Meet Felicia
Felicia is a lifelong New Yorker whose love for teaching comes from her mother, an educator herself. Felicia’s business started in a two-bedroom apartment and has transformed into a 5,000 square foot three-classroom daycare. Since 2018, Grameen America has invested $68,000 into Felicia’s business. Felicia is the proud mother of four children, including a son who teaches at her daycare center.
“I’ve always loved children, but I never thought that I would turn this into a business. My love for teaching came from my mother who was an educator in my neighborhood. The one thing my mom always taught me is to give back and share. My mom planted the seed for my business, but it didn’t manifest until 9/11.”
Felicia was born and raised in New York and started her career as an executive assistant in the banking industry after high school. On the morning of 9/11, Felicia was supposed to drop her three-year-old son at school and go to work at the World Trade Center but was running late and missed her usual morning schedule, unknowingly saving her life.
“I’m never late. As I was driving, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. My son never made it to school, and I never made it to work. Afterwards, I didn’t want to go into another building for work, and I left the banking company for my own healing.”
Felicia thought she’d find a job in event planning, but soon after 9/11, Felicia found out she was pregnant with her second child. Felicia was nervous about sending her son to school and decided to teach him at home, starting an at-home daycare center.
“After recharging, the businesswoman kicked in. I realized I can teach other kids, and I found my calling. My motto is learners today, leaders tomorrow. These kids go to college. They’re in talented and gifted programs, they attend college, and it makes me feel wonderful because I know I set the foundation. I know I instill the love of learning in them.”
A few years into her business, Felicia was running low on income, spending her money on materials and supplies for her students. In 2018, a friend from church who was in the Grameen America program introduced Felicia to the organization. At her first informational meeting, Felicia recognized other entrepreneurs in her neighborhood and became interested in the opportunity for financial security, business growth, and brand development.
“Joining Grameen America was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Knowledge is power and every week we’re learning something new. Every week I’m learning more about my business. Every week I’m learning something about someone else’s business and how they can support me. Because of Grameen America, I’ve been able to grow and give back to my community.”
In addition to a first-time loan, one of the first things Felicia gained from Grameen America’s program was a business plan and business savings account.
“Grameen America taught me how to save money and save for the unexpected. Now I’m able to handle my business and personal finances. With this business and the consistent savings and building up my credit, I was able to purchase my vehicle. It was a great achievement.”
Through training and certifications, Felicia was able to obtain a group provider license to teach more children and become a licensed teacher by the Department of Education. With the support and encouragement from the entrepreneurs in her group, Felicia went on to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education.
“Sky’s the limit with Grameen America. I’ve connected with a lot of amazing entrepreneurs who I can call on for help and support. The entrepreneurs in my group make me want to do better as a businesswoman and have supported me to keep going and get a higher education. They saw the potential in me to go further. Grameen America members also support my business, sending their kids to my daycare. The beauty is that these entrepreneurs aren’t just keeping information to themselves, they’re sharing it.”
Felicia’s daycare started to grow from word-of-mouth. Felicia had to start a wait list, and they were outgrowing her space. Unsure of how to find and rent a space, Felicia met a Grameen America member who was able to help connect Felicia with the resources and information to get a brick and mortar. Felicia’s three-room daycare center can host nearly 50 children in addition to the kids in her home-daycare.
“I started the daycare center in my home, and I had eight children in a two-bedroom apartment. To see now that I have over 5,000 square feet and three classrooms – it’s amazing.”
Inspired by her first son, Felicia’s daycare business has grown into a multigenerational legacy. Felicia is the proud mother of four children, including a son who teaches at her business, and a grandmother to a granddaughter who is one of her current students.
