Client Highlight - Cornerstone Cottage Preschool

Anne Day owns Cornerstone Cottage Preschool (website) (Facebook page), a preschool for two year olds, and three to five year olds, located in Floyd's Knobs, Indiana. Anne's business offers children a safe early learning environment, healthy snacks, and innovative programs where they can learn, play, and grow.

Anne has actually been an entrepreneur for 16 years. She owns her own company, Assurance Home Care in Louisville, Kentucky. She has an entrepreneurial background and was a Director at Sheperd of the Hills Preschool prior to opening Cornerstone Cottage.

The staff of Cornerstone Cottage Preschool understands that children are inwardly motivated to develop different capacities at different stages. Anne and her staff are committed to giving the children in their care the opportunities to perfect their naturally emerging capabilities at their present stage, which will serve to develop their full potential as students and human beings. According to Anne, children need a strong foundation, love, security, faith, and freedom to be themselves. It is her mission to provide them with these things in an environment where they can learn.

Anne enjoys so much about her business, and her favorite aspect is interacting with the children and their families. She likes helping families reach educational goals that they seek for their children. She loves the age group her preschool works with because she finds watching them learn things for the first time is rewarding and fun.

Anne's least favorite part of running her business is the marketing. However, Anne hasn't had to do a lot of marketing so far because the business took off quicker than expected, and she has already reached her first year desired enrollment number.

Like many business owners, Anne faced challenges along the way, especially in the beginning. She says, "The first major challenge was finding a location in Floyds Knobs. I was looking to find a lease somewhere, but couldn't find a location that fit my needs. Blayr, Southeast ISBDC Regional Director, helped me with this problem by suggesting I buy a property, and I'm so thankful she did. Buying our current building was a great decision and has even helped keep overhead low."

Anne officially opened her business on September 3, 2014 after thinking about the possibility since March. Anne hired two teachers, both who have educational backgrounds and experience, quickly after obtaining the building where the preschool is located. Anne was hoping to get eight enrollments for her first year, and she exceeded her goal when 15 children enrolled.

Anne is looking forward to contributing to the community by getting her staff and children involved in charities and fundraisers. Anne plans to sponsor at least one event per year. The first cause Anne is getting involved with is called Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization that raises money to find a cure for childhood cancer. For this foundation, Cornerstone Cottage will hold a lemonade stand, getting as many people involved as possible, where they will sell lemonade and accept donations. In addition, each Christmas, Anne plans to "adopt a soldier" by sending words of support and goodies in the form of a care package.

Anne, a client of the Southeast ISBDC since May 2014 says, "Meeting with Blayr and the ISBDC was the best business decision I've ever made. Blayr's knowledge and expertise are incredible. She advised purchasing a locale, as opposed to renting.  She gave me names of realtors, and I settled on Barbara Popp of Schuler Bauer who did a phenomenal job. The decision to buy, as opposed to lease, has kept my overhead low, plus I now have a valuable property that I can lease if I outgrow the location. Blayr and the ISBDC provided me sound and effective business advice and gave me the tools and resources to succeed."

Southeast ISBDC Regional Director, Blayr Barnard says, "While many childcare centers start with the owners having childcare experience, little start with the owner being so well versed in training, management and childcare. Anne's experience at another local, well respected facility has made Cornerstone an instant success."