Hard work pays off

Kim Pickens, owner and operator of First Steps Childcare, introduces me as the children smile and greet me.  She too greets me warmly and you can instantly feel the warmth and hospitality from the immaculate surroundings. Kim started her home-based daycare in Broadview in 1998 before relocating to its present location in the city’s Ashburn neighborhood in 2005. She always found herself working with children – whether taking care of her relatives’ children as a youth to getting her degree in education and finding her passion in the area of children’s training and development.

 

Kim approached ACCION Chicago after unsuccessfully trying to find financing through various banks. She talked to Jessica Horn, Senior Loan Officer with ACCION Chicago, who, “listened to my needs and helped me with the application process.” Because of this loan, Kim was able to remodel the entire facility so that it complied with the various Chicago agency codes for home-based businesses and used part of the funds to hire an assistant to help with administrative duties.

She later applied for a second microloan loan to get the various furnishings and supplies for the kids.

 

Of course there are the challenges. Kimberly’s work days sometimes last 14 hours, between picking up and dropping off kids, working at her daycare center and handling the finance side of her business. The hours are long but it is worth it to her. Kim says that as a small business owner, “It’s a wonderful thing being in charge of your own destiny.”

 

First Steps Childcare is located at 7719 S Albany in Chicago. Phone: 773.617.3200

 

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