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Essence Magazine - Special Collector's Edition
Deborah Tillman
In 1992, when new mother Deborah Tillman could not find quality child care
 for her son Zeplyn, she channeled her concerns into a much-needed and
thriving business. Today the 42-year-old Lake Ridge, Virginia, resident owns
and runs the Happy Home Child Learning Center, Inc., an
early-childhood-education center. Serving children ages 1 to 5, the business
has 19 employees and generates more than a half a million dollars annually.
With two locations, an infant center on the way and a recently published
book, Stepping Out In Faith: How to Open Up a Quality Childcare Center,
wife, mom and author Tillman has made her passion a reality, a business
built on love.
Catalyst for Change
“When Zeplyn was born, I was working as a staff accountant. My husband and
I were looking for someone to care for him, and we researched more than 15
child-care providers. We interviewed, checked references and finally found
one after five months. When I came home unexpectedly one day, I found
Zeplyn in his bassinet, with an empty bottle in his mouth that was propped
up by the ledge. I quit my job the next day.”
In the Beginning
“I started out as a home-care provider because I didn’t trust anyone with my
child. I took a 25-hour course to become licensed, and I interviewed parents
to make sure we were a good match. I ran the business out of my apartment
for six months. All the while, I was thinking bigger, that I would open a
center.”
Dreams Come True
“I started inquiring about available space from a property manager of an
apartment complex. After hearing about my good work, the property manager
called me in 1993 and offered me a 5,600-square-foot center, which was a
previous child-care center that had been closed down. My husband and I used
$7,000 in savings to renovate the center. We officially opened in March
1994. I took out a bank loan to open its sister school in 1998.”
Follow Your Heart
“I had a bachelor’s degree before Zeplyn was born, and I earned a
master’s
degree in 2002. I worked from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., then went to night
school while my husband took care of our son. I was motivated and could not
be turned around. God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear when He shows us
our purpose.”
Elements of Success
“Persistence and dedication kept me going. I saw a goal, and I wasn’t going
to let anything get in my way. My major task was to learn how to delegate,
so I hired good people who would make use of their gifts and talents. I
always tell the children that the sky is the limit.”
Making It Happen
Photo by Michael Bowles
“Learn to delegate. Never compromise your morals, values and goals for
anything. Always keep God first.”
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