Meet Adrienne Anzelmo of Bee Curious Children’s Learning Center in Northwest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Anzelmo.

Adrienne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My mom was looking to invest in a business. I was twenty-three years old, being young and naive I did not yet understand risk and the true value of a dollar. I told her to take a leap of faith with me. I presented a business plan to her and in September 2003 we opened Bee Curious Children’s Learning Center. We were housed in a rental facility for our first 7 years of business in Tewksbury MA. With the rumor of foreclosure on the property looming, we set our sights on a more permanent location. We purchased an existing free-standing building that we gut and added 2,000 sq. ft. It was only 2 miles from our old location. Staying local allowed us to take our existing families on the move with us. We were able to stay part of the community we had worked hard to build a reputation in. We have been in our current location for 7 years (and counting)!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We had our share of struggles at the beginning. It took some time for us to pay our initial investment back and get our financial footing. To receive our license from the state we had to hire and staff for a full capacity school. We also could not confirm an opening date until we had our child care license in hand. Because of all the uncertainty, on opening day we had only 6 children. For some time more, money was going out than coming in. My mom and I were there day in and out from opening at 7am to closing at 6pm and weekends when needed. Finding time for anything else was a hard balance but knew it was important to set a strong foundation for our school. Within a year we were running at full capacity with a wait list!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Bee Curious Children’s Learning Center – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Bee Curious Children’s Learning Center is a full day facility that cares for and educates children 6 weeks to 5 years old. We value early education and want our children to be ready for school from an academic prospective. We also see a true value in kids being kids. Learning fundamental life skills like sharing, being kind to others, helping a friend in need. We stress learning through play and respect for one another. We also believe in getting out into the community and giving the children opportunities that they otherwise would not have. We Christmas carol at the local nursing home at Christmas, we sing the national anthem at a high school basketball game each year. We also plan a year end graduation and school performance where each graduate has a speaking part on stage in front of a large audience. We work to really build the children’s confidence and self-esteem in hopes they will take those qualities and apply them to their future outside the walls and confines of Bee Curious. It is also extremely important that I mention our faculty. Most of our lead teachers have been with us for 10 years or more. They have helped us build the foundation of our school. Their passion, dedication and love for their students is truly such a big part of our success. I had worked in the early education space for six years prior to opening Bee Curious. I had a chance to work for smaller privately-owned facilities and a bigger more corporate atmosphere. Both had their pros and cons, but I realized my vision was to create a school that had all the comforts of home and family but while still providing a classroom-based learning model. I wanted parents and children to feel like they were an extension of their family but with the opportunity to learn and grow with children their own age. I feel we have succeeded with this model. I have been lucky enough to raise my own children and put them through school at Bee Curious. I also have a niece and several nephews who are both alumni and still currently enrolled in our program. I have watched my family form friendships and make so many memories at our school. My niece says she cannot wait to be old enough to help teach the babies, a true “family” business.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.

I grew up rocking my dollies to sleep. I remember my favorite cradle my dad restored and added a felt flowered liner to being overly loved. My dream was always to be a mom. I remember fantasizing of having a big family. My dad and mom owned a small business together. My dad, a big rig mechanic and my mom ran the financial side of the business. They made a great team together. I saw how hard they both worked to sustain a small business together. There was a real draw to watching my mom foster a love and passion of my father’s and being there to support him. Years later after his passing she went on to do the same for me. She is really the reason I have been able to pursue this dream of mine. Because of her investment and dedication to my dream we have created this loving community for young children and their families. Every day is a dream come true…

Contact Info:

• Address: 250 Salem Rd. Billerica, Ma. 01821
• Website: www.BeeCurious.net
• Phone: 978-663-1800
• Email: Director@BeeCurious.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bee-Curious-Childrens-Learning-Center-107656779253838/?ref=bookmarks

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