Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Holly Gold, Owner of Rockridge Little School, located in Berkeley, CA, USA.

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

I am Rockridge Little School and Berkeley Little School. My customers are families with young children.

Tell us about yourself

I have always loved children and knew at a young age that my life’s work would be about contributing to their lives. By the time I finished High School, I was reading books and writing papers about Maria Montessori. I worked in a number of preschools since that time and have explored many other approaches.

I love Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Progressive, Developmental, Project-based and everything else that involves learning through play.

After completing my undergraduate work at the University of California, Santa Barbara, I moved to San Francisco and began working at Larkin Street Youth Center, an agency serving homeless and run-away teens. In 1989 I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work Administration from San Francisco State University.

I have worked as a social worker with Camp Sunburst Children’s AIDS Project and the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics Chemical Dependency Program and as the Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Francisco. Prior to opening Rockridge Little School, I served as Executive Director of Ala Costa Center.

I was recognized by the City of Berkeley as an outstanding woman of the year for my work on behalf of children. I was also awarded a LeaderSpring Fellowship (formally called Eureka) in recognition of my community leadership. Through the LeaderSpring Fellowship, I came to realize my dream of opening my own school.

Rockridge Little School has won numerous awards including "Best Preschool" and several "Outstanding Teacher."

I believe that children thrive when they are surrounded by adults who care for them and who are able to take the time to know them as individuals. I have been a part of many Early Childhood programs. Rockridge Little School is a place where children and their parents are inspired.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The creation of the Rockridge Little School approach.

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

The childcare field is in crisis. It has always been a challenging field, but since COVID, there have been insurmountable policy challenges that are leading to the closure of many community-based preschools. Regulations that do not make sense to anyone make it very difficult for parents to access care and for professionals to provide it.

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

  1. Think about what you loved when you were a young child. This will connect you to your dreams and talents.
  2. Lead with integrity. Life and career are inseparable, so be the person you want to be.
  3. Treating people well, caring for the environment, and making the world a better place can easily go hand in hand with being profitable.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rockridgelittleschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockridgeLittleSchool
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockridge-little-school/

Recommended Links:
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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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