Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Marianna Vathi, Founder of Montessori Parent, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the founder of "Montessori Parent," a business that supports the parenting role in each unique family system, using a holistic and non-dogmatic Montessori approach. My customers are parents who live in GTA, with children 2.5-6 y.o., interested in Montessori philosophy and willing to enrich their parenting skills.
Tell us about yourself
My passion is the Montessori philosophy and education method. I believe it is one of the best methods to create balance in a family and find harmony among its members. I have witnessed firsthand its incredible power in class, but even more so as a happy and sometimes frustrated mom to my young son. I have worked with children 2.5 to 6 years old for over a decade. I have supported many parents in strengthening their parenting skills and helping their children reach their full potential.
I attended University for training as a kindergarten teacher and have since completed two Master's Degrees in Education and Special Needs Education. In 2015 I completed my training as an AMI Montessori Directress for children 2.5-6 years old. In 2016 my husband and I decided to leave our home city, Athens, Greece, and move to Toronto, Canada, where we both continued to work in education. A few years later, our family was blessed with our son.
While teaching in Greece and Canada and in my social circle, I encountered many parents who wanted to learn more about the Montessori method. In our conversations, they raised a need for a "School for Parents." This led me to begin coaching parents using the Montessori method, and I discovered a new passion! In 2018 I decided to combine my passions for Montessori and educating parents and founded my start-up, "Montessori Parent." At Montessori Parent, we believe that respectful parenting can change the world!
Our mission is to co-create with parents a mindset that will support them solve any burning parenting questions they have (e.g., respectful discipline, dealing with tantrums, food battles, sibling battles, sleep routing, etc.) and be able to approach any challenge that will arise in their parenting life while maintaining a great relationship with their children and their partner.
Observing the essential transformations of the parents who trust my services motivates me more than anything! We all deserve to be the parents we want to be and reach our full potential to support the healthy development of our children. After all, families are the past, the present, and the future of our societies, and they deserve great validation of their short-term and long-term needs.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is to be able to balance all the needs of the business, like marketing, creating new material and services, and managing collaborations, while at the same time I keep my vision very strong and clear and maintaining a balanced personal and family life.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The fact that I grow my business organically.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient and surround yourself with smart people who are willing to invest in your business and have the time and energy for that, and are strong ambassadors of your vision.
- Find great supporting programs for entrepreneurs.
- Try your best to keep your cup full.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://montessoriparent.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montessoriparent.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montessoriparent.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/montessori-parent/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
