103. Taking Back Control in your Center and Life with Sheila Smozynski

As a leader, you’re well aware that being in your position can feel extremely isolating.    At times, it can feel like you’re stranded in the middle of the ocean on an island—alone, left to your own devices, and with no one to talk to for support and guidance.   That was Sheila Smozynski’s experience as the owner of two early childhood education centers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.    COVID turned operations at Sheila’s centers upside down and inside out. Staff morale began to slip, equipment shortages threatened quality instruction in her classrooms, and she and her team were struggling to do the bare minimum just to get by.   And through it all, Sheila felt like she had no one to rely on but herself.    But everything changed when she stumbled across our Schools of Excellence podcast and learned about our Owner’s Only HQ membership program. After spending so much time in isolation, she finally felt like she had found her people.   The community Sheila found through Owner’s Only HQ not only helped her become a better leader at her centers, but also a better mom and wife at home. What began as a personal growth experience became a new way of life as the ripple effect extended to her staff, her centers, and her family.   In this week’s episode of the Schools of Excellence podcast, we’re spotlighting Sheila Smozynski and her journey from isolated leader to visionary role model. Listen to my VP of Operations Michelina and Sheila as they talk about:   Sheila’s struggles before joining Owner’s Only HQ Her experience finding a community of like-minded leaders What she’s learned in the program and how it’s affected her centers’ culture The impact of the program on both her professional and personal life  Her goals for her centers moving forward Why Sheila believes you should join the program without hesitation You don’t have to do it alone. No matter how isolating leadership may seem at times, there are people just like you who are ready and willing to support you.   Learn more and apply for the Director’s Inner Circle & Owner’s HQ: http://Chanie.me/jointhedic   Finding community as a leader and achieving the dreams you have for your center don’t have to be far-off possibilities. Just like Sheila, you can transform your school with the help of a like-minded community that will have your back every step of the way.  In the words of Sheila, don’t hesitate! Apply now for our Owner’s Only HQ or Director’s Inner Circle membership programs.   More about the show: If you are an Early Childhood director or owner, prepare to transform your school and life with the Schools of Excellence podcast. Tune in each week to learn from Chanie Wilschanski, the founder and host of the Schools of Excellence Podcast and a mom of 4 little kids. Each episode will be packed with tools and strategies – equipping you to build schools with higher staff retention, teacher motivation, parent partnership, collaborative culture, and beautiful quality of life.    Every week, Chanie shares the truth about the journey to excellence, the strategies that are working TODAY, and the mindset about the critical decisions and choices that you make every day which impact yourself, your...