Women to Watch: Meredith Griswold & Sara King

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BUSINESS AND BECOME A FEMALE FOUNDER?

Meredith: We both always dreamed of owning our own business. Our collective educational backgrounds included early childhood specialties, and we worked in private education here in Dallas. Additionally, my background attending an allgirls college preparatory school, Harpeth Hall in Nashville, TN, was integral to my desire to found a female-led business. Our shared experiences led us to frequently discuss the need to professionalize and streamline the world of “tutoring”. We were also inspired by the families who had already trusted us to educate their children. We believe deeply in the power of community and invest in every relationship that works with KG Private Educators. With this support, both personally and professionally, we were able to launch the company and begin expanding.

WHAT UNIQUE PROBLEM DOES YOUR BUSINESS SOLVE, AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO ADDRESS IT?

Sara: Our education model is straightforward: one-on-one, in-home, play-based learning, and we are adamant about this model for a reason- we see results!

One-on-one learning is shown to enhance engagement, encourage questions, and increase confidence, plus entirely personalized for your child’s age and educational goals. Out of college, I taught in a Title 1 classroom, where all 22 Pre-K students needed a different level of differentiated instruction. It made me research multiple intelligences and learning styles, and I am proud to be able to reach every child where they are and drive them to achieve.

CAN YOU SHARE A MEMORABLE MOMENT THAT SOLIDIFIED YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Meredith: My father is a healthcare entrepreneur, so I grew up with inside knowledge about what it takes to start your own business. I saw firsthand how your name and integrity are everything. He and my mother encouraged me to be respectful, punctual, and a leader and gave me the best education. I took advantage of my learning opportunities and envisioned owning my own business. Still, I could not have done it without Sara. Sara and I are perfect complements as business partners. We are incredibly aligned in our values and educational philosophies but bring unique backgrounds and strengths to KG Private Educators. This allows us to offer specialized support while remaining aligned around common goals and practices.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS FOR YOUR BUSINESS, AND WHAT MILESTONES HAVE YOU ACHIEVED SO FAR?

We define success as a student who is ready for Kindergarten! We are one of the only education companies specializing in early childhood, especially 2-5-year-olds, and that is why we are so passionate about children “graduating” our program. We want our students to have the foundational skills that make them confident and ready for the private school classroom. It is both challenging and exciting when a student reaches this milestone. The hardest part of teaching is parting with a student who has grown so much. Still, we are fortunate to often teach younger siblings, cousins, or friends at the same schools, keeping the KG Private Educators network connected.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION YOUR BUSINESS POSITIVELY IMPACTING OR CONTRIBUTING TO A LARGER CAUSE?

Sara: We see our company and brand as solving two issues. We want to educate students and be supportive business owners, providing an alternative work environment for excellent educators. Meredith and I have seen many people from our education programs leave the world of teaching for many reasons: the demanding schedule, lack of administration support, and disagreement with educational philosophy. Meredith and I look to solve those problems for teachers who want to work for us. We tout a flexible schedule and rave about the more personalized relationships with students. Many women we have interviewed are mothers, and after just having my first child as well, I want to create an opportunity for women to thrive both at work and at home.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR BRAND, AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE GROWING AND EVOLVING?

Our vision has always been to provide the highest-quality education for children ages 2-5. We strive to prepare them to be leaders in their Kindergarten classrooms. Our brand’s evolution is to expand recognition in the Dallas community, with our core tenets never changing. Our future is our students becoming leaders at their schools and, eventually, the entire community!

HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE OR CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES?

We have made the most incredible relationships! We developed a partnership with Elise McVeigh of Mrs. McVeigh’s Manners, and she has been a guiding mentor to provide insight and advice. Tori Pendergrass of KidArt and Pigment School for the Arts welcomed us to teach a spring break camp with her, which continued into a Meadowbrook-specific enrichment the following fall. These women have spent decades in the Dallas community, building their businesses and earning the admiration of the families they teach. Our ultimate goal is to one day be able to pay forward the guidance and grace these women showed us in our early days by guiding other new businesses in the early childhood community.

KG Private Educators is owned and operated by early childhood education professionals who decided to leave the traditional classroom for a more personalized student experience. Having studied a multitude of educational methods, co-owners Sara King and Meredith Griswold have unique experiences to engage students with a multi-faceted approach to become well-rounded learners. KGPE believes in using our personalized curriculum to arm 2-5-year-olds with everything they need to be confident Kindergarteners!

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