April 8, 2025 • 28 mins
Jessica Marion's journey from personal struggle to educational innovator exemplifies how lived experience can spark positive change in communities. Drawing from her own childhood learning disabilities, Jessica established Marion Child Care University in Arlington after 25 years in the industry, creating an educational haven that champions diversity and community engagement.
What immediately stands out about Jessica's approach is her understanding that quality child care extends beyond classroom walls. She's pioneered a "me time" concept—dedicating daily hours where parents can discuss personal challenges in a judgment-free environment. "If I know that parent is okay, I know that child is okay," she explains, underscoring the holistic philosophy that distinguishes her center from traditional facilities.
The alarming statistic Jessica shares—90,000 children on waiting lists for state-funded childcare in Tarrant County alone—highlights the urgent advocacy work driving her mission. This passion recently earned her recognition as Miss Corporate America Texas 2025, a platform she's leveraging to educate the public about childcare as the foundation of early learning. "Child care is the foundation, not kindergarten," Jessica emphasizes, challenging common misconceptions about early childhood education.
Perhaps most touching is Jessica's creation of National Fallen Teacher Day, commemorating educators who have passed but left enduring legacies. Through balloon releases and reading nomination letters from community members, she ensures these influential figures aren't forgotten while inspiring current teachers.
Looking ahead, Jessica's partnership with Arlington ISD for pre-K programs signals growing recognition of her innovative approach. Whether organizing free clothing giveaways or summer enrichment programs for children with working parents, she continues demonstrating how business leadership can create rippling community impact. Want to support Jessica's mission? Reach out via marionchildcareuniversity@gmail.com or follow her journey as she competes for the national Miss Corporate America title this June.
www.marionchildcareuniversity.com
marionchildcareuniversity@gmail.com
817-617-2612
www.facebook.com/marionchildcareuniversity
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Episode Transcript
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Storie (00:15):
Welcome back to Market it With Atma, where we share the
tips, tools and strategies tohelp your business be successful
.
Today we have on the show avery special guest, ms Jessica
Marion, with Marion Child CareUniversity.
Welcome, jessica.
(00:37):
So, to start it all off, tell usa little bit about what
inspired you to start MarionChild Care University.
What inspired me to startMarion University is,
Jessica (00:46):
I would say, my background, with learning
disabilities and differentthings that I went through not
being able to go to my actualchild care facility when I was
younger and so that kind of likeI believe that kind of stumbled
on my education process.
Storie (01:09):
okay, so how long have you had Marion?
Jessica (01:13):
I've had it for five years.
Storie (01:15):
But you've been in the industry, it seems like, for a
lot longer, right?
Yes, for how long?
Jessica (01:21):
Over 25 years?
Yeah, I think over 25.
Storie (01:23):
My goodness that's a long time.
Yes, and it looks to say herethat you're also an author.
Yes, what inspired you to writebooks in addition to child care
.
Jessica (01:33):
What inspired me to write my books is because of the
things that I go through, andthere are people out there that,
just like me, that struggle,and so I wanted to write books
so that the people that havethose learning disabilities,
that have you know issues theyneed to hear my story.
Storie (01:56):
Right.
Jessica (01:56):
So that they can inspire themselves.
Storie (01:59):
Right, that's wonderful.
And your child?
The Mary Ann Child CareUniversity right now is out of
Arlington, right?
Yes, that's wonderful, and theMarion Child Care University
right now is out of Arlingtonright, yes.
That's wonderful.
So those who aren't familiarwhat makes Marion Child Care
University different than otherchild care centers out there?
Jessica (02:17):
Our school is different because we are more
community-based.
Storie (02:23):
Okay, what does that mean?
Jessica (02:24):
And that means we get out and we are involved in a
community.
We do different things in thecommunity and it's not just at
the school.
Storie (02:35):
Right.
Jessica (02:35):
So we're always involved.
We're doing different things,sponsoring different events and
just doing different things forthe people as well.
As you know, we are small, Ourratio is small and we are very
diverse in our schools as wellas with our staff.
(02:57):
Diversity is number one part ofwhat I love to do.
Storie (03:02):
It's so important because the world is diverse,
right, very diverse.
So can you walk us through whata typical day looks like at
Mary Ann Child Care andUniversity and how you support
those children, from infants allthe way up to school age?
Jessica (03:18):
So what a typical day looks like is that the kids will
come in and they will socializewith all the rest of the kids,
okay, and whatever age groupthey're in, that's what the
classroom they go in, and so theteachers will start to come in
and the teachers will start totake over, you know, their
classrooms and stuff.
And then they have breakfast,then they have, they have
(03:42):
curriculum time, then they gooutside, then they have nap time
, then they have curricular timeagain and then they go outside,
and then we have their parentscome and pick them up.
And before some of the parentscome and pick them up, sometimes
we have to have that me time.
Storie (04:02):
Okay, what's that say?
Jessica (04:04):
That me time is.
Sometimes we have parents thatare me time.
Okay, let's say that me time issometimes we have parents that
are going through a lot, and inthis time parents go through a
lot, and so from five o'clock tosix o'clock I have to make
myself basically available tothose parents that they want to
come and talk to me aboutanything.
Sometimes they want to.
They need to come and talk tome because their husband got on
(04:26):
their nerves.
Right, you know, sometimes theywant to come and vent about
their job, so we are basically asafe place for them to come and
talk and there's no judgment,because a lot of times you can't
talk to your family and friendsbecause they're judging Right,
and so we are that that spacethat they can come and talk to.
So from 5 to 6, I'm in myoffice and whoever comes in is a
(04:51):
first come, first serve and wetalk it out.
Storie (04:55):
See, and I've never heard that with any other child
care, but it really is true.
Sometimes you just need to letgo of the day, yes, and when you
see your baby it kind of helpsrelease that, right, yes.
So it's amazing that you eventry to make yourself available
to that.
I think some other businessowners would run from that you
know, they, they do but does itgive you a peace in your heart,
(05:15):
like you're doing something forthe world when you are available
for that?
Jessica (05:20):
and the reason why I do that because if I know that
that parent is okay.
I know that child is okay Atthe end of the day, right At the
end of the day.
Storie (05:29):
That is wonderful, and you also take in school-age
children, right?
Yes, are you having anyactivities this summer?
Jessica (05:35):
Yes, we're doing our summer curriculum, so we're
getting ready for that, whereasthe kids will be going on
different field trips anddifferent things like that, and
we have some vendors come in aswell.
And so because the reason whywe do this is because this is
some of these kids this is theironly summer vacation that they
(05:58):
get, so that's why we have tomake it a memorable time for
them, right?
Because a lot of times, theycome from out of state.
Storie (06:06):
Oh, wow.
Jessica (06:07):
Yes, because their mom is here, dad is over there, Wow.
Storie (06:11):
And so you know, sometimes the dad is here and
mom is over there, and so theirparents, they work 12 hours a
day and so they really don'thave that time to do different
things, and so we want to setthe tone for them when they come
to Arlington they have fun andthey really don't want to go
(06:33):
back home, but we, you know, weallow them to have fun.
So it seems like, mentioningArlington, you're a strong
advocate in the Arlington areafor better funding for child
care and the hurdles that thesechild care facilities are going
through.
Why is that?
Can you tell me more about itand what you're advocating for?
Jessica (06:50):
What I'm advocating for is more funding for child care
centers, because if we get morefunding for our centers, then
guess what?
We can help our teachers, wecan get better qualified
teachers and we can do a lotmore in our schools.
Storie (07:06):
Right.
Jessica (07:06):
But right now, because of the funding, it's a lot of
stuff that is gone undone.
Storie (07:13):
What do you mean?
Jessica (07:14):
Like, say, for instance , we like for us.
I'm a child care trainer and sofor me to send my staff to some
of these great workshops,awesome workshops.
I can't afford to send my staffbecause the workshops cost like
$700 per person.
Storie (07:33):
Wow.
Jessica (07:34):
And I would love to send my staff there, but I just
can't afford $700 per person.
Storie (07:39):
Absolutely not.
Jessica (07:40):
So I have to like train my staff, and which is not a
bad thing, but at the same time,I would love for them to be
able to go to these workshops.
I would like to be able to domore for them.
Storie (07:55):
Right.
All in all, it's attributing tothe parents, your staff and the
community right If you're ableto afford these things and you
also have an initiative to raisescholarship funds?
Yes, and so tell me more.
You also have an initiative toraise scholarship funds?
Yes.
Jessica (08:19):
And so tell me more about that.
Oh, yes, Is that your favoritepart?
Good, good, we.
I've had so many parents thatcome and they're crying out to
me because they want to go towork, they have to go to work
but they can't afford child carebecause in our city alone,
Tarrant County, we have like90,000 children on the waiting
list and that means they cannotget funding from the state for
(08:41):
whatever reason, and that meansthat those children cannot go to
school because the parents theyqualify but the money is not
there.
Storie (08:51):
Interesting, so they'll go ahead and qualify them, but
they're not getting the fundingthat they need so that they can
go to work and so the childrencan go to school.
Jessica (09:00):
Yes, and so when the funding is open then they're
able to pull and have.
You know these kids and that'swhy you have these kids that are
going to these unlicensedfacilities.
You know grandmas watching themthe best that they can.
Some of the kids they have tostay at home by themselves
because Texas have a law where,as there's no age for the child,
(09:24):
can stay at home.
They just have to have thatmindset that they can be able to
stay at home.
I'm from Louisiana and so bornand raised and back then in
Louisiana you had to be 12 yearsold to stay at home by yourself
.
Absolutely, texas, don't havethat rule.
Storie (09:40):
Really.
Yes, that's kind of scary.
Jessica (09:42):
It is.
Storie (09:43):
Because you get children , raising children sometimes
because, they aren't able to getthe funding.
Wow, that is is as a parent.
That's terrifying.
Jessica (09:52):
As a child care provider.
That's terrifying, because youcan leave a five-year-old at
home by themselves.
Storie (09:59):
No.
Jessica (10:00):
And I've seen it.
I mean I'm seeing, like somekids that are walking to the
school because our school isright across from a public
school, Right, and I seechildren that's four years old
walking to the school becauseour school is right across from
a public school and I seechildren as four years old
walking to the school and itbreaks my heart because I can
only watch and I can only prayfor those kids that they make it
there safe every day.
(10:21):
But just imagine a parent thathas to go to work and have to
just pray, you know, and andhope their child, you know
crosses that busy street, okay,and it doesn't get picked up by
anyone.
It's terrifying, and we had acase like that um before, like
about three years ago.
Storie (10:42):
Oh, my God Wow.
Jessica (10:43):
They, there was a man that was.
He was sitting in the parkinglot and so he kept sitting in
the parking lot and he wouldwatch the kids.
And so I was, because I had towatch him, because I'm like,
well, what is going on?
Storie (10:59):
What is he doing?
Right, you're aware of theenvironment.
For sure I bet.
Jessica (11:02):
And so I had one of my teachers go over there and ask
him a question, because my wholething is these are children.
Storie (11:10):
Absolutely.
They're innocent.
Jessica (11:11):
They're innocent and they don't know what's going on.
And so me and the teacher goover there to his truck and was
asking him questions and he waslike, oh no, I'm just watching,
I'm just sitting here, blah,blah, blah blah.
So you've been sitting here forthe past week.
Storie (11:26):
Right.
Jessica (11:27):
And so finally he just, you know left and he never came
back.
But that was a scary situationand that made me end up putting
cameras at my school because ofthat.
Storie (11:40):
Wow, that was scary.
I mean, and you're watchingover a public school.
This is public school.
Yeah, not even your child carefacility.
It's the public school that youpublic school yeah, not even
your child care facility, it'sthe public school that you're
also looking out for, and don'tlet me guess you don't have any
funding to put those cameras up.
But you do it out of your heart.
Yes, your, your passion in thisis probably has what led to me
(12:04):
congratulating you on beingcrowned miss Corporate America
Texas 2025.
Right, yes, yes.
So tell me more about that.
What is Miss Corporate AmericaTexas 2025, and where does it go
from here?
Jessica (12:17):
I am so honored um.
There are different pageantsthat you can be a part of right,
but this pageant, it stood outto me and the reason why it
stood out to me?
Because it's about business,women, it's about leadership and
it's about community.
Wow, not a facial yes.
Storie (12:41):
Extra outer view.
Jessica (12:43):
Yeah, they don't care about your looks.
They don't care if you got thepretty face, don't care about
your looks, they don't care ifyou're, you know, if you got the
pretty face, the pretty hair.
It's not about that.
It's about community based andleadership.
And what are you doing for yourcommunity?
What are you doing as abusiness owner?
And that's the thing thatreally stood out to me and I was
like, okay, yes, I can getbehind this Right.
Storie (13:05):
And now you're Miss Texas can get behind this right.
And now you're Miss Texas.
Now you've been of all thebusiness owners in the state of
Texas.
Jessica (13:15):
Somebody found you and crowned you when I tell you I
don't even want to cry becausethis is my first pageant and for
me a lot of people like I tellpeople, don't knock my story,
because you don't know my glory.
I love that you know, I love itabsolutely and for me, when I
(13:35):
got the call from the founder, Idon't go, because you usually
have to go through local, stateand then national right.
They skipped me right tonational that is incredible she
was like we're crowning you,miss corporate america.
Tech for texas and I'm like why?
And I wanted to ask questions,but I was like, nope, don't even
(13:55):
worry about it.
Storie (13:56):
Yeah just be grateful.
So I was just grateful.
But you know what?
If anybody were to read the twobooks you've written or the
things you're doing in thecommunity.
Jessica (14:05):
You're a part of chambers.
Storie (14:06):
I mean, it speaks for itself.
So I can definitely see why.
So now you're doing in thecommunity, you're a part of
chambers.
Jessica (14:08):
I mean it speaks for itself.
Storie (14:09):
So I can definitely see why.
So now you're going to nationalyes, wow so when is that?
That's June um 21st, and do youget to have votes put in, or is
this something okay, so?
Jessica (14:20):
they they have different um things that you can
vote on, like media videos, andum different other um aspects
of it that you can vote on, likemedia videos, and different
other aspects of it that you canwin different prizes.
So it's a whole bunch ofdifferent things that they're
going to be rolling out in April.
Storie (14:38):
Oh, wow, yes, and so the the pageant gives you the
platform to speak on issuedifferent issues that matter,
yes, so what are you hoping toaccomplish through this pageant?
Jessica (14:49):
I'm hoping to bring awareness to child care.
That's my number one thing,because a lot of people don't
understand child care is thefoundation, not kindergarten
childcare.
When they are six weeks, whenthey are the earliest that they
can go to a childcare facility,that starts their education.
(15:13):
Because a lot of times peopleare like, well, I don't need it,
I'm a stay at home mom and andI take care of my child.
But you don't understand,you're doing your child or
children a disservice whenyou're not able to allow those
kids to come into a child carefacility because it's not
babysitting right.
It's more to it than just youknow, um, being at home.
(15:37):
It's more to it because nowthese children, a lot of these
kids they do social, emotional,a lot of them have a different
things that they're goingthrough.
Absolutely, and they are able toget that when they are in a
child care facility.
Storie (15:52):
You know to that point.
I remember someone telling me along time ago you know,
families they divorce, they getremarried, things like that.
And I remember when I gotdivorced, at one point the child
care facility I had my kids andthey said this is the best
place for your kids right nowbecause they are getting out of
that stressed environment thatyou're in and they are in an
(16:13):
environment that's structured,that's educational, that's safe
for them and that stuck with me.
It really did because you knowwhat they are.
I may be stressed at thatmoment, but my children are
happy right now and safe,exactly.
But my children are happy rightnow and safe, exactly, and that
really stuck to me with childcare and how important it is for
them to be in a good one.
And obviously you're doing agreat job if you've been around
(16:36):
this long.
So you've also received someother honors the Global
Recognition Award fromProsperity Bank for the
Prosperity Bank PitchCompetition yes, that's
wonderful.
So what made you get involvedin?
Jessica (16:51):
some of these things.
So even with Prosperity Bank,like I said, once again, it's
geared towards business.
Anything that I'm about isabout growth.
Storie (17:01):
I love it.
Jessica (17:02):
I love growth and I'm more like even with Prosperity
Bank getting behind them andwhat they do for businesses.
It opened up my mind for awhole lot of stuff.
And then, on top of that, to bebecause they was telling us
about a pitch competition and Iwas like, well, I know, I'm not
(17:23):
going to win it, I'm not evenworried about it.
And then when I won it, I waslike, oh my God, little old
bitty me, oh's wonderful yes sowhen, um when, when you won that
?
Storie (17:37):
we kind of just fall into things sometimes.
Sometimes the universe justaligns and this is where you're
supposed to be, yes, and peopleout there don't know you're a
minister, you're a speaker,right Like you mentioned, a
trainer, yes.
How do you balance all thesedifferent things and keep time
for your family and your?
Jessica (17:56):
faith business classes.
I went to different workshops.
I try to go to at least twoconferences a year.
Oh wow, and those conferences.
I don't care if it's the sameone talking about the same thing
(18:16):
, it's just I'm going to getsomething out of it all the time
.
Storie (18:21):
And you walk into it when I walk.
Jessica (18:23):
Yes, and they teach me how to have balance Really and
even with the.
I didn't tell you I have aproclamation.
No, you didn't.
Yeah, I have a proclamation andit's called National Fallen
Teacher Day.
Wow, and that is May 19th ofevery year.
And Jeff Williams, who is themayor of Arlington.
(18:47):
He allowed me to have thatproclamation.
That is beautiful and he gaveme that proclamation.
Storie (18:54):
Wow, yes, and so see.
We need this broadcast for theworld to understand.
If just one person took as muchinitiative as you have to be a
part of this community and liftit up, the world would be a
completely different place,would it not?
Jessica (19:09):
Yes.
Storie (19:10):
I truly believe that and do you feel, like through your
business journey, that you'veleaned on mentors and leaders?
Has that helped guide youthrough your business journey
and sustain?
Jessica (19:23):
Oh, I'd have mercy, yes .
Storie (19:26):
Tell me who's one of your mentors or someone you look
up to that's helped you kind ofmake that way.
Jessica (19:31):
Truthfully, my husband, my husband, he's my rock
because even when I feel like Ican't do something, he always
pushes me.
I opened up Teacher Resale Shopfive or six years ago.
Tell me about that Right here inArlington I opened up that
store and I had over 2,500people came out the grand
(19:56):
opening that day.
The news people came out inevery day and they had this lady
come and she was speakingprophetic in my life and she
told me.
She said I was going to be outof business in six months and I
(20:16):
cried because I was like, oh mygod.
She said I'm a.
She said I'm, I'm what you callthose people.
She's prophetic, oh, okay, okay.
And so for me, when someonecomes and gives me something
prophetically, I'm like, oh myGod you know, and my husband at
that time.
He told me because I cried tohim.
I said she said I'm going to beout of business in six months.
(20:37):
Oh my God.
And my husband was like, okay,so if she says that you're going
to be out of business in sixmonths, he said do you believe
it?
And I said well, that's whatshe said.
He said well, stop.
He said pack up everything andjust be done with it.
He said be done with it.
He said you have to understandwho you are and if this is what
(20:59):
you want to do and if God hastold you this is where you need
to be at, it doesn't matter whatshe say.
You got to push forward, that'sright and in everything that I
do.
When I feel like I want to giveup, he tell me all the time hey,
you got to push forward.
Stop listening to what peoplesay.
Stop listening to people thattell you you're stupid, you're
(21:20):
dumb, you can't do this, youcan't do that.
I work for a corporation andthey told me that management was
not for me.
Wow, management was not for me,that I had to be a lead teacher
.
That's where I needed to be,not in management and look at
(21:40):
you managing all these thingsright.
Storie (21:44):
Isn't that great to say out loud I am managing life and
other people's.
Isn't that a wonderful thing?
You're going to make me cry now.
So what's next for Marion ChildCare University?
What are some exciting projectscoming up?
Expansions, Goals what's on thehorizon for you?
Jessica (22:06):
Okay, so now we are partnering with Arlington ISD
Really, so they want us topartner with them with their
pre-K program.
Okay, so we're going to bepartnering with them coming this
school year August school year.
Storie (22:27):
That's wonderful, yes.
Jessica (22:29):
And so it's going to allow a lot of things to happen,
and so we're going to bepartnering with them with that.
I'm thankful to God for that.
Some events that we have comingup we have our annual Easter
egg hunt that we're going to bedoing, and we're going to be
(22:50):
doing that the Saturday beforeEaster.
Storie (22:53):
Okay so.
Jessica (22:53):
I've got to figure out what date that was.
Storie (22:55):
Right, but it's the.
Jessica (22:56):
Saturday before Easter and we're having a clean out
your closet day, so we're notselling anything.
Okay, you come and you can takewhatever you want that is
wonderful so it's.
It's going to be like you knowhow it's going to be, on a yard
sale kind of stands, garage salekind of stands, right, but you
(23:17):
don't pay anything, you justcome and grab whatever you want
that is wonderful for thecommunity again for the
community, and when is this?
This is, let me see.
Storie (23:30):
Oh, there we go.
She brought her flyers with her.
Jessica (23:32):
It's April 19th, okay, and it's going to be 10.30 am.
Storie (23:38):
And it's at the school.
Oh, I love that.
And you're also doing a teacherappreciation fundraiser soon,
aren't you?
Yes?
Jessica (23:47):
We're going to award teachers.
I've done it in the past andnow I have to get back to it.
This is a day that weappreciate these teachers and
that event.
I forgot what the date thatevent is.
I'll post it on your post whenwe post this, but it's not just
(24:08):
for the teachers at Marion nothis is for all public school
teachers yes, it's for allpublic school teachers as well,
as this day we celebrateteachers that are no longer here
.
That paved the way, because somany times we celebrate teachers
, teachers that are here everyyear, but we forget about those
teachers that are no longer hereRight.
(24:30):
So May 19th you're able to wedo a balloon release for these
teachers that are not here andwe take time and we talk about
those teachers that werememorable to us and who's played
a big part, and so at thatawards ceremony we give out
(24:53):
awards in lieu of some of theseteachers that are not here
anymore.
Oh, that's wonderful, and soeven at my school, we have a
thing that we put up and itreminds us of teachers, you know
, and the teachers that are nothere, Because a lot of times we,
yeah, we want to appreciate theteachers that are here, but we
still got to appreciate thoseteachers that are not here.
Storie (25:15):
That leave an impact?
Jessica (25:17):
Yes, that have left an impact.
Storie (25:18):
That is so wonderful, and so if anybody wants to help
donate to those teachers or helpsponsor any of these events,
how can they reach you?
Jessica (25:28):
They can reach, they can cash at me.
It's dollar sign MarionM-A-R-I-O-N 2016, and put
teacher appreciation.
Okay, and then your website, mywebsite is
wwwmarionchildcareuniversitycomand they can email me as well.
(25:49):
I'm taking I like to have.
Another thing that we do is atthese events we have people
write letters about a specialteacher that impact them, and so
we read these letters at theevent, just so that, and it
doesn't matter if they're livingor, you know, or deceased we
(26:09):
still read those letters out, sothat people that are teachers
can be.
Inspired.
So, that's a part of beinginspired when you sit and read a
letter about how you impactsomebody.
Storie (26:23):
Absolutely, and they can send that to your email if
they'd like to nominate one.
Jessica (26:26):
Yes, and the email is Marion M-A-R-I-O-N.
Childcareuniversity at gmailcom.
I love it.
Storie (26:34):
I love it.
So to loop it all in, what isone thing you wish?
Somebody would have told you inthe beginning, when you were
wanting to start your ownbusiness, that you wish you
would have been told.
Jessica (26:49):
I wish somebody would have told me to read more books,
regardless of what it is,because that builds on your
vocabulary, yep, and becauseit's building on your vocabulary
, it strengthens you financially.
It strengthens you in differentareas of your life, even in
(27:13):
your marriage, even in yourrelationships.
Wow, just reading more than youknow, even if you can just read
two books a week, so muchknowledge in those books that
you don't even know you'reabsorbing sometimes, right?
Storie (27:27):
No, that is wonderful.
That's great advice.
I appreciate and love whatyou're doing, jessica, and I see
great things, of course, inyour future.
Just don't stop.
Just don't stop.
Thank you so much for coming onthe show, thank you for having
me, and to all our listeners outthere.
If you'd like to get in touchwith Jessica, feel free to send
(27:48):
her an email or email medirectly, and we'll see you
again next time.
Welcome back to Market it With Atma, where we share the
tips, tools and strategies tohelp your business be successful
.
Today we have on the show avery special guest, ms Jessica
Marion, with Marion Child CareUniversity.
Welcome, jessica.
(00:37):
So, to start it all off, tell usa little bit about what
inspired you to start MarionChild Care University.
What inspired me to startMarion University is,
Jessica (00:46):
I would say, my background, with learning
disabilities and differentthings that I went through not
being able to go to my actualchild care facility when I was
younger and so that kind of likeI believe that kind of stumbled
on my education process.
Storie (01:09):
okay, so how long have you had Marion?
Jessica (01:13):
I've had it for five years.
Storie (01:15):
But you've been in the industry, it seems like, for a
lot longer, right?
Yes, for how long?
Jessica (01:21):
Over 25 years?
Yeah, I think over 25.
Storie (01:23):
My goodness that's a long time.
Yes, and it looks to say herethat you're also an author.
Yes, what inspired you to writebooks in addition to child care
.
Jessica (01:33):
What inspired me to write my books is because of the
things that I go through, andthere are people out there that,
just like me, that struggle,and so I wanted to write books
so that the people that havethose learning disabilities,
that have you know issues theyneed to hear my story.
Storie (01:56):
Right.
Jessica (01:56):
So that they can inspire themselves.
Storie (01:59):
Right, that's wonderful.
And your child?
The Mary Ann Child CareUniversity right now is out of
Arlington, right?
Yes, that's wonderful, and theMarion Child Care University
right now is out of Arlingtonright, yes.
That's wonderful.
So those who aren't familiarwhat makes Marion Child Care
University different than otherchild care centers out there?
Jessica (02:17):
Our school is different because we are more
community-based.
Storie (02:23):
Okay, what does that mean?
Jessica (02:24):
And that means we get out and we are involved in a
community.
We do different things in thecommunity and it's not just at
the school.
Storie (02:35):
Right.
Jessica (02:35):
So we're always involved.
We're doing different things,sponsoring different events and
just doing different things forthe people as well.
As you know, we are small, Ourratio is small and we are very
diverse in our schools as wellas with our staff.
(02:57):
Diversity is number one part ofwhat I love to do.
Storie (03:02):
It's so important because the world is diverse,
right, very diverse.
So can you walk us through whata typical day looks like at
Mary Ann Child Care andUniversity and how you support
those children, from infants allthe way up to school age?
Jessica (03:18):
So what a typical day looks like is that the kids will
come in and they will socializewith all the rest of the kids,
okay, and whatever age groupthey're in, that's what the
classroom they go in, and so theteachers will start to come in
and the teachers will start totake over, you know, their
classrooms and stuff.
And then they have breakfast,then they have, they have
(03:42):
curriculum time, then they gooutside, then they have nap time
, then they have curricular timeagain and then they go outside,
and then we have their parentscome and pick them up.
And before some of the parentscome and pick them up, sometimes
we have to have that me time.
Storie (04:02):
Okay, what's that say?
Jessica (04:04):
That me time is.
Sometimes we have parents thatare me time.
Okay, let's say that me time issometimes we have parents that
are going through a lot, and inthis time parents go through a
lot, and so from five o'clock tosix o'clock I have to make
myself basically available tothose parents that they want to
come and talk to me aboutanything.
Sometimes they want to.
They need to come and talk tome because their husband got on
(04:26):
their nerves.
Right, you know, sometimes theywant to come and vent about
their job, so we are basically asafe place for them to come and
talk and there's no judgment,because a lot of times you can't
talk to your family and friendsbecause they're judging Right,
and so we are that that spacethat they can come and talk to.
So from 5 to 6, I'm in myoffice and whoever comes in is a
(04:51):
first come, first serve and wetalk it out.
Storie (04:55):
See, and I've never heard that with any other child
care, but it really is true.
Sometimes you just need to letgo of the day, yes, and when you
see your baby it kind of helpsrelease that, right, yes.
So it's amazing that you eventry to make yourself available
to that.
I think some other businessowners would run from that you
know, they, they do but does itgive you a peace in your heart,
(05:15):
like you're doing something forthe world when you are available
for that?
Jessica (05:20):
and the reason why I do that because if I know that
that parent is okay.
I know that child is okay Atthe end of the day, right At the
end of the day.
Storie (05:29):
That is wonderful, and you also take in school-age
children, right?
Yes, are you having anyactivities this summer?
Jessica (05:35):
Yes, we're doing our summer curriculum, so we're
getting ready for that, whereasthe kids will be going on
different field trips anddifferent things like that, and
we have some vendors come in aswell.
And so because the reason whywe do this is because this is
some of these kids this is theironly summer vacation that they
(05:58):
get, so that's why we have tomake it a memorable time for
them, right?
Because a lot of times, theycome from out of state.
Storie (06:06):
Oh, wow.
Jessica (06:07):
Yes, because their mom is here, dad is over there, Wow.
Storie (06:11):
And so you know, sometimes the dad is here and
mom is over there, and so theirparents, they work 12 hours a
day and so they really don'thave that time to do different
things, and so we want to setthe tone for them when they come
to Arlington they have fun andthey really don't want to go
(06:33):
back home, but we, you know, weallow them to have fun.
So it seems like, mentioningArlington, you're a strong
advocate in the Arlington areafor better funding for child
care and the hurdles that thesechild care facilities are going
through.
Why is that?
Can you tell me more about itand what you're advocating for?
Jessica (06:50):
What I'm advocating for is more funding for child care
centers, because if we get morefunding for our centers, then
guess what?
We can help our teachers, wecan get better qualified
teachers and we can do a lotmore in our schools.
Storie (07:06):
Right.
Jessica (07:06):
But right now, because of the funding, it's a lot of
stuff that is gone undone.
Storie (07:13):
What do you mean?
Jessica (07:14):
Like, say, for instance , we like for us.
I'm a child care trainer and sofor me to send my staff to some
of these great workshops,awesome workshops.
I can't afford to send my staffbecause the workshops cost like
$700 per person.
Storie (07:33):
Wow.
Jessica (07:34):
And I would love to send my staff there, but I just
can't afford $700 per person.
Storie (07:39):
Absolutely not.
Jessica (07:40):
So I have to like train my staff, and which is not a
bad thing, but at the same time,I would love for them to be
able to go to these workshops.
I would like to be able to domore for them.
Storie (07:55):
Right.
All in all, it's attributing tothe parents, your staff and the
community right If you're ableto afford these things and you
also have an initiative to raisescholarship funds?
Yes, and so tell me more.
You also have an initiative toraise scholarship funds?
Yes.
Jessica (08:19):
And so tell me more about that.
Oh, yes, Is that your favoritepart?
Good, good, we.
I've had so many parents thatcome and they're crying out to
me because they want to go towork, they have to go to work
but they can't afford child carebecause in our city alone,
Tarrant County, we have like90,000 children on the waiting
list and that means they cannotget funding from the state for
(08:41):
whatever reason, and that meansthat those children cannot go to
school because the parents theyqualify but the money is not
there.
Storie (08:51):
Interesting, so they'll go ahead and qualify them, but
they're not getting the fundingthat they need so that they can
go to work and so the childrencan go to school.
Jessica (09:00):
Yes, and so when the funding is open then they're
able to pull and have.
You know these kids and that'swhy you have these kids that are
going to these unlicensedfacilities.
You know grandmas watching themthe best that they can.
Some of the kids they have tostay at home by themselves
because Texas have a law where,as there's no age for the child,
(09:24):
can stay at home.
They just have to have thatmindset that they can be able to
stay at home.
I'm from Louisiana and so bornand raised and back then in
Louisiana you had to be 12 yearsold to stay at home by yourself
.
Absolutely, texas, don't havethat rule.
Storie (09:40):
Really.
Yes, that's kind of scary.
Jessica (09:42):
It is.
Storie (09:43):
Because you get children , raising children sometimes
because, they aren't able to getthe funding.
Wow, that is is as a parent.
That's terrifying.
Jessica (09:52):
As a child care provider.
That's terrifying, because youcan leave a five-year-old at
home by themselves.
Storie (09:59):
No.
Jessica (10:00):
And I've seen it.
I mean I'm seeing, like somekids that are walking to the
school because our school isright across from a public
school, Right, and I seechildren that's four years old
walking to the school becauseour school is right across from
a public school and I seechildren as four years old
walking to the school and itbreaks my heart because I can
only watch and I can only prayfor those kids that they make it
there safe every day.
(10:21):
But just imagine a parent thathas to go to work and have to
just pray, you know, and andhope their child, you know
crosses that busy street, okay,and it doesn't get picked up by
anyone.
It's terrifying, and we had acase like that um before, like
about three years ago.
Storie (10:42):
Oh, my God Wow.
Jessica (10:43):
They, there was a man that was.
He was sitting in the parkinglot and so he kept sitting in
the parking lot and he wouldwatch the kids.
And so I was, because I had towatch him, because I'm like,
well, what is going on?
Storie (10:59):
What is he doing?
Right, you're aware of theenvironment.
For sure I bet.
Jessica (11:02):
And so I had one of my teachers go over there and ask
him a question, because my wholething is these are children.
Storie (11:10):
Absolutely.
They're innocent.
Jessica (11:11):
They're innocent and they don't know what's going on.
And so me and the teacher goover there to his truck and was
asking him questions and he waslike, oh no, I'm just watching,
I'm just sitting here, blah,blah, blah blah.
So you've been sitting here forthe past week.
Storie (11:26):
Right.
Jessica (11:27):
And so finally he just, you know left and he never came
back.
But that was a scary situationand that made me end up putting
cameras at my school because ofthat.
Storie (11:40):
Wow, that was scary.
I mean, and you're watchingover a public school.
This is public school.
Yeah, not even your child carefacility.
It's the public school that youpublic school yeah, not even
your child care facility, it'sthe public school that you're
also looking out for, and don'tlet me guess you don't have any
funding to put those cameras up.
But you do it out of your heart.
Yes, your, your passion in thisis probably has what led to me
(12:04):
congratulating you on beingcrowned miss Corporate America
Texas 2025.
Right, yes, yes.
So tell me more about that.
What is Miss Corporate AmericaTexas 2025, and where does it go
from here?
Jessica (12:17):
I am so honored um.
There are different pageantsthat you can be a part of right,
but this pageant, it stood outto me and the reason why it
stood out to me?
Because it's about business,women, it's about leadership and
it's about community.
Wow, not a facial yes.
Storie (12:41):
Extra outer view.
Jessica (12:43):
Yeah, they don't care about your looks.
They don't care if you got thepretty face, don't care about
your looks, they don't care ifyou're, you know, if you got the
pretty face, the pretty hair.
It's not about that.
It's about community based andleadership.
And what are you doing for yourcommunity?
What are you doing as abusiness owner?
And that's the thing thatreally stood out to me and I was
like, okay, yes, I can getbehind this Right.
Storie (13:05):
And now you're Miss Texas can get behind this right.
And now you're Miss Texas.
Now you've been of all thebusiness owners in the state of
Texas.
Jessica (13:15):
Somebody found you and crowned you when I tell you I
don't even want to cry becausethis is my first pageant and for
me a lot of people like I tellpeople, don't knock my story,
because you don't know my glory.
I love that you know, I love itabsolutely and for me, when I
(13:35):
got the call from the founder, Idon't go, because you usually
have to go through local, stateand then national right.
They skipped me right tonational that is incredible she
was like we're crowning you,miss corporate america.
Tech for texas and I'm like why?
And I wanted to ask questions,but I was like, nope, don't even
(13:55):
worry about it.
Storie (13:56):
Yeah just be grateful.
So I was just grateful.
But you know what?
If anybody were to read the twobooks you've written or the
things you're doing in thecommunity.
Jessica (14:05):
You're a part of chambers.
Storie (14:06):
I mean, it speaks for itself.
So I can definitely see why.
So now you're doing in thecommunity, you're a part of
chambers.
Jessica (14:08):
I mean it speaks for itself.
Storie (14:09):
So I can definitely see why.
So now you're going to nationalyes, wow so when is that?
That's June um 21st, and do youget to have votes put in, or is
this something okay, so?
Jessica (14:20):
they they have different um things that you can
vote on, like media videos, andum different other um aspects
of it that you can vote on, likemedia videos, and different
other aspects of it that you canwin different prizes.
So it's a whole bunch ofdifferent things that they're
going to be rolling out in April.
Storie (14:38):
Oh, wow, yes, and so the the pageant gives you the
platform to speak on issuedifferent issues that matter,
yes, so what are you hoping toaccomplish through this pageant?
Jessica (14:49):
I'm hoping to bring awareness to child care.
That's my number one thing,because a lot of people don't
understand child care is thefoundation, not kindergarten
childcare.
When they are six weeks, whenthey are the earliest that they
can go to a childcare facility,that starts their education.
(15:13):
Because a lot of times peopleare like, well, I don't need it,
I'm a stay at home mom and andI take care of my child.
But you don't understand,you're doing your child or
children a disservice whenyou're not able to allow those
kids to come into a child carefacility because it's not
babysitting right.
It's more to it than just youknow, um, being at home.
(15:37):
It's more to it because nowthese children, a lot of these
kids they do social, emotional,a lot of them have a different
things that they're goingthrough.
Absolutely, and they are able toget that when they are in a
child care facility.
Storie (15:52):
You know to that point.
I remember someone telling me along time ago you know,
families they divorce, they getremarried, things like that.
And I remember when I gotdivorced, at one point the child
care facility I had my kids andthey said this is the best
place for your kids right nowbecause they are getting out of
that stressed environment thatyou're in and they are in an
(16:13):
environment that's structured,that's educational, that's safe
for them and that stuck with me.
It really did because you knowwhat they are.
I may be stressed at thatmoment, but my children are
happy right now and safe,exactly.
But my children are happy rightnow and safe, exactly, and that
really stuck to me with childcare and how important it is for
them to be in a good one.
And obviously you're doing agreat job if you've been around
(16:36):
this long.
So you've also received someother honors the Global
Recognition Award fromProsperity Bank for the
Prosperity Bank PitchCompetition yes, that's
wonderful.
So what made you get involvedin?
Jessica (16:51):
some of these things.
So even with Prosperity Bank,like I said, once again, it's
geared towards business.
Anything that I'm about isabout growth.
Storie (17:01):
I love it.
Jessica (17:02):
I love growth and I'm more like even with Prosperity
Bank getting behind them andwhat they do for businesses.
It opened up my mind for awhole lot of stuff.
And then, on top of that, to bebecause they was telling us
about a pitch competition and Iwas like, well, I know, I'm not
(17:23):
going to win it, I'm not evenworried about it.
And then when I won it, I waslike, oh my God, little old
bitty me, oh's wonderful yes sowhen, um when, when you won that
?
Storie (17:37):
we kind of just fall into things sometimes.
Sometimes the universe justaligns and this is where you're
supposed to be, yes, and peopleout there don't know you're a
minister, you're a speaker,right Like you mentioned, a
trainer, yes.
How do you balance all thesedifferent things and keep time
for your family and your?
Jessica (17:56):
faith business classes.
I went to different workshops.
I try to go to at least twoconferences a year.
Oh wow, and those conferences.
I don't care if it's the sameone talking about the same thing
(18:16):
, it's just I'm going to getsomething out of it all the time
.
Storie (18:21):
And you walk into it when I walk.
Jessica (18:23):
Yes, and they teach me how to have balance Really and
even with the.
I didn't tell you I have aproclamation.
No, you didn't.
Yeah, I have a proclamation andit's called National Fallen
Teacher Day.
Wow, and that is May 19th ofevery year.
And Jeff Williams, who is themayor of Arlington.
(18:47):
He allowed me to have thatproclamation.
That is beautiful and he gaveme that proclamation.
Storie (18:54):
Wow, yes, and so see.
We need this broadcast for theworld to understand.
If just one person took as muchinitiative as you have to be a
part of this community and liftit up, the world would be a
completely different place,would it not?
Jessica (19:09):
Yes.
Storie (19:10):
I truly believe that and do you feel, like through your
business journey, that you'veleaned on mentors and leaders?
Has that helped guide youthrough your business journey
and sustain?
Jessica (19:23):
Oh, I'd have mercy, yes .
Storie (19:26):
Tell me who's one of your mentors or someone you look
up to that's helped you kind ofmake that way.
Jessica (19:31):
Truthfully, my husband, my husband, he's my rock
because even when I feel like Ican't do something, he always
pushes me.
I opened up Teacher Resale Shopfive or six years ago.
Tell me about that Right here inArlington I opened up that
store and I had over 2,500people came out the grand
(19:56):
opening that day.
The news people came out inevery day and they had this lady
come and she was speakingprophetic in my life and she
told me.
She said I was going to be outof business in six months and I
(20:16):
cried because I was like, oh mygod.
She said I'm a.
She said I'm, I'm what you callthose people.
She's prophetic, oh, okay, okay.
And so for me, when someonecomes and gives me something
prophetically, I'm like, oh myGod you know, and my husband at
that time.
He told me because I cried tohim.
I said she said I'm going to beout of business in six months.
(20:37):
Oh my God.
And my husband was like, okay,so if she says that you're going
to be out of business in sixmonths, he said do you believe
it?
And I said well, that's whatshe said.
He said well, stop.
He said pack up everything andjust be done with it.
He said be done with it.
He said you have to understandwho you are and if this is what
(20:59):
you want to do and if God hastold you this is where you need
to be at, it doesn't matter whatshe say.
You got to push forward, that'sright and in everything that I
do.
When I feel like I want to giveup, he tell me all the time hey,
you got to push forward.
Stop listening to what peoplesay.
Stop listening to people thattell you you're stupid, you're
(21:20):
dumb, you can't do this, youcan't do that.
I work for a corporation andthey told me that management was
not for me.
Wow, management was not for me,that I had to be a lead teacher
.
That's where I needed to be,not in management and look at
(21:40):
you managing all these thingsright.
Storie (21:44):
Isn't that great to say out loud I am managing life and
other people's.
Isn't that a wonderful thing?
You're going to make me cry now.
So what's next for Marion ChildCare University?
What are some exciting projectscoming up?
Expansions, Goals what's on thehorizon for you?
Jessica (22:06):
Okay, so now we are partnering with Arlington ISD
Really, so they want us topartner with them with their
pre-K program.
Okay, so we're going to bepartnering with them coming this
school year August school year.
Storie (22:27):
That's wonderful, yes.
Jessica (22:29):
And so it's going to allow a lot of things to happen,
and so we're going to bepartnering with them with that.
I'm thankful to God for that.
Some events that we have comingup we have our annual Easter
egg hunt that we're going to bedoing, and we're going to be
(22:50):
doing that the Saturday beforeEaster.
Storie (22:53):
Okay so.
Jessica (22:53):
I've got to figure out what date that was.
Storie (22:55):
Right, but it's the.
Jessica (22:56):
Saturday before Easter and we're having a clean out
your closet day, so we're notselling anything.
Okay, you come and you can takewhatever you want that is
wonderful so it's.
It's going to be like you knowhow it's going to be, on a yard
sale kind of stands, garage salekind of stands, right, but you
(23:17):
don't pay anything, you justcome and grab whatever you want
that is wonderful for thecommunity again for the
community, and when is this?
This is, let me see.
Storie (23:30):
Oh, there we go.
She brought her flyers with her.
Jessica (23:32):
It's April 19th, okay, and it's going to be 10.30 am.
Storie (23:38):
And it's at the school.
Oh, I love that.
And you're also doing a teacherappreciation fundraiser soon,
aren't you?
Yes?
Jessica (23:47):
We're going to award teachers.
I've done it in the past andnow I have to get back to it.
This is a day that weappreciate these teachers and
that event.
I forgot what the date thatevent is.
I'll post it on your post whenwe post this, but it's not just
(24:08):
for the teachers at Marion nothis is for all public school
teachers yes, it's for allpublic school teachers as well,
as this day we celebrateteachers that are no longer here
.
That paved the way, because somany times we celebrate teachers
, teachers that are here everyyear, but we forget about those
teachers that are no longer hereRight.
(24:30):
So May 19th you're able to wedo a balloon release for these
teachers that are not here andwe take time and we talk about
those teachers that werememorable to us and who's played
a big part, and so at thatawards ceremony we give out
(24:53):
awards in lieu of some of theseteachers that are not here
anymore.
Oh, that's wonderful, and soeven at my school, we have a
thing that we put up and itreminds us of teachers, you know
, and the teachers that are nothere, Because a lot of times we,
yeah, we want to appreciate theteachers that are here, but we
still got to appreciate thoseteachers that are not here.
Storie (25:15):
That leave an impact?
Jessica (25:17):
Yes, that have left an impact.
Storie (25:18):
That is so wonderful, and so if anybody wants to help
donate to those teachers or helpsponsor any of these events,
how can they reach you?
Jessica (25:28):
They can reach, they can cash at me.
It's dollar sign MarionM-A-R-I-O-N 2016, and put
teacher appreciation.
Okay, and then your website, mywebsite is
wwwmarionchildcareuniversitycomand they can email me as well.
(25:49):
I'm taking I like to have.
Another thing that we do is atthese events we have people
write letters about a specialteacher that impact them, and so
we read these letters at theevent, just so that, and it
doesn't matter if they're livingor, you know, or deceased we
(26:09):
still read those letters out, sothat people that are teachers
can be.
Inspired.
So, that's a part of beinginspired when you sit and read a
letter about how you impactsomebody.
Storie (26:23):
Absolutely, and they can send that to your email if
they'd like to nominate one.
Jessica (26:26):
Yes, and the email is Marion M-A-R-I-O-N.
Childcareuniversity at gmailcom.
I love it.
Storie (26:34):
I love it.
So to loop it all in, what isone thing you wish?
Somebody would have told you inthe beginning, when you were
wanting to start your ownbusiness, that you wish you
would have been told.
Jessica (26:49):
I wish somebody would have told me to read more books,
regardless of what it is,because that builds on your
vocabulary, yep, and becauseit's building on your vocabulary
, it strengthens you financially.
It strengthens you in differentareas of your life, even in
(27:13):
your marriage, even in yourrelationships.
Wow, just reading more than youknow, even if you can just read
two books a week, so muchknowledge in those books that
you don't even know you'reabsorbing sometimes, right?
Storie (27:27):
No, that is wonderful.
That's great advice.
I appreciate and love whatyou're doing, jessica, and I see
great things, of course, inyour future.
Just don't stop.
Just don't stop.
Thank you so much for coming onthe show, thank you for having
me, and to all our listeners outthere.
If you'd like to get in touchwith Jessica, feel free to send
(27:48):
her an email or email medirectly, and we'll see you
again next time.
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