Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Erica Gwyn.
🎙️ Interview Summary: Erica Gwyn on Money Making Conversations Masterclass Purpose of the Interview
To spotlight Erica Gwyn’s journey as a faith-driven entrepreneur, her work with nonprofits through her company Nonprofit Guru LLC, and her educational initiatives including Seven Oaks Academy Montessori. The interview aims to inspire listeners by sharing Erica’s story of resilience, leadership, and community impact, while offering practical advice for nonprofit founders and small business owners.
🧭 Interview Outline 1. Introduction
- Host Rushion McDonald introduces the show and its mission to inspire and educate entrepreneurs.
- Erica Gwyn is welcomed as the founder and CEO of Nonprofit Guru LLC and Seven Oaks Academy Montessori.
2. Background & Career Journey
- Erica shares her early experiences, including working with Spelman College and Habitat for Humanity.
- She discusses her expertise in grant writing and nonprofit management.
3. Nonprofit Guru LLC
- Origin of the name “Nonprofit Guru” from her cousin, an attorney.
- Focuses on helping nonprofits with fundraising, board development, and strategy.
- Works with organizations that have at least \$300,000 in revenue and an existing board.
4. Common Mistakes in Nonprofit Startups
- Placing unqualified family members on boards.
- Lack of understanding of board responsibilities, especially fundraising.
- Over-reliance on grants without diversifying funding sources.
5. Board Development Advice
- Ideal board size: 5–7 members to avoid deadlocks.
- Seek members with legal, accounting, program design, and volunteer coordination expertise.
- Importance of board training programs like United Way’s VIP program.
6. Faith-Driven Entrepreneurship
- Erica shares her personal story of becoming a single mother at 19 and losing her child’s father.
- Her journey of healing through service and community involvement.
7. Seven Oaks Academy Montessori
- Purchased an existing preschool and transformed it into a boutique Montessori school.
- Focus on cradle-to-pre-K education with plans to expand after-school and summer programs.
- Offers unique features: professional chef, small class sizes, diverse staff, on-site therapy, and classroom cameras for parental viewing.
8. Summer Camp & Educational Expansion
- Originated from a math and science summer camp inspired by her son Cameron.
- Plans to revive the camp and expand educational offerings.
- Emphasis on creating a cradle-to-college pipeline for students.
9. Marketing & Branding
- Erica acknowledges the need to improve her visibility and branding.
- Encouraged by Rushion to relaunch her website and promote her services more actively.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Authenticity & Expertise Matter: Erica’s credibility stems from her hands-on experience and passion for nonprofit work.
- Board Composition is Crucial: A well-trained, committed board is essential for nonprofit success.
- Diversify Funding Sources: Don’t rely solely on grants—explore individual giving, estate planning, and in-kind donations.
- Faith & Purpose Drive Success: Erica’s personal challenges fueled her commitment to community service and entrepreneurship.
- Education is Empowerment: Her Montessori school and summer camps aim to provide foundational learning and long-term academic success.
- Marketing is Essential: Visibility and branding are key to expanding impact and reaching the right audience.
🗣️ Notable Quotes
- “You’re a nonprofit guru—you know nonprofits in your sleep.”
- “Your board’s primary job is to be a fundraiser.”
- “I’m a faith-driven entrepreneur. I walk in my purpose and that is a gift.”
- “Community means accepting and respecting people and organizations working together in an ecosystem.”
- “I started giving back to others, and I loved it. I’ve never known how to turn it off.”
- “You have a
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi. I'm Rashan McDonald hosts this weekly Money Making Conversation
Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show provides
are for everyone. It's time to stop reading other people's
success stories and start living you on. If you want
to be a guest on my show, Money Making Conversation Masterclass,
please visit our website, Moneymakingconversation dot com and click the
b a guest button. If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur,
(00:23):
motivational speaker, influencer, or nonprofit now let's get this interview started.
My guest is the founding CEO of the nonprofit Guru LLC.
She partners was small to mid sized nonprofits to strengthen fundraising,
board development, and entrepreneur organizational strategy. Over the last decade,
(00:44):
she trained coaches and set up and equipped through workshops,
courses and tailor consulting and helping to transform their ideas
into sustainable impact. Please welcome the Money Making Conversation Masterclass.
Erica Gwynn, How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I'm wonderful.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
How are you where you based at? Erica?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I have a Montessori school in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and then
our nonprofit Guru.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
I do that virtually the nonprofit gurul Let's talk about
that first nonprofit GURULLC.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yes, why that? Well, I had a cousin that told me.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
He gave me that nickname the nonprofit Guru, because I
knew nonprofits in my sleep. It's what I've done professional right,
It can be tedious. It's like being a lawyer reading
a lot of contracts, think grant writing. It's about I
have a big mission, and it is about the mission,
but you have to be able to document it and
(01:39):
show so that it can be fundable. So I did
that for colleges I worked for. I don't know if
I should say all the names, but I work them.
SPELM in college, I managed a bioinformatics grant where I
recruited students to do federal trainings across the country. I
have worked for after school programs in my local community.
I have been in kind donations consultant for Habitat for Humanity.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So I got to see that.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Should buy it. When you come on money Making Conversation
Massacre Life, I'm exposing you to individuals who may need
your services. Okay, So the more you can tell us
about you, the more credibility we have to what you
say you do, okay, so feel free to drop names.
Of course, people can google you and google your brand
and do their own research, but it's important that we
(02:25):
convey a level of authenticity and honesty to the listeners.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
That's helpful, Thank you.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
So I've worked at Spelman College as a grants manager.
I banished a two point five million dollar initiative that
helped college students to get placement in their careers as
doctors and veterinarians and physicians future doctors. And that experience
allowed me to see that there was a federal pipeline
to funding that could help folks at the local level.
(02:54):
I also have done things with Habitat for Humanity, where
where you build these beautiful houses, would ask for these
donations from corporations to help us build it in partnership.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So here and all these wonderful things you've done, when
someone contacts you, how do you vet them and what
are they asking you for? In general?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Absolutely, so, I do expect that at a very basic
level they have at least three hundred thousand in revenue,
because that shows me that at least they have started
the process, They have a brand, they have something that
is giving back to the community. I then also look
to see do they have an existing board of directors
and if that board of directors is in need of
(03:36):
training and compliance because a lot of what we do
in this space is about knowing the law and knowing
what's fundable and what's not. So I use that as
my template to see is there an existing board of
directors and do they have at least three hundred thousand
in revenue that can help them scale.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Let's talk about that. A lot of people are start
a nonprofit that this idea want to help out the community.
Some of the mistakes people make in starting nonprofits because
you already said a shall three hundred thous dollars, A
lot of people just stop listening to this interview.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yes, prist out, which is.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right because the fact that you know what your skill
level and what you're trying to do business with people,
you're not trying to do startups, which can be unfortunate.
I'm used to work ahead ache can't create a lot
of drama because there's so many pitfalls that can come
in doing a nonprofit. Even though your heart is in
the right place, is your paoplework in the right place.
So some of the mistakes, Erica.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Some of the mistakes I see is first people have
their family on their board of directors of people that
they didn't vet for the skill set. They did it
because someone said they'll help them. And it's great to
bring a community of people who will help you, but
vet them and make sure that they understand their role
and that they understand their primary job is to be
a fundraiser. A lot of people don't like to fundraise
(04:58):
to get scared and nervous.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
So who should you have on your board if you
can't have your family members, Because it's like it's about
people you are on your board that you trust, but
they have to have a certain skill set that you
believe that when you are trying to solicit people for
the board of your nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I always start with going to organizations that train you
to be on a board. So for example, United Way
of Great Atlanta, they have a VIP program where they
will train people to be on the board and then
you can go to them as a nonprofit to tell
them I'm seeking this type of board member. Legal you
always want someone who's got a legal ego background, someone
(05:35):
who has accounting as the background, someone with the mission
and vision skill, so maybe they have experience working in
domestic violence or homelessness.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
They can help you with your program design right.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
And then a volunteer coordinator, someone who's experience with working
with volunteers, because your volunteers are your gateway to everything
opening up.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So this is what you do. I'm impressed because of
the fact that you know, I have represented a lot
of celebrities, and I've represented celebrities who've had nonprofits, and
that board was always an issue. What did that board
consist of? And how do I select the members for
(06:17):
the board? And how many members should be.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
On the board very key.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
I always go with odd numbers five to seven in
a startup because you don't want decisions to get locked
into an even split vote, so an odd number really
helps you with that. I also look for board members
who want to work. I tell them up front you
should be prepared to commit twenty hours a month and
(06:42):
not just on paper. And that sometimes holds back a
great or good to great nonprofit because the board doesn't
really want to put on the work of it. They
just want to, perhaps in their lack of understanding, just
want to go out and meet people.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
This resume business resume building look cool. My guess is
the founder and CEO of the nonprofit guru LLC. She
partners was small to mid sized non profits, the strength
and fundraising, board development, and organizational strategy. That's what we're
talking about. Now. We're gonna get back to your schools
in a minute, because I thought it was important that
we separate your skill set and your skill set at
(07:19):
this point is helping people through your nonprofit guru LLC. Now,
grant writing, Lord a mercy. How many people tap me
on the shoulder about grant writing and you have that
skill set at your company, at your nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yes, we get random solicitations all the time, even if
I'm not marketing. Someone knows that this is what I do.
And I get a call and I have a big
heart and a big heart.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
But they got to pay for that heart to keep.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Beating, right, I do, I do it, I do and
I've learned that now, thank.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
You very much. Yes, Money Making Conversation Master Class Night.
Absolutely charge these people because that's a skills set just
like RFP. You know RFPs. You know people can't fill
out RFPs. That's a skill set you've developed. Grad writing especially,
so many especially in this era where you know the
government has cut back on a lot of federal funding
(08:16):
and so a lot of organizations, whether they are HBCUs,
public radio, are looking for grant writers.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Absolutely, A lot of what I try to do is
teach my clients how to look at what's happening at
a federal level and to pivot their programming, not necessarily
chase the dollar, but make sure it aligns or no
if it doesn't, to have several fundraising strategies so that
you can align with your mission with the right audience.
(08:45):
So that is another area I do see failures that
nonprofits put all of their focus on a grant and
not looking at individual giving, a state, planning in kind donations,
individual giving. Those all matter to make the entire system work.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
You've described yourself as a faith driven entrepreneur. What is that?
Speaker 3 (09:09):
That is someone who understands that you're walking in your
purpose and that is a gift and don't take it
for granted. I have been in a foster home as
a child, I have experienced a lot of trauma, and
I know my community. We all have our various ways
of experiencing it, but mine turn into a leadership skill
(09:29):
that I muscle. I continue to exercise that muscle so
that I could heal myself, and in doing so, I
was helping others too.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Now you know foster care, You know what exactly is that.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
It is a temporary It can be temporary to long
term placement for a child that is displaced from their home,
whether it's with their grandparents. Grandparents can be foster parents,
or it can be with a non relative, someone who's
getting paid as a career to take care of children
who are not with their biological parents.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I'm measure this because see I'm looking at the person
because you when you talk, I just see a happiness
about you. And I say that because it means you're
doing what you want to do. You were, like you said,
your purpose. You are just telling me about your purpose
and it's all tired to helping individuals or nonprofits to
(10:28):
make people's lives or individuals' lives better. That wraps itself
into community. What does community mean to you?
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Erica Gwyn, Oh, community, I love these questions, thank you.
Community means to me a system of it varies. Every
community has a personality. So to me, community means accepting
and respecting the people and the organizations, whether that's schools, businesses,
the families, the children, the churches, all of them working
(11:00):
together in an ecosystem for something that will move the
needle forward. Community can look different in College Park to
what the community is in Lilburn. It just is a
matter of connecting dots.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Community.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
That's how I envision community is helping everybody not operate
in isolation, but we all working as a partnership to
make something better for a future we won't see.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
It is an interesting question. You know there are people
between the ages of eighteen and twenty two. You know,
that's when you really are a dreamer. You're fascinating. You
may think different than your parents' vision or your friend's vision,
and somehow that twenty two you can get off track,
get married, have kids, or you follow the path people
(11:46):
tell you you should go. And when did you find
out your dream and then you locked into it?
Speaker 3 (11:54):
When I was nineteen, I was a single mom and college.
I had my oldest son, Cameron, and that next summer
his father passed away. Wow, and I had a big
decision to make. Was I gonna keep staying in school.
I had no parents, My parents were deceased by then,
and I had to look inward for some type of
(12:15):
fuel and passion for bigger than me. And that really
happened when I was nineteen years old. I just decided
that I wasn't going backwards, and I was gonna pull
myself up by my bootstraps. And I started giving back.
I just I didn't know what else to do. I
was hurting myself, and I just said, this doesn't feel
good to just sit here and wallow in my own tears, right,
(12:36):
And I just started giving back to others. And I
loved it. And I just have never known how to
turn it off.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
And this was happening all at the University of Georgia.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
It happened while I was at the University of Georgia.
I actually did all of the good things that I
did at Georgia after I had my son. Prior to
I was definitely living a fashion a fast freshman life.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Don't feel bad. It took me seven years to graduate
from college. There was a lot of fans in those
four years before I got it right. Okay, so you
you you snapped in place cler than your boy. Okay,
so don't feel bad. Year.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
My son is the reason I did faster than.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
A blessed, blessing, some stabilized. She changed my life. Yes,
you know when we talk about giving back, because like
I said, I'm talking Erica Gwyn you know, non prophet,
the non profitt guru. She said, her brother called you
the non profit gurul. Why did he say that, I
want to go back to that because something you were
doing that he just went girl, And then you took
(13:37):
it to your business name.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Well, my cousin is an attorney, was known in Atlanta,
and I.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Was Miss Phillips.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
He is he a billboard.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Harrington and Phillips and South Fulton, Okay. And I was
clerking as a summer intern. And I thought I wanted
to follow in his footsteps as an attorney. And he
knew that I had been doing this nonprofit thing, and
he just one day told me, like, you're the nonprofit guru.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
You're not going to be a lawyer.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And he didn't say it quite that way, but he
definitely told me I was the nonprofit guru. So when
it was time, after doing this a while helping my community,
I said, I think I should ll.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
S that there you go and the rest is history.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Rest. So with that being said, before we transition transition
to the schools all your school? How were we get
in touch in regard to the nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Gurul Absolutely, you can email me at I have two
Hello at the nonprofit guru dot com or the nonprofit
guru at gmail dot com.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
What's the first one?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Hello at the nonprofit guru dot com.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Okay, cool, let's stick with that. Okay, I know, don't
you ever say? Okay? You know, let's talk about what
really brought you in? You heard my show. My show
airs every Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, Well syndicates to twenty
HB to use nationwide, and my podcast what what invited
(15:04):
you or encouraged you to contact to be a guest
on my show?
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yes, sir, I listened to it for my own inspiration.
I'm a business owner, so I always like to hear
real stories. I don't watch TV.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
I can't. I just can't. It bores me.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
But when I hear real life people make an impact.
I mean I'm a I'm a nerve for learning. So
I learned from your show, and then I told myself
this year this was my year of Yes.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I know, I have a lot of.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Talent, and I hear you git it, and I decided
that I can't keep doing that, not in this administration.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Don't go anywhere. We will be right back with more
insights from Money Making Conversations master Class. Welcome back to
Money Making Conversation master Class with me Rashaun McDonald.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Somebody needs what I offer.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
I would just stop you right there. You are going
to tell you a lot of people sit in this
chair still, people on the big screen, talk to a
lot of people on the phone. You have a glow
about you, an excitement about you that you should like.
You said whatever, whatever hits you on the head and
put you out that door and say it's time. But
(16:16):
don't feel bad. I didn't realize who I was. I
was in my forties. I was just going through life
doing very exceptional things and just taking it for granted.
What make it? Whatdn't make it new? Unique? My wife
she gets mad at me. All you know, you were special,
you know, but it still confuses me why people don't
(16:38):
get what I get. You know, And same thing with you,
and I have to remind you give right, that's a
special gift, okay. The fact that you are have the
patience and the for a tedious community. The way you
rattle off for board positioning was so comfortable that individuals
need to understand the value of it.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Do you have a websit so you're gonna beat me up?
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I had a website for the nonprofit girl, and I
pulled it down so you can find me on LinkedIn.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Why I'm just as we're talking about more people to understand.
Why did you make that decision?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I didn't feel that people were ready to do the work.
I'm gonna make sure that I hold you accountable. And
if you want to meet goals, you need someone that's
going to be a coach that's not a yes man.
And I got tired of begging people to let me
show them the right way, because people can do it
their own way and then later come back and want
you to clean it up. And that's a lot more work,
(17:31):
and are not the best use of my time or
the money you need to spend for me to correct it.
So I paused and I pivoted to another skill that
I had, which was children talk about that. Yes, I
started a after school and a summer camp for math
and science. You know I have that son I told
you about that I had in college. I saw that
(17:52):
he wasn't being challenged with the out of school time
with some of the areas. And I started a math
and science summer camp really in his honor.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
About the Greece of mathematics. So I feel good about this, okay.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And I wanted Cameron to be able to continue to
thrive because he's got a natural he's a brilliant mind.
He does media now for himself, and he also does
other things, but particularly at this age, he needed somebody
to really just help him understand math and science at
a rudimentary, basic level that also respected him as a
(18:25):
young black boy and not always just trying to write
him up for being in trouble. And some other parents
saw that and I put them in. They asked me
to do a math and science summer camp, and it
grew to three or four locations, and after a while
in the Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Area, I just casually said, it grew, you missed a
lot of steps, grew park, you know that, right.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I did it just a parents, and then it grew,
it grew.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I had a demand that we bring it to other
parts of metro Atlanta, so we went to Grant Park
College Park and and then I got I had to
slow down because I started having more children with my husband.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Okay, okay, so you producer.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I did. I started making my own camp work.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
And they actually were another model for me to see like, wow,
this world is continually evolved, and some of the evolution
was I needed a year round.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Initiative, okay, from the summer camp. From the summer camp.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
And when you say the summer camp, do they still exist?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
No? Because I then went to year round model with
the school.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
Okay, Well you know you're interested, Okay, you got the
nonprofit guru, then you have to because I think there's
a need for the summer camp separately because a lot
of a lot of people can't do the you know,
the the year round. You know, I'm looking at the
business model because you said that you are a faith
driven entrepreneur. I have to remind you what I read
(19:51):
about you. Okay, So, and it's about business models and
if you're I always tell people if you're if you
are doing something you love era and you can generate
revenue based on it, then it's a blessing, yes, okay.
And so the blessing we're talking about is understanding all
the opportunities that you may be frustrated by or saying
(20:14):
I don't need to do that right now. Okay, we
know there's a profit opportunity. And because you already said
in this era and it's time, that means in your mind,
you know Grant writing.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Yes, I'm locked in.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
You're locked in. Okay, Cool, We're not gonna use Gmail
no more.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
I don't use it.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Kickstart that website back up.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yes, today I'm calling my people.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
There you go and uh, And I'm not talking to
a crazy person. I'm talking a person who's been frustrated.
But in making I would tell you. I would tell
people you're always gonna be frustrated making money. As you
can ask elon Musk, you can hassle the owner of Oracle.
All the folks are frustrating because they want to make money.
(20:58):
But money is never easy to be made, and it's
never easy to hold on to. Yes, okay, so know
that frustration that any levels are going to exist. Now,
let's talk about this summer school. Explain to me exactly
what that was.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Math and science summer camp.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Eight weeks, eight weeks, eight weeks, eight.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Weeks, and you stopped, and I stopped.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
I mean, as a woman business owner, there's many hats
I wear and I also chose to spend time to
nurture my marriage, my children. That's my first job myself. Okay, right,
but the summer camp put.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
You're a good multitasker though, I am.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Okay, I'm a great multitasker.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Eight weeks though, eight.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Weeks and every week a different thing.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
And so that means that you have to broad your staff,
broad the people you charge, and also budget, yes, so
that you can pay them, pay yourself and keep the
program open. That's the business model.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
Yes, and the irs.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
They're all come from. Yes, that's why you have the
the ADPs like the paycheck so they can take the
money out pay them so you state of jail.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
So these are all business models that we're talking about.
So I'm just wanted in this interview, which is about you,
but it's also a discussion of scaling and also not
limited in your future because of the fact that your
son cameeron. Then you made some more camera and so
what is that legacy? Yes, and you're building a legacy
(22:32):
that they can walk into if you do it right. Okay,
Now I know you're building your brand and COVID hit. Yes,
what happened?
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Well, I came in as the own.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
I bought a preschool that was already existing, had been
there for thirty years in Gwennett County called Seven Oaks Academy.
And the school I saw was a diamond in a rough.
I know a diamond in a rough one I see
one because I seen them all the time, whether it
was my own school experiences. But I came to the
school and I knew that it needed something more that
summer camp model that I had. I saw twelve year
(23:06):
olds at a daycare with a six week old, and
I said, this is not right. These twelve year olds
need to be engaged differently. So one of the first
things I did is I really scaled down to what
were we known for, and that was preschool. So I
got rid of the older kids model and focused on
cradle to pre k Okay to me, if our school
(23:28):
was known for that, then we need to make sure
we make sure that these kids are ready for kindergarten
when they met my campus.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And that has been our model since then, since twenty nineteen,
and now I'm in a season of bringing back those
bigger kids after school.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Is what we're starting with.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
And I think someone is telling me that I need
to revisit that summer camp and bring it back as well.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
You got to, You got to because of the one
thing is that that summertime is always a dangerous time
for camps. You know. I remember when I was growing up,
I had all those programs that they do the wrong
way and got rid of to see the program all
up with bound program, all these programs that kept me
out of game. You know, put a lawnmower in my
(24:09):
hand or something kept me busy, and then it kept
me structured and so. But also I didn't have academia
opportunities like you, because that's what there's a lot of.
It's a lot of our major companies around this business.
I remember my daughter when she damaged to her knee and
couldn't play professional tennis, she had to go to these
(24:29):
little tutoring locations. I won't mention their name, but I
don't need to mention their name. They make a lot
of money. And that's what you could be doing with
your with your camps. You know, these summer camps where
it become prep camps for SATs or acts or just
kids advancing the knowledge. I see nothing because see my
(24:53):
whole purpose, I always tell people, if I give you
an idea and you made a million dollars, then I've
done my dog because it's it's not my idea, it's
not my blessing. I can't do what you can do
your skills set that have been nurtured. It is within
you the ability to grow to the next level. Now
you have your students that what is the size of
(25:15):
a school and how many students are you nurturing right
now in your program?
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yes, so we're licensed for one hundred and twenty three
and I have learned though I have scaled my model
to boutique to go smaller. But it means that it's
more expensive too for your everyday family considering, but their
incentives to that for families that are looking for a
private school education for their little one Montessori right Montessori particularly,
(25:40):
you know, like, let's go back to our federal conversation.
You look at the trends federally, so I'm not necessarily
a fan of what's happening in the world, but I
looked at the big beautiful bill and I saw that
there was an opportunity for families to get a tax
right off when they invest in early learning education.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
See, let me tell you something. See, you gonna be
one of my favorite gifts. Because see when she woke
out this building, money made conversations change your life.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Wow. And so we make sure that our family.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
She went cussing the big she read.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
The build and said, what can this do for my community?
My client that wants what I'm offering. And so our
rates are not what you would find at a daycare,
but it's an investment into your child's future that you
may not have to pay for college if you do
these things on the front end. And then I have
experience on the other side. So we do parent education
(26:32):
to show them how like when I worked at Spelman,
our Bonna scholars had a full ride in college for
a volunteering scholarship. Like when you volunteer in your community,
you turn that into dollars that could pay for your
child's education.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
So my families.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
Aren't just getting the preschool, they're getting a cradle to
college pipeline if they lock in and can be a
good learner themselves.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Now you have a website for this pro I do. Okay,
what's the name of.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
This Sevenoaks Academy dot org. Okay, the words seven spelled.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Out right now. And here's a beautiful thing about on
your website. Yes, we're driving people to your website. We're
asking people to visit your website. What are they getting
when they go to your website?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
They are getting well. We have some unique benefits that
we offer. We have an on site professional chef, so
you're getting great nutrition because what you put in is
what you're going to get out. We have a small
class website. Absolutely, you have a small class ratio so
that your child is seen as one of one. You're
going to see diversity in our school from the educators
(27:35):
to the team to the students. You're going to have
three natural, beautiful playgrounds where kids can explore, blossom and sear.
And more importantly, you get an amazing director and owner
who's passionate about children being ready for the next level
when they graduate from my program.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
That's Erica Gwyn.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
That's Erica Erica.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Okay are you are you are? Is it a waiting list?
Speaker 3 (27:59):
We have a for our infant classroom, our toddler classroom
we still have we have a few spaces available, and
then we also just opened our primary classroom, which is
ages three to six, and we hired a reading specialist
for those students that may have dyslexia or learning disabilities,
I like to call them new or divergent, meaning a
diversity of ways that children learn, because there's no disability
(28:21):
that sounds like negative tone. Instead, we find children for
what their abilities are and we are teaching to that standard.
So I have a reading specialist that can also help
if you don't want to enroll or can't enroll full.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Time Seven Oaks Academy, Montresoril. Yes, nonprofit Guru LLLC. Now
I've never said this to a person or who's set
in that chair. What do your takeaway from this interview
where you walk out this store.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
I have three takeaways.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
One is to be an action taker, because if I
don't receive the message that's coming to me, then that's
shame on me. Two two is that I also am happy.
I don't necessarily know that outwardly that I show it,
but I am. I'm in a very good place with
where I'm in business, where I am in my family,
(29:13):
and where I am in my legacy. And then the
third thing is I would say making sure that I
market and advertise and brand myself accordingly so people can
find the things that I offer.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Branding is key because what I just saw that speech
you just gave me. If I had a kid, I'm
running them up over there fast because you said all
the things I want and I feared when I dropped
my child off. You know, I don't fear that. That
that's important, and I think that people want to hear that.
The diversity and the fact that you know, I always
(29:49):
tell people there are two sides of every coin. You know,
you can look at the president administration and throw your
fingers up or your one finger up and run out
of the room. All you can say, how can I
work with this?
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Is there planing for some other for us? They're a
plan for me? Or is there a financial opportunity I
can share with other people so they can see the benefit.
And that's what you did, and you didn't. You know,
we're always going to be frustrated. There's never going to
be a perfect lane for us to enjoy our life
the way we want to. We all have to figure
out how to enjoy life that's being presented to us.
(30:22):
As you wrap this conversation up, what is the future
of child care, especially with AI?
Speaker 3 (30:27):
Yes, you know, with AI, I actually do integrate AI.
Montessori has some very high level materials that you have
to have a deep training on. With AI, I said,
I could cut two years of training, take a picture
of a child working with the material and explain it
to a parent so they can continue it at home
(30:47):
and continue that discipline that the child needs for being
a good student. AI also helps me with a lot
of things where I used to hire a lot of staff,
even in the Philippines, instead of hiring team in the Philippines,
I can hire one team member and execute through some
AI employees and a lot of the comments and repeat
deliverables that I think. So I find the technology technology
(31:09):
to be a friend in my business, and I'm not
afraid to keep learning. And I think that's what has
helped me to get to where we are.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Well. I think that you've helped me understand that what
I do has a purpose. You know, I don't know
what I do. Erica impacts anybody. I tell my staff
that I believe that every day we turn on the lights,
we're changing somebody's life to it. There's a certain level
of responsibility that we have to deliver quality, to control, consistency,
(31:43):
honest information, vetted information, as much as we can. I
always encourage anybody who to hear something to vett it
out themselves. But what I do get mostly is what
I'm seeing right here, a person who don't understand how
value but they are to this world. Wow, and you
(32:03):
are a super You are a superpower. Okay, sending the
sending this chair across from me, And don't you ever
forget that? And uh, one more time for that website,
Yes for both locations and how we can get touched.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Yes, for the nonprofit Guru LLC. You can find me
at Hello at the Nonprofitguru dot com. Seven Oaks Academy, Montssory,
you can find me at Sevenoaksacademy dot org. And that's
the word seven spelled out Oaks Academy dot org.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
And one more time. When they go to that website,
what they gonna see.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
You're gonna see a beautiful small class ratios where your
child is treated one of one. You're gonna have chef
prepared meals. I didn't talk about the therapy we offer
on site therapy, and I have cameras in the classroom
that parents can see in live, real action.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
I'm through with you.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
I would love this interview.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
If you don't start telling the world how great you are,
I won't be mad at you.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You won't be mad. I'm taking action. I'm a fast learner.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Thank you for coming on Money Making Conversations Master Class. Quinn.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yes, it's been my pleasure. Thank you. I'm sorry, Thank y'all.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
This has been Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rashawn McDonald
thanks to I guess and our audience. Visit Moneymakingconversations dot
com to listen and register to be a guest.
Hi. I'm Rashan McDonald hosts this weekly Money Making Conversation
Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show provides
are for everyone. It's time to stop reading other people's
success stories and start living you on. If you want
to be a guest on my show, Money Making Conversation Masterclass,
please visit our website, Moneymakingconversation dot com and click the
b a guest button. If you're a small business owner, entrepreneur,
(00:23):
motivational speaker, influencer, or nonprofit now let's get this interview started.
My guest is the founding CEO of the nonprofit Guru LLC.
She partners was small to mid sized nonprofits to strengthen fundraising,
board development, and entrepreneur organizational strategy. Over the last decade,
(00:44):
she trained coaches and set up and equipped through workshops,
courses and tailor consulting and helping to transform their ideas
into sustainable impact. Please welcome the Money Making Conversation Masterclass.
Erica Gwynn, How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I'm wonderful.
Speaker 1 (01:01):
How are you where you based at? Erica?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
I have a Montessori school in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and then
our nonprofit Guru.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
I do that virtually the nonprofit gurul Let's talk about
that first nonprofit GURULLC.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yes, why that? Well, I had a cousin that told me.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
He gave me that nickname the nonprofit Guru, because I
knew nonprofits in my sleep. It's what I've done professional right,
It can be tedious. It's like being a lawyer reading
a lot of contracts, think grant writing. It's about I
have a big mission, and it is about the mission,
but you have to be able to document it and
(01:39):
show so that it can be fundable. So I did
that for colleges I worked for. I don't know if
I should say all the names, but I work them.
SPELM in college, I managed a bioinformatics grant where I
recruited students to do federal trainings across the country. I
have worked for after school programs in my local community.
I have been in kind donations consultant for Habitat for Humanity.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
So I got to see that.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Should buy it. When you come on money Making Conversation
Massacre Life, I'm exposing you to individuals who may need
your services. Okay, So the more you can tell us
about you, the more credibility we have to what you
say you do, okay, so feel free to drop names.
Of course, people can google you and google your brand
and do their own research, but it's important that we
(02:25):
convey a level of authenticity and honesty to the listeners.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
That's helpful, Thank you.
Speaker 3 (02:31):
So I've worked at Spelman College as a grants manager.
I banished a two point five million dollar initiative that
helped college students to get placement in their careers as
doctors and veterinarians and physicians future doctors. And that experience
allowed me to see that there was a federal pipeline
to funding that could help folks at the local level.
(02:54):
I also have done things with Habitat for Humanity, where
where you build these beautiful houses, would ask for these
donations from corporations to help us build it in partnership.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
So here and all these wonderful things you've done, when
someone contacts you, how do you vet them and what
are they asking you for? In general?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Absolutely, so, I do expect that at a very basic
level they have at least three hundred thousand in revenue,
because that shows me that at least they have started
the process, They have a brand, they have something that
is giving back to the community. I then also look
to see do they have an existing board of directors
and if that board of directors is in need of
(03:36):
training and compliance because a lot of what we do
in this space is about knowing the law and knowing
what's fundable and what's not. So I use that as
my template to see is there an existing board of
directors and do they have at least three hundred thousand
in revenue that can help them scale.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Let's talk about that. A lot of people are start
a nonprofit that this idea want to help out the community.
Some of the mistakes people make in starting nonprofits because
you already said a shall three hundred thous dollars, A
lot of people just stop listening to this interview.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Yes, prist out, which is.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Right because the fact that you know what your skill
level and what you're trying to do business with people,
you're not trying to do startups, which can be unfortunate.
I'm used to work ahead ache can't create a lot
of drama because there's so many pitfalls that can come
in doing a nonprofit. Even though your heart is in
the right place, is your paoplework in the right place.
So some of the mistakes, Erica.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Some of the mistakes I see is first people have
their family on their board of directors of people that
they didn't vet for the skill set. They did it
because someone said they'll help them. And it's great to
bring a community of people who will help you, but
vet them and make sure that they understand their role
and that they understand their primary job is to be
a fundraiser. A lot of people don't like to fundraise
(04:58):
to get scared and nervous.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
So who should you have on your board if you
can't have your family members, Because it's like it's about
people you are on your board that you trust, but
they have to have a certain skill set that you
believe that when you are trying to solicit people for
the board of your nonprofit.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I always start with going to organizations that train you
to be on a board. So for example, United Way
of Great Atlanta, they have a VIP program where they
will train people to be on the board and then
you can go to them as a nonprofit to tell
them I'm seeking this type of board member. Legal you
always want someone who's got a legal ego background, someone
(05:35):
who has accounting as the background, someone with the mission
and vision skill, so maybe they have experience working in
domestic violence or homelessness.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
They can help you with your program design right.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
And then a volunteer coordinator, someone who's experience with working
with volunteers, because your volunteers are your gateway to everything
opening up.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So this is what you do. I'm impressed because of
the fact that you know, I have represented a lot
of celebrities, and I've represented celebrities who've had nonprofits, and
that board was always an issue. What did that board
consist of? And how do I select the members for
(06:17):
the board? And how many members should be.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
On the board very key.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
I always go with odd numbers five to seven in
a startup because you don't want decisions to get locked
into an even split vote, so an odd number really
helps you with that. I also look for board members
who want to work. I tell them up front you
should be prepared to commit twenty hours a month and
(06:42):
not just on paper. And that sometimes holds back a
great or good to great nonprofit because the board doesn't
really want to put on the work of it. They
just want to, perhaps in their lack of understanding, just
want to go out and meet people.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
This resume business resume building look cool. My guess is
the founder and CEO of the nonprofit guru LLC. She
partners was small to mid sized non profits, the strength
and fundraising, board development, and organizational strategy. That's what we're
talking about. Now. We're gonna get back to your schools
in a minute, because I thought it was important that
we separate your skill set and your skill set at
(07:19):
this point is helping people through your nonprofit guru LLC. Now,
grant writing, Lord a mercy. How many people tap me
on the shoulder about grant writing and you have that
skill set at your company, at your nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yes, we get random solicitations all the time, even if
I'm not marketing. Someone knows that this is what I do.
And I get a call and I have a big
heart and a big heart.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
But they got to pay for that heart to keep.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Beating, right, I do, I do it, I do and
I've learned that now, thank.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
You very much. Yes, Money Making Conversation Master Class Night.
Absolutely charge these people because that's a skills set just
like RFP. You know RFPs. You know people can't fill
out RFPs. That's a skill set you've developed. Grad writing especially,
so many especially in this era where you know the
government has cut back on a lot of federal funding
(08:16):
and so a lot of organizations, whether they are HBCUs,
public radio, are looking for grant writers.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Absolutely, A lot of what I try to do is
teach my clients how to look at what's happening at
a federal level and to pivot their programming, not necessarily
chase the dollar, but make sure it aligns or no
if it doesn't, to have several fundraising strategies so that
you can align with your mission with the right audience.
(08:45):
So that is another area I do see failures that
nonprofits put all of their focus on a grant and
not looking at individual giving, a state, planning in kind donations,
individual giving. Those all matter to make the entire system work.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
You've described yourself as a faith driven entrepreneur. What is that?
Speaker 3 (09:09):
That is someone who understands that you're walking in your
purpose and that is a gift and don't take it
for granted. I have been in a foster home as
a child, I have experienced a lot of trauma, and
I know my community. We all have our various ways
of experiencing it, but mine turn into a leadership skill
(09:29):
that I muscle. I continue to exercise that muscle so
that I could heal myself, and in doing so, I
was helping others too.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Now you know foster care, You know what exactly is that.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
It is a temporary It can be temporary to long
term placement for a child that is displaced from their home,
whether it's with their grandparents. Grandparents can be foster parents,
or it can be with a non relative, someone who's
getting paid as a career to take care of children
who are not with their biological parents.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I'm measure this because see I'm looking at the person
because you when you talk, I just see a happiness
about you. And I say that because it means you're
doing what you want to do. You were, like you said,
your purpose. You are just telling me about your purpose
and it's all tired to helping individuals or nonprofits to
(10:28):
make people's lives or individuals' lives better. That wraps itself
into community. What does community mean to you?
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Erica Gwyn, Oh, community, I love these questions, thank you.
Community means to me a system of it varies. Every
community has a personality. So to me, community means accepting
and respecting the people and the organizations, whether that's schools, businesses,
the families, the children, the churches, all of them working
(11:00):
together in an ecosystem for something that will move the
needle forward. Community can look different in College Park to
what the community is in Lilburn. It just is a
matter of connecting dots.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Community.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
That's how I envision community is helping everybody not operate
in isolation, but we all working as a partnership to
make something better for a future we won't see.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
It is an interesting question. You know there are people
between the ages of eighteen and twenty two. You know,
that's when you really are a dreamer. You're fascinating. You
may think different than your parents' vision or your friend's vision,
and somehow that twenty two you can get off track,
get married, have kids, or you follow the path people
(11:46):
tell you you should go. And when did you find
out your dream and then you locked into it?
Speaker 3 (11:54):
When I was nineteen, I was a single mom and college.
I had my oldest son, Cameron, and that next summer
his father passed away. Wow, and I had a big
decision to make. Was I gonna keep staying in school.
I had no parents, My parents were deceased by then,
and I had to look inward for some type of
(12:15):
fuel and passion for bigger than me. And that really
happened when I was nineteen years old. I just decided
that I wasn't going backwards, and I was gonna pull
myself up by my bootstraps. And I started giving back.
I just I didn't know what else to do. I
was hurting myself, and I just said, this doesn't feel
good to just sit here and wallow in my own tears, right,
(12:36):
And I just started giving back to others. And I
loved it. And I just have never known how to
turn it off.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
And this was happening all at the University of Georgia.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
It happened while I was at the University of Georgia.
I actually did all of the good things that I
did at Georgia after I had my son. Prior to
I was definitely living a fashion a fast freshman life.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
Don't feel bad. It took me seven years to graduate
from college. There was a lot of fans in those
four years before I got it right. Okay, so you
you you snapped in place cler than your boy. Okay,
so don't feel bad. Year.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
My son is the reason I did faster than.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
A blessed, blessing, some stabilized. She changed my life. Yes,
you know when we talk about giving back, because like
I said, I'm talking Erica Gwyn you know, non prophet,
the non profitt guru. She said, her brother called you
the non profit gurul. Why did he say that, I
want to go back to that because something you were
doing that he just went girl, And then you took
(13:37):
it to your business name.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Well, my cousin is an attorney, was known in Atlanta,
and I.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Was Miss Phillips.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
He is he a billboard.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Harrington and Phillips and South Fulton, Okay. And I was
clerking as a summer intern. And I thought I wanted
to follow in his footsteps as an attorney. And he
knew that I had been doing this nonprofit thing, and
he just one day told me, like, you're the nonprofit guru.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
You're not going to be a lawyer.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And he didn't say it quite that way, but he
definitely told me I was the nonprofit guru. So when
it was time, after doing this a while helping my community,
I said, I think I should ll.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
S that there you go and the rest is history.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Rest. So with that being said, before we transition transition
to the schools all your school? How were we get
in touch in regard to the nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Gurul Absolutely, you can email me at I have two
Hello at the nonprofit guru dot com or the nonprofit
guru at gmail dot com.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
What's the first one?
Speaker 2 (14:40):
Hello at the nonprofit guru dot com.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Okay, cool, let's stick with that. Okay, I know, don't
you ever say? Okay? You know, let's talk about what
really brought you in? You heard my show. My show
airs every Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, Well syndicates to twenty
HB to use nationwide, and my podcast what what invited
(15:04):
you or encouraged you to contact to be a guest
on my show?
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yes, sir, I listened to it for my own inspiration.
I'm a business owner, so I always like to hear
real stories. I don't watch TV.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
I can't. I just can't. It bores me.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
But when I hear real life people make an impact.
I mean I'm a I'm a nerve for learning. So
I learned from your show, and then I told myself
this year this was my year of Yes.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
I know, I have a lot of.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Talent, and I hear you git it, and I decided
that I can't keep doing that, not in this administration.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Don't go anywhere. We will be right back with more
insights from Money Making Conversations master Class. Welcome back to
Money Making Conversation master Class with me Rashaun McDonald.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
Somebody needs what I offer.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
I would just stop you right there. You are going
to tell you a lot of people sit in this
chair still, people on the big screen, talk to a
lot of people on the phone. You have a glow
about you, an excitement about you that you should like.
You said whatever, whatever hits you on the head and
put you out that door and say it's time. But
(16:16):
don't feel bad. I didn't realize who I was. I
was in my forties. I was just going through life
doing very exceptional things and just taking it for granted.
What make it? Whatdn't make it new? Unique? My wife
she gets mad at me. All you know, you were special,
you know, but it still confuses me why people don't
(16:38):
get what I get. You know, And same thing with you,
and I have to remind you give right, that's a
special gift, okay. The fact that you are have the
patience and the for a tedious community. The way you
rattle off for board positioning was so comfortable that individuals
need to understand the value of it.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Do you have a websit so you're gonna beat me up?
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I had a website for the nonprofit girl, and I
pulled it down so you can find me on LinkedIn.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Why I'm just as we're talking about more people to understand.
Why did you make that decision?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I didn't feel that people were ready to do the work.
I'm gonna make sure that I hold you accountable. And
if you want to meet goals, you need someone that's
going to be a coach that's not a yes man.
And I got tired of begging people to let me
show them the right way, because people can do it
their own way and then later come back and want
you to clean it up. And that's a lot more work,
(17:31):
and are not the best use of my time or
the money you need to spend for me to correct it.
So I paused and I pivoted to another skill that
I had, which was children talk about that. Yes, I
started a after school and a summer camp for math
and science. You know I have that son I told
you about that I had in college. I saw that
(17:52):
he wasn't being challenged with the out of school time
with some of the areas. And I started a math
and science summer camp really in his honor.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
About the Greece of mathematics. So I feel good about this, okay.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
And I wanted Cameron to be able to continue to
thrive because he's got a natural he's a brilliant mind.
He does media now for himself, and he also does
other things, but particularly at this age, he needed somebody
to really just help him understand math and science at
a rudimentary, basic level that also respected him as a
(18:25):
young black boy and not always just trying to write
him up for being in trouble. And some other parents
saw that and I put them in. They asked me
to do a math and science summer camp, and it
grew to three or four locations, and after a while
in the Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
Area, I just casually said, it grew, you missed a
lot of steps, grew park, you know that, right.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
I did it just a parents, and then it grew,
it grew.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
I had a demand that we bring it to other
parts of metro Atlanta, so we went to Grant Park
College Park and and then I got I had to
slow down because I started having more children with my husband.
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Okay, okay, so you producer.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I did. I started making my own camp work.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
And they actually were another model for me to see like, wow,
this world is continually evolved, and some of the evolution
was I needed a year round.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
Initiative, okay, from the summer camp. From the summer camp.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
And when you say the summer camp, do they still exist?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
No? Because I then went to year round model with
the school.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
Okay, Well you know you're interested, Okay, you got the
nonprofit guru, then you have to because I think there's
a need for the summer camp separately because a lot
of a lot of people can't do the you know,
the the year round. You know, I'm looking at the
business model because you said that you are a faith
driven entrepreneur. I have to remind you what I read
(19:51):
about you. Okay, So, and it's about business models and
if you're I always tell people if you're if you
are doing something you love era and you can generate
revenue based on it, then it's a blessing, yes, okay.
And so the blessing we're talking about is understanding all
the opportunities that you may be frustrated by or saying
(20:14):
I don't need to do that right now. Okay, we
know there's a profit opportunity. And because you already said
in this era and it's time, that means in your mind,
you know Grant writing.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
Yes, I'm locked in.
Speaker 1 (20:27):
You're locked in. Okay, Cool, We're not gonna use Gmail
no more.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
I don't use it.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Kickstart that website back up.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
Yes, today I'm calling my people.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
There you go and uh, And I'm not talking to
a crazy person. I'm talking a person who's been frustrated.
But in making I would tell you. I would tell
people you're always gonna be frustrated making money. As you
can ask elon Musk, you can hassle the owner of Oracle.
All the folks are frustrating because they want to make money.
(20:58):
But money is never easy to be made, and it's
never easy to hold on to. Yes, okay, so know
that frustration that any levels are going to exist. Now,
let's talk about this summer school. Explain to me exactly
what that was.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Math and science summer camp.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
Eight weeks, eight weeks, eight weeks, eight.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Weeks, and you stopped, and I stopped.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
I mean, as a woman business owner, there's many hats
I wear and I also chose to spend time to
nurture my marriage, my children. That's my first job myself. Okay, right,
but the summer camp put.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
You're a good multitasker though, I am.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
Okay, I'm a great multitasker.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Eight weeks though, eight.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Weeks and every week a different thing.
Speaker 1 (21:43):
And so that means that you have to broad your staff,
broad the people you charge, and also budget, yes, so
that you can pay them, pay yourself and keep the
program open. That's the business model.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
Yes, and the irs.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
They're all come from. Yes, that's why you have the
the ADPs like the paycheck so they can take the
money out pay them so you state of jail.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (22:09):
So these are all business models that we're talking about.
So I'm just wanted in this interview, which is about you,
but it's also a discussion of scaling and also not
limited in your future because of the fact that your
son cameeron. Then you made some more camera and so
what is that legacy? Yes, and you're building a legacy
(22:32):
that they can walk into if you do it right. Okay,
Now I know you're building your brand and COVID hit. Yes,
what happened?
Speaker 2 (22:42):
Well, I came in as the own.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
I bought a preschool that was already existing, had been
there for thirty years in Gwennett County called Seven Oaks Academy.
And the school I saw was a diamond in a rough.
I know a diamond in a rough one I see
one because I seen them all the time, whether it
was my own school experiences. But I came to the
school and I knew that it needed something more that
summer camp model that I had. I saw twelve year
(23:06):
olds at a daycare with a six week old, and
I said, this is not right. These twelve year olds
need to be engaged differently. So one of the first
things I did is I really scaled down to what
were we known for, and that was preschool. So I
got rid of the older kids model and focused on
cradle to pre k Okay to me, if our school
(23:28):
was known for that, then we need to make sure
we make sure that these kids are ready for kindergarten
when they met my campus.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
And that has been our model since then, since twenty nineteen,
and now I'm in a season of bringing back those
bigger kids after school.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Is what we're starting with.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
And I think someone is telling me that I need
to revisit that summer camp and bring it back as well.
Speaker 1 (23:49):
You got to, You got to because of the one
thing is that that summertime is always a dangerous time
for camps. You know. I remember when I was growing up,
I had all those programs that they do the wrong
way and got rid of to see the program all
up with bound program, all these programs that kept me
out of game. You know, put a lawnmower in my
(24:09):
hand or something kept me busy, and then it kept
me structured and so. But also I didn't have academia
opportunities like you, because that's what there's a lot of.
It's a lot of our major companies around this business.
I remember my daughter when she damaged to her knee and
couldn't play professional tennis, she had to go to these
(24:29):
little tutoring locations. I won't mention their name, but I
don't need to mention their name. They make a lot
of money. And that's what you could be doing with
your with your camps. You know, these summer camps where
it become prep camps for SATs or acts or just
kids advancing the knowledge. I see nothing because see my
(24:53):
whole purpose, I always tell people, if I give you
an idea and you made a million dollars, then I've
done my dog because it's it's not my idea, it's
not my blessing. I can't do what you can do
your skills set that have been nurtured. It is within
you the ability to grow to the next level. Now
you have your students that what is the size of
(25:15):
a school and how many students are you nurturing right
now in your program?
Speaker 3 (25:19):
Yes, so we're licensed for one hundred and twenty three
and I have learned though I have scaled my model
to boutique to go smaller. But it means that it's
more expensive too for your everyday family considering, but their
incentives to that for families that are looking for a
private school education for their little one Montessori right Montessori particularly,
(25:40):
you know, like, let's go back to our federal conversation.
You look at the trends federally, so I'm not necessarily
a fan of what's happening in the world, but I
looked at the big beautiful bill and I saw that
there was an opportunity for families to get a tax
right off when they invest in early learning education.
Speaker 1 (25:56):
See, let me tell you something. See, you gonna be
one of my favorite gifts. Because see when she woke
out this building, money made conversations change your life.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
Wow. And so we make sure that our family.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
She went cussing the big she read.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
The build and said, what can this do for my community?
My client that wants what I'm offering. And so our
rates are not what you would find at a daycare,
but it's an investment into your child's future that you
may not have to pay for college if you do
these things on the front end. And then I have
experience on the other side. So we do parent education
(26:32):
to show them how like when I worked at Spelman,
our Bonna scholars had a full ride in college for
a volunteering scholarship. Like when you volunteer in your community,
you turn that into dollars that could pay for your
child's education.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
So my families.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
Aren't just getting the preschool, they're getting a cradle to
college pipeline if they lock in and can be a
good learner themselves.
Speaker 1 (26:53):
Now you have a website for this pro I do. Okay,
what's the name of.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
This Sevenoaks Academy dot org. Okay, the words seven spelled.
Speaker 1 (27:01):
Out right now. And here's a beautiful thing about on
your website. Yes, we're driving people to your website. We're
asking people to visit your website. What are they getting
when they go to your website?
Speaker 3 (27:13):
They are getting well. We have some unique benefits that
we offer. We have an on site professional chef, so
you're getting great nutrition because what you put in is
what you're going to get out. We have a small
class website. Absolutely, you have a small class ratio so
that your child is seen as one of one. You're
going to see diversity in our school from the educators
(27:35):
to the team to the students. You're going to have
three natural, beautiful playgrounds where kids can explore, blossom and sear.
And more importantly, you get an amazing director and owner
who's passionate about children being ready for the next level
when they graduate from my program.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
That's Erica Gwyn.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
That's Erica Erica.
Speaker 1 (27:54):
Okay are you are you are? Is it a waiting list?
Speaker 3 (27:59):
We have a for our infant classroom, our toddler classroom
we still have we have a few spaces available, and
then we also just opened our primary classroom, which is
ages three to six, and we hired a reading specialist
for those students that may have dyslexia or learning disabilities,
I like to call them new or divergent, meaning a
diversity of ways that children learn, because there's no disability
(28:21):
that sounds like negative tone. Instead, we find children for
what their abilities are and we are teaching to that standard.
So I have a reading specialist that can also help
if you don't want to enroll or can't enroll full.
Speaker 1 (28:33):
Time Seven Oaks Academy, Montresoril. Yes, nonprofit Guru LLLC. Now
I've never said this to a person or who's set
in that chair. What do your takeaway from this interview
where you walk out this store.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
I have three takeaways.
Speaker 3 (28:51):
One is to be an action taker, because if I
don't receive the message that's coming to me, then that's
shame on me. Two two is that I also am happy.
I don't necessarily know that outwardly that I show it,
but I am. I'm in a very good place with
where I'm in business, where I am in my family,
(29:13):
and where I am in my legacy. And then the
third thing is I would say making sure that I
market and advertise and brand myself accordingly so people can
find the things that I offer.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
Branding is key because what I just saw that speech
you just gave me. If I had a kid, I'm
running them up over there fast because you said all
the things I want and I feared when I dropped
my child off. You know, I don't fear that. That
that's important, and I think that people want to hear that.
The diversity and the fact that you know, I always
(29:49):
tell people there are two sides of every coin. You know,
you can look at the president administration and throw your
fingers up or your one finger up and run out
of the room. All you can say, how can I
work with this?
Speaker 2 (29:59):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Is there planing for some other for us? They're a
plan for me? Or is there a financial opportunity I
can share with other people so they can see the benefit.
And that's what you did, and you didn't. You know,
we're always going to be frustrated. There's never going to
be a perfect lane for us to enjoy our life
the way we want to. We all have to figure
out how to enjoy life that's being presented to us.
(30:22):
As you wrap this conversation up, what is the future
of child care, especially with AI?
Speaker 3 (30:27):
Yes, you know, with AI, I actually do integrate AI.
Montessori has some very high level materials that you have
to have a deep training on. With AI, I said,
I could cut two years of training, take a picture
of a child working with the material and explain it
to a parent so they can continue it at home
(30:47):
and continue that discipline that the child needs for being
a good student. AI also helps me with a lot
of things where I used to hire a lot of staff,
even in the Philippines, instead of hiring team in the Philippines,
I can hire one team member and execute through some
AI employees and a lot of the comments and repeat
deliverables that I think. So I find the technology technology
(31:09):
to be a friend in my business, and I'm not
afraid to keep learning. And I think that's what has
helped me to get to where we are.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
Well. I think that you've helped me understand that what
I do has a purpose. You know, I don't know
what I do. Erica impacts anybody. I tell my staff
that I believe that every day we turn on the lights,
we're changing somebody's life to it. There's a certain level
of responsibility that we have to deliver quality, to control, consistency,
(31:43):
honest information, vetted information, as much as we can. I
always encourage anybody who to hear something to vett it
out themselves. But what I do get mostly is what
I'm seeing right here, a person who don't understand how
value but they are to this world. Wow, and you
(32:03):
are a super You are a superpower. Okay, sending the
sending this chair across from me, And don't you ever
forget that? And uh, one more time for that website,
Yes for both locations and how we can get touched.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
Yes, for the nonprofit Guru LLC. You can find me
at Hello at the Nonprofitguru dot com. Seven Oaks Academy, Montssory,
you can find me at Sevenoaksacademy dot org. And that's
the word seven spelled out Oaks Academy dot org.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
And one more time. When they go to that website,
what they gonna see.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
You're gonna see a beautiful small class ratios where your
child is treated one of one. You're gonna have chef
prepared meals. I didn't talk about the therapy we offer
on site therapy, and I have cameras in the classroom
that parents can see in live, real action.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
I'm through with you.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
I would love this interview.
Speaker 1 (32:57):
If you don't start telling the world how great you are,
I won't be mad at you.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
You won't be mad. I'm taking action. I'm a fast learner.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
Thank you for coming on Money Making Conversations Master Class. Quinn.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Yes, it's been my pleasure. Thank you. I'm sorry, Thank y'all.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
This has been Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rashawn McDonald
thanks to I guess and our audience. Visit Moneymakingconversations dot
com to listen and register to be a guest.
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