"It has been invaluable in helping our center grow and operate smoothly. Our training gave us the skills to increase enrollment, manage our budget and payroll, and effectively market our center. The support . . . has been a major catalyst in helping us become an exceptional educational center."
Gary and Katherine Kidwell, Curious Kat Child Development Center
Press
December 5, 2018
“Systems Mindsets” as Business Solutions for ECE Program Leaders, by Lauren Small, MBA
Early Childhood Investigations Webinars
National ECE webinar company featured Lauren in her own session, sponsored by HiMama, about how making systems and processes a priority helps you and your staff avoid burnout, understand expectations and processes, and operate efficiently.
October 20, 2016
Nine Businesses and fourteen Participants Graduate from the Early Education Business Program
City of Virginia Beach
Recently, 14 participants from nine businesses graduated from the Early Education Business Program administered by Virginia Beach GrowSmart and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center. The program is a small business training and mentoring program for owners and directors of early childhood businesses. .
October 12, 2015
Sixteen Local Early Education Centers Graduate from Small Business Development Center Program
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
The program, spearheaded by SBDC Business Analyst Lauren Small, is designed to assist childcare centers in improving profitability, increasing enrollment and adopting best business so that they can focus on providing high quality education.
March 27, 2015
Lauren Small to Present at America's SBDC Conference
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
America's Small Business Development Center is the premier annual conference attended by thousands of small business counselors from around the country.
November 17, 2014
24 Graduate From Early Education Small Business Training
City of Virginia Beach website
Twenty-four early education leaders representing 11 small businesses graduated last week from the 2014 Early Education Small Business Training and Mentoring Program.
May 9, 2014
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
Early Education Small Business Mentoring Program is Transforming Local Businesses that Provide Care and Education to Regions Future Workforce
April 23, 2013
The Business of Early Education
Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce
Lauren Small & SBDC's Efforts Honored with National Award
July 6, 2012
Child-care providers operate a small business too
Inside Business, The Hampton Roads Business Journal
Child-care providers get so busy with kids, parents and governing agencies, they often neglect their business operations. Most lack experience in marketing, accounting and human resources, says Lauren Small, childcare specialist at the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center in Norfolk.
August 6, 2010
Inside Business, The Hampton Roads Business Journal
In the childcare industry, focusing solely on quality care is not enough.
To prove this point, local education and business advocates are collaborating to instill better business practices among childcare workers.