We had the good fortune of connecting with Seema Choudhary and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Seema, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

“The thought of starting a preschool business, with the flexibility to align it with my own kids’ school schedule, was a concept born out of personal necessity and a desire for work-life balance. As a parent, I understood the challenges of juggling work and family responsibilities, especially when it came to my own children’s school routines.

By creating a preschool business with a flexible schedule that mirrored my kids’ school hours, I saw an opportunity to not only be actively involved in their education but also cater to the needs of other parents facing similar challenges. This approach allowed me to be present for drop-offs and pick-ups, attend school events, and maintain a harmonious work-life integration.

Moreover, this flexibility served as a unique selling point for my preschool business, attracting parents who valued the convenience of synchronized schedules. It not only addressed a practical need but also demonstrated my commitment to providing a family-friendly, supportive learning environment.

While building the business came with its own set of challenges, including staffing and curriculum planning to accommodate the adjusted hours, the vision of offering a preschool experience that prioritized both education and family life motivated me to overcome these hurdles. Ultimately, the thought of combining entrepreneurship with the flexibility to align with my own kids’ school schedule became a driving force behind the success of my preschool.”

What should our readers know about your business?
What Sets Us Apart: Our preschool is dedicated to providing a truly unique and enriching educational experience for young children. What sets us apart from others is our unwavering commitment to child’s independence & self confidence. We believe that every child is unique and should have the opportunity to grow and learn at their own pace. Our curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing us to tailor our approach to each child’s specific needs and interests. Kids perform on stage at very early age and are capable of doing so many things in prepared environment. Our daily communication with parents sets us apart.

What We’re Proud Of:
We take immense pride in creating a warm and inclusive environment where children feel safe and encouraged to explore, discover, and express themselves. Our team of dedicated educators is passionate about early childhood education, and we continuously invest in their professional development to ensure that our teaching methods are up-to-date and aligned with the latest research in child development.

Our Journey and Challenges:
Our journey in the preschool business has been both rewarding and challenging. Like any entrepreneurial endeavor, it had its share of obstacles. Finding the right location, securing funding, and navigating through regulatory requirements were not easy tasks. However, our determination and belief in our mission to provide exceptional early education kept us going.

Overcoming Challenges:
To overcome these challenges, we sought guidance from mentors in the education and business fields. We also built a supportive network within the early childhood education community. These relationships provided invaluable insights and assistance. Additionally, we remained adaptable and willing to adjust our strategies as needed to meet the evolving needs of our students and their families.

Lessons Learned:
Our journey has taught us the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. We’ve learned that success in the preschool business is not just about academics but also about creating a nurturing and supportive environment for both children and their families.

Our Brand and Story:
What we want the world to know about us is that we are not just a preschool; we are a community of passionate educators and parents dedicated to shaping the future by nurturing the potential of each child. Our story is one of perseverance, commitment, and a deep love for early childhood education.

In a world where each child is unique and full of potential, we aspire to be the guiding light that helps them discover their strengths and passions. Our brand stands for whole family commitment for child’s success.

In summary, our preschool is more than a business; it’s a labor of love aimed at giving every child the best possible start in life. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and excited about the positive impact we will continue to make in the lives of children and their families.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week-long trip to the Irvine, Lake Forest, Orange County, and Los Angeles area would offer a fantastic blend of outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and delicious dining options from Sea to Mountains. Here’s an itinerary to make the most of the visit:

Day 1 – Arrival in Irvine:

Morning: Start the trip in Irvine with a relaxing morning at Bill Barber Park, William R. Mason Regional Park. Enjoy a scenic walk around the lake.
Afternoon: Head to the Great Park for Balloon ride followed by Irvine Spectrum Center for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Evening: Dine at Southern Spice, a popular Indian restaurant in Irvine.

Day 2 – Lake Forest:

Morning: Explore the beautiful Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Lake Forest. Hike the trails and enjoy nature.
Afternoon: Have a leisurely lunch at Nina’s, known for its contemporary Indian cuisine.
Evening: Experience the Saddleback Church. Heritage Hill Historic Park. Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House

Day 3 – Orange County Beaches:

Morning: Spend the morning at Laguna Beach. Enjoy the beach, visit art galleries, and explore the tide pools.
Afternoon: Have lunch at a beachfront restaurant like The Deck on Laguna Beach.
Evening: Explore the charming town of San Juan Capistrano and visit Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Day 4 – Disneyland and Anaheim:

Spend a full day at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, experiencing the magic of the theme parks.
Enjoy dinner at one of the many dining options within the resort.

Day 5 – Irvine Cultural Day:

Morning: Visit the Irvine Museum Collection at the University of California, Irvine campus.
Afternoon: Explore the Pretend City Children’s Museum for family-friendly fun.
Evening: Dine at the Diamond Jamboree Plaza, known for its diverse international cuisine.

Day 6 – Los Angeles Exploration:

Morning: Take a day trip to Los Angeles and start at the Getty Center followed by UCLA.
Afternoon: Explore the historic Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park.
Evening: Head to the trendy neighborhood
.
Day 7 – Beaches and Farewell:

Morning: Spend your last day at Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA. Enjoy the beach and water sports.
Afternoon: Have lunch at Duke’s Huntington Beach with oceanfront views.
Evening: End your trip with a farewell dinner at a seafood restaurant like Water Grill in Costa Mesa.

This itinerary offers a taste of the diverse attractions, natural beauty, cultural experiences, and culinary delights that the Irvine, Lake Forest, Orange County, and Los Angeles area has to offer. Whether it’s enjoying the outdoors, exploring museums, or savoring delicious meals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant Southern California region.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to the incredible people in my life who have played a pivotal role in my journey to where I am today. Success is rarely a solo endeavor, and I owe so much to the unwavering support, love, and encouragement of my family and friends.

First and foremost, I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to my family. My husband, kids, parents, siblings & relatives They have been my rock, my cheerleaders, and my constant source of inspiration. Their belief in me, even during the toughest times, has been the driving force behind my determination and resilience.

To my friends, you’ve been more than just companions; you’ve been my sounding board, my confidants, and my partners in laughter and adventure. Your friendship has enriched my life in countless ways, and I am incredibly fortunate to have you by my side.

I also want to acknowledge the mentors and teachers who have guided me along the way. Your wisdom and guidance have shaped my path and expanded my horizons. Your belief in my potential has been instrumental in my growth and development.

In addition to the individuals, I want to recognize the power of books and the wealth of knowledge they offer. Countless authors from Dr. Laura, Suze Orman, Sudha Murthy, Indira Nooyai and many more have influenced my thinking and provided valuable insights that have contributed to my personal and professional growth.

Lastly, I’d like to express my appreciation for the organizations and communities I’ve been a part of. SCORE, City of Irvine, Early Childhood Education Association, OC Indian Women etc, have provided me with opportunities, networks, and a sense of belonging that has been instrumental in my journey.

To all of you, thank you for being a part of my story. Your support, mentorship, love, and encouragement have played a significant role in my success, and I am truly grateful. This shoutout is for each and every one of you!

Website: www.montessorifuntime.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montessorifuntimepreschool/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-seema-choudhary-4a429a124/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeemaChoudhar14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montessorifuntimepreschool

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/montessori-funtime-preschool-irvine

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT_5qEeRdpCmaLopXxTW3zw

Other: Dr. Seema Choudhary, a distinguished citizen of Irvine is also known as Dr. Seema Ji by her well wishers and friends. She has been recognized as a distinguished citizen by City of Irvine & has been awarded the Outstanding Professional award by Orange County Association for the education of young children (OCAEYC). Unquestionably multi-skilled and multi-talented, Dr.Seema Choudhary is an entrepreneur, an educator, a community activist, a business mentor and a former UCI professor. As the Founder & Director of Montessori Preschool, Irvine & Lake Forest, under her able guidance her schools have been diligently serving OC families for more than a decade. She is also the Founder of Indian Culture & Hindi Gurukul Program, Sunday School & Math Camp. As the founder of OC Indian Women (#OCIW), which connects more than 1500 Indian Women every day through WhatsApp groups and Monthly Meetups with guest speakers, she has demonstrated creativity and initiative in getting the Indian Community united under one big umbrella, making OC the best choice for many Indian families. In her role as the Founder of OCIW Strong Initiative, she has launched more than 200 FB Live sessions with experts and homegrown entrepreneurs to foster a sense of strength and unity within the community to combat the challenging phase brought on by Covid 19. She has also represented SCORE organization at different events and places and as a committee member of Irvine Global Village Festival, where more than 30,000 people attend the festival, she has shown her dedication for long term service for the city of Irvine. She has also served the City of Irvine’s Childcare Committee as a member apart from being a member of of School site council, GATE program coordinator & the PTA of Irvine Unified School district (IUSD). She is an outstanding professional & committee member of Orange county association for the education of Young children (OCAEYC) for early childhood educators. She has also served as Orange County Science Fair Judge Captain and is a very active participant at the OC Fair and Winter Fest. A proud parent member of Scout Troop and an active member of the Indian Temple, she is also an Influencer on Social Media to make a difference and featured in many magazines & newspapers. Dr. Seema Choudhary truly understands the power of ‘togetherness’-They Say “If You Want To Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want To Go Far, Go Together.” Dr. Seema Stands For This Very ‘Togetherness’. Feel free to contact her if she can be of any type of help.

Image Credits
Gaurav Studio

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