuz I was trying to explore other things. I had done the child care. I was a director in my job, you know. So, I was like, "Okay, I guess I'll go back to what works." And what I was trying to say before is, you know, when you have a cute idea, you have to work a lot harder to convince your buyer.

[00:13:41]>> So, cute ideas don't scale and cute ideas don't grow.

[00:13:47]>> Cute. Can you >> cute business idea?

[00:13:49]>> Okay. Okay. So if you have an idea that is cute, >> but it's not a demand in the community, >> it's not needed in the community, you have to convince people. Say you have a business you're starting and it's such a cute idea and you come to me.

[00:14:05]>> I will support you maybe once because yeah because I'm your friend. So I will just you know sew a seed >> but it's not something that is reoccurring. You want a business where you have reoccurring income from everybody cuz there's a demand in the community. You have looked at the community, you see the need, and with your skill set, you can meet that need in the community, right? Not just having a cute idea.

[00:14:31]>> So, >> I'm a big fan of Shark Tank and a lot of times they look at you being able to generate revenue of concept.

[00:14:41]>> Absolutely. So you might have a great idea, you might have whatever, but if there's no revenue to to show for it, >> it's a great idea. It doesn't mean it's not a great idea. It's just absolutely there's no market for it.

[00:14:55]>> Absolutely. I do that. Um I do like my own little shack tank, if you will, cuz I invest in businesses >> and um when someone comes to me with an idea >> Mhm. and they don't have the funding to go to they don't have the funding but then they already know they might be denied by the banks because it's a it's a lot harder to get funding with banks and you know big investing companies so they will come to someone like me right >> an angel investor >> an angel investor that's one of the things I'm looking for because you can have a cute it's cute >> but sell one first if you sell >> it's a it's a cute product but have you prove it, you know, >> people want it like >> people want this, you know, >> like really >> even and I try to explain to people people um you know the banks and the investment houses or what have you, they would invest more in your business. If they see that you've sold something, there's consistency and people actually want it. They will they would look into what you're doing more than someone who has the best business plan cuz you know AI can do anything right now. You can come up with AI can come up with the best business plan for you. You have everything on paper. Start fist start sell >> execution.

[00:16:16]>> Execute sell one. If you will see the difference >> sell have you sold one? Let's see the numbers.

[00:16:24]>> And it shouldn't be your mom too. It's not like you sold one to your mom, you know. do we need this in the community?

[00:16:29]You know, so going back to my um my story, >> I felt like all these were cute ideas and people were just taking advantage, but there was no um way I could grow it.

[00:16:40]Right now in my position now, if I want to revisit that, I know better and I know what I can do to become, you know, an interior um decorator or be in the interior design business. Then I didn't have that. So I had to go back to number one my first love which is you know children and child care and then also it's a need in the community. People always need child care. You know people are always having children and they need to go back to work and they need trusted people that can watch the kids that can help the kids grow that can teach the kids. That is always a need in any community. Right. That's right.

[00:17:18]>> So I had to I had to go back to that go back to my first love. And once I did that, it it blew like I I got full. My my first home daycare, the capacity was 10. I got full in like 3 weeks because a Yeah. A friend of mine found out and another friend found out. And another friend found out. They're pulling their kids from the big franchise daycares >> to patronize me because they know that Ruby is good with kids. Their kids already love Ruby. Ruby has watched their kids multiple times. They they want to be around and the kids have told their friends that we go to Miss Ruby's daycare now. You know what I mean? So now all the kids were I stayed full and I did that for 5 years.

[00:18:05]>> I like that. So you stayed >> 5 years in a home daycare in the one. Wow.

[00:18:11]>> Yes. I stayed 5 years in my home perfecting my craft and um building my systems.

[00:18:18]>> All right. Okay, cuz I knew >> you just answered my next question.

[00:18:22]No, no, >> keep going. Sorry.

[00:18:25]>> Moving in silence.

[00:18:28]>> Moving in silence >> because that that's that's really important. A lot of people are like, "Hey, I want to start this business. I need to go big the first day. I need to make it the biggest thing ever. I need to spend a whole lot of money on marketing, advertising, social media ads. Tell everybody out there whatever, whatever, whatever." And it's like >> you don't have any systems.

[00:18:50]>> You don't have any process.

[00:18:51]>> It doesn't work like that.

[00:18:52]>> Nobody's going to work for you.

[00:18:54]>> Keep listening. You know, all the different things that you have not tested yourself.

[00:18:59]>> Speaking of systems, sorry.

[00:19:01]>> I got a question for you, right? Because >> you talked about, >> you know, the trials and errors, >> right? But then you talked about how you know you basically started building from home >> and then you basically make sure to fine-tune it >> as a business adviser.

[00:19:18]>> Mhm.

[00:19:18]>> I have a framework that I advise my you know founders on.

[00:19:22]>> Okay.

[00:19:23]>> It's called a moes framework. M O A T.

[00:19:26]>> So M stands for margin right. So typically if you want to start a business you're making sure that it has anywhere between 15 to 20% or higher in margin. Right.

[00:19:36]>> Mhm. Then you have the O which is the operation. What type of operation have you set up to make sure that you can succeed? Right?

[00:19:42]>> And then you have the A which is the advantage. What competitive advantage do you have that will allow you to win in the marketplace? Right? And then you have the T which you kind of touched on which is total addressable market. Is there enough market that needs specifically what you're trying to provide? What service or product you're trying to provide? Now the question I have for you is that typically some people know the framework, apply the system and it helps them.

[00:20:09]>> Some people just kind of fall into it.

[00:20:12]>> In your case, did you >> was it more of a trial and error to figure it out or was it more of a let me educate myself on the best practice so that I can be able to provide the best um service for my clients?

[00:20:27]>> I think it's a little bit of both. Um because remember that my um previous job was a director at a daycare.

[00:20:36]>> So that was my trial and error. I have already worked in somebody else's childare. Yes. So and a lot of the things that I helped them um achieve in that daycare >> was my in Yeah. my strategy. It was my intellectual property.

[00:20:53]>> So you can't take that from me, right?

[00:20:55]So now I'm doing mine with my intellectual property, right?

[00:21:00]>> I can, as I am right now, I can open a daycare in my sleep >> because it's here, >> right? So it's a little bit of both. My trial and error learning working in the business was when I was a daycare for somebody, a director for somebody else, right?

[00:21:18]>> But when I started mine, I then used those things that I learned to build my systems. M let me ask you this.

[00:21:26]>> In that 5 years, were you planning on scaling?

[00:21:29]>> I always knew I was going to scale. I always knew I was going to grow. I mean, who has a business that don't want it to grow?

[00:21:38]>> So, let me tell you let me tell you what happens. There is no I I don't believe that there's anybody who doesn't want their business to grow. What what keeps people is the fear.

[00:21:50]>> Do you understand? So, they they make excuses like, "Oh, no. know I just want to run a small bit. If you show them the framework, there's nobody that will say if if you say I will hold your hand and I will help you. There's nobody that would say no, I don't want who doesn't like good things, right?

[00:22:07]>> But but they would convince themselves that they want to just, you know, I just want this little is fear.

[00:22:13]>> But what's the psychology behind that fear though? What's causing people to have fear?

[00:22:17]>> Um there are a lot of things that cause people to have fear. Number one, fear of failing, right? you fear of what people will say too, you know. So, you went from having like in my case, you went from having 10 kids, now you are um having um you in a facility with 115.

[00:22:35]You flopped it, now you're back to your 10. People will be like, "Ah, are you not the one that owns it?" You know, now everybody's in your business. You know, that whole fear, you know, another thing is, you know, uh another fear could be fear of like debt, right? Like you can with Yeah. With your 10, you can pay your bill, you can manage yourself. Now you've gone to carry a big building, >> a 10 year uh what do you call lease, >> a big building. Now you have a big, you know, >> that's a real fear.

[00:23:07]>> A real fear in in in in my in my country it's called, right? You can carry on your head. Do you understand? So that's a big fear, you know? That's a big fear for people. And then also dare I say sometimes is they're not prepared and they >> they've been you can hide with a 10.

[00:23:30]>> Yeah.

[00:23:31]>> You can hide with a 10. You know you can just you know >> Yeah. package yourself.

[00:23:36]>> Yes.

[00:23:37]>> When you have aund and something >> be exposed.

[00:23:40]>> Yes.

[00:23:40]>> That's what I now know.

[00:23:42]>> Exposure. Yes.

[00:23:43]>> Right. Because also maybe like people don't like working with you.

[00:23:49]>> Mhm.

[00:23:50]>> But when you scale, you're going to have to have people work for you.

[00:23:54]>> So if you weren't good at working with other people, who said other people will be good at working with you? There's a lot of different things that can expose when you want to scale.

[00:24:03]>> And that's that's that's even like a service-based business.

[00:24:06]>> Think of like product based business, right? So, when you're doing something small in your house, like maybe you started a shampoo or candle, you know, and you're just selling to your friends, you can hide behind that. When you now have a big production team and your candles suck, >> they won't tell you.

[00:24:25]>> It's like everybody online with the bad reviews like these candles suck. You know, before you know you have a >> friends and family tells me, >> you know, BEFORE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE a lawsuit in your hands or something, you you you don't did something with the chemicals, you know. So with the product based business is even like this product sucks like what is this, you know? So people people hide and that's where that cute idea is, you know. So people have cute ideas, they start >> it's cute, >> it's cute, they start, right? They don't want to scale because they have something that works. Because scaling would reveal that this was just a cute idea. Not that many people need it.

[00:25:03]>> I like it.

[00:25:04]>> Yeah.

[00:25:04]>> I love it.

[00:25:07]>> It's funny, right?

[00:25:08]>> It's actually interesting because I I got a friend of mine, she, you know, started a candle business and every time >> is she gonna WATCH THIS?

[00:25:17]>> HE BROUGHT up the candle idea. It wasn't me. Every time, you know, we talk about >> scaling, >> it's almost like there's this fear that if this thing blows up, I got to give up my 9 to5. And my 9 to5 is usually my safety net. Mhm.

[00:25:34]>> So, let me just continue to sell, you know, 30 to 40 candles that I'm selling because it's a side income for me to go on vacation and it's not really a business to >> and that's a side and that's a side and which which is fine.

[00:25:50]>> Maybe she had no intention of it, >> right? So, that's why I say like >> it's part of that fear, right?

[00:25:55]>> Yes. But >> or they value other things, >> right? But remember Ruby, Ruby said, who doesn't necessarily want to scale their business? So somebody like that, >> you know, people that are risk adverse, >> people that have a 9 to5, they're well established and they're saying like, look, I got something great going on here. I don't want to ruin it. I don't want to having I don't want to have to juggle between my 9 to5 and this. I just want to do this on the weekend. So exactly. So what I will say what I will say to somebody like that again um mindsets are different, right? Um, if you taste up here, >> why would you? Not to say I I don't know how to say this without being controversial.

[00:26:40]>> without being controversial, right?

[00:26:42]Because I'm not going to, if I were her or any other entrepreneur listening to this or, you know, business owner listening to this, >> I'm not going to stop something that is growing.

[00:26:56]>> There's proof. There's numbers to show that we've sold one, right? Like there's numbers to show and there's a demand for this, right?

[00:27:04]>> But I'm worried about my 9 to5 and the literally you're putting 9 to five. 9 to five. How many hours is that? That's eight, right? You're putting 8 hours into growing somebody else's business.

[00:27:16]>> Mhm.

[00:27:17]>> If I put those eight hours into growing this thing that has proven >> to work, it might fail then.

[00:27:24]>> No, no, it will grow. No, no, but but we according to according to the story, >> it's growing.

[00:27:32]>> Yeah.

[00:27:32]>> But I'm going to put a lid on it because I want to go to 9 to5.

[00:27:36]>> You see what I'm saying? If it wasn't growing and it's just you're making maybe $10 a month. Yes. Stay with your 9 to5, right?

[00:27:45]>> But if it's growing, >> it's time to be like, "Okay, there's something here. What do I need to do? Do I need to go find an angel investor to help, you know, or do I need to get a grant or do I need to get a loan or do what do I need to do to pour into this?

[00:28:00]>> Is money the issue? Find the money.

[00:28:02]>> Find the money. Not working a 9 to5.

[00:28:05]>> Yeah.

[00:28:05]>> Right. And they're paying you literally peanuts to work somebody. Now you you think it's now the 9 to5er, not you. The 9 to5 thinks it's good money and stability, >> but compared to what you can make if your business grows, that's peanuts.

[00:28:23]>> And plus, it might not be stability, >> right?

[00:28:27]>> This economy as they see, right? So, you never know, you know, when they will be sending you an email, >> right? Your your access is not even pink slip. It's just you don't have access.

[00:28:41]Thank you anymore.

[00:28:42]>> That's about it. On the on the other hand, it might not be enough passion there for them to even want to pursue this. So, it might be like this is just a hobby. I don't I don't want to turn it into more >> cuz that would require me doing giving up >> free time to things that I like doing this.

[00:29:00]>> Just like, you know, you had other things that you did that you were like, I don't want to do that. I don't >> if if it's that, you know, >> if it's proven and it's working, my advice to such a person, sell it. M Ruby, I want to ask you a question.

[00:29:13]>> Sell it to someone who can, you know, push it. Yeah. Why? Why put a lid on it?

[00:29:18]It's like it's making my ears itch. The story I'm like, you have something, you know?

[00:29:24]>> It's the serial entrepreneur.

[00:29:26]>> Sell it. Sell it and go to your nine of mindsets will always be different at the end of the day, right? Everybody has different mindset. And speaking of sell it, right, our audience knows about CPA.

[00:29:37]We we talked about how he got his first client all the way >> talking about me and he's like he's not here >> all the way to him acquiring more CPA firms >> to being you know who he is today right >> shout out to Tosen by the way anyway obviously you have multiple locations right >> can you kind of talk about the strategies that you implemented to acquire more locations especially for somebody who's out there who's doing very well, but they're probably confused about that next step, that multiple location, right? Did you apply for a loan? Like, did you get a grant? Like, specifically, like for somebody who's out there, what would they need to do?

[00:30:21]Talk about your story.

[00:30:22]>> Can I add to that like because the story has stopped where you you've got 10 children in the house. All right. I want to get to that jump. Let's let's kind of graduate. She was perfect. We're now at 5 years.

[00:30:37]>> We are 5 years. Yes.

[00:30:38]>> Pick it up.

[00:30:39]>> Okay. So, we're at 5 years. If uh the 5 years wasn't the 5year mark, you know how people have a 5year mark.

[00:30:48]>> Really, if I had found a building in 2 years, I would have moved, right?

[00:30:52]Because there was demand for it and I'm good at what I do. And the it was buzzing. Ruby now has a daycare, right?

[00:30:58]But it it's good that it was 5 years cuz that gave me time to build my systems, right? So with this now I'm expanding, people are calling, I'm having to turn away families because I'm full.

[00:31:12]>> Um I thought about different things, but in the state of Texas with a home daycare, the capacity is 12. That's the max. It doesn't matter how big your house is, you stop at 12, right? So I thought about, you know, knocking down some walls in my house, but why spend all that money just to get two extra kids?

[00:31:33]>> Yeah. I I would use that money and go get a building and start a commercial space then have a home daycare knock that men I I would have just for two if Texas would allow >> house >> the Niger girl in me oh who live in one room everywhere else will be full of guilt would have back backyard will build a small and then the whole house oh yes they knew what they were doing maximize it huh they knew exactly exactly what they were doing with that. So they cap it at 12. So yeah, it did not make sense. Everything that we saved now to your question and leading also to the story. My my um experience is different because I didn't go the loan route.

[00:32:18]>> Okay.

[00:32:19]>> Right. Everything we've done up until this point is from um our self finance, you know, our savings, right? So that having that daycare for 5 years gave us the financial um ability to be able to look for a space. We were trying to find a space.

[00:32:41]Uh we were in Mckini at that time. There was nothing that I could find and my my industry is very highly regulated, right? And they have very specific measurements and specific things that you can have uh you can have a daycare in because it's children's safety, right?

[00:33:00]>> I'll give you an example. You have to have an office space with a back a fenced backyard so you can have a playground and it has to be fenced which I didn't mind cuz I could put the fence.

[00:33:11]The problem with the the spaces we were finding in Mckini is it's just like this one. The building Yeah. is a commercial strip and there's Yeah, >> you can't have this next to that.

[00:33:22]>> Yes, you can't have this next to that.

[00:33:23]They have that and then they also have the building and then the fence is like right here. I'm like, where will the kids need to play outside, you know? So, we're not finding commercial spaces that would actually work. Yeah.

[00:33:36]>> So, my husband and I had conversations and we're like, you know what?

[00:33:40]>> These regulations are getting too much.

[00:33:42]Why don't we now buy an existing building >> that an existing business that is already zoned and everything all the specifications they need everything is there. So let's change strategy. Instead of trying to buy a building or buy land and try to build something >> let us buy an existing daycare.

[00:34:05]>> So we change Yeah. It's easier because it's already been licensed for daycare.

[00:34:10]children are already in it. They have approved it for children, you know. So that that was what we did. We now changed strategy and started looking for existing buildings, right? And we found one in Dallas and that story is just amazing what happened with that. But we found one in Dallas that was selling a retired lady that was selling. She's made her money and she was at the point where she just wanted to give back, right? She wanted to give her daycare to someone who has a passion for it, >> you know, and someone who will take care of it and take care of the children. It wasn't a money thing for her because she's made her money. So, it wasn't a money thing for her. And then also >> um child care is not the kind of um business you enter because of money. You have to have >> passion for children. So when when um when investors or buyers come to her and she the books look good >> but then she just has a vibe about the person and she sees that this person is just in it for the money. She declines it. She doesn't want to sell it to the person.

[00:35:18]>> Probably legacy thing for her too.

[00:35:19]>> Yes, it's a legacy thing for her too. So um here I am. I find out you know about this dayare.

[00:35:27]>> How did you find out about the daycare?

[00:35:28]Was it?

[00:35:28]>> So in our community Yes. Yes. We have an online community um dayare owners >> for daycare owners.

[00:35:35]>> So um I found out that way that you know a daycare in Dallas is selling.

[00:35:40]>> So I reached out to the broker >> and then she sent me an NDA which is normal practice, common practice. She sent me an NDA and then she sent me some form to fill with my financials, right?

[00:35:58]because they have to be able to prove that you can afford the place and you're not wasting people's time, >> right?

[00:36:04]>> So, let's just say that how the the amount that the daycare was going for, if I paid for this daycare out of pocket, I would have $40 left to my name.

[00:36:15]>> Wow.

[00:36:16]>> Like literally that I had it to the dollar. So, I sent it very confidently because it's a lot of money, right? And I was very proud of myself that we've been able, my husband and I have been able to save this amount. So I was very proud of myself. Little did I know, right?

[00:36:34]>> Little did I know. So I sent it to her, sent her the NDA. She called me. She chuckled. She laughed in my face on the phone and she's like, "Do you have any other finances anywhere? Like is this it?" And I was like, "Yeah, this is it."

[00:36:48]You know, I was very confident. And um it is it's always good to fail privately, right? And believe publicly, right? Like yeah, in your mind, >> I'm going to take that one.

[00:37:02]>> Yeah. In in your mind, you know that you know what what are we going to do with $40, right? But I was like I was like yeah this you know she was like you know she's obligated to send it to the seller >> but just heads up >> she has turned away people with way more >> assets. Yeah >> than you.

[00:37:24]>> But I will still send it to her >> right. So I will still send it to her.

[00:37:31]So she sent it to her. The lady then agrees to meet with me which is a miracle in itself because she turns down people for the flimsiest reasons but she agreed to meet with me. So then I asked uh this lady I was like um the broker I asked her I said is there anything you know that I need to you know I really want this school. Is there anything you know and she said well um there's nothing I can tell you. All I know is that whenever someone walks into the building for the meeting with the buyer and the seller, >> she just whispers to her broker because her broker sits next to her and she will whisper to her broker, >> "This is not the person."

[00:38:14]>> So you come in with your file and your suit and your tie, you know, like I got this. And when you're done, she'll be like, "Okay, thank you. We'll get back to you." And you know, they will let you know. Unfortunately, you know, we decide to move in another direction. So with this, I was already nervous, right? We set the meeting up. Here I am the night before practicing all the things I'm going to say, how I started um working in my mom's shops, how I've been doing child care, how in TSU I learned child care, you know, I've been in this business. I own my own. I've sold one, right? So I had my numbers to show that I have done, you know, my home daycare.

[00:38:55]You know, I can do this.

[00:38:58]I show up to this meeting. This lady looks at me as as I was walking in with my husband. She looks at me. Oh, before this, let me even say this. Before Before this meeting, I had prayed.

[00:39:10]>> Okay?

[00:39:10]>> And God gave me a word. Isaiah 43:19.

[00:39:13]>> Okay? Come on.

[00:39:15]>> I will make a way in the wilderness.

[00:39:17]>> That's right. You know that Bible verse.

[00:39:19]So then God gives me that word. I hold on to it. I'm like, "Yes, he's making a way. He's making rivers in the dry wasteland. I claim it. This is my river in the dry wasteland." You know, I prayed with that Bible verse.

[00:39:33]>> So when I walked in and I also prepared.

[00:39:35]So you pray and prepare. Obviously, you have to do both.

[00:39:39]>> So I have prepared, you know, my slides.

[00:39:41]I've prepared my folder, you know, my portfolio, my my degrees in the file, you know, like I'm ready to show her that I can do this.

[00:39:50]>> So then I walk in there, this lady does the exact same thing.

[00:39:54]>> Oh, >> she whispers to her broker.

[00:39:57]>> In my mind, I'm like, "This is it. I'm done." Like, what am I even doing? Turn around now.

[00:40:03]>> Do you know everything I practice left my body? Like, I forgot everything I was going to say. my degree and everything.

[00:40:11]I probably even forgot my name at this point, right? I'm like I was so scared.

[00:40:17]So, I sat down and she just asked me one question and she was like, "What um why do you think in so many words, you know, I'm paraphrasing, but why do you think you're the one for this?" You know, something like that.

[00:40:30]>> If she had asked me that without whispering, I knew the answer. Like, I I have a home daycare. I've done child business. You know, I had the answer.

[00:40:39]you had prepped and overprepared.

[00:40:40]>> Overprepared. But because she did that, she threw me off. I forgot everything.

[00:40:45]So, I just had to tell her the truth. At this point, I just told her, I said, "Ma'am, honestly, I think I'll be the best person for this because I prayed yesterday." And God, can you imagine a business meeting?

[00:40:59]>> You know, I mean, that's why that's why God uses the foolish things, right? God uses the foolish things cuz this testimony is funny. But now talking with business people, you can see how ridiculous it is going into your meeting, they're asking you, why do you think you're perfect for this? And you're like, God said, so I just told her, I just told her, I said, I prayed yesterday and God gave me the word Isaiah 43:19. He's going to make a way, a river, you know, I quoted it. And she was just staring at me. In my mind, I'm I'm thinking she's staring at me like, "Are you okay?"

[00:41:35]>> Yeah. Like what's wrong with >> like what is wrong with I'm here for a business meeting. You're telling me Bible verse. Do you understand? That was what I thought her stairs were. But this lady opens her phone >> and she says, "Can she she you know pressed the buttons and she she said, "Can you read that?" And then apparently what she was showing me is a text message she sent to her husband that morning.

[00:41:59]>> Wow. and she was telling her husband that the people we're going to meet today, >> which is Obi and Ruby, me and my husband, >> I truly feel like they're the ones because I just prayed this morning >> and the Lord gave me the word Isaiah 43:19.

[00:42:17]>> I SAW THIS YOU CANNOT I promise you >> I love these.

[00:42:21]>> Every time I share this story, I'm like I cannot make this up.

[00:42:26]>> It's like and I sealed delivered. I saw this on her phone. Exactly. I saw this on her phone.

[00:42:33]>> Right.

[00:42:34]>> I saw this on her phoneion. So it's not like, you know, when I said it, she was like, "Oh, yeah." You know, cuz the enemy will have a way over the years to then make me doubt, you know, make me doubt like, "Are you sure?" She didn't say that because she's a motivated seller and she wants to sell her business, you know. I saw the text message with my own two eyes. That's my testimony. And I I witnessed it right.

[00:42:59]And at this point I bust out crying. My husband was emotional like who is cutting onions? Everybody you know like everybody at this point >> like right I said I said he was crying in one other podcast and he was like don't go out there telling people I wasn't crying. So babe babe was sweating. Yes. You were sweating. Your eyes were sweating. Okay.

[00:43:23]So I got it right. But anyway, you know, it was just an emotional moment in the room. I found out she's a woman of faith as well. So, it worked out perfectly. I did not have to open my file. I did not have to do anything. That was it. She was like, "They're the ones, you know, and the broker was like, "Yeah, when you walked in, that was what she said to her that these are the ones."

[00:43:46]>> But you see how when I saw that these are not the ones I thought I was disqualified, right? So God just has a way of working everything. Even before you get into the room, God has walked it out for you and you know, favor has gone before you.

[00:43:59]>> Let's let's get real about that because yeah, we like to bring faith into what we do, but >> I think that's only like maybe 1% of the journey really >> because after that happened, >> you got to do your work.

[00:44:14]>> Tell us what else happened.

[00:44:16]>> All right. Cuz I'm sure that you know, oh yeah, God just made, you know, he already aligned everything to where this is your business. You meant to have it.

[00:44:26]You would just flourish and it's just happily ever after. The end. No more struggles. You never after that because God was in it from day one.

[00:44:38]>> Absolutely. You still have struggles, right? But when with a testimony like that, you can always look back at your book of remembrance and know that God is with you and you stay consistent. Keep showing up. Keep showing up. Keep showing up. That's one thing I would advise any entrepreneur and business owner. Once you get that word, don't relax and say, "Well, God said, you know, you have to show up. You have to be consistent. You have to continue to improve. You have to continue to um try to be better in your in your business."

[00:45:10]and my line of work um my goal is to serve as many families as I can. Right?

[00:45:16]So it's not about the money.

[00:45:18]>> When you start to serve people, when you start to focus your your attention on serving people, >> money will come.

[00:45:26]>> Right? If you focus on the money, that's a whole now you're greedy.

[00:45:29]>> Focus on serving people. Focus on helping people. You again you have there's a need in the community >> and you are meeting that need. If you can meet the need in the community with your skill set you're serving people and once you start focusing on serving people that's how you make your money.

[00:45:49]>> Do you understand now will trials and tribulation and problems come? That's an everyday thing right? But what is keeping you is your why and part of your why is your story. part of your why is your experience and that's you know like this kind of testimony. How would I have this kind of testimony and then give up?

[00:46:09]>> Yeah.

[00:46:10]>> Knowing that again I'm not actually saying numbers >> but it would blow your mind if you knew how much I bought my first business for.

[00:46:24]>> Mhm.

[00:46:24]>> Do you understand? Because it was worth way more than that.

[00:46:29]>> Mhm.

[00:46:30]>> Right. And I made my money back within a few months.

[00:46:35]>> You see, so from then till present, it's been cash cow. You you've made your money back, right?

[00:46:41]>> It can only be God.

[00:46:42]>> That's right.

[00:46:43]>> And it was a legacy thing. I never understood it until now because now where I am, if I ever decide to retire, >> I'm going to do the same thing. I'm paying it forward. I'm going to give it to someone who has a passion whose purpose and it's not about the money because I've made my money, right? So, it's about legacy and I'm passing it on to somebody to the next. But in all this while I was always like, >> "Wow, God gave me this huge mantle."

[00:47:10]Like, you know, you cannot be cannot but be grateful >> for what has been put in your hands. And it would be stupid of anybody to just relax and just, oh well, God gave it to me, so uh it's going to be rosy. And then you run from the first, you know, trial that comes your way, you know.

[00:47:31]>> You know, I always say that with every single blessing, >> there are always challenges with it. You name it. You know, you want a nice car, okay, get ready for service A, service B, whatever, whatever.

[00:47:43]>> Insurance, >> your insurance. You want children, get ready for it. You want a spouse, get ready for it. You want a You want a Every single blessing comes with its own challenges, right? So, can you talk about, you know, you got you you've now graduated, I'm going to call it, from the home daycare to having a space now.

[00:48:05]You've got the keys in your hand.

[00:48:08]>> Tell us some of the challenges you faced on that first daycare as we keep going in your story. Yes. Uh, one of the um challenges I faced that was that is personal to me, right? I don't know if many people face this, but one of the things I personally faced and I'm here to share my story is I look younger than I am.

[00:48:31]>> So, I show up and the teachers are like, "Are you one of the kids or ARE YOU THE BOSS?" DO YOU UNDERSTAND? It was like, >> "Are you a college intern?

[00:48:43]So >> that's not a bad guy.

[00:48:45]>> That's a blessing. It's it's a blessing.

[00:48:47]But you know when you're when you're coming into a space where you are the boss >> if you don't um if you don't set the boundaries and set the culture and you know set everything you know you could be run over.

[00:48:59]>> Yeah. They look they will look down on you. You know they are not your friends.

[00:49:03]They are your team and they have to act like that. Right. So that was one of the challenges. I came in and um first day, you know, the previous owner is there and she's trying to introduce me >> and she tells them, "Hey, this is the new owner we sold." You could see in their face like, "Okay, did the new owner send her daughter to come say hi?

[00:49:26]Is the actual owner in the car?" You could tell their face. Do you understand?

[00:49:30]>> Person behind you, you know. So, it was >> Yeah. So that was that was um you know like challenging um and I had to I had to set ground rules and they quickly found out that I I know what I'm talking about right so it is consistency again will show people you you they you can see your what they can see >> um you prove yourself by being consistent right so >> um just like if I walked in here and I'm all like friendly friendly really friendly and we're all talking, but when it's time to talk business, you're like, "Oh, she actually knows what she's talking about." Right. So, same thing, you know, I had to show that. Um, >> it's part of culture building, too.

[00:50:16]>> Yeah. It's part of culture building.

[00:50:17]Another thing that um I did to help them get comfortable was I showed them that I'm not just um like a bossy boss, but I I want them to feel heard and seen. M >> your employees >> would drive your vision >> faster than anything if they see that you hear them, >> you can see them, you value them and you actually show it. Right? So part of the things that I do or I have learned and I can share with you know any entrepreneur listening is we know about the love languages right >> that also applies in the workplace. So with your team members, yes, with your team members, try to learn their love languages, right? The person who um likes words of affirmation would go a long way.

[00:51:15]>> Oh no, that might be a little dicey.

[00:51:16]>> Hold on. Let me land. Let me land. Let me land.

[00:51:20]>> We We all coming for this.

[00:51:22]>> No, no, no. Well, hold on. Let me land.

[00:51:24]>> Okay.

[00:51:25]>> You have a teacher whose love language is words of affirmation. M >> you walk into her classroom and you're like, you know, you did a great job yesterday. I really am proud of you. I see the work you're putting in. She's like, "Oh my god, she sees it."

[00:51:39]>> Yeah.

[00:51:40]>> That employee would work so hard for you. Right. Because again, as a business owner, you're not only focusing on building your business and making money.

[00:51:51]You're building people.

[00:51:53]>> That's right.

[00:51:53]>> It's the people that will build the systems. Then the systems will help you scale. The money will come >> but you build the people. How do you build someone if you don't learn their language? Right now the person who for example is a gift the their love language is gift. Yeah.

[00:52:11]>> My whole staff is gifts.

[00:52:12]>> Okay fine.

[00:52:14]Let me give let me give you ideas.

[00:52:15]Right. You don't have to buy No. You don't have to buy Chanel bags for them.

[00:52:20]>> On your way to work you can get them.

[00:52:22]Those are the staff that appreciate coffee. You know, you bring like a cup of coffee, they're like, "Oh my god, she remembers me."

[00:52:30]>> I buy lunch and dinner when we work hard.

[00:52:32]>> Exactly. You know, it doesn't have to be any. But these are Now, I'm not saying spoil your staff, but make them feel seen, >> right? The ones who love quality time, okay?

[00:52:45]>> Every now and then you call one to the office. Let them have that one-on-one time with you. How was your weekend?

[00:52:52]And then they're like, "Oh my god, she sees me. I'm not just a number to her.

[00:52:57]I'm not just somebody who um try it because again again again again again again again you're talking to no shade but you're talking to someone who has multiple employees and these are systems that have worked.

[00:53:10]>> Go ahead.

[00:53:11]>> If I may.

[00:53:12]>> Mhm.

[00:53:12]>> I think that works.

[00:53:14]>> But there's also a dynamic where I'm a dentist. I'm the only male in the office most of the time. So it's not me talking to other men. It's me talking to other women. And even if most of the offices their love lang is is uh are gifts >> or acts of services. If there's a quality time one >> the rest of the staff may not see it as >> yes.

[00:53:37]>> Oh that's their love lang. Why is he always talking to her?

[00:53:40]>> Okay.

[00:53:41]>> She's his favorite.

[00:53:42]>> Okay. So something there's a way there's a way to tackle that. There's a way to tackle that.

[00:53:47]>> You have to do it equal with everyone.

[00:53:49]>> There's there's a way to tackle that. If you're the only male and you have um staff um female staff, do you have a female director or how does your business work? Do you have someone who Yeah. Some someone who is in charge?

[00:54:04]>> Zelard had the money to buy the coffee.

[00:54:06]So it's not it's not coming from you.

[00:54:09]>> I'm talking about the quality time.

[00:54:11]>> Okay. So when you are when you are cleaning teeth >> Yeah. We all talk.

[00:54:17]>> Oh, you talk to that. And then you're not just talking to them about the money being made or the did this person's insurance pay. You can actually ask how was your day? How's your family all the time?

[00:54:29]>> That's the quality time. I'm not saying take her out on a date now.

[00:54:34]>> Well, >> that is a you you know >> before K gets on you at least. Let me ask one question, right? Because >> I might not be able to read. Actually, I probably can't read people's love language.

[00:54:47]>> Yes.

[00:54:49]real easy. So that's WHAT NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. OKAY, let me let me There are so No, there's so many there's so many there are so many apps >> and so many surveys, >> culture map, love lang.

[00:55:04]>> Yes, there are so many things that you can give your staff. The way they answer will tell you what this person values, what this person likes.

[00:55:12]>> I'm going to need some cuz >> Okay, so we can we can talk about that after. So I was saying that uh for me I'm more of the do everything for everybody kind of equally type of stuff, right? So we always go out as a team, you know, I try and check on everybody even throughout the day. I'm like, "Hey, you good? You good? You good?

[00:55:33]Everybody's good." You know, check on them and so on and so forth.

[00:55:37]>> Um so it's not >> maybe it's I I don't know what each individual person likes more than the others. So really there's stuff out there that >> So it's something to think about, right?

[00:55:49]It's something to think about where you still want your staff, yes, you do things as a team, but you want your staff to feel individually heard, individually seen, individually like you see them and stuff because that's one that's the problem with the corporate world, right? You don't like your boss doesn't you're just in a cubicle. Your boss don't care. Now, you know, there's profit profit sharing. They share with everybody but your the bosses bosses bosses has never said anything to you.

[00:56:19]How does that make you feel? You know what I mean? Imagine if the CEO o comes to you and says, "How how is your your daughter? I heard she was doing a soccer practice. How how was her game?" You're going to feel like, "Oh my god, he he remembered that my daughter had a game or something." You know, that will make you work extra harder that day.

[00:56:39]>> Yeah.

[00:56:40]>> You're building his company.

[00:56:41]>> Do you see what I'm saying? again. He's building people and you are the one now building the systems and building making him richer. I'm giving you all the secrets.

[00:56:50]>> Yes, >> I'm giving you the secrets. You build people and then people build the systems for you. Now those same people will go to bat for you because they feel heard because they feel seen. You know what I mean?

[00:57:04]>> Pick up on different there are so many sveners and even how can I ser how can this company be better? How can I serve you better? talking all their answers will be different >> you know so that's how you know >> some things throughout the rest of this week >> yeah it shouldn't always be generalized those are good generalized stuff is good but the personal individual things is good and I know it's challenging for guys you know having women in the you know cuz women can get their emotions all but you keep it professional they already know this is who you are and then you can also go through the your female employees right so that leaders.

[00:57:41]>> Yeah, your leaders, you know. So, this is from the boss. Okay.

[00:57:44]>> I was going to wrap it up. Before we wrap it up, um, uh, I want you to tell us quickly any of your failures. Just quick advice on failures you had. Um, you know, I don't want to keep you too long.

[00:57:57]>> Um, so people who are entrepreneurs, who started a business can kind of get an insight to that.

[00:58:02]>> Okay. So, advice that I would give based on my experience, >> parents, anything?

[00:58:08]>> Yeah. advice I'll give based on my experience is you hire slow, >> fire fast.

[00:58:15]>> That's what >> Yes. hire slow, fire fast. You hire, you take your time to hire the people that would represent your brand um perfectly, people that align with your values and your culture, not just good on paper or good resume, right?

[00:58:35]You have to be careful the people you bring in. Especially in my line of work, right?

[00:58:41]>> It takes one bad employee to destroy trust because again my my line of work is based on trust. Parents trust you to watch their kids. You have one bad employee now you know everything can be destroyed and it takes once trust is destroyed it takes a while to build it back up, right? So you have to be really careful. So that's one of the mistakes that I made and one of the failures.

[00:59:02]>> Trusting too quickly. trusting too quickly. Um during the hiring and onboarding process, someone tears up to me and tells me their sub story.

[00:59:11]>> Those actors, >> you know, >> those actors, >> I really need this job.

[00:59:15]>> Those actors, >> yes, I really like >> I really need this job. And then you feel again being a woman of faith, you know, you're trying to impact people positively.

[00:59:28]>> You feel like this is a a project you can work on. some people you can't help everybody, right? You can and it's still a business. It's still a business, right? So, I had to learn early that, you know, you don't you don't just bring anybody into cuz they'll switch it up real quick. The same person who was crying will switch it up real quick. So, I had to learn that. That was one.

[00:59:49]Another mistake that I see a lot of entrepreneurs making that I made >> in the beginning is not um delegating my weaknesses.

[01:00:00]>> We talked about that. Yes, you have to delegate your weaknesses. I am not good at certain things.

[01:00:06]Um my business and if you want to scale, you cannot scale chaos and confusion.

[01:00:14]>> That's right.

[01:00:15]>> Right. You scale once you find out how to build your systems and you have the right structure in place and you have right process then you can scale. Not when it's still chaotic. Right. Yeah.

[01:00:30]>> So, here go Ruby thinking I can learn on the job, >> right? So, I'm not Let me give you an example. I'm not a very good tech person.

[01:00:38]>> I'm not. But, you know, now you have a business. What do you do?

[01:00:45]>> You learn how to do tech. No, hire a tech person.

[01:00:48]>> That's what I said.

[01:00:50]>> Don't try to figure it out yourself. You know, your business is at stake.

[01:00:54]Especially if you want to grow it. Now, if you want to stay small, you can pet project yourself and, you know, hobby yourself, try to figure it out. But if you're looking to grow, >> get somebody who is really good at this.

[01:01:06]>> Because what happens is now you have a team of experts.

[01:01:09]>> This person is good at this, this person is good at this, this person is good at this, this person is good at this. And they all have different personalities.

[01:01:16]And you know your staff and you have heard and seen them and man >> and they make you look good.

[01:01:23]>> And Exactly. They make you look good.

[01:01:25]just like I love, you know.

[01:01:28]>> Oh, yeah.

[01:01:29]>> Yeah. Because you have >> You don't even know HOW IT WORKS.

[01:01:32]>> EXACTLY. I You know, but you you look good, right? They make you look good.

[01:01:38]Again, they're helping you build your vision because you have poured into them. You have built them. You have heard them. You've seen them. So, y'all don't sleep on in your businesses. Don't sleep on this love language secret I gave you.

[01:01:51]>> For sure. For sure. don't sleep on it because people would work for you diligently knowing that you have their back, knowing that you've heard them and stuff like that. So, that was my mistake. So many mistakes I've made over the years.

[01:02:06]>> Um, what is another mistake that I made?

[01:02:09]Another failure that I I've had.

[01:02:12]>> Well, while you're trying to think about that, I know you did mention a book that you were is coming out pretty soon, right? So, can we talk about that real quick?

[01:02:21]>> Absolutely. Thank you for bringing that up because that's important. I am working on a book and it's going to be a parenting book. It's a childcare experts guide to even better parenting because what I have noticed with parents over the years, I've been doing this for 20 years and over the years parents will come into the building and it's so clean, so organized. their children are learning once once they enroll their kids. You can clearly see a difference within a week or two.

[01:02:53]>> For those who are parents, you can tell when when your child starts school.

[01:02:56]You're like, I I can see the difference ra um better than when they were home.

[01:03:01]>> And then parents will just ask me like what how I can barely keep up with my one and you all have how many kids in here and it's working. Like how do you all do this?

[01:03:11]>> And I'm like yeah, we got it like that.

[01:03:13]But >> but you know I it's it's my time to give back to parents you know so that they can practice the same strategies and the same structure and the same things that we practice in daycare so they can use that at home as well.

[01:03:32]>> It comes from a because most parenting books will come from maybe someone who is a a doctor like a PhD holder in this but they've never worked a day. You read some parenting books, you're like, "This don't apply."

[01:03:44]>> It's just theories.

[01:03:44]>> It's just theories. This does not work.

[01:03:46]Yeah.

[01:03:47]>> They probably don't even have children.

[01:03:48]>> Exactly. It's like, "This doesn't work for my kid." You know, but these are proven strategies, proven things that work from a daycare expert. You know, I have raised hundreds of children, if not thousands at this point. Right.

[01:04:02]>> Now, when is this book coming out?

[01:04:02]>> Hundreds of yo children. That's what she almost said.

[01:04:06]>> When is this book coming out? Cuz now I'm getting excited.

[01:04:08]>> Well, it's coming out in the summer.

[01:04:10]>> In the summer. Okay. Yeah, we haven't picked a date for the launch yet, >> but what I would say is if you want more info on the book and when it's coming out, >> text the number um text childcare to the number 26786 and that will give you all the information.

[01:04:29]>> That's 2676.

[01:04:32]>> 26786.

[01:04:34]>> That was dyslexic. Before we round up real quick, I just want us to go to the, you know, uh, off the top segment where I'm going to ask you 10 rapid questions and Alan is going to round us up.

[01:04:45]>> What's harder, running a business or raising kids?

[01:04:49]>> Running a business.

[01:04:50]>> If you were not an entrepreneur, what's one job that you'll do?

[01:04:54]>> Interior design.

[01:04:55]>> Interior design. Okay. What's one thing that people will be surprised to know about you?

[01:05:00]>> I'm a very good cook and I don't take I don't take nonsense.

[01:05:05]Okay. Would you prefer to read a book or watch a show or movie?

[01:05:08]>> Read a book.

[01:05:09]>> Okay. Did becoming a mother make you a better entrepreneur or did entrepreneur make you a better mother?

[01:05:14]>> Becoming a a mother made me a better station with your husband or vacation with the family?

[01:05:22]>> Uh station with my sister.

[01:05:25]>> What's the most important skill set as an entrepreneur?

[01:05:28]>> Being resilient.

[01:05:29]>> System or people? Which matters more in the business?

[01:05:32]>> People build people. They will build your systems.

[01:05:35]>> Got it. Are you a risk taker or a calculator planner?

[01:05:38]>> Risk taker all day.

[01:05:39]>> And the last one, where can they where can our audience find Ruby online?

[01:05:42]>> Okay. So, my Instagram is Ruby Tassy.

[01:05:46]Rub Y a ss y >> or you can reach me on my website rubybelloo.com or like I said earlier, you can text childcare to the number 26786.

[01:05:59]>> Thank you so much. Round us up Alan.6.

[01:06:01]Hey, thank you so much for sharing uh your time with us. Um obviously she's very extroverted, big energy, very contagious. I love it. So, you know, we're all I feel the same.

[01:06:12]>> We need to put music behind >> music. I love this. You know, she came dressed to the nice as always. She came with so much energy, you know, with her youthfulness and her knowledge at the same time. We appreciate we learned so much about your entrepreneurial journey, how you began. It was very motivating and refreshing to hear someone else talk with us.

[01:06:31]>> Yeah.

[01:06:33]>> And for me, we just want to give you another round of applause.

[01:06:36]>> Thank you. I appreciate I appreciate the opportunity.

[01:06:38]>> We do want to get on your calendar after the book comes out. All right. Cuz we >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I'll be back.

[01:06:45]This was fun. This was fun. I was just about to ask that, you know, to come back. This was This was fun. I enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

[01:06:53]>> Thank you.

[01:06:55]>> All right. Until next time, you know, you can find us at where?

[01:06:58]>> Go beyond the grind.com.

[01:07:00]>> Yes, sir.

[01:07:00]>> And I do really want you guys to go out and check out our new website. All right. The team has been working on it.

[01:07:06]All right. So, go check it out. It's go beyond the grind.com. Make sure you're subscribed.

[01:07:11]>> Until next time. Peace.

[01:07:13]>> Peace.

[01:07:18]Risk. We'll also talk about future proofing your business so you can build a lasting legacy. and true freedom.

[01:07:28]This isn't a one-sided conversation.

[01:07:30]We're all on this journey together to build a life and a business that works for you. For you so you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes. Let's get started and go beyond the grind.

[01:07:51]Go beyond the grind.

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