Kim Lannin: The Inch Way — Steps to Create An Empowered School Culture

Kris welcomes the awesome Kim Lannin, member of the Child Care Success Academy and owner of Inch by Inch Childcare, Inc. for the past 18 years. Kim shares her inspiring journey of building a successful child care business, overcoming early challenges through the support of the Academy, and developing a unique “Inch Way” philosophy centered on exceptional customer service and a collaborative, hands-on leadership approach.

 

Key Takeaways:

[2:47] Kim provides an overview of her business, Inch by Inch Childcare, Inc., which she has owned for 18 years. The school has a current license capacity of 102 and is 90% full, with a revenue of over $2 million for the year.

[6:25] Kim loves a good Peloton session, with over 2,600 rides completed.

[7:30] Fun fact, Kim is Canadian!

[8:41] Kim recounts the early challenges she faced, including having no vision and lacking business skills. She credits the Child Care Success Academy for providing the tools she needed to succeed.

[14:00] Kim suggests that the lack of leadership in childcare may be due to a lack of leadership skills and a reliance on conventional, top-down management styles rather than a more collaborative, hands-on approach.

[14:42] Kim advocates for a more unconventional, collaborative leadership style where the leader is “hands-on” and focused on supporting the team, rather than just giving orders.

[17:30] How Kim’s mindset has changed over the years and what she attributes that to the most.

[20:07] Forming a Massachusetts cohort during the pandemic and how that helped everyone get through a difficult time.

[23:58] Dealing with staffing challenges by constantly hiring and bringing in candidates.

[28:01] What sets Inch By Inch apart from competition in the community?

[30:27] How “The Inch Way” helps retain employees and family.

[31:29] Future goals, including rebranding and expansion.

 

Quotes:

• “What is now your ceiling will become your floor.” — Kim [6:59]

• “Within the first five years, I was on the brink of complete and utter failure. And this is a true story. This is not a paid infomercial, but what saved me was finding the Academy, because I had no plan. I had no idea what I was doing, and it gave me the tools that I needed to get on the right path.” — Kim [9:32]

• “The two main pillars I think of what you should be doing with your business are articulating your vision or core values and deciding what they are. They have to be inherent to you, that you believe in, and that’s what we have now.” — Kim [11:56]

• “Putting together that team who’s working with you and you’re all working together is really, really important.” — Kim [12:50]

• “To be successful, at least for us, we’ve had to be unconventional. We are unconventional, and it’s hard to be that way sometimes.” — Kim [14:07]

• “I have much more confidence in our brand than I did even five years ago, but we’ve really managed to articulate and put into place something that parents appreciate. Kids are thriving, so I have much more confidence.” — Kim [17:46]

• “ABC. Always Be Hiring.” — Kim [23:06]

• “If someone wants to be a part of your team, then hire them. If they want to be with you, then why would you say no? Likewise, if somebody wants to come to your school and then find a way to get them in.” — Kim [26:33]

• “The way we decided to set ourselves apart was through customer service, and that is what the ‘Inch Way’ is. It’s being helpful, being kind, and not hesitating to go the extra mile for people. That will set you apart. People will appreciate that, and it will benefit your business in ways that you never anticipated.” — Kim [29:22]

• “People often confuse kindness for weakness, but they are different things. Meet people where they are — some people need help and support. Be that for them, and it will pay off. That’s really the foundation of the ‘Inch Way’ — it’s how we treat our families and staff, and it governs how we go about our day.” — Kim [29:41]

 

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Inch By Inch