Rising Stars: Meet Teallary Williams of Rosenberg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teallary Williams.

Hi Teallary, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s not going to be a mystical magical story but one of Faith. I had just left my house, riding in silence as I often do, when I God told me “I want you to own a childcare center”. Some people may question if God really speaks to you but he does. When that soft voice whispers to you things you would’ve never told yourself, goes against your human logic, you know the almighty is speaking. When he told me this, I laughed. Two years prior I had helped my mother open a center and knew how much time and money resources it took to get it off the ground especially during COVID. I didn’t have the money nor the time lol. I told God, if you want me to do that, it’s going to have to fall in my lap. I just knew I got him there lol. A couple of months later, the owner of another center was forced to close her doors and couldn’t get out of her lease, so she asked me if I wanted to take over the space. Boom! The almighty said never underestimate my power. And that’s where it all started. God truly orders your steps. I’ve been working with children since 2010. Started as a childcare teacher at local childcare centers, then afterschool teacher for Fort Bend ISD, CYFISD, to getting my teachers certification teaching 4th grade for 3 years. I’ve never been able to escape working with children. As hard as the job is, it’s attracted to me like a magnetic. Owning a childcare business is totally different from the politics of education. In this space I’ve gotten to truly enjoy being around the children without the pressures of standardized testing. I’ve built friendships and true partnerships with the families I serve and that is fulfilling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! The whole landscape of the childcare industry has changed post COVID. From predatory licensing monitoring (thank God for the people he has placed around me) to absurd hoops the state of Texas expects you to jump through to qualify to offer quality care across income classes. The whole world country, every industry, has been affected by inflation, including childcare. It’s a vicious cycle that breaks my heart. Rent is through the roof, food is higher, and staff need more money just to survive, all while our customers are experiencing the same struggles, but in order to keep our doors open and maintain quality tuition has to meet the cost of operating.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I mentioned in the previous question, I started working for a privately owned childcare center when I was in high school. I later went on to college and work for Fort Bend ISD’s extended day, then CYFair ISD’s Club Rewind. After I graduated college I worked at a Finance Firm as a lien specialist. I loved it, until I realized the politics of corporate America. I was a young black girl, and didn’t have the voice or knowledge I needed to navigate it, so I went back to what I knew….working with children. I got my teachers certification and went on to teach 4 grade for 3 years. 1 year in Alief ISD and 2 in Fort Bend ISD. I’ve always worked at title 1 schools, because I’ve always had a passion for kids that need the most love. This passion is what sets our business apart. I love each and every family that walks through those doors and chooses us to care for them. Our center is relationship centered and I’ve built the most beautiful relationships with the families I serve. I love hearing people’s stories, supporting them through the hard times and celebrating them during the good times. We understand each other, and we work with each other. Your not going to get that at a franchise center.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Respect & Empathy. I’ve had to learn the hard way that every customer is not for us. At the end of the day we are a humanly operated business. We aren’t error free, nor is everyday rainbows and sunshine. I I try my hardest to lead genuinely. Not alot of people know besides my closest friends and family, our first year open was emotionally challenging. My baby brother was diagnosed with brain cancer and I had to watch him die while trying to build a business. I was so convicted and still am to this day, wishing I could get back days or moments sitting in the hospital with him instead of balancing a business and heartbreak. So I am forever grateful of where God has brought me from, he held me up at my lowest point:

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ilarosenberg.org/child-learning-academy/rosenberg-tx
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infiniteacademy1?igsh=MWdmYzloam5pYnM0dw==