We had the good fortune of connecting with Rosalind Prather and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rosalind, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and my parents always worked for themselves. I know now how important my parents’ model was in shaping what I believed was possible for myself. I don’t think I would have ever even dreamed of business ownership if it weren’t for the precedent they set. Their example made success in my own business feel very much within reach. And I am so grateful for that! My first business was a tutoring company after the remedial education center I worked for closed their doors. I finally joined forces with my current business partner, Caroline in 2011 to start what would become Trusting Connections Nanny Agency. Looking back, our thought process was simple. We thought parents in our town needed a more comprehensive option for private, quality, in-home childcare. We also liked the idea of business ownership and the freedom and flexibility that comes with it. We had no idea what was to come. It was much harder, more complex and more rewarding than we ever could have imagined.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our agencies are truly special. We always say that in terms of quality we “can’t be beat” and it’s true. We have created a culture of excellence that separates us from most nanny agencies and sitter services – not just in the quality of the service we provide to families but also in the comprehensive, efficient, exceptional experience we offer to clients and employees. Every person in our company lives and breathes the same mission – to help families thrive – and that shared purpose excites all our employees. We are proud of how far we’ve come because we truly did start so small and had no idea how far our idea would take us. It’s almost like our agency took on a life of its own. It certainly wasn’t easy but it wasn’t always difficult either. We owe our success to the incredible team of women in our office who put our ideas in motion and make it happen and to our nannies who are wonderful ambassadors of our brand. We know many business owners are still stuck in the day-to-day operations working 70 hours a week. Creating a business that runs without us has been our most important achievement. It has allowed Caroline and I to enjoy work life balance, take maternity leaves, etc. and in that sense, it’s made business ownership much “easier.”
Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
One of my favorite things about Phoenix is the plethora of 4 and 5-star resorts that make for some incredible staycations. We would probably stay at the Fairmont Princess with our kids and enjoy everything amazing they have to offer for families. During Christmas and the summer, they go ALL OUT in creating a fun and truly special experience for guests. With an extensive schedule of activities, there is never a dull moment. (Of course, I would. also schedule one of our amazing resort nannies to hang with the kids so my best friend and I could have some kid-free time!) There’s never a reason to leave the Fairmont but we might break away to enjoy a scenic hike or visit the Phoenix Zoo (one of my favorites!) Rustler’s Rooste would also be a recommended destination for an unforgettable family meal.
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?
He might be surprised to know this, but a man named Mark Ziska deserves some recognition in our success story. Early in our partnership, Caroline and I encountered some VERY rocky times. Mark was an incredible mentor to us but he was also a coach and a counselor. He led us through some extremely murky waters and helped us reach the other side. If it weren’t for him, we may have given up – on our business and on each other. We are so grateful to him for the enormous contribution he made to our journey.
Website: www.trustingconnections.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tcnannies
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalindprather/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trusting.connections.agency
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tucsonnannies
Image Credits
Fleur de Lea Photography
