Practical Wisdom, Empathy, and Sound Judgement featuring Regina Stephenson, Owner of The Nanny Mom

Danny: Hey Regina, thanks so much for joining me on the How to Build a Nanny Agency podcast. How are you doing?

Regina: I am well, thank you so much for asking, Danny.

Danny: Could you tell us a little bit about like, how did you start your nanny agency?

Regina: Well, I used to be a nanny for a very long time, for about 15 years. Started off as a tutor, then a babysitter.

Then a Danny, then a house manager, then a sleep consultant. Um, and then previously with being a tutor, I was also a Montessori teacher. I always had this knack for like wanting to help children and wanting to help families and just wanting to be there. So I kind of knew, I knew this was like always the space that I wanted to be in as far as just kind of being a tool for families.

It wasn’t until I became pregnant with my. Last daughter who is seven. I am a single mommy and I was like, oh, I don’t I can’t be with my family Full time because I’m gonna be a mom And then the mom was like, well, you’ve helped me find a night nanny. You’ve helped my friends find nannies Why don’t you start an agency?

I was like, that’s a really good idea Um, so of course I started my journey when I was about four months pregnant

[00:01:08] Danny: Wow

[00:01:09] Regina: I’m doing a nanny agency and it wasn’t as easy, but it was easy if that made any sense because it was where I needed to be. Upon starting it, um, I’ve still have had the same nanny agency, um, even after giving birth to my youngest daughter.

Um, so that’s how I’ve been in the industry with my nanny agency.

Danny: That’s amazing. So you started when you were four months pregnant with your daughter.

Regina: Yes.

Danny: Is that something you would recommend to others?

Regina: No, because you’ll have a credible mind. I think I was, I was super determined. I would say I used to dance.

Um, I was a dancer since I was 10 years old. And what they don’t teach you about being as a dancer is that you have to have an entrepreneurial spirit because you have to come to a certain space in your career. Where you have to be your own manager. You have to be able to, um, know what to charge for classes and things like that and create a system that actually works for you.

So in my brain, my mind and my body had already been formulating from my previous experience that I’ve had outside of becoming a nanny. So I just combined what I previously knew in addition to what I was, which was able to essentially, I think easily allow me to marry into the role of becoming an agency owner.

So.

Danny: You’re like. Or like, have been training yourself for a long time to be an entrepreneur then, is basically what this comes down to.

Regina: Yes, what I didn’t realize is that when I was 14 years old, um, we had to create a business plan of how we were going to become successful dancers. So I created a business plan, and it’s so crazy now that I’m speaking to you, I think every year I created a business plan from the age 14 to 21 years old in regards to different businesses.

I would have, um, but it would be businesses that of course I’ve loved, but I had to essentially start with this at 14 because if I wanted to become a successful dancer, I’d have to be able to make sure I’m able to manage myself or actually speak up for myself when I would join different companies. It started at a very, very young age.

Danny: I’m learning so much about dance right now too. So this sounds crazy that A dance school classes would be like you need to write a business plan to be a successful dancer. Is that what happened?

Regina: So I used to, um, uh, so when I was in high school, I went to this, um, gifted high school where I would leave school to actually go dance for the rest of the day.

So half of the day would be school and then the rest would be dance. Of course, it wasn’t a normal teenager, but I didn’t realize that I just loved it so much. Uh, and so we would have various projects. So then my teacher would come and say, Hey, if you want to have a serious career, then you would need to make sure you’re able to manage this.

And then of course, that’s when we had our first project of, um, just creating a business plan for ourselves. We would have to create business plans. It was hilarious. We would create. a plan of who we would audition for. We would create a plan of how, what we would audition, like the music, everything we had to pick out precisely, our timeframes, everything had to match.

Because of course, in the dance world, if you’re on time, you’re tardy. So, so of course, and it’s not like by five minutes, it’s literally like 10 minutes. So I think that was definitely like sculpted in me as a very young child, but I loved it so much that it was. It was just like, well, this is just what I need to do.

This is the next step. They always instill that you never want to stay at the same place too long. Um, you have to consistently have goals that will allow you to be able to grow, but most importantly, assist others in growing. So that’s being a good tool. So if I was the best dancer, let’s just say, I have to make sure that I bring everyone with me, that I’m able to.

I’m taking my time, so it also instilled leadership, um, because of course you can look the best, but you can’t look the best while everyone’s on stage, you’re not looking at their best. Does that make sense? Sure.

Danny: Yeah, that’s true because I know when I go see a musical and you see one person maybe kicking their legs higher or something like that, and you’re just like, nope, it’s ruining it.

Like, I know that. Yeah. They’re not totally in sync with everybody else.

Regina: Yes.

[00:05:15] Danny: Sometimes you have to pull yourself a little back to be like, I totally know what you mean. That is incredible, like leadership skills that you’ve created in that. Has that helped you when you were initially starting because you had to get clients, you had to like register your business, you had to come up with a name, probably a website.

Like what was like the first thing you did?

Regina: Oh my goodness. I’m glad that you asked. This is so funny because that’s how I have my name. So the name of my company is The Nanny Mom and I just basically describe who I was. I was the nanny and I was the mom. Um, so of course my service is the nanny mom. So you’ll essentially have me helping you, which is one of the hardest things.

And I was like, I’m just not going to change the name. I’ll just leave it that way because at least the nanny mom, it, it didn’t ring a bell, but it just described who people would get. So for me, as far as where I wanted to start it, I think definitely my background, it was step one, step two, step three. I always, I always have these steps scattered in my brain, how I’m going to get there.

is essentially there’s an order, but depending upon who I’m dealing with, the order may not go as planned. Of course, asking someone’s name, but sometimes when you get intrigued once with some in someone’s profession, you probably ask another question. That’s not necessarily like if they probably would want an NDA.

But now I think the way that I operate is. It’s so naturally, it’s like a, it’s like an actor or a dancer. Um, when you build those muscles and you strengthen them, everything comes in in sync, of course, and it’s systematical. So of course, there’s certain things that, you know, that are a key that are important in making sure you’re successful and helping someone and kind of just.

I think giving the best of myself to that person or that family. Does that make any sense?

Danny: I love, I don’t know if you realize this, but you’re saying, does that make any sense to a lot of things you say, Regina? I love that. I, from when I initially met you, and this is what I think is so amazing for people to know, is like, it’s all muscle for you.

Like, it seems like it. Like, there’s not a problem that I think that, uh, like a family can call you about, or a nanny, or a tutor, anyone that you, like, work with could call you about, that you don’t just have, like, some instincts for, or, like, you’ve trained yourself to, like, handle that. Is that like an instinctual thing or like was that like a muscle that you had to create?

And

Regina: I do want my families to be, I do want to be the first person that my families touch if they have an issue. I think instead of going online or to like to fill out something, I want to be your first point of reference just so I could be able to understand because being a mom, being, um, having family.

having a nanny, all of those things I understand. So what better person to be able to assist you through with an issue? So for me, I think it’s key to definitely honor what they’re saying. Um, and for me, everyone wants to be heard, especially when they’re upset. So I think that’s definitely a muscle. It’s, um, my background, um, corrective criticism is key in any success.

If there is corrective criticism, that’s the way I look at it and not just kind of being angry of an issue. My always go to is how can I do better in this area that one person may have an issue with. I don’t believe that our policies and procedures are always, this is it. That’s what it’s going to be. I always believe that there’s room for growth.

So I always listen because of course I can understand. Um, and then I try to execute in as far as really trying to dissect what the issue is and then fix it. If there’s an issue, we do have an, I do have a policy where even for a year or if they do want to send me a message to ask me questions, questions in general of the next step that their child is, um, kind of like, you know, milestones because I used to teach, um, I even made lesson plans, um, for some parents, but it’s more so I think for me, it’s about, it’s about the longevity of that relationship because truth be told, I don’t think you’re, you’re never aware of the impact that you have on someone.

So I always tell my daughters that people probably remember two types of people, the people that treat them very well and the people who did not treat them well at all. anybody else in the middle. I mean, it’s a, it’s a blur. So I try my best to treat someone very well. Have I had really hard clients? I’ve had a couple.

Um, and then of course it’s just that policy of being able to like contact me to, um, just listen to them and then I’ll kind of let them know and be honest. I learned that from Megan.

Yes. I learned how to just kind of give it to them straight because this is my expertise. and they can listen. And then usually I’ve never had a family choose to not listen to me when they have not listened to me. I know that something is, I know that they’re going to call me again. Oh, they’re going to run.

I know. I’m like, Oh, they’re going to call me. I had a family. Um, and I knew they called me and I was like, Oh, hey, like my families, they’re able to, once they become in our community, that’s what I call it. They have access to me. from 7am to 10am. Um, and then they have access to me from 5pm to 7pm. So it’s before and it’s after.

Anybody else is in the middle. And usually those, they have those access and people would think that I would probably get tons of calls. But I don’t. Um, it’s rarely that I would get a call, um, that’s an emergency. And I would answer it on the way to take my girls to the car line to go get dropped off at school.

Danny: I was gonna say that’s, that’s a, I was like, I know you have daughters, so like that’s, that’s prime school drop off time.

[00:10:58] Regina: Yeah, that is. So it’s like, hey guys, uh, this is one of my clients. Um, everybody is high profile in my eyes. Um, that is the way I see them because, again, I value them, um, and usually if they’re calling, they’re issued that they may seem to be crazy, may not be crazy, um, and it could be a lot of times it’s, they need a replacement, um, and then I’ll just shoot off a message and I’ll get them a replacement, and that it, and then my day goes by really smooth.

So I think it’s definitely been conditioned, um, I do have a mommy instant, so I think it’s a little bit above.

Danny: I think you’re right though.

Yeah, you’re talking to me about, I’m just like, oh, that transfers into parenting and nannying like so well of just hearing someone and there’s, and so like everyone’s very heard when they talk to you.

I was also going to say, like, how did you, do you even have, but it’s clear now that you do have like boundaries of like when people can call you and stuff, because I imagine that people feel. I don’t know, just like that they could call you anytime, I suppose, or that type of thing, so that’s awesome that you have like two blocks.

Regina: Yeah, I had to create that. Um, that’s thank you to Megan also as well. Um, because I would just answer calls just randomly, um, because I do want it to help. Um, but I, I think they have in, they can email me pretty, pretty much any time. I do have the timeframe where I’ll, to tell them that they can expect an email from me.

But if I’m up on a Sunday and I see something and I decide to look at my email, I probably would answer them outside of my block. But, um, they probably know that I will not, I’m not reachable on a Sunday at 12 o’clock PM, if that makes any sense. Um, it’s, it’s the same way for nannies also too as well, because I do believe in allowing your nannies to elevate themselves and not just be in one space just for a placement.

And just not to say that it’s anything wrong with that, but anyone who wants to definitely further their career, I’m always a tool so they can schedule some time to talk to me. Um, well, what’s this? I want to kind of get a higher pay grade. Well, this is probably not how you’re going to do that. I think you should probably.

Transition into this role or consider this I love to see is that sometimes when I’m headhunting a lot of my name is that I’ve spoken to like probably five, four years of five, six years ago, they’re in a different role. That is like so excited. I remember this one young lady. I can’t think of her name right now, but she had interviewed with me.

For a family who I thought she would, she would have been amazing for, but the hours just didn’t work with her. Um, her name was Sydney. And so we were talking, I was like, well, I think you should probably, um, you seem like a really good candidate to be an NCS. And then she says, was the NCS. So we spent half the interview telling her what an NCS was, and just kind of letting her know, because she’s been in the industry for a very long time, that being able to transition into this role could definitely get her the pay that she wanted.

of course, um, and the longevity and just kind of being consistent in this agency. And there’s certain, certain levels, um, to becoming an NCS. Danny, I saw when I looked on, I think I was on Adina and I was like, so Sydney was headhunting for one of her families. She’s a Rhoda nanny. Um, and she came with NCS and I was like, I felt like a teary eye only because I think it’s, it’s great that people would listen, but it’s even better for me to actually see that she listened, that her career, um, is, uh, blooming.

And when I was interviewing for a position, I came right back to her. Not interviewing, when I was looking for an NCS. I came to her, which was nice because I knew she was an amazing candidate that I’d interviewed. She had the experience. So it was like, that’s always a moment of like, well, not crazy, but, but it was just, it’s really nice to see, um, levels that’s that the nannies.

that they’re willing to improve to stay in this industry, um, to becoming them, their best selves. I’ll say that.

Danny: Your interview structure, do you, like, have, like, a very set thing or is it very fluid to, like, where, like, you, yeah, I don’t know, does that, sorry, now I’m starting to say, does that make

Regina: sense? So questions are structured.

However, um, I do want them to be as relaxed as possible, so I can understand who they are. Of course, professionalism is definitely number one, and how they carry themselves, their demeanor. But what they are looking for is very essential for me. Who they are. There are nannies that don’t like to go outside, and there’s a family that loves being outdoors.

Like a check of my box. Not that there’s anything wrong with kind of being that type of or of a nanny who does not, who drives but doesn’t really like to drive. Um, and just kind of listening to, I think, I get excited by hearing their, um, their extracurricular activities that they do outside of being a nanny.

Danny: Yes, sometimes that’s where they’re like really, where they actually really shine and they don’t realize it.

Regina: I do. I believe that’s exactly where they really shine. Um, for a lot of my gals who are in, um, who are in acting, it could be theater. I think that that’s a humongous plus. Not even just that if they, um, have been the go to babysitter their entire lives.

And then they tiptoed into the nanny industry. It tells you that they’re gonna definitely have longevity for a very long time. Just being able to hear how they like to tell stories. This one gal I had, she would like to memorize books and then read them to the kiddos. Um, instead of holding the book. And I was like, that’s kind of, I was like, that’s kind of, I was like, that’s, I’ve never heard of that.

Right. Cause I would think, of course, with my formal training, teaching the read, you would always go left to right, right. But then giving them an imagination from her telling a story is the beautiful thing and have them just kind of imagine like what the picture should look like instead of just showing them the picture.

And as they got older, she would then. get the same book, because she’s been with the family for a year, and then read the story and show them the pictures. And she said one time this, this, this child was like, huh, I didn’t know the picture was going to look like that. I think with that whole education aspect, I like to see how they pull out who they are when they’re working with kids.

Sometimes the interview starts off. Where it’s like, oh, so what do you like to do? Where are you from? And then it gets me into, like, just listening.

Danny: Yeah.

Regina: Just really listening to who they are. Because before we extend an actual application, they have to talk to someone. I like to section out at least two days a week where I can actually talk to babysitters and nannies.

So I’ll know, I think we talked, what’s their favorite color? Um, what do they like to do? What’s their favorite band that they like? And just what they want. That’s it. And last year what we did was we started offering our nannies who had been with the family for a year an insurance policy. Because everyone would then say that after nannying, I mean, this, they don’t usually get this.

And if you want to be here for a very long time for longevity, teaching you how to create a plan that’s going to give you, if you don’t have a 401k plan, but being able to kind of teach you a way to be a little savvy, so you can actually stay in this industry and handle it. Because I think the, the most, the saddest thing I think I’ve heard was for someone to say, well, I’m going to go get a big girl job.

This is a big girl job. Like this is a, this is a big girl job. So I don’t want anyone to, um, feel as if this is their, their, um, their pit stop. So it’s just kind of listening to them. And if they do bringing them back to let them know how important of a decision that they’re making and working with children and families, because As a mommy, I appreciate caregivers so much.

I love my nanny. Um, I don’t know what I would do without her sometimes. Um,

Danny: so. Well, then what’s like your favorite question to ask these people? Or is it kind of still very organic when like it gets there?

Regina: My favorite question to ask is what do they like to do for fun? As crazy and as basic as it sounds, um, a lot of them will be like, they’ll try to be structured, like, I like to read, and I’m like, come on.

Like, out of a nanny, like, what do you like to do for fun? And then that’s when I get, I like to do yoga, I like weightlifting. It’s crazy, the um, The goals that they have of things that they want to attain, like being able to run a marathon, all these things that they want to do. I think it’s super fascinating.

Some of my nannies say, I just want to be able to have a family. Um, and it’s, and it’s my nannies that have been in the industry for a while, but has not met anyone just yet. So just kind of listening to that. I’m like, you are where you need to be because it is. What better way to be here to know how to, I think, handle kids and that life than right here.

So just kind of listening to, like, what they would like to do goes a long way. One, I remember during COVID, um, I had this one candidate who I thought was super fascinating. Um, she was just coming into the industry. She’s like, I was just coming in here because, um, I didn’t want to go back to the daycare room.

And I was like, okay, well, you know, tell me a little about yourself. Danny, she spoke four different languages. Wow. She’s getting a teacher certification. And I was like, Oh my God, I’m like, do you know how, like, how amazing you are? And it’s because they don’t know about our industry, found that I have to educate more, um, by saying this is a place where you can stay.

However, you can utilize this instead of thinking of it as this, because she likes educating. She likes teaching. Why not become a private educator? So just hearing about who they are, I think, is always a highlight because even though they may interview for a position, I may not put them in the position that they are anymore.

Which has happened a lot of times. I’m like, you interviewed for this, but I think you would go amazing here. Um, because of who they are, not just what they do and the experience.

Danny: I would, I really love that you’d ask them about their goals because I don’t even think you need to be at your, you don’t have to have hit that finish line.

Um, For that to be something really captivating for a family, so when I ask people like what their goals are in their life and they’re like well I want to go to nursing school or I want to be a doctor and things like that, it’s like if you tell that to a family in a family’s mind that person is a doctor now, like do you feel that aspiration thing and like you’re like you want to be part of that team so those goal questions can be so helpful.

I think that’s very insightful that you do that too. Sorry, I have to go back to this. You mentioned like a thing about insurance.

Regina: So, so yeah, so as I was interviewing last year, I noticed that so many nannies would be like, well, my family has ended. I’m looking for a new family, but currently right now I don’t have, um, I’m looking to get a position.

So they were just in a space where they In my mind, you’re just going to take something until, um, you find something better that’s coming along. I don’t want to be the recruiter that puts you in a place where you get something better to come along. So of course, um, I was, I would sit down and I would talk with my nannies.

I do nanny elevational workshops where I connect with nannies like once a month. So. And usually they can ask me any questions as far as like, how to guide, like, I want to stay here longer. How do I ask for a raise? Um, well, my baby’s getting a little bit older. Can I have any pointers on how to develop, um, an educational curriculum?

Um, what does this look like if I incorporate Montessori? So it’s like usually like they would, it gives them the space to be able to just ask me any question, um, without feeling that they’re going to be judged or not looked at for a position because I want the nannies to be as comfortable with me as possible.

Just like I want my families to be. So I would hear a lot of them would say, okay, well, I just got a notification. I’m out of position. So now I have to look for another position. I started to look at. Um, of course, GTM and then different places like insurance, but of course you have to be insurance through a family.

Of course, if that ends, you don’t want to have insurance. So I was like,

Regina: how can I like fix it? Where my nannies are able to sustain life insurance policies. So in the event, if they’re not doing so well that they can probably pull from the life insurance policies, if they are not with the family that they want.

So it gives them enough time to be able to select the family that is for them because of creating that time barrier is essential. I don’t want someone in a place that they. are uncomfortable or that they feel is just enough or taking a position from a financial aspect because they need to pay their bills.

So now I have to teach them to be able to be smart and then that incorporates financial literacy. Um, in addition to seeing how you could be able to live as an entrepreneur, because as an entrepreneur, that’s what nannies are. Also too as well, we have, they have to develop contracts and these elevational workshops, they will talk to me about their contracts or like, eh, or some, because of course in the state of Illinois, Chicago, um, it’s mandatory.

Danny: Yeah.

Regina: Um, or someone’s getting dinged. So even with one of my nannies, she’s like, well, how do I get, no, it was a dual of, she came in and said in to one of our circles, she said, well, I would like that. And I was like, well, instead of giving our nannies a financial bonus, When they’re with the family for six months, we give them the option, they can get a cash bonus, or they can wait and get an insurance policy.

And the insurance policy is paid up for the year. So they have life insurance. So they have a chance to select to get a cash bonus or life insurance. And sometimes the cash bonus may be ideal for them. So they’ll go with the cash bonus. But a lot of times what I’m seeing is that our nannies will go with the life insurance, because of course they’re already making the cash from the families that they’re working with.

It’s a life insurance policy. So what we do is once We tell our families this also too, as well. So the parents are thrilled that we do offer this because it’s a plus that the, the nannies actually stay with them, that they have a life insurance policy. Um, we had a couple of our doulas, um, that would refer us and I would be like, yeah, I can get your life insurance policy.

Um, and it’s crazy because the life insurance policy is equivalent to whatever the bonus that we would give from a financial perspective. And I think the policy. It’s definitely, um, creates a space of longevity. It gives them a sense where they can kind of take and take ownership of being an entrepreneur opposed to just a bonus.

But instead of getting the bonus, you can log on and get a few more babysittings. If you want that money, um, or you can get this policy that will pay. Um, and then a lot of times we do ask our families if they’ve been there for a year, are they willing to restart the policy? And that’s been done. So NAMI has been with them.

And she has a space where she’s letting us know that she has life insurance. I think that that’s a thrill. I like, I think I did the MC hammer. Okay. When it was first one first accepted it because it’s like monumental and being able to create a world where you’re an entrepreneur and it’s not hard, but you’re here and you’re like, this is a space where it is a big girl job, right?

Big guy job. Like it’s. It’s, it’s so important. So you’re paid on the books, right? Um, you figured out your health insurance. Some families are willing to pay health insurance. I do talk to see, I have some nannies saying health insurance, that’s kind of more important to me. Um, can I have this? So I’m a bargain for that.

So when I have nannies that walk away with the pay that they want, Danny, and the health insurance that they need, um, and I can give them a life insurance policy and they love what they do. Um, It makes me want to do like five cartwheels. So we

Danny: can answer. You probably can.

Regina: Yes.

 Danny: Well, Regina, this has been amazing.

Thank you for giving me so much of your time. Where can people go to learn more about you and your agency?

[00:27:08] Regina: Well, you definitely can log online and go to www. thenannymommy. com or on Instagram. But of course, online is always amazing. I think to be able to explore just to kind of like send us an email, ask questions that leads them into a space of curiosity with us.

We are always open to be able to share.

Danny: That’s amazing. Thank you so much.

Regina: Thank you, Danny. I appreciate your time today too. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.