For the Month of April we are sharing stories of hope and inspiration for National Month of Hope. Sometimes hope is the deciding factor on if we will continue our journey or stop right in our tracks. As we share the stories of these amazing individuals we hope that you are filled with hope and are inspired to keep on your path of greatness.
Dominique E. Savage is a Childcare business owner, consultant, and author with over 15 years of experience dedicated to the ECE Field. Dominique was born into this industry through her mother’s entrepreneurship and ownership of her own family daycare center. After graduating with a B. A in ECE and obtaining her Pennsylvania teaching certification, Dominique decided to join the family business and expand from “family daycare” to a successful, high-quality accredited preschool center.
After years of operating a multi-site childcare business and graduating with her Master’s in educational leadership, she launched her own platform, Educated Mindz, where she shares tips, techniques, strategies, and blueprints for childcare providers nationwide to scale & grow their businesses. Her passion and educational purpose is to educate women nationwide on how to not only become successful entrepreneurs but the importance of continually “educating their minds” on self-development and financial freedom to create generational wealth for their families, for years to come.
Dominique has also added the title of published author to her name, with the introduction of her first book and first children’s book, Darla Misses Daddy, which touches on the loss of a loved one. Through this newest endeavor, Dominique aims to empower families and schools to embrace tough yet necessary conversations within the home and teaching spaces. Her book is currently sold online at Educated Mindz, as well as in Walmart and Barnes & Noble; soon to be on shelves at many more independent and culturally diverse bookstores around the nation.
As a natural-born leader and problem solver, Dominique Savage is on a mission to enrich the community through her professional investments in youth building and awareness as it pertains to both family and educator resources. Dominique has served on leadership/expert panels, hosted many masterclasses and workshops, and has spoken and taught to various people and platforms for the betterment of their education centers and community programs. As a second-generation Entrepreneur, Dominique Savage is fired up and personally equipped, and passionate about her work. She is increasing her reach and making a bigger impact by the hour.
What inspired you to start into entrepreneurship?
At the age of three, my parents started a family-based child care center in our home and I’ve been around it as long as I can remember. I started as an entrepreneur at 20 years old and I’m now 32 so I’ve been at it for some time. I think just growing up seeing my mom work so hard and gain her own success I was inspired to take it over and work my way up there as well. I’m an educator at heart and I love what I do so I’m grateful that I had someone so amazing to inspire me to get into the entrepreneurship realm. Something that really pulled me into it as well was the freedom that you have and I love being my own boss and making my own rules. It’s a great way to impact the community around me and educate others on how I started and how they can be successful as well. I knew when others around me were asking for advice/mentorship I needed to expand my business and become not only a childcare provider, but a childcare educator as well.
What obstacles have you had to overcome to get where you are today?
I think just learning the business is an obstacle in and of itself. Being in business isn’t easy, but being a woman in business is even harder and comes with its own unique challenges. Especially when you are young and just getting into it there is so much interaction with people like contractors who may have prejudice against you. What I have learned is that when you hear “No” sometimes you have to just keep trying and get back up again. How you present yourself as a woman is important as well and I think exuding confidence is key to getting over that obstacle. Another obstacle that I found while on my journey to where I am today is understanding the importance of building a team. No matter the business a team is important to grow and sustain and keep working towards those goals. Trying to do it all on your own is setting yourself up for failure.
What message of hope do you have for upcoming entrepreneurs?
The number one thing I tell upcoming entrepreneurs is to trust the process. Things are guaranteed to go wrong along the way, but you have to keep going and pick yourself back up. Especially in the childcare business, the first 2-5 years are bound to experience different degrees of failure. Having faith in yourself to get back up and keep going is really key to gaining success. If I would have stopped going after all of the failures, mistakes, and obstacles I’ve been through I would never be where I am today, and if you’re really passionate about being an entrepreneur I think you have to know that quitting is not an option for you. Quitting is a failure in the worst way because it’s much harder to come back from rather than picking yourself up after small failures and continuing to do what you love and what you’re passionate about.
What are your top 3 go-to songs for motivation to keep going after your goals?
Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill – When I am in my childcare groove and want something upbeat to motivate me and keep me going this is my favorite song to listen to. I especially love the lyric “I go and get it regardless” because as I said before no matter what comes your way you have to keep getting after it.
Motivation by Spiritual Tony – The reason I love this song is because it tells me that I am right where I need to be in life. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason and I know that I’m where I am because I’m supposed to be here. This song is a great one to keep me chasing my goals.
Pray by Koryn Hawthorne – When I want to tap into my spiritual side this is the perfect song to take me there. Knowing that I’m right where I need to be this song reminds me that God is in charge of all of my steps and he’ll lead me to my goals if I stay working hard.
What is your definition of a pretty woman who hustles?
A pretty woman who hustles is someone who is passionate, driven, uplifting and wants to empower others to be the same. Being a woman in business is so much harder and women who hustle and work for their goals will ultimately achieve success. I decided to start my own membership titled “CEO Circle” to bring together pretty women who hustle because I think it’s so important to have a community of these women who all go through the same struggles. Lifting each other up is the best way to help other women in business and be happy for their successes without being blinded by jealousy or your own goals. We are all just trying to make it out here and doing it with other women by your side is so much easier than doing it alone.
Connect with Dominique
Instagram @educated_mindzllc
