For more than 30 years, Rex Childcare and Early Learning Center has been providing quality childcare and early education opportunities for families in Clayton County. Despite decades of success, owner and founder Adaeze Ngoddy felt her business had more potential and contacted the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) for guidance. With support from UGA SBDC consultants, Rex Childcare has boosted revenue by 9.1% and expanded its workforce by 13.6% in one year.
Ngoddy’s small business journey was inspired by her experiences teaching high school mathematics in Georgia’s rural and urban counties.
“A lot of the children in my classrooms needed what I felt was early intervention,” said Ngoddy. “Some struggled with reading, some had disciplinary issues, but I saw potential in students labeled as having ‘bad behavior.’ I felt something was missing.”
Determined to address these gaps, Ngoddy visited local daycare centers and discovered her true calling in early childhood education. With her husband’s support and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, she transitioned from teaching to entrepreneurship, founding Rex Childcare and Early Learning Center in 1992.
Today, Rex Childcare serves children from four weeks to 14 years old, offering daycare and before- and after-school programs that serve anywhere from 50 to 100 school-aged kids.
“Each child is treated as an individual,” said Ngoddy. “We are very particular about early intervention. We identify each child’s specific needs, whether its speech or hearing issues, and we guide the parents to the resources they need.”
Yet, Ngoddy saw opportunities to further improve her business’s financial management, marketing and staffing. She only needed expert guidance to navigate these challenges effectively.
Ngoddy turned to the UGA SBDC at Clayton State University, where consultants Richard Schnitker, Scott Nye and Todd Anduze worked closely with her to create a comprehensive plan for Rex Childcare’s growth.
“Rex Childcare had really grown. I had problems keeping up with my books. I wasn’t sure if I was using the right financial program to keep up, and I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right, from budgeting to taxes to hiring,” said Ngoddy.
Financial management became a key focus. Nye and Anduze helped Ngoddy develop a structured financial plan and implement an efficient tracking system to operate the center successfully.
“As someone who did not go to business school, a lot of what I know now I’ve learned through the UGA Small Business Development Center,” said Ngoddy.
A lifetime learner, Ngoddy embraced the training programs offered by the UGA SBDC. The “Mastering QuickBooks” course and hands-on support from UGA SBDC consultants helped Ngoddy integrate QuickBooks into her current accounting processes and improve her business operations. Additionally, the UGA SBDC’s “Digital Marketing Bootcamp” equipped Ngoddy with the fundamentals needed to enhance Rex Childcare’s online presence. Schnitker guided her in refining her website and optimizing marketing and outreach strategies to reach more local families.
“There are things, like the review and research for my website, that I, as a small business person, simply cannot pay for,” said Ngoddy, recalling a cold call she received from a company offering similar services at an unaffordable price. “I thought ‘Oh, my God…and I got this for free from the UGA SBDC!’”
One of Ngoddy’s most pressing challenges, like many in the childcare sector, is attracting and retaining qualified staff. During the pandemic, a lot of experienced childcare professionals left the industry, and today’s applicants lack the credentials and experience, she said.
The UGA SBDC helped Ngoddy develop strategies to address these workforce issues, including constructing competitive salary and benefits packages with health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. They also assisted her in designing performance-based bonuses and clear career pathways for employees.
Additionally, Ngoddy leveraged partnerships with local universities, including Clayton State, to provide training opportunities for students and fill staffing gaps with assistance from the UGA SBDC.
“It is a joy to work with Ada and her team,” said Schnitker. “Her passionate leadership and dedication to early childhood education create a nurturing environment for children. She prioritizes professional development and staying up to date with best practices in childcare. Her leadership positively impacts the children, staff, and the center’s success.”
Ngoddy’s collaboration with the UGA SBDC has brought tangible benefits to her business. With improved financial management, enhanced marketing efforts, and a solid staffing strategy, Rex Childcare is positioned for continued success.
“Having the UGA SBDC is a blessing. Not only do they support you, but they provide access to resources that you might not otherwise have time to find. They don’t just give you advice and leave you to it—they hold your hand and move you to where you need to be. I would advise any business to take advantage of what the UGA SBDC offers and see how much better you will be just having that support.”
All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
