Acquisition International - Issue 5 2022 9 Childcare For The Future o stand against the rising tide is no easy task, but maintaining an independent approach is vital to securing business success. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations across the US took the decision to close their doors, including a wealth of preschools, schools, universities, and other educational institutions. Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center bucked the trend by staying open. Since opening in 2006, Yellow Brick Road had made its name in offering childcare solutions that focuses on providing a safe place for children to learn, explore and grow. Partnering with families, the team have been proud to achieve remarkable results over the years, bridging the gap between childhood development and the first few years of schooling. Those who have turned to Yellow Brick Road have done so because the priority has always been ensuring that the learning environment is of the highest quality, embracing spacious playgrounds and intentional learning opportunities, but always at a price which can be afforded by young families. In 2018, however, the business had come into difficulties and Jessica Johnsen was brought in to revitalize its prospects. As a renowned industry speaker, trainer and motivator, Yellow Brick Road offered a unique opportunity to put her teachings into practice. During 2019, Jessica made major changes to the way in which Yellow Brick Road operated, transforming the culture of the business into a thriving community. The focus on Yellow Brick Road’s philosophy and on the needs of the children they serve has never been in doubt, but it has been regenerated through impressive teacher training, leadership development, onboarding process, and marketing. This fresh approach to the business did not stall when the pandemic hit. In fact, Jessica and her newly revitalized team accelerated their innovative approach to childcare. The decision to do this was not taken lightly, and involved trying ways of working that were entirely different to keep the business on the rails. It involved an approach which championed innovation above all else. It involved taking risks that might not pay off. Such an inspirational approach is a credit to Jessica Johnsen, who never shied way from the complex decisions at the heart of her business. Finding solutions in these unprecedented times was not an easy task. It’s clear that many businesses made the call to wait and see what others would do, so as not to make mistakes. Jessica’s whole approach, the one which has truly inspired the team at Yellow Brick Road, has revolved around taking ownership of a situation and T finding a solution for herself. Her role as CEO is to lead her team to success no matter what. Now, Yellow Brick Road is once again a pillar of the community. The strategies implemented by Jessica and her team have transformed the fortunes of the business, pulling it out of short-term debt and allowing it to acquire Seeds to Seedlings and Sonnet Montessori School brands. It currently operates nine schools in two different markets and is still looking for ways of expanding their reach. When it comes to being an influential CEO, the work undertaken by Jessica Johnsen demonstrates how effective a flexible and innovative approach can be. The team’s ambitious attitude has brought them incredible success, both financially and in terms of turning around the culture of this stalwart establishment. As the team finds itself in the perfect position to continue a pattern of growth – indeed, there are plans in place to expand the Yellow Brick Road brand into Des Moines, Iowa in the summer. All in all, everything is in place for a very promising future ahead. Company: Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center Name: Jessica Johnsen Email: jessica.johnsen@ybrecdc.org When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, it was those businesses which could react quickly who were able to survive. Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center is a prime example of this, with their CEO, Jessica Johnsen being recognised for her work. Named Influential CEO of the Year 2022 - Education Programs in the 2022 Global Excellence Awards from Acquisition International, we took a closer look to discover more about the secrets of their success. Company: Yellow Brick Road Early Childhood Development Center Name: Jessica Johnsen Email: jessica.johnsen@ ybrecdc.org Mar22624
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