Today we’d like to introduce you to Tita Gashaw Beza.
Hi Tita, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before I ever stepped into a classroom, my passion was in the kitchen. I built my career in the food and beverage industry, where creativity, care, and attention to detail were part of my everyday life. I loved what I did—but I didn’t yet realize that my true calling was waiting for me somewhere else.
Everything changed in 2013.
My stepsister asked me to step in and run her home daycare while she took a month-long vacation. At the time, it felt like a simple favor. But within days, something shifted. Being around the children—their curiosity, their energy, their need for love and guidance—sparked something in me that I had never felt before. By the time she returned, I knew I had found my purpose.
I didn’t go back to my old career. Instead, I took a leap of faith and entered the childcare field with one clear goal: to make a difference in children’s lives.
That same year, I opened First Choice Daycare, a small, in-home program serving six children. It was intimate, personal, and rooted in care. By 2014, we had expanded to nine children—the maximum allowed for a home daycare. What started as a small step quickly became a growing vision.
But I knew I wanted to do more.
In 2019, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: to open a larger childcare center. That’s when Story Time Kids was born.
Story Time Kids is more than just a daycare—it’s a place where children are truly seen, loved, and nurtured. What sets us apart is simple but powerful: we lead with affection. From the earliest age, we teach children not just academics, but emotional connection, kindness, and a sense of security. We believe that love is the foundation for everything a child becomes.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
One of the biggest obstacles I faced when opening Story Time Kids was finding the right staff. I wasn’t just looking for qualified teachers—I was looking for people who could love and care for children the way I do. That standard was non-negotiable.
Today, I can proudly say that I have built an incredible team. My staff doesn’t just teach—they nurture, protect, and genuinely care for every child who walks through our doors. They are the heart of everything we do.
We’ve grown into one of the most trusted and beloved childcare centers in the area, and I truly believe we are among the best—not just because of what we teach, but because of how we make children feel.
And we’re not done yet.
We are currently in the process of expanding to a second location, continuing our mission to provide high-quality, loving care to even more families in our community.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that this journey started with a simple favor. What began as a one-month commitment turned into a lifelong purpose.
This isn’t just a business—it’s my calling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—this journey has been incredibly rewarding, but far from smooth.
Like many small business owners, one of the biggest challenges came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, everything changed. There was fear, uncertainty, and constantly shifting guidelines. We had to quickly adapt—implementing strict health protocols, managing reduced enrollment, and at times questioning how to keep the doors open while still providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children. It was one of the most stressful periods, but it also strengthened our resilience and deepened our commitment to families who relied on us.
Another ongoing challenge has been navigating the licensing and regulatory process. Childcare is a highly regulated industry, and while those rules are important, the bureaucracy can be overwhelming. From permits to inspections to constantly evolving requirements, it often felt like progress was slowed down by red tape. Expanding, especially, has required patience, persistence, and a lot of advocacy just to move things forward.
And then there’s the challenge of building the right team. For me, this has always been personal. I wasn’t just looking for staff with credentials—I was looking for people who genuinely love children, who are patient, nurturing, and fully aligned with my vision. That hasn’t always been easy. There were times I had to make difficult decisions because not everyone shared that same level of care and commitment.
But through all of these challenges, I’ve learned to stay grounded in my purpose. Today, I’m proud to say I have an incredible team that truly loves what they do, and together, we’ve built something very special. Every obstacle along the way has shaped Story Time Kids into what it is today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner and operator of Story Time Kids, a childcare center dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education in a safe, nurturing, and loving environment. I specialize in early childhood care and development, with a strong focus on building emotional security, social skills, and a love for learning from a very young age.
What I’m most known for—and what truly sets us apart—is the level of affection and genuine care we give to every child. At Story Time Kids, we don’t just focus on routines and curriculum; we focus on how children feel. We believe that when children feel safe, loved, and valued, everything else—learning, confidence, growth—naturally follows.
I’m especially proud of the culture we’ve built. One of my biggest priorities has always been finding and developing a team that shares my values. Today, I have a staff that doesn’t just show up to work—they truly care. They nurture, protect, and love the children as if they were their own. That’s something you can’t teach easily, and it makes all the difference.
I’m also proud of how far we’ve come. I started with a small, in-home daycare serving just a few children, and today we’ve grown into one of the most trusted childcare centers in the area. Families rely on us not just for supervision, but for partnership in raising confident, happy children.
What sets me apart is my hands-on approach and my commitment to excellence. I’m involved in the day-to-day operations, I know the children, I know the families, and I lead by example. This isn’t just a business to me—it’s personal. Every decision I make is centered around what’s best for the children.
As we continue to grow and expand to a second location, my goal remains the same: to raise the standard of childcare and to create a place where every child feels loved, supported, and ready to thrive.
What I’m most proud of is simple—we’ve built more than a daycare. We’ve built a community.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by impact, not just growth.
Of course, expanding my business, opening new locations, and building a strong team are all important milestones—but to me, real success is measured by the difference we make in the lives of children and families every single day.
When I see a child who feels safe, loved, and confident… when a parent tells me they have peace of mind because they trust us… That’s success.
Success is also building a team that genuinely cares. I’m proud that the people I work with don’t just do a job—they show up with heart, patience, and commitment. Creating that kind of culture is something I value deeply.
On a personal level, success means staying true to my purpose. I didn’t start in this field, but once I found it, I knew this was where I was meant to be. Being able to turn that passion into something meaningful, sustainable, and impactful—that’s success to me.
At the end of the day, if I’m able to create a place where children are nurtured, families are supported, and my team feels valued, then I consider that a true success—no matter how big the business becomes.
Pricing:
- $625/wk
- $575/wk
Contact Info:
- Website: https://storytimekidz.com
