103. Taking Back Control in your Center and Life with Sheila Smozynski

<p>As a leader, you’re well aware that being in your position can feel extremely isolating. </p> <p> </p> <p>At times, it can feel like you’re stranded in the middle of the ocean on an island—alone, left to your own devices, and with no one to talk to for support and guidance.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>That was Sheila Smozynski’s experience as the owner of two early childhood education centers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. </p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>COVID turned operations at Sheila’s centers upside down and inside out. Staff morale began to slip, equipment shortages threatened quality instruction in her classrooms, and she and her team were struggling to do the bare minimum just to get by.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>And through it all, Sheila felt like she had no one to rely on but herself. </p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>But everything changed when she stumbled across our Schools of Excellence podcast and learned about our Owner’s Only HQ membership program. After spending so much time in isolation, she <em>finally</em> felt like she had found her people.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>The community Sheila found through Owner’s Only HQ not only helped her become a better leader at her centers, but also a better mom and wife at home. What began as a personal growth experience became a new way of life as the ripple effect extended to her staff, her centers, and her family.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>In this week’s episode of the Schools of Excellence podcast, we’re spotlighting Sheila Smozynski and her journey from isolated leader to visionary role model.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>Listen to my VP of Operations Michelina and Sheila as they talk about:</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sheila’s struggles before joining Owner’s Only HQ</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Her experience finding a community of like-minded leaders</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">What she’s learned in the program and how it’s affected her centers’ culture</li> <li sty