February 16, 2004
Child's play | A chat with Rep. Brian Duprey (R-Hampden), owner of Little Angels Daycare and Preschool in Bangor.
By Rebecca Norling
Founded: November 2002
Revenues, 2003: $550,000
Projected revenues, 2004: $850,000
Address: 416 Stillwater Ave., Bangor
Phone: 561-4848
Describe what your company does.
My wife, Carol, and I own three childcare centers in the greater Bangor area. We pride ourselves in hand picking what I consider to be the most qualified childcare staff in Maine.
We have about 140 children between all three centers ˆ six weeks to six years old, depending on when they enter school. Prices range from $105 a week for a preschooler up to $150 a week for an infant.
I work in the office taking care of payroll, bookkeeping, marketing and overseeing general operations.
How many employees do you have?
We started with three employees. We now have over 30 in our two Bangor locations and one Orrington location. We are currently negotiating for a fourth location in the Bangor area, which will require us to hire five more people.
How do you balance running a business with being a state legislator?
I have an executive director, Jill McKenney, who runs the company in my absence. She knows exactly how I like things run.
Describe your company in three words.
Nurturing, fun and safe.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
As parents of five children, we realize how important it is to find quality childcare. We wanted to open a unique center that caters to moms and dads that work day or evening shifts. Our largest center is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to accommodate those parents. We offer a very unique advanced preschool program that teaches children not only the basics, but things like citizenship, sharing, manners and the consequences of actions. At our Orrington location all children are taught sign language as well. When children leave our program at five years old, they are adequately prepared for school.
How did you come up with the name Little Angels?
That was the easy part. Our daughter's name is Angel and we decided to name the daycare after her. She is seven years old and helps in the business; she is the one who records all of Little Angels' radio commercials.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Being willing to take the risk. Borrowing the funds, signing a long-term lease ˆ really, you're risking everything you have.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
We started with about $25,000 in borrowed funds.
What are your plans for growth?
Our goal is to open seven company-owned locations around the state and eventually franchise the concept.
Describe a mistake you've made in your business, and what you learned from it.
Many years ago I lost $50,000 in a failed business enterprise [in Virginia.] It was the best thing that ever happened to me. You learn the most from failing a business, because you learn what not to do.
How are you different from your competition?
There are two things that put us head and shoulders above the competition. First is our staff. We have handpicked 35 of what I consider to be the absolute best childcare providers in Maine. When a parent has to pick a childcare center, the quality of staff overrides location and price every time. Second is our ability to cater to many parents. We are the only daycare center in the Bangor area that is open until 11 p.m. and the only one that offers an advanced preschool program.
If you were given $500,000 towards your business, what would you do with it?
I could speed up the franchising aspect of our business. It is going to cost us about $250,000 to get the franchising concept set up. With the rest of the money I would try to buy struggling daycares and turn them into Little Angels locations.
It's winter in Maine; what's your cure for cabin fever?
Go to Florida, where I'm going in April. We're going to Disney again.
Revenues, 2003: $550,000
Projected revenues, 2004: $850,000
Address: 416 Stillwater Ave., Bangor
Phone: 561-4848
Describe what your company does.
My wife, Carol, and I own three childcare centers in the greater Bangor area. We pride ourselves in hand picking what I consider to be the most qualified childcare staff in Maine.
We have about 140 children between all three centers ˆ six weeks to six years old, depending on when they enter school. Prices range from $105 a week for a preschooler up to $150 a week for an infant.
I work in the office taking care of payroll, bookkeeping, marketing and overseeing general operations.
How many employees do you have?
We started with three employees. We now have over 30 in our two Bangor locations and one Orrington location. We are currently negotiating for a fourth location in the Bangor area, which will require us to hire five more people.
How do you balance running a business with being a state legislator?
I have an executive director, Jill McKenney, who runs the company in my absence. She knows exactly how I like things run.
Describe your company in three words.
Nurturing, fun and safe.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
As parents of five children, we realize how important it is to find quality childcare. We wanted to open a unique center that caters to moms and dads that work day or evening shifts. Our largest center is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to accommodate those parents. We offer a very unique advanced preschool program that teaches children not only the basics, but things like citizenship, sharing, manners and the consequences of actions. At our Orrington location all children are taught sign language as well. When children leave our program at five years old, they are adequately prepared for school.
How did you come up with the name Little Angels?
That was the easy part. Our daughter's name is Angel and we decided to name the daycare after her. She is seven years old and helps in the business; she is the one who records all of Little Angels' radio commercials.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Being willing to take the risk. Borrowing the funds, signing a long-term lease ˆ really, you're risking everything you have.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
We started with about $25,000 in borrowed funds.
What are your plans for growth?
Our goal is to open seven company-owned locations around the state and eventually franchise the concept.
Describe a mistake you've made in your business, and what you learned from it.
Many years ago I lost $50,000 in a failed business enterprise [in Virginia.] It was the best thing that ever happened to me. You learn the most from failing a business, because you learn what not to do.
How are you different from your competition?
There are two things that put us head and shoulders above the competition. First is our staff. We have handpicked 35 of what I consider to be the absolute best childcare providers in Maine. When a parent has to pick a childcare center, the quality of staff overrides location and price every time. Second is our ability to cater to many parents. We are the only daycare center in the Bangor area that is open until 11 p.m. and the only one that offers an advanced preschool program.
If you were given $500,000 towards your business, what would you do with it?
I could speed up the franchising aspect of our business. It is going to cost us about $250,000 to get the franchising concept set up. With the rest of the money I would try to buy struggling daycares and turn them into Little Angels locations.
It's winter in Maine; what's your cure for cabin fever?
Go to Florida, where I'm going in April. We're going to Disney again.
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