When Amber Comer decided to expand her home-based childcare business into a full-fledged Early Learning Center, she knew she wanted to offer more than just daycare. She envisioned a place where children could grow and thrive in a supportive, hands-on educational environment. That vision became Lively Little Ones in Fayetteville.
“We try to, not just provide care, but a higher quality of care,” Comer says. “We want to make sure that we are following a curriculum and lesson plans, and teaching your children so that they can have a strong educational foundation and be prepared for when they start school.”
Comer’s journey in childcare began years earlier. After working in daycare centers as a teenager, she transitioned into entrepreneurship following the birth of her son. She spent four years as a home childcare provider before opening Lively Little Ones in September 2025 on Franklin Heights Road in Fayetteville, serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The center offers infant care, preschool, and toddler programs, as well as before- and after-school care and services during school breaks.
Beyond daily care, Comer and her team are committed to building community connections through monthly events and activities.
“We try at least once a month to do something fun and free for the community,” Comer says. “All of our teachers are very involved, and a lot of them are moms themselves. They want what’s best for the kiddos and want to help give back and offer a place where everyone can feel welcome.”
Small Business Support & Collaboration
Expanding from a home daycare to a full Early Learning Center was no small feat. Comer credits Melissa Colagrosso, director of A Place to Grow Children’s Center in nearby Oak Hill and leader of the regional childcare cooperative, Together We Grow, as a valuable industry resource and for connecting her with Shannon Mitchell, a business coach with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).
“Amber has a true entrepreneurial spirit and is so motivated to move through a process, get things done, and do it the right way,” Mitchell describes.
From the earliest planning stages, the WV SBDC worked closely with the entrepreneur to provide one-on-one business coaching, technical assistance, and strategic guidance. This included:
- Development of a comprehensive business plan
- Startup cost analysis
- Cash flow projections
- Operational planning tailored specifically to the regulatory and staffing realities of childcare in West Virginia
- Assembling a complete loan package
- Direct referrals to financing partners to help move the project forward
“We helped her navigate through the process of funding and permits and just getting open, which is a huge hurdle for any entrepreneur to overcome,” Mitchell says. “Now it’s transitioned into managing a business, and I hope to continue supporting Amber in that way.”
“Both Shannon and Melissa have been very helpful; they’ve answered any questions I’ve had,” Comer describes. “I have been able to call them crying when I’m stressed or anxious about something, and they’re always reassuring and let me know that I’m still making steps in the right direction. Opening your own business is not easy, and there are a lot of unknowns, but when you have people like that by your side, it sure helps a lot.”
A Community Need
Lively Little Ones is currently the only childcare center located in Fayetteville. After the local Head Start relocated to Oak Hill, Comer saw an opportunity to help meet a growing demand for childcare services in a community where working families and employers have long faced limited options.
“We are helping to fill the gap,” Comer explains. “The community has been very welcoming, and I’m very glad to be here.”
As the business continues to grow, Comer remains focused on expanding enrollment and enhancing programming.
“We are about a third of the way enrolled right now,” she shares. “With summer coming, we can get some really cool programs and activities up and running, and we are excited to welcome new students.”
A Broader Impact
As Comer’s business coach, Mitchell is proud of the WV SBDC’s role in turning a community need into a sustainable success story.
Beyond the individual business success, Lively Little Ones represents a meaningful step forward in addressing one of the region’s most persistent economic development barriers: access to reliable, affordable childcare.
“There is such a need for childcare businesses like Lively Little Ones,” Mitchell says. “We cannot grow our workforce and provide jobs for families in need without businesses like hers. They’re essential to the growth of West Virginia.”
Are you looking for help in starting or growing your business? The WV SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of the business lifecycle. Learn more on their website.
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