Describe your business. Did you find it, or did it find you?

Smart Start was created from the ground up, so I found it. As a new mother and a teacher for many years, I began to think about the ideal school I would want my son to attend. Smart Start was designed from a mother’s perspective, and is a little bit of every teaching style and philosophy offered in the community – all rolled into one unique curriculum. Smart Start has adapted and evolved over the years to meet the needs of the community, and we are excited to be going “green” this year. Our curriculum keeps expanding to include much more hands-on learning, for each student’s style of learning. Curriculum includes gardening in our organic garden, horse riding lessons, cooking, art, and dramatic arts.

How are you involved with both the community and your customer?

My staff and I see each new student as part of our family. We attend birthday parties and support them in all that they do. Smart Start also believes it is vital to teach our students how to give back to others. The students visit patients at Alta Vista Villas twice a month. We usually play games with the grandmas and grandpas and listen to music or sing with them. I have four kids, so I am very active in the sports side of the community as well as volunteering at my children’s school. My son and I are working right now on a special project, knitting beanies for cancer patients, focusing on children going through chemo. This has been a great way for my eight-year-old to appreciate his health and to help others in need. I also have to mention, that I am so thankful for the community I live in. When I was going through my cancer treatments and healing from surgeries, this community lifted my family up, and we had meals delivered for over ten weeks!

Where do you and your family go locally to have fun?

During the summer my kids and I enjoy free movie days at Olympus Pointe in Roseville. We also like to go to the Whitney Ranch Park in Rocklin.

If you could be in any other profession what would it be?

I am in school studying to be a child psychologist to help other families through traumas.

And finally, customer service is…?

It is knowing each family that attends Smart Start. We understand that it takes both parents and staff to truly make a difference in the child. We dedicate ourselves to building strong relationships in and out of the classroom. Our amazing families make Smart Start so great, the staff and I feel blessed to be serving this community!