Three Key Takeaways from the Love Your Career in Childcare Podcast with Tessa Day

The "Love Your Career in Childcare" podcast recently featured Tessa Day, the founder of Club Hub, the UK’s largest kids' activities directory. Tessa shared her inspiring journey, from aspiring actress to entrepreneur, and provided valuable insights into the childcare and children’s activities sector. Here are three key takeaways from her conversation with host Craig:

1.        Passion Fuels Success

Tessa’s journey highlights the importance of following your passions. Initially aspiring to be an actress, she pivoted into teaching and running children’s activities, ultimately founding Club Hub. Her enthusiasm for performing arts carried over into her businesses, where she continues to bring energy and creativity to her work. Her story demonstrates that embracing what you love can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.

Lesson: Whether in childcare, business, or another field, passion and enthusiasm can be the driving forces behind long-term success. Finding ways to incorporate what you love into your work can make all the difference.

2.        Collaboration and Community Are Key

Throughout the podcast, Tessa emphasized the importance of collaboration within the children's activities sector. From forming partnerships to engaging with mentors, she highlighted that working with others is essential for growth. She also pointed out that many small businesses hesitate to invest in outside help, but those who seek mentorship and build networks tend to thrive.

Lesson: Success in any industry is rarely achieved in isolation. Building strong relationships, seeking mentorship, and collaborating with like-minded professionals can accelerate growth and create opportunities for learning and improvement.

3.        The Sector is Evolving – Adaptability is Essential

Tessa discussed the evolving landscape of the children's activities sector, particularly with the increasing digitalization of marketing and challenges such as competition and intellectual property concerns. She stressed the importance of staying updated, protecting your brand, and embracing change to stay relevant. She also noted that recruitment and retention of staff remain key challenges, making it vital for providers to focus on employee engagement and well-being.

Lesson: Adaptability is crucial in a fast-changing industry. Keeping up with trends, leveraging digital marketing, and protecting your brand can ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, focusing on staff satisfaction and development can help businesses retain talent in a competitive market.

Tessa’s insights serve as a valuable guide for anyone navigating the childcare and children’s activities sector. Whether you're an entrepreneur, educator, or provider, embracing passion, collaboration, and adaptability can help you build a successful and sustainable career.