Making Meaningful Connections - Nature at Heart School

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ruth Denys, Co-Founder of Nature at Heart School, located in Bridgewater, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Nature at Heart School offers nature-based classes for children that develop the whole child by creating opportunities to play, collaborate, wonder, and persist through problem-solving within our natural world. Our 2-5 years old Nature Seekers are accompanied by an adult during classes, while the children ages 5-8 and 6-9 are dropped off for the 75 minutes classes. During classes, which are held at a local forested park, children explore with loose parts, gather to express gratitude, gain nature knowledge through play activities, go on a hike, and record their nature observations through nature journaling. Our vision is to help children appreciate and connect with nature, foster environmental stewardship, and build resilience. Nature at Heart School also offers seasonal events to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes, as well as collaborates with other like-minded local businesses.

Tell us about yourself

My business partner, Melissa Ferrao, and I started Nature at Heart School in 2020 during the pandemic. We met each other a few years earlier by working together in the same school district and enjoying the outdoors with our children. We both believed in the benefits of being outdoors and, at the same time, saw a rise in children having difficulty regulating their emotions. We wanted to create a space and place for children to connect in and with nature to help build confidence, resilience, mindfulness, take healthy risks, and offer time to explore. We're motivated by observing the children smiling, laughing, balancing on logs, rolling down the hill, and shouting, "I found a frog!" as they soak in their local environment. It makes our hearts happy to be able to offer the time and space for children to be their authentic, curious selves in nature.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our biggest accomplishment as business owners was overcoming the obstacles of opening a business based on in-person interactions during the pandemic. Neither of us has a business background, but we had a vision. We did tons of research. We fostered relationships with local recreation departments and reached out to other members of the outdoor learning community. We asked a lot of questions and sought answers from experts. By combining all of that knowledge with teamwork, hard work, and drive, we brought our vision to fruition.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

It is difficult to find time and balance. Both of us have our own families and children, a full-time public school teaching job, and run Nature at Heart School. We've learned to be efficient and also come to terms with that certain days; we need to shift our priorities and be flexible while balancing all of those parts- and that's ok! When we need that extra push for Nature at Heart School, we always look back at our mission to refuel and energize us. Reminding us of our "why" continues to drive us and guide our decisions.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Use the resources around you: family, friends, local business support groups/colleges. People are willing to offer a lot more than you think if you just ask!
2. Block out time daily or weekly to focus on your business.
3. Always go back to your vision/mission or your 'why' when you feel overwhelmed. There's a reason you're doing what you're doing- remind yourself of that!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.natureatheartschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natureatheartschool
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natureatheartschool/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nature-at-heart-school/

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.

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