Latest / The Inspired Stories Podcast / Leading with Love: Kiran Vuriti's Approach to Childcare Management | Childcare Series

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Leading with Love: Kiran Vuriti's Approach to Childcare Management | Childcare Series · The Inspired Stories Podcast

0:04
Welcome to another edition of Inspired Stories, where leaders
0:07
share their experiences so we can learn from their successes,
0:10
how they've overcome adversity, and explore current challenges
0:13
they're facing. Welcome to another edition of
0:17
the Inspired Stories podcast where leaders share their
0:20
experiences so we can learn from their successes and be inspired
0:24
by how they've overcome adversity.
0:26
My name is Anthony Codaspodi and today's guest is Kieran
0:29
Verritti. Along with her business partner
0:32
Chandra Serapu serves as the president and owner of Safari
0:36
Kid Preschool and after an after school program in Dublin, CA,
0:41
she is leading an exciting expansion project into Mountain
0:44
House which includes the development of a brand new
0:47
school facility. For over 14 years, Kieran and
0:50
her team have been dedicated to established, establishing,
0:54
nurturing environments that inspire and empower young minds
0:57
to flourish through a variety of enriching educational programs.
1:01
Their transformative impact extends well beyond the
1:04
classroom, fostering a love for learning and overall
1:07
development. Kieran's enthusiasm drives her
1:10
collaboration with other leaders, focusing on initiatives
1:13
that support women's empowerment and future advancement.
1:16
She is deeply involved in her community, always looking for
1:19
ways to contribute to local causes and offer support where
1:21
it is most needed. Known for her empathetic,
1:25
energetic, and innovative approach to leadership, Kieran
1:28
believes in the power of education to shape lives.
1:31
As she continues to expand her educational footprint, her
1:34
commitment remains to creating inclusive, supportive, and
1:38
stimulating spaces where both children and educators can
1:42
thrive. Now before we get into all that
1:44
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1:47
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To find out if your company qualifies, contact us today at
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Add Back benefitsagency.com. OK, now back to our guest, the
2:14
founder of a Safari Kid franchise.
2:16
Kiran, I appreciate you making the time to Share your story
2:19
today. Thank you so much for having me
2:21
here, Anthony. So Kieran, tell me about the
2:24
inspiration for starting your daycare, your childcare centre.
2:28
How did that come about? South Anthony I'm going to be
2:32
absolutely honest in my approach because very my start and my
2:39
beginnings have been very unorthodox where I cannot say
2:42
that this has been a passion that I grew up with or this is
2:44
what I wanted to be one day. But most of my career came up
2:51
from very simple beginnings where in the most unexpected
2:56
way. So I have twins who were
2:59
toddlers back then and I wanted to do something while taking
3:02
care of them. So that is when I started this
3:06
home based daycare where I started taking care of little
3:09
kids and just so that that way my children also have company to
3:13
play with while I get to take care of them.
3:15
But the realization dawned on me one very soon after when the
3:21
children also started to call me Mama along with along with my
3:25
kids. So that was when I started to
3:28
have a realization of sense of belongingness that I had towards
3:32
those children where I started to have.
3:34
I realized that oh, I can give love to the children or other
3:39
children also just as my own, even in the presence of my kids.
3:43
So that was something that I didn't know I had in me to be
3:46
honest. And so that is where my journey
3:51
towards this field began I would say.
3:53
And so that and that is just one part of it.
3:58
So that's the reason I would say the children is where my
4:01
stepping stool was and they made me realise where I am.
4:04
And after that, my children went to this preschool called Safari
4:08
Kid and it was led by Miss Shy, Miss Shadow Muddakavi.
4:14
But we call her Miss Shy. So she is the founder of Safari
4:17
Kit also. So I saw how the impact that she
4:21
brings in the way that the children had in an overall
4:25
development, not just academically in the preschool.
4:28
But so that is when I thought if she's bringing so much of
4:31
difference, then maybe even I can do something by being a part
4:35
of that similar setup. But however, I did not really
4:40
think that I would be a part of Safari Kit.
4:42
I just thought that I would be something by myself.
4:45
I mean, at home is what I had started in a little business,
4:48
but then we were moving from Fremont is where we always just
4:53
live. And then when we moved to a new
4:54
location. So that is where my business
4:57
partner comes into the picture. So he is actually my, he's
5:01
actually a very dear family friend of ours.
5:04
So more of a best friend to my husband.
5:06
So that is how it was. And so it all happened.
5:10
It's a very funny story that it all happened in the in front of
5:13
a movie theater where one fine day, one evening, we were
5:16
waiting for my husband to come join us for the movies.
5:19
And Chandra, that is my business partner and my kids, we were all
5:23
waiting at the movie theater. And so that's when he said, hey,
5:26
you're so good at what you do, so why don't you start something
5:31
bigger when you move to the new location?
5:33
So I said, no, I don't think I can do it because I do not think
5:37
I can go above and beyond what I did not know what my limitations
5:41
are. But he's the one who pushed me
5:45
and his trust and belief in me is what I got the confidence
5:50
from. But that was a magical evening,
5:52
Anthony, I would say, because that was the evening when right
5:56
there from the movie theater, we just made a call to Mishai
5:59
asking for tips, like if I have to open a school, what should I
6:03
do? And then she said, hey, you know
6:04
what? Why don't we just start up a
6:06
partnership or maybe a franchise?
6:09
And I thought I was not very sure about it, but that's where
6:15
the story began. And she said, why don't you guys
6:17
come over today and we can talk about this?
6:19
And my husband came and he was also all in for it.
6:22
And that story began in a movie theater theater just so it was
6:26
very humbling for me that Mishai, her trust and confidence
6:31
in me. The support that Chandra
6:33
offered, he said that I will help you set up, do whatever you
6:36
have to do. And Manoj, who had only seen me
6:39
as a mom to his kids. But the kind of confidence that
6:42
he had in me and the way he was willing to offer all kinds of
6:47
support, obviously to be able to help me set up, it was a very
6:51
humbling moment for me. And that was the evening I think
6:54
life changed for everyone of us because each one of us.
6:58
Because for Chandra, that was the day that that is how he
7:02
became my business partner, Mishai.
7:04
I was the first person who made her think about the franchise
7:07
option on the go. And today we have almost over 75
7:12
safari kids over over the world. So yeah, we were the first ones
7:17
there and my husband of course, because of the trust and belief.
7:21
So that is the evening which I contribute towards my beginning
7:26
there. It all just that is how I
7:28
realized, OK, maybe I am doing something.
7:31
But to be honest, I was still very anxious.
7:34
I was very scared. It was a fear, but I overcame it
7:39
that day. I rose from I really literally I
7:43
rose from Ground Zero to the success that we have seen.
7:47
Of course, it was not a very easy cakewalk.
7:51
Of course it was not. But with so many people that I
7:54
had by my side, it was. It was.
7:58
It is who I am today. That's a terrific story.
8:02
I've got several follow up questions for you, Kieran.
8:05
What was the year that you started in your home with your
8:08
kids and just a couple of others.
8:11
In my home we I started in 2003. 2003 and and how many kids,
8:18
including your own, were you taking care of at that time?
8:22
I had to my twins and I had, you know, I didn't want to expand
8:26
more than three to four kids and I had a help house help who used
8:29
to help me take care of the children.
8:31
So while I was able to focus on the kids and she was a little.
8:34
So that that evening in front of the the movie theater, that
8:38
magical evening, as you put it, you were taking care of five
8:43
kids at that point and it was your, your soon to be business
8:47
partner. It was like, hey, you're capable
8:50
of more. You can grow this.
8:51
I believe in you and I will be there and I will help you and
8:55
give me an idea of where you are today.
8:57
How many kids are you able to accommodate in your centers
9:00
today? So I am very proud that I
9:03
wouldn't want to just put back the pre COVID.
9:06
I by pre COVID I had four after school programs and three
9:11
preschool programs. So but during COVID we had to
9:15
shut down pretty much all of those and consolidate
9:18
everything. And we have this huge
9:19
construction that I'm fortunate that in parallel we were having
9:23
our own construction coming up. So that is where that was.
9:27
That's a saving grace after COVID, and this is where we are.
9:31
So today in this facility, we have almost around 230 to 250
9:37
students. Wow.
9:39
And there's another facility on the way.
9:41
Yes, so and there's another facility as big as this coming
9:44
up in Mountain House and. When do you anticipate that one
9:48
will open? But they, they said that we, we,
9:51
we may be getting the case sometime in October.
9:53
So hopefully we will be able to start in the beginning of June
9:57
school next school year. Oh, that's, that's very soon.
10:01
So beginning of next school year.
10:02
So the the you wouldn't fill the building this fall.
10:07
Because we would have to wait for the processes of licensing
10:10
and all that. It's a little process that may
10:12
take around three to four months.
10:14
So I'm just giving it at Max. If possible we'll start it
10:17
earlier but then. And how will you work on filling
10:20
that new center? It's a, it's a lot of capacity
10:23
is the demand there in that area?
10:25
The demand is what made us think of opening a facility over there
10:29
because it's a new community with a lot of young families
10:32
moving there and there's nothing like this yet over there.
10:36
So that is the reason we just immediately started the
10:38
construction there. And it's all, again, all due
10:41
credit to Chandra, my business partner.
10:43
So while I focus on the facility, running the centre, he
10:46
takes care of, he's a hustler. So he is the one who pushes me
10:50
to I, I, my focus is more on running the running the
10:53
facility, taking care of the children, how the functioning of
10:57
the centres. And he, he has confidence and
11:01
belief in me is what takes me further.
11:03
And as I said, everything for me has been dependent upon
11:07
realizations. So once he pushes me and then I
11:10
realize, ha, OK, I could do it. And again, I couldn't have done
11:15
it again without having the proper team, A-Team that I can
11:19
depend on at any time. So I'm very proud that my
11:23
biggest stance is that I have team who have been with me
11:27
almost from the beginning of my career as Safari kid.
11:30
So that is really an achievement I would say, because even
11:33
through COVID they could have, there are so many options, but
11:37
they stuck by me and. Let's talk about that a little
11:41
bit because COVID was a rough time for everybody.
11:44
But if you, if you didn't have kids in a child care center,
11:48
which I did at the time, or if you weren't operating a child
11:50
care center, you may not understand or appreciate just
11:53
how difficult things were for child care centers, right?
11:57
You had to close down for a period of time, and depending on
12:00
the state you were in when you were allowed to reopen, all
12:03
kinds of rules and regulations. And those rules were constantly
12:07
changing. You had to adjust the teacher
12:10
student ratios, which made it more expensive to provide the
12:14
service. There were masking requirements,
12:18
you know, and if you had to do that for kids, that was really
12:20
messy. So talk to me about how you guys
12:23
powered through this really challenging and uncertain time.
12:27
So that's an interesting question because that has
12:29
definitely been something that that has been the changing point
12:33
for me. Also it I would say more like a
12:36
reset point because from the time that we started Safari Kit,
12:41
we have only seen success for 10 years, good 10 years.
12:44
And of course ever heard this as I mentioned earlier, little
12:47
hiccups here and there. But we've seen though in in the
12:51
business point of view, from the business point of view, we saw
12:54
only rising success. But the moment Kovid pandemic
12:58
hit, it was a huge drop to the point where we had to shut down
13:02
the facilities. But we tried, We did not just
13:04
shut down without trying. So we tried for good one year
13:08
where we would be having teachers just in the building
13:12
just hoping the children would come.
13:14
So that would take me. That took me back to my day one
13:17
when I opened up the Safari Kid when I only had one child, 1
13:21
teacher and it was me in the building and we were just
13:24
peeping through the windows to see if it does anymore kids who
13:28
would be coming and registered. But then eventually from 1:00 to
13:31
5:00 to 10:00, it just got multiplied by the day in those
13:35
days. But after pandemic to open, as
13:39
you just mentioned, in new situations and new setups as by
13:44
following the CDA rules, regulations and protocols, it
13:47
was very difficult for us. And it's not just that it was a
13:51
new learning environment for us as teachers too, because we had
13:56
certain way of teaching. We were very good.
13:59
My team is very good with what they're doing.
14:01
But then this is stepping into completely new waters where we
14:04
had to come into online classes, we had to take crash courses,
14:08
learning how to even operate Zoom, how to share screen, all
14:11
these were very new concepts for all of us.
14:14
So, but then we adapted to that. So, and then that is how we
14:17
continued even during the COVID, we did not stop the process of
14:20
education. We, we realized the children's
14:23
education should not stop. So we continued having our
14:26
students online and we would take classes just as instead of
14:30
here, we will be having online classes and we would be giving
14:33
them materials. We would sometimes drop off at
14:35
home or we would have the children come, parents come into
14:38
the school and we would create little goodie bags where I mean
14:41
little bags, parents would come, pick up the bags, take it home.
14:44
And then we would be, we would be having our own little
14:48
activities while showing the children.
14:50
So that way they are In Sync with what we are teaching
14:52
according to our curriculum and schedule.
14:54
And that being said, it was actually a different new
14:58
challenge once the schools opened because we were all in
15:02
fear. The way we operated was
15:06
everything was connection in connected to fear because we
15:09
were not very sure how the parents, parents were very
15:13
frantic about it. Also because there were COVID
15:16
babies who by that time the preschoolers who joined us for
15:19
COVID babies, they had absolute and our school starts from 18
15:23
months onwards. So those are the babies who did
15:27
had 0 interaction with other children, the people.
15:32
So there. And our safari kid curriculum,
15:34
our concept is mostly based upon not just academic but social,
15:39
emotional and physical development as a whole.
15:42
So whole body development is what we believe in.
15:44
So they are, they missed out on those communications over there,
15:49
their interaction with other their other kids, how to share
15:53
and care and empathy and all of those things were something that
15:57
we had to again start and we had to teach them be Having a social
16:01
distancing where that is so difficult, very difficult
16:04
because kids love to come and cuddle and be.
16:08
And the teachers were in fear too, because they didn't want to
16:10
get sick because they had to go back home to their families.
16:14
So, so many different factors there.
16:18
But we overcame all of that. And I'm just happy to see that.
16:23
And not knowing the future was again, we were still not aware
16:28
about what we went to when we are actually safe, when we are
16:33
past all of that because even till today we have COVID cases
16:36
that we hear about. But then those days we had to be
16:38
extremely, we were supervised, we were careful ourselves,
16:42
maintaining the hygiene, safety precautions and all of that too.
16:45
It was a very difficult time, but we rose up all at all.
16:49
So interestingly, something you said about you did online
16:53
classes for your students, what age group was that?
16:57
So the children who were already continuing with us, so that was
17:00
like 3 years at that point we did not have toddler program.
17:03
Basically our children used to be two years and above.
17:06
So but then the and again, we used to have the classes based
17:09
upon their ages because we understand that their attention
17:12
span is not as much. And not many parents were also
17:15
OK with the children having screen time.
17:17
Yeah, so that was another challenge.
17:20
So but we tried to do our best. So they would be like anywhere
17:23
between 2 1/2 three years to five year olds.
17:26
Wow. And that's, that's impressive
17:28
that you were able to get their attention on a Zoom call to some
17:32
degree at least. Yes, yes.
17:35
So yes, but we had good times. It was a good experience,
17:39
learning experience for us too as.
17:42
I say my wife is a speech therapist here in a local school
17:45
district in Columbus, OH. And OK, when everything first
17:49
shut down, they wanted her to continue seeing her preschool
17:54
age students. You know, a lot of them have
17:57
learning disabilities and other challenges and they wanted to
18:00
see them on zoom and, and, and you know, these, these are kids
18:05
who's got, you know, higher needs than a, you know, maybe,
18:10
you know, non divergent kids. But it was a real challenge just
18:15
to get them to pay attention, to interact, to do anything to
18:18
understand, to get the parents to understand how to use the
18:21
technology. So it sounds like you guys were
18:24
doing it with some levels of success, which is really
18:27
impressive. Yes.
18:28
The other challenge that was also with it is if the child is
18:31
on a Zoom call at home, but the parents cannot be sitting with
18:34
the child the whole time. The parents are also moving
18:36
around. They have their own phone calls.
18:39
So it was a lot of challenges that we had to literally it was
18:43
a difficult time for us. Yeah, I want to go back to
18:47
something else that you said. You know, when you were first
18:49
starting you, you had the the confidence and the, you know,
18:53
the hustle of your business partner behind you.
18:56
But you had a lot of fear to overcome, right?
18:58
You still had a lot of doubts and insecurities, especially in
19:02
those early days. Talk to me about what that felt
19:05
like and how you worked through that.
19:07
So in the beginning, definitely it was new waters that we were
19:11
testing because I had not expected that I would open a
19:13
school someday. As I told you, it was not my
19:16
childhood dream. I had not expected to become an
19:20
educator at all. So I wanted to be a classical
19:23
dancer actually. So that was where I was.
19:26
And then I come here. And so I did because I was not
19:31
prepared for this. I had not observed.
19:32
So it is each day was a learning experience.
19:35
I overcame different situations. And there would be times I would
19:38
just go to the bathroom. I would just cry my eyes out.
19:41
And then I would touch up really quickly.
19:43
And I come back to the office and take on whatever I have to
19:47
do. But I did it.
19:49
And today I'm at a point where I'm just confident where because
19:54
I've seen it all, so I can just deal with anything that comes to
19:57
me. So that is where I am.
19:59
But again, this is like it's 14 plus years that I'm into this
20:02
right now. So I, I appreciate you opening
20:05
up and sharing about that because those are the kinds of
20:08
moments that people don't see. What they see is you've got this
20:12
beautiful facility, you're serving lots of kids, you've got
20:15
folks working for you, you're opening a new facility, but they
20:18
didn't see you crying your eyes out, you know, huddled up in the
20:21
bathroom and then putting yourself back together quickly.
20:26
And that's where sorry. No, go ahead.
20:29
So that's where my business partner comes into the picture
20:32
again. He's like, that's where he plays
20:35
his role behind the scenes and he would give me the strength
20:38
again, the support and strength that he would constantly give me
20:41
that no, you're doing it right, you will be fine.
20:43
Don't worry. We got it, You got it.
20:46
So that is something that even the times when I was not
20:49
confident about myself, he, he literally ensured that I did it
20:55
and I did it. Actually, I did not realize
20:57
things that he saw me, saw me. Wow, it sounds like you've got
21:01
such a, a terrific partnership going on, a nice combination of
21:06
personalities and skills and how amazing that you know, he's been
21:10
there to help build up your confidence over the years.
21:14
And you know, now you're able to understand a little bit more on
21:17
your own and you, you carry that confidence in yourself, not
21:21
having to rely I on him so much. I guess the biggest support that
21:26
he did is towards me is by taking care of the major chunk
21:31
of the responsibilities that required in the back end, like
21:34
administrative part or taking care of the supplies.
21:37
There's so many payrolls and everything else I do not get
21:41
into at all. So my focus is solely on running
21:44
the function in the school. So that is why I I think we
21:48
thrive because we have our own responsibilities drawn and I do
21:52
not step into his. He does not run this, but then
21:54
as long as we are both. Did he have a background in
21:58
childcare centers or has he run other businesses before and he
22:01
just kind of figured this out? All that happened is he just saw
22:05
me how I was with the kids. And yes, I did not just have him
22:08
as my business partner just because of his strength in me.
22:11
But I need to I can, can. I'll just go back a little bit
22:14
back to those days when I used to have run this home base
22:16
daycare is he? He was also our neighbour.
22:20
So he would just come in between sometimes whenever he had time
22:24
because he loved to spend time with the children.
22:26
So when he would come and the children would all just leave me
22:31
and go run to him and and I saw how good he was with the kids
22:35
and how good how much the kids loved him.
22:37
So I saw that side to him also, which made me realize that, OK,
22:41
even if I open something with him as my business partner, we
22:44
will do good because he has compassion and empathy towards
22:47
the children. And that fun part he brings the
22:50
fun and energy to to the children.
22:52
So I thought, OK, this is what makes us a perfect combination
22:56
into this. That's.
22:57
Great. I think the other thing that's
23:00
really interesting is you and your conversation with this
23:05
woman who started Safari Kids led to the whole idea of
23:10
franchising and now there's, what did you say, 75 locations
23:14
worldwide. Across the world.
23:16
Across the world. Are most of them in the States
23:18
or where are they? Where?
23:20
Yeah, the. State states, India, there's
23:22
some in Asia and some more. I'm not even aware where all
23:26
they are, but I just know that and that's again, most of the
23:30
credit also again goes to Mishai the founder because she also
23:35
just as you mentioned, she showed that side because we were
23:39
she started the franchises when in her the beginning of her
23:42
career also. So because of which I saw that
23:44
her struggles as well. I have not just seen her as this
23:47
founder who owns 75 locations. So I have seen her from Ground
23:52
Zero and I've seen her where she does not hesitate in owning up
23:57
where if she has done a mistake or how to learn and how to
24:01
correct yourself and move forward making a difference.
24:04
So that is where I learn from. I take some I'm I get my
24:09
motivation and inspiration from her too.
24:13
Do the franchisees ever get together to to share?
24:17
Ideas And yeah, Oh yes, we do. We have a party.
24:21
We have parties actually very recently also we had a huge
24:23
party. We we love to have, we interact
24:26
with each other, we love to share ideas, what works for each
24:29
other. So because each one of our goals
24:32
are similar, our curriculum is the same, our setup is similar.
24:35
So we try to help each other out.
24:38
And it mainly started with all of our conversations and
24:41
discussions started during COVID time when we were all in it
24:43
together in the sinking board because not knowing if there is
24:47
a tomorrow where we can drive up.
24:50
Yeah, it's that uncertainty of that whole period that was
24:53
probably the worst part. Like if you knew that, hey, we
24:55
just, we need to hang on for three months or six months or 12
24:58
months. Like it makes the planning a bit
25:01
easier. But everything was, you know, up
25:03
in the air. Any question you you mentioned
25:06
how you get together and you would talk about other things,
25:08
you know, including like the curriculum.
25:09
Tell me about what the approach to curriculum is at Safari Kids.
25:14
So the curriculum is a constant research based curriculum.
25:17
So we have our curriculum coordinator who is constantly
25:20
creating curriculum that's missed by Miss Ponema.
25:23
Should we have an designated curriculum coordinator?
25:26
So she is, she constantly creates the curriculum and
25:30
updates us based upon the the present needs and requirements
25:34
of the children. Because every child nowadays
25:38
because there's always different in the way the child's
25:41
development is maybe five years back to today.
25:44
So based upon their environment, the kind of backgrounds that
25:47
they come from. And also we are mainly based
25:51
upon our focus is on whole child development that is social,
25:55
emotional and physical development apart from the
25:58
Academy part of it. So and also updating ourselves
26:02
to the current curriculum and requirements of the children.
26:06
So what does a typical day look like for a child in your school?
26:11
So the children, they come in the morning and we have, we
26:14
start our time with circle time because we want them to before
26:19
the circle time. Sorry, they have this free play
26:21
time where social bonding is what we that is where we focus
26:24
on the social connection. We want them to interact and
26:27
play with. We have the free play time where
26:29
they get to. We have different stations set
26:31
up where they can pick and play for whatever they want.
26:34
It could be colouring, it could be that the dress, it could be
26:37
with blocks. So they do that and they
26:39
interact with other peers of those in the classroom.
26:42
And after that we have the circle time where they all sit
26:45
and get to talk about each other.
26:47
We learn about the weather and the seasons and the date and all
26:50
the basic and basic alphabets. And we have a morning routine.
26:55
So we have that and followed by the academies.
26:58
So we have a theme based monthly theme that we go by.
27:02
So based upon that, we get the curriculum that is followed by
27:05
the teachers. And so how I do is I just give
27:09
whatever curriculum we get. We, I give the skeleton to my
27:11
team and they put the body on it.
27:14
So I do not micromanage the curriculum.
27:17
So I mean how they operate as long as they bring and I'm, and
27:21
I get to that point only seeing what they do that with each one,
27:25
each class is different, each teacher is different.
27:27
They bring out their own creativity and they bring out
27:30
the best that they offer and they also share ideas and that
27:35
is how we operate. So I'm going to guess the way
27:38
that you approach curriculum might be a little bit different
27:41
than what some other childcare centers do, whether it's
27:45
curriculum or something else. I'm curious to understand more
27:49
about what you do at your childcare centers that is maybe
27:53
different than what you would typically find.
27:56
So the first thing that I do, the base level what I do is I
28:01
listen. I believe in listening.
28:03
It could be to even every child is different.
28:05
We believe that every child is different and we could try to
28:07
customize based upon every child's requirements.
28:10
So and because of that, we try to listen.
28:13
If a child is trying to say something, we want to understand
28:16
what we don't just ignore saying that OK, a child is coming with
28:19
the complainants, nothing down. So I likewise, if a teacher is
28:23
having anything to speak, I listen to the teachers too
28:26
because no concern is small or big we have to address and we, I
28:31
want the teacher to be happy being in the classroom.
28:34
So that is where I get it. And I listen to the parents.
28:37
So again, if a parent is coming to me with a concern, it is
28:41
something that has clearly bothered them or upset them.
28:44
So it is up to me. It is for me and our team to be
28:47
able to take care of it and take it constructively and work on
28:50
it. So that is how we work on.
28:52
So we built this community as Safari kid where we all bring, I
28:56
would say a sense of belongingness and ownership that
28:59
connects all of us together. So where I believe that it takes
29:02
a village to bring up a child. So likewise the parents,
29:07
teachers and us together, we work together and bringing up
29:11
the children over here. So that is one part of it and
29:16
speaking about the children, so our curriculum mainly is
29:21
depending dependent upon an overall whole child development
29:26
is what we cover on. So Kieran, I've heard you talk
29:33
glowingly and affectionately about your team many times and
29:37
you talk about how a lot of them have been with you since very
29:41
early on. And another thing that struck me
29:44
is that you're getting ready to open up a brand new center and a
29:49
lot of the child care, and it's a, and it's a big one, You're,
29:52
you know, you're going to need quite a bit of staff.
29:54
A lot of the child care centers that I talked to are having a
29:57
lot of problems finding good workers, good employees, good,
30:02
good team members. So it seems to me that you have
30:07
figured something out, whether it's, you know, how to find, how
30:13
to recruit good team members, and then also once you find
30:16
them, how to retain them. Talk to me about your approach
30:21
to finding and holding on to good folks.
30:24
So to begin with, I feel grateful for each one of them
30:29
each day. So I tell them, I greet them
30:32
every day that I come to the center festivity and I meet the
30:34
teachers. I don't just say hello, I hug
30:37
them. And I told them a friend, that
30:40
each day when I give you a hug, it does not mean that I'm just
30:43
giving you a hello hug. It is a hug with gratitude and
30:46
great gratefulness that you are here doing what you are doing
30:49
because of which I am here today because I cannot be.
30:53
I may be having certain visions and dreams and passions, but I
30:56
cannot do it by myself unless they do their part and the way
30:59
they do it. So that is how my day with my
31:03
team begins every time that I see my teachers.
31:06
And that is how I start with gratitude is what I have in my
31:10
heart. So and we believe in partying
31:14
also a lot. So because I believe in having
31:17
fun along with working because even when if I'm giving a hug, I
31:22
tell them that I give me, I'm giving you my positive energy
31:24
also because they're constantly in the classroom working around
31:27
the children. The mind is trying to figure out
31:30
to teach the children also making sure that they're fine,
31:33
safe and so many different things are going on in their
31:35
mind. But I just give them that little
31:37
hug and energy that OK little dose of them before I step up to
31:41
the classroom and go to the next classroom to the to greet other
31:44
teachers. So that's my routine right after
31:47
I come to the school and we have fun, we party.
31:51
We party quite a bit. So and many, many friends also
31:57
ask me. So you guys, same thing and we
31:58
do post refrain from posting and flaunting all over the social
32:03
media also. So there's a day there is only
32:05
party. I said even party.
32:06
We work hard, but we party also. We party harder.
32:10
But I think that is what makes it a happy place.
32:13
I want it to be a happy place. Happy teachers.
32:16
My my recipe I would say is mantra is happy teachers are
32:21
happy kids and happy kids will be happy parents.
32:24
And that is how. Is this just your natural
32:27
personality or was this kind of a management style that you had
32:31
to discover or learn? No, this is my natural
32:35
personality. I love to party.
32:38
I think that is what it is. I don't like to take things
32:42
seriously. Yes, there would be my my team
32:46
also makes a joke with me because what I do is I have this
32:49
way of putting lids on situations like there would be a
32:53
lot of issues and concerns that would be happening and in a day,
32:56
if I'm having to deal with 10, I cannot have one impact the
32:59
other. So I put a lid on that situation
33:02
and then I move on and I bring out my happy self and energy
33:05
because what I, I reflect my mood and how I am reflects onto
33:11
my team and how they work. So they all really look up to me
33:14
and I need to ensure that that is how and but it comes
33:19
naturally so that it makes it easier for me.
33:22
That's great. So would I be correct in
33:25
assuming that a lot of new employees come from referrals of
33:29
existing ones because it's such a fun place to work?
33:32
Or do you have another mechanism like when you get ready to open
33:35
this new center, you're going to need a whole bunch of new folks.
33:38
How are you going to find them? So that is one of the major ways
33:41
that we have found most of our teachers, the referral amongst
33:44
themselves. And but when new teachers come
33:47
when I hire, that's a good question that you asked because
33:50
that brings me to that point where when I'm hiring and I'm
33:53
interviewing new teachers who will be, I've never met before.
33:57
So I try to say apart from the, the credentials that is required
34:02
to be a preschool teacher, I also see if they're working only
34:06
from here or from here. Because I believe that a teacher
34:10
in the classroom, a preschool teacher working with little kids
34:12
should have the right amount of compassion and empathy and also
34:18
patience. Patience is the key to be with
34:21
little kids. So they're understanding.
34:23
And so that is what I try to see if they have that.
34:26
So that is the reason all my teachers over here are very warm
34:30
and loving. So that is what is the main
34:33
foundation of my team. You're looking for here 1st and
34:37
then you can you can teach them, you can train them what they
34:39
need to know to be a. Teacher in the classroom, yes,
34:42
so and that also brings me to that part Anthony, where because
34:46
my team is so constant and consistently with me.
34:50
So that way I, I obviously not everyone is here.
34:53
Some of them had to go for whatever reasons, maybe because
34:56
I had to relocate or, or any other reasons that they may
34:59
have. But my main core team is, has
35:01
been with me like my directors and assistant directors and my
35:05
core. So I'm not spending a lot of
35:08
time in training new team again. So because they've been with me
35:12
for this long, they already have the sense of ownership and
35:15
responsibility. So even if I'm not here in the
35:18
facility, I know that they're just doing their job just fine
35:22
and I may be much better than what I would do.
35:26
I mean, thinking about every angle.
35:28
So I'm just very proud of who I have with me.
35:32
That's terrific, Karen. What are some of the most common
35:35
concerns that parents have when starting their kids in a new
35:40
school like yours? And what do you tell them to put
35:43
their minds at ease? OK, so one of the concerns that
35:47
I hear quite a lot is by the door when parents are constantly
35:52
worried that the child cries when they drop off the child at
35:56
the door. But that is that is the part
35:58
where I put them their minds to rest saying that don't worry,
36:02
just give it like a week time at most.
36:04
And because I've had situations where children they want to come
36:07
back in the weekends too, The parents have to literally come
36:10
bring the children to the school to show the seat is closed.
36:13
There's nobody here because the child would not settle at home.
36:17
So to that point, so I tell the parents, don't worry.
36:20
It takes a little time for us us to build a relationship with the
36:24
child and the child to know that this is not the only the place
36:27
that you're leaving the child and going that you will come
36:30
back and you'll pick him up him or her, and he will have fun
36:34
learning here. So while the process of building
36:36
relationships and even it takes time for the parents to trust
36:39
us. So I just asked them for the fun
36:42
week time and and so far I think they have had success with every
36:47
child that. Once they get to the one week
36:49
period, the problem is they don't want to go back home.
36:52
Yeah, there are some kids, exactly.
36:54
There's some kids who take, maybe may take one day, two
36:56
days, three days. And some kids don't even take
36:58
any time at all. They're just right there.
37:00
But then there are some kids who take some time, but not more
37:03
than a week. Now, what advice do you have for
37:06
parents who are trying to decide between multiple child care
37:10
centers? How do they?
37:12
What advice can you give them for helping to make that
37:14
decision? So I would say that just give
37:18
them. I would suggest that if I'm a
37:24
parent who right now, maybe when I was a young mom, maybe my
37:29
approach would have been different also.
37:31
But now if I go back to my young days and then if I have to go
37:35
and register my child looking for a preschool for my children,
37:39
maybe I would also look at giving the space and time for
37:43
the teachers. Maybe I would just see that
37:45
approach towards a child and how the classroom setting is that if
37:50
I I will go by my gut feeling if the vibes are right.
37:54
If it is too much, I just try to say that if the work is by
37:58
children or if it is just store bought materials on.
38:01
So that also shows that if their belief is more about how to make
38:05
the classroom look nice or it is more about which what is good
38:10
for the children and children based curriculum.
38:14
Tell me again Kieran, what are the the age groups you said
38:16
starting from 18 months up to how old do you serve?
38:22
So we have a preschool and an after school program.
38:25
So the preschool runs up to from 18 months to four, four years,
38:28
nine month olds in the preschool program.
38:30
And then we have all the way kindergarten through 4th to 5th
38:33
graders we have in the after school program.
38:36
So we pick up, what I mean by after school program is we pick
38:39
up the children from the schools, public schools and they
38:42
bring them here, they have their lunch, sorry, snack and they
38:45
settle down for the school homework.
38:47
We help them with the school homework and we have our own
38:49
Safari kid curriculum packets that help them with we again
38:53
over there again, we do the customizing.
38:55
We evaluate where each child is and depending upon their
38:58
strengths and drawbacks, we create packets and so we help
39:01
them with that and the three hours that they are there.
39:05
First hour is school homo, second hour we do the package
39:07
and the third hour each day we offer different activities like
39:12
making it a one stop shop like we each day.
39:14
One day would be chess. One day we teach them public
39:16
speaking, one day we teach them dance.
39:18
One day we could be like this movie with popcorn which is a
39:21
Friday evening is a is a movie in popcorn time for them and
39:25
spelling bee management. We teach them a lot of these
39:28
activities in the third hour before and then of course they
39:30
get to play outdoors and then they exit from there.
39:33
That's terrific. My kids are in a school that
39:36
offers their own after school program and we just love the
39:41
experience to death. The the young women that run
39:43
that program, they help them with their homework, just like
39:46
you're talking about. They have fun like arts and
39:50
crafts activities for them. They have toys to let them play
39:53
and, and kind of, you know, relax.
39:55
They'll do movie night. I mean, everything that you're
39:56
describing is, is what they do in, in, in this program as well.
40:01
And my kids love it. They, they keep asking for us to
40:05
pick them up later and later they're like, hey, it's, it's,
40:07
it's open till 6, you know, can we stay in?
40:10
Well, it's like, we're your parents.
40:11
We want to see you too. Like so it's it sounds like
40:15
you've built the same kind of incredible program.
40:19
Yes. So I I'm happy to say yes.
40:23
It is a proud moment for me to accept that and admit that yes,
40:27
we did build such an atmosphere and environment where not just
40:31
us, but we have this parent community also where we have
40:35
this relationship as working, being in this together, very
40:39
understanding. Of course, it takes time for new
40:41
parents to build relationships, but I have seen that I even I'm
40:46
still attached and connected to the parents who I started like
40:49
14 years back. So that is an achievement by
40:51
itself, including that little baby who started in the
40:54
beginning, the first one with me.
40:57
So it's really humbling and gratitude is what I feel.
41:03
Can you think about maybe one of your children in particular
41:07
throughout the years that maybe it was a little bit of a
41:10
challenging situation in the beginning and through the
41:15
process that you have there, you were able to make a lot of
41:19
progress with them, consider them to be a a big success
41:21
story. We have actually many students
41:26
like that. So where the child would not, I
41:31
would say the child started off where I for some reason would
41:36
only want the dad to begin with at the door.
41:39
It says he would not want to come inside.
41:41
And we literally, it was very sad for us to do that, but then
41:45
we had to literally pull him inside or take him inside and
41:48
the dad. So it was a very difficult time.
41:51
And the whole time in the classroom, all he would do is
41:53
dad, daddy, daddy. He would do the nap time also.
41:56
He would not. So that's why the dad we spoke,
41:59
we had a conversation with the parents.
42:00
So all the other kids in one week time were settled down.
42:05
But that child took quite some time I would say.
42:07
And he would want dad nap time. Or even when coming back, he
42:11
would be just stuck by the door waiting for his dad to come home
42:14
to come. Sorry to pick him up to take
42:16
home, but we got there. So he he started to enjoy and to
42:23
a point where the dad would be calling, he had to wait outside
42:27
for quite some time before the child got out.
42:29
So that is something that I would attribute it to the team,
42:32
the teachers, the way they worked and the kind of care that
42:35
they gave because of which the child built in the trust.
42:38
And so they understood what he wants he did.
42:41
They tried to take the time in understanding what makes him
42:45
happy and what is it's not just making him happy is what our
42:48
goal should be when we are here because we also want to ensure
42:51
that they are learning and then their timing apart from just
42:55
being taken care because this is not just a daycare or a play
43:00
based preschool. So we believe in development,
43:03
whole development as I keep saying so, so the teachers took
43:07
the time and then they built the trust and confidence and sat
43:11
gave them the child one-on-one attention till the child thrive
43:14
and built the confidence and trust in them.
43:16
And then that is where we are. So I, I would always, even now.
43:21
And then he also joined from preschool.
43:23
He graduated into after school program and now he comes to into
43:26
our after school program also. And it's, it's a joy to see him.
43:30
And every time we see him and we all remember those days how it
43:33
was in the picnic and look at him now.
43:36
He's a little big boy and he takes care of other kids.
43:39
It's very nice to see that. That's great.
43:41
I love that story. Kieran, talk to me about how
43:46
transitional kindergarten there in California is affecting you.
43:50
That is a very good question because it is affecting us a
43:53
lot. A lot.
43:55
So we would be having transitional kindergarten and
43:59
kindergarten together. I would say around 3 classrooms
44:03
in the past years, but now one whole classroom is gone because
44:08
that has started in the public schools and because of which the
44:12
impact is not just on the school overall, but even for the
44:15
teachers who we had assigned from that structure.
44:19
And then now we do not have children to have those teachers
44:21
here at that time. So, but regardless, I'm hoping
44:25
that we will grow again. So I still have the teachers.
44:29
I've not taken away any, OK. Even though you've got one whole
44:32
classroom sitting empty right now, you've kept the staff.
44:35
Yes. So they have been with me when I
44:37
need them. So I have to be with them
44:39
through this and. So is there a thought process to
44:44
try to maybe go a little bit younger with the kids that
44:47
you're serving? That is starting 18 months to
44:50
yes, that is what we are doing. So this is the year that we have
44:52
started is we are getting into the infant program, we are
44:56
applying for that. But before that, I'm glad that
44:59
three of my directors are already aware and they are
45:02
credentialed, fully credentialed for infant program.
45:05
But at the same time, we are having our teachers also enroll
45:09
themselves into the program because we were not prepared for
45:11
infant program at all. But then we already have our
45:15
experienced directors here in that.
45:17
So I'm confident that we'll be fine and we will be starting it
45:20
in the next six months for time. OK.
45:23
So there's a special license that's needed for infants and
45:26
special certifications for the teacher.
45:28
Yes, that are. Needed as well.
45:29
So you're going through that process and hopefully in the
45:31
next six months you'll be able to open.
45:33
Up the infants exactly and the setup of the classroom also will
45:36
be very different for infants. So with that said, in Mountain
45:40
House, the new location that we are opening, we are opening the
45:43
construction is happening based upon the infant classroom also.
45:46
So. We will be starting with the
45:49
whole program in place. Yeah.
45:52
I'm curious, Kieran, and this might be a better question for
45:56
your business partner, kind of understanding how the the duties
45:58
sort of divide. But you know, as a business
46:02
leader, we're always keeping our eye on the bottom line, right?
46:06
Are we making enough money? And we've got sort of two levers
46:10
that we can pull and one of them is how do we increase sales and
46:14
the other one is how do we decrease expenses?
46:17
Can you think of any interesting things that you've tried and
46:21
found success with and pulling either one of those levers?
46:25
So what we do is there is not much room for us to decrease
46:30
costs because we are dealing with children here and we cannot
46:33
compromise with the expenses there because in terms of the
46:37
ratio in the classrooms, I provide more ratio than required
46:40
because the goal is to provide quality and not quantity is for
46:44
me. Again, maybe that is the
46:46
drawback because I'm not into the admin part of it.
46:49
So my focus is only on the classroom.
46:52
So I try to provide that I, I ensure that the teachers are not
46:56
overwhelmed. So because of which more
46:57
teachers are in the classrooms, so more teachers than required
47:01
in the campus we have. So however, how we compensate is
47:07
because we have started to bring in new processes and programs in
47:11
the facility which do not require us to do manually lot of
47:14
things manually. So that gives us the directors
47:17
the time to be able to do more online because social media is
47:22
all over the place now. We are micro utilizing it to the
47:24
fullest and where they do the marketing and they're believing
47:27
they're able to do more of training and all of this.
47:30
So which helps us get more kids in balancing this out.
47:35
So that is where and he is not. And the other thing is, again,
47:40
my directors are my my angels where they they have the right
47:45
balance. They make sure that the
47:46
schedule, the teachers the right way.
47:48
And my teachers are also everybody.
47:50
They work together. So if they say that not many
47:52
kids are in the classroom, they themselves make, they just
47:56
decide to leave because we, they just decide to sign out and all
48:00
that. So basically we all work
48:01
together as a team and and likewise, when they we have more
48:05
kids and there is a requirement in need, they do not mind
48:08
extending their hours too. So that is how so that is one
48:13
part of it. And speaking about the other
48:16
part of it also, he he's very sound businessman, I would say.
48:24
And I think one of us has to be that way.
48:27
He keeps a check on, he never control curves, any requirements
48:33
that we have. So, but at the same time, he's a
48:35
smart shopper. So that's what he does.
48:38
All I do is hey I need this is this and how he gets it I don't
48:43
care so but he makes. He's got a magic wand behind the
48:46
scene. So he gets he, he just makes
48:49
sure that we get the right items from the right places.
48:52
And so he does not have any complaints and I do not
48:55
complain. So we are a good team that way.
48:57
I do not question, he does not question me.
48:59
So as long as of course, if, if we are going overboard, those
49:02
are the times he gives us a little nudge.
49:04
And then we, my directors, again, they take care.
49:07
They're extremely on on board with everything so.
49:12
Kieran, what's a fun fact that most people wouldn't know about
49:15
you? Fun fact about me, I won't know
49:23
how to Does it sound that I love to?
49:26
Silly fact, I would say not fun, but that I like to have ice
49:30
cream and coffee both at the same time.
49:34
It's. Also a little cold treat A
49:35
little worm tree, huh? Yes.
49:37
So maybe that also speaks about my personality, Anthony, is
49:41
because as much as I'd love to have fun and party and all that,
49:47
but at the same time, when it comes to work, I'm very
49:50
particular about the way that it has to function.
49:53
So the boundaries are drawn and of course I work and I'm a
49:59
leader who do not believe, who does not believe in just leading
50:03
the team, but I believe in walking together forward.
50:06
That is how I am, but ensuring that we are going the right
50:10
path. So my team now, I OK 14 years
50:14
now, they know what to do and all.
50:15
But then even in the beginning too, I would just make sure that
50:19
I do not compromise about quality at all.
50:22
So maybe I'm sorry, I just kind of deviated from the subject.
50:25
But then this kind of analogy is what I was just looking at.
50:29
And the other fun fact I would say is the classical dance part.
50:33
That has been my childhood dream.
50:35
So that is something that I, not many people know about it, but I
50:42
have begun to pursue that again. Now I'm like, yeah, now I'm able
50:48
to find the time. And so where I'm able to just
50:52
connect back, like making my life full circle and I've
50:56
started my classical dance classes again.
51:00
So there's a new center coming soon and I'm sure all the the
51:04
attention and the energy is on that and you probably can't
51:07
think past that at all. But are there maybe some plans
51:12
in the back of your mind to expand even further past this
51:16
new center that's in progress? Absolutely, absolutely.
51:19
Because for me so far I was thinking about myself and my
51:23
business partner. We had our own plans but my
51:27
daughter, it is just against blessing I feel and is that she
51:33
has joined me and it is a pleasure to see her working.
51:37
Of course she has joined at the base level.
51:39
I wanted her to learn the basics.
51:41
So because of which she is, she has joined as the office
51:46
coordinator over here. So where she just understands
51:50
the INS and outs and all of that.
51:52
Administrator, office administrator actually.
51:55
So, but however I see her being able to take over and I want to
51:59
be able to, I think together we will be able to take it to the
52:02
next level. And so where they can continue.
52:05
And I'm just happy that she's here when I'm here in the
52:08
facility. And so that way she sees the
52:09
culture that I bring in. And because I believe in
52:13
respect. And the children nowadays, they
52:16
are very straightforward. They may or may not, I'm sure
52:20
she does a good job. But my way of working is, as I
52:23
told you earlier, that I feel gratitude towards them.
52:26
And I treat and I talk to each one of them with respect every
52:28
day because I think that you can't command and demand
52:32
respect. I need to be able to give
52:33
respect and to be able to not not to get the respect is why I
52:39
don't know, but that is how my work culture is.
52:42
You earn it. Yes, yes, I because yes, they
52:46
all earn my respect day in and day out.
52:48
And even if there are some slip UPS and Mystics that happen, we
52:51
all learn from Mystics. Even I make mistakes every day.
52:54
So that is how I am and I wanted because she I'm sure that she
52:57
will excel in what she's doing the new generation with the new
53:00
ideas and concepts. I'm sure she's going to do a
53:02
great job, but I want her to remember what the base roots are
53:06
to be able to have that empathy and respect and humbleness.
53:11
So that is something that I hope she learns and then she can take
53:14
it forward. So with that in mind, definitely
53:17
we now had it been up to me, just up to me and Chandra to be
53:20
able to open more centers, I would have because now with
53:24
Asia, I would want to just kind of stop and focus on what I
53:28
have. But seeing her with me, why not?
53:33
With her help, once you've indoctrinated her, once you've
53:36
sort of taught her and showed her the ropes, yes, she can be
53:39
very helpful in opening additional centers down the
53:42
road. Yes, I'm making more difference
53:44
because I see how our children thrive here, how happy parents
53:47
are, how happy teachers are to be able to create more spaces
53:51
like this to work and for the parents to have their children.
53:54
And that is something that I would be more than happy to do
53:58
if I can. So yeah.
54:00
Kieran, are there any specific mentors or books that have been
54:05
helpful for you in either your personal or professional career?
54:11
The first person I would say is hands down is Mishai again.
54:17
So she has been the inspiration and she has been guiding me all
54:21
through. So even I can just pick up the
54:24
phone and I can just call her about anything and anytime about
54:29
anything and she'll be there right there with an answer for
54:32
me. And like she just has it up
54:34
there right there and giving me the right answers.
54:37
So that gives me the confidence that okay, I don't need to worry
54:40
about anything. The situation happens whatever
54:42
because situations are very different each day.
54:44
So if it happens, then she's right there to help me and she
54:48
guides me. And apart from that,
54:51
inspirations I take each day. Each day I take my inspiration
54:56
and I learn from different people, like even from you.
54:59
I can say that you you inspired me when I when you connected
55:05
contacted me and all so and I went through your website and
55:08
all. So you inspired me in thinking
55:09
that you are making a difference in so many people's lives by
55:14
just bringing the stories, inspiring stories to them,
55:16
giving them a platform where they can see that otherwise
55:19
people would be just wondering if I can do it or not, but
55:23
listening to this story. So we are providing that
55:25
platform that is very inspiring. Or I would see my team who is
55:28
very inspiring for me that each day, even if I sometimes kind of
55:34
take it easy that OK, maybe we can just relax and do this.
55:37
But then they say, no, let us just do to that extent.
55:40
And then that inspires me that that gives me happiness, of
55:43
course, but at the same time inspires me.
55:45
There are some directors where I have to literally tell them,
55:47
hey, you sleep now or I'm gonna fire you.
55:49
They sleep, they work. They're working at 12:00 one
55:52
o'clock in the night. And that happens only because
55:54
they have that sense of ownership with the way I would
55:57
work. They work.
55:58
So that happens. Children inspire me.
56:01
So I would say that not I don't read books about taking notes
56:06
about inspiration. I take on real world and real
56:08
situations that I get, and they're all inspired.
56:12
Yeah, my children, you find. Inspiration, just moving through
56:17
the world and interacting with everyday people.
56:19
Everyday I talk to the parents and I get some inspiration from
56:23
there. I take some energy, so I just
56:27
work that way. Sharon, I just have one more
56:30
question for you, but before I ask it, I want to do 2 things.
56:34
If you're listening today and you like today's content, please
56:36
hit the like, subscribe or share button on your favorite podcast
56:40
app. I also want to let people know
56:42
the best way to get in touch with you.
56:43
Kieran, what would that be? We have our website and I can
56:49
just share the links so we have the phone, mostly our websites
56:54
and the insta pages as well to connect with us.
56:57
And it's safarikids.com and then your particular location would
57:00
be. Positano.
57:02
Positano, OK, great. So last question for you,
57:05
Kieran, I'm curious, what do you see are the big changes that are
57:09
coming to childcare industry in say the next five years?
57:14
In the next 5 years, I am thinking that especially because
57:21
the public schools have started the TK and kindergarten, the TK
57:24
also going up there. So it is a constant struggle and
57:32
I think it's a constant. The world is also evolving and
57:37
at the same time, our industry is also evolving quite a lot.
57:40
So I think that the challenge is I am.
57:47
I did not think about that, to be honest.
57:49
OK, fair enough. You're living in the moment.
57:52
Yes, yes, yes, in the moment and when it comes to that we will
57:56
get there. My partner, my business partner
57:57
is because as he's into that thought process, he's been on
58:01
it. So what do we do about it?
58:03
What if it closes? I just say that if we will get
58:05
there, we'll get to that when we get there.
58:08
But for now, let us just focus on what we have.
58:10
And of course we are getting into this infancy program that
58:14
we are trying to do. But how?
58:16
What will happen that I know I I don't want to think about that.
58:21
I love that it's a non traditional answer.
58:23
I'm I'm here, I'm in the present moment, I'm thinking about
58:26
today. I've got a business partner
58:28
who's wired for that other kind of stuff.
58:31
He is that he is. Well, Kieran, I want to be the
58:33
first one to thank you for sharing both your time and your
58:36
story with us today. I really appreciate it.
58:39
Thank you so much, Anthony for having me here.
58:42
Folks, that's a wrap on another episode of the Inspired Stories
58:45
podcast. Thanks for learning with us
58:47
today.