Today we’d like to introduce you to Nyisha Geovonni Barnes
Hi Nyisha Geovonni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I embarked upon my career as an early Child Care Educator initially in 2001. I completed classes with Baltimore City Community College. My Professor ” Linda Lee” was stern yet she exuded a nurturing spirit. In the essence of attaining my education I grew very impatient with attending college and began working as a BUS Aide / Teachers Assistant with Catholic Charities St. Veronica’s Head Start. During that time I made $8.40 while living on my own with my Three daughters. I was a single mother who had children very early. However my children were my motivation to earn as much money as possible to move them out of our Cherry Hill Public Housing 3 bedroom townhouse. As time progressed I decided to become a Licensed Home Child Care Provider . My goal was to become as notably respected as My Mother, Valarie Alston who was by far the most loving, fun, attentive, nurturing and kindred child care provider I had known. Seeing my mother go above and beyond her duties to obligate herself often as a surrogate for children inspired me to do the same. My first year as a child care provider came with numerous obstacles. I lived in public housing so the space was limited, that became a tender spot for me. Eventually I elected to disengage from operating as a Licensed child care provider to accept what had become “my life ” opposed to my career. I was a detention officer for the state of maryland. At this time my mommy and my Brother became a surrogate for me. My children were being awakened at 4am so I could comb their hair, dress them and feed them breakfast so I could take them to my mommy. I would work between 70- 80 hours a week doing overtime. The money became addictive as it afforded me a very glamorous lifestyle. I had evolved from that of which I came all because I had been employed and extremely successful in my position. In the process I obtained a plethora of certifications in effort to strategically execute my departure from my then employer. Life as I knew it was beautiful outwardly, yet unbearably depressing inwardly. My childr3n were sad, yet very well taken care of. I thought that buying every new pair of Jordans, all the latest electronics and toys would suffice for my absences. Certainly I took them out to the movies, to dinner weekly however their holidays were spent without me for well over a decade because I either had to work on Christmas or I was either drafted on a holiday so all I was able to do was watch them open their gifts , cook them a big meal, dress then and take their pictures and awit my Brother or Mommy to get them so I could go in to work. Fast Forward my oldest Raeshawn, had graduated high school and I was still working daydreaming of opening a child care center with transportation that would be open from 6am until 12 midnight Monday – Friday for parents like myself who had to work a variable shift. Now we are in 2014 and RaeGan was graduating high school and I felt as though the marathon was almost finished all I had to do was work a little harder and get RaeZeaLan graduated . Unbeknownst to me my life took a humiliating turn and I was at a loss of my career in 2014 and pregnant with BlueDestiny who is now 10 years old come 12/19 . I had no time for regrets. My sole purpose had changed. I was refusing to raise BlueDestiny as I raised my oldest 3 daughters.Just the thought of already being a mother all over again was scary. I was unsure of so many things but what I knew without any uncertainties was that my child was going to have her mother at all times. What was deemed a burden actually became a Blessing for me. With having My Phlebotomy license I was able to get hired at a Hospital as a Phlebotomist.I saved m money because I knew that I’d need a van for ther safe transport of children to and from school Transportation is a separate service that Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC offers. Once I gave birth I stayed home with BlueDestiny until she was about 4 months old I began working for a company where I was not only under paid I was not respected. I went to Fortis Institute of Towson and graduated with high honors yet I was still unfulfilled. I often found myself envisioning having my own child care. Finally in March 2018 I took the initiative to utilize the money from my savings to purchase supplies from Lakeshore, Target and Walmart to ensure that ” Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLc ” was equipped with essential s that would serve not only as Imaginative and fun but more so Academically stimulating and Age Appropriate that would enhance a child cognitive, social emotional , fine and Gross Motor Skills . My vision for Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC is to Build Bonds While Breaking Barriers. As a home based business there is a stigma that we are ” babysitters” Certainly I am not sitting on any child lol but in all fairness I am a child care educator. I teach the early fundamentals for child growth and development./ I prepare breakfast, a morning snack , lunch and a evening snack. When a child does not appear to be thriving I will provide the parent with a referral to Kennedy Krieger Institute to be professionally assed. This journey has been exhausting, there are times I was without any enrollment which meant I had no income coming in for months at a time. Also There were times where I had to place parents on a waiting list for enrollment. As an Entrepreneur , contrary to what other may be cognizant of life is not practical. Instead life as an Entrepreneur takes not only faith but bravado, confidence ,patience and strategy. I have yet to achieve the level of financial freedom that ensues with being an entrepreneur . what I will add is that I am doing what God placed in my heart to do. I am nurturing the minds of the children who are entrusted in my care while their parents are working. Here I am, in present day rated as a Maryland Excels Level 3 Child Care provider in addition to having been tenacious and thorough in pursuit of continually attaining additional education and professional development for the sole purpose of enhancing my knowledge and strengthening my work ethic as a child care educator. It is my belief that the more education I acquire I am better equipped to teach and provide the families I service quality care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My entrepreneurial endeavors have not been easy.
The challenges I’ve faced while perusing my dream of becoming a prominent entrepreneur was confusing and exhausting to say the least. Initially my dilemma was where do I begin as to what to do first along with not having enough support from other childcare providers in my community that I reached out to. I felt defeated many times but my desire to become one of the most respected and resourceful childcare providers to serve families of Baltimore City has been the nucleus to my motivation for me to continue to achieve the goal of Achieving success and notoriety for Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC.
I’ve met those challenges by continuing to dedicate my time and willingness to accomplish this goal. By being unafraid to ask questions. I have continued my educational advancement by successfully completing the CDA course along with a plethora of other training that correlate with my goals.
I have had parents give me counterfeit money as their tuition payment. I have had parents come in my home and love the aesthetic yet decline and or terminate the contract due to the community in which Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC is located. Another deterrent has been the manner in which I am compensated. Maryland State Department of Education pays me less than $7.00 per hour for the care that I provide in addition to being underpaid I am paid on a monthly basis which is the same as being a recipient of TCA/DSS. There are times I have felt it is not meant for me to continue my entrepreneurial endeavors and just go find a job . That saddens me. As I previously stated , I am not yet where I aspire to be. My goal is to open child care centers throughout the state of Maryland. Until I have achieved the goal of having Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC transit from my home into a building I will not feel fulfilled.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC is a home based child care that provides care to children ages 6 weeks old onwards to 12 years old.
Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds is located in Baltimore City Johnston Square Community. Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC is a NON DISCRIMINATORY child care. There are NO STIGMAS PLACED ON CHILDREN IN Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC.
Provider Experience
MDSE Certified
Over 25 years experience
Certified Autism, Infant/Child CPR and First Aid, BLS, SID, and Breastfeeding training
Certified Phlebotomist, CNA/GNA, CMT,CMA
Maryland Excels Level 3
CDA Certified
Notary Public
Founder Of Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds Inc 501c3 non profit organization
Reasonable accommodation will be provided for qualified children with disabilities upon request, as specified under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please provide a copy of your child’s IEP/IFSP if applicable.
I am known as the provider who is licensed until 12 midnight.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
MY Mommy Valarie Alston deserves credit for always believing in my vision. My mother has always felt that I was destined to be a teacher. My Mother shares any resources that she has with me via email, text and or phone call that she feels would be beneficial to assist Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC evolve. My children for entrusting their children into my care. In my opinion just because I am their grandmother doesn’t qualify me as ” the best provider” but in my daughters eyes I am the most qualified to provide care for their children. I would like to thank each and every person who took the initiative to solicit my business. From sharing my phone number with their family, friends, coworkers along with sharing my child care on their social media sites. I am eternally grateful for those parents who entrusted their treasured child into my care. For those who didn’t believe in my vision or foresee Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC as a reputable business I suggest they realign their focus
Pricing:
- Infant Weekly Rate $350.00
- Toddler Weekly Rate $ 325.00
- Preschool Weekly Rate $325.00
- Before & After Care Weekly Rate with Transportation $200.00
- Pay By The Day / No Contract Care $85.00
Contact Info:
- Instagram: giftedhandsbrilliantmindsllc and ghbminc2022
- Facebook: giftedhandsbrilliantmindsllc
- Yelp: Gifted Hands Brilliant Minds LLC
