DEVILS LAKE – Helping address the pressing issue of a shortage in child care providers, Margy Prozinski has created an invaluable asset for the community of Devils Lake and surrounding area with her business, Joyful Beginnings Child Care & Preschool.
Margy loves watching children learn and grow. She’s had a passion for working with children from an early age. She started working at a child care center when she was a freshman in high school, and worked at the same child care center in Bismarck foreight consecutive years. Through this experience, she saw that there was a great need for child care. Her work experience, along with fantastic bosses who grew her passion and encouraged her to open her own business, led her to the decision to do just that.
Joyful Beginnings Child Care & Preschool started in August 2021. What began in a church facility with a maximum of 35 kids and 12 staff members, has since grown tremendously. It’s been a difficult business challenge for Margy, but in just under a year, she purchased a new building, renovated it, and now is allowed a maximum of 100 kids with 25 staff members.
“It is wonderful being able to help my employees flourish and grow into their careers,” Margy shared when speaking about the joy she has found in owning her own business.
Margy attributes the success of Joyful Beginnings Child Care & Preschool to the support of family, friends, and the community. She stated, “Parents of the community put their trust in us as a new facility and that has allowed us to grow where we want to be.” An additional source of support for Margy has been the ND SBDC.
She reached out to the ND SBDC after hearing that it was a good resource. She anticipated that the ND SBDC would provide guidance and offer direction for the business. In addition, Margy’s advisor, Sandy Shively, has helped her develop a business plan and provide awareness to available avenues for acquiring financing to start the business. Because of this, Margy was able to receive both a traditional loan and funding from the regional council, as well as apply for available grants.
Margy advises others considering starting a business to, “Utilize the resources the state and local communities offer. They want and need entrepreneurs. [The ND SBDC] is an excellent source of guidance for someone starting a business. They have the knowledge and experience to show what opportunities you and your small business may have.
In such a high demand industry, Margy is pleased to both be offering the service to the community and providing employment for individuals that have a passion for a learning environment.
