What happens when passion hits a wall—and purpose has to carry the weight?

Kansas City-based childcare center owner Essence Britton, founder of She Cares KC, went from long hours, mounting pressure, and financial setbacks to opening her second childcare center—and doing it her way.

Essence doesn’t hold back in this episode. From 6 a.m. solo days to praying through burnout, she shares how faith, strategy, and community helped her break through what almost broke her. We talk real numbers, real mindset shifts, and what it really takes to lead without losing yourself.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you can grow your center without burning out, this episode is your reminder: You absolutely can.

Essence details the moment she nearly walked away—and what stopped her. Plus, she reveals her strategy for cutting burnout without cutting quality. She talks about how she rebuilt her finances and found mentors who saw her future. Her faith isn't just part of her story, it's her strategy.

HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:

1️⃣ Faith is a business strategy—Essence’s journey is a masterclass in spiritual alignment. When burnout hit and the numbers weren’t adding up, she turned inward—leaning on prayer, silence, and divine clarity. Her story proves that listening to your higher power isn’t just personal; it can be the most strategic move you make in business.

2️⃣ Burnout often comes from doing it alone. For too long, Essence tried to run her center solo—long hours, no help, and no systems. Her breakthrough came when she realized success doesn’t require suffering. Finding a coach, setting boundaries, and honoring her own capacity changed everything.

3️⃣ You can set the rules and still stay full. From shifting her hours to redefining what leadership looks like, Essence learned that you can build a profitable, high-quality program that fits your life—not the other way around. When you lead with purpose and process, your dream center becomes reality.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Has the IRS paid you to hire employees for your center? If your answer is "no🤷🏾‍♀️", then grab my FREE guide, How IRS-approved tax credits can help fund payroll at your childcare center—without raising tuition.

MORE FROM ESSENCE:

Get your copy of her e-book Surviving & Thriving: How I Built My Daycare from a 2-Bedroom Apartment to a Full Center

Follow Essence on Instagram: @shecaresclubhouse_llc_

MORE FROM LITTLE LEDGERS:

Follow us on Instagram: @littleledgersaccounting

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She started with milk crates, secondhand toys, and a calling.

Now, Tiffany Hall is the powerhouse owner of 3 thriving childcare centers, and she did it all without debt, investors, or burning out.

In this episode of the Profitable Preschool Podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven preschool empire from the ground up.

You’ll hear: ✔️ How Tiffany launched her first center from her living room in under 2 months ✔️ The truth about scaling without SBA loans or outside funding ✔️ Why faith, routines, and porch-drop-off support fueled her success ✔️ How she stays rooted in her purpose (even when the numbers get tough) ✔️ The simple, scrappy systems she still uses today to grow sustainably

Whether you're just dreaming of your first center—or scaling your third—Tiffany’s story is a masterclass in starting with what you have, showing up with heart, and building something that lasts.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• Tiffany’s childcare centers: Growth Academy [@growthacademy2017]

• Free download: [Profitable Preschool Roadmap: Payroll Edition]

• Follow us on IG: [@littleledgersaccounting]

📌 Let’s keep the convo going! Subscribe, leave a review, and tag us with your biggest takeaway. We love celebrating your wins.

Are you running a full preschool or daycare center, but still not paying yourself consistently? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of Profitable Preschool, we tackle one of the biggest questions childcare center owners ask:

“Can I really afford to pay myself?”

Spoiler alert: YES, you can—and you absolutely should.

In this powerful conversation,Alexis Louis, your Childcare CFO and host, breaks down how owner pay really works in a childcare business, why so many early education leaders go without it, and how to flip the script with a strategy that works. Whether you're running a Montessori program, a full-service childcare center, or planning your second location, this episode is packed with financial clarity and confidence-building insights.

You'll learn: ✅ Why most center owners underpay—or completely skip—themselves ✅ How to shift your mindset from teacher or director to confident CEO ✅ What “profit-first” really means for early childhood businesses ✅ How to calculate what you can afford to pay yourself (without guilt!) ✅ Simple strategies to start building consistent owner income—today

If you’re tired of giving everything to your center and getting nothing in return… it’s time to change that.

This episode is especially for:

• Multi-site childcare center owners

• Preschool directors transitioning into ownership

• Affluent center leaders ready to prioritize financial freedom

• Early education entrepreneurs building 6- and 7-figure businesses

Don’t let another month go by without paying yourself what you deserve. Listen now and take your next confident step toward a profitable preschool and a paid owner.

Connect with Alexis!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexislouiscpa

More about Little Ledgers Accounting

Learn more about Little Ledgers's services at www.littleledgers.com

Follow Little Ledgers Accounting at instagram.com/littleledgersaccounting

Your preschool is full. You’ve got a waitlist, your teachers are clocked in, parents sing your praises—and yet your personal paycheck doesn’t match all the hard work you're putting in. Sound familiar?

In this powerful first episode of Profitable Preschool, Childcare CFO and business coach Alexis Louis uncovers the real reason so many successful-looking childcare centers are barely breaking even—and what to do about it.

We’re talking:

✅ Why full enrollment doesn't mean full profit ✅ The hidden expenses that are quietly draining your income ✅ What’s actually keeping you stuck in survival mode ✅ How to shift into CEO-level thinking (without more stress or hours) ✅ Simple changes that can increase your paycheck without increasing your workload

This is the episode every affluent center owner needs to hear if they’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or wondering, “Why am I still not paying myself more?”

If you're ready to stop working 60+ hours a week for scraps and start building a preschool that gives you time, freedom, and real financial growth—this episode will give you the clarity and next steps you need.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to turn your passion into profit—because it’s time your preschool paid you like the CEO you are.

Connect with Alexis!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexislouiscpa

More about Little Ledgers Accounting

Learn more about Little Ledgers's services at www.littleledgers.com

Follow Little Ledgers Accounting at instagram.com/littleledgersaccounting

Welcome to Profitable Preschool – Your New Favorite Business Podcast for Childcare Center Owners!

You’ve built a beautiful preschool. The classrooms are full, your team is showing up, and families love you—but your bank account doesn’t reflect your hard work. If you’re tired of being busy but still broke, Profitable Preschool is here to help you change the game.

Hosted by Alexis Louis, a Childcare CFO and trusted advisor to high-performing center owners, this podcast is your go-to space for learning how to:

• Understand your numbers without the overwhelm

• Build a center that grows with you, not against you

• Create financial freedom, more time, and lasting legacy

In this quick trailer, you’ll learn what this show is all about, what you can expect in each episode, and why this is the business support you’ve been waiting for.

Hit follow and get ready to turn your passion into profit—because it’s time your preschool paid you like the CEO you are.

Connect with Alexis!

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexislouiscpa

More about Little Ledgers Accounting

Learn more about Little Ledgers's services at www.littleledgers.com

Follow Little Ledgers Accounting at instagram.com/littleledgersaccounting