Vernon Mason's guest appearances

Vernon Mason

Child Care Rockstar Radio

Hal Elrod

Jason Russell

Dave Vasen

Mike Michalowicz

Danielle Paige

Les Brown

Maria Taylor

Jennifer Conner

Marshall Goldsmith

Cameron Herold

Jim Dew

Ryan Hawk

Holly Elissa Bruno

Andre Norman

Stuart Robertson

OwlTail

Kris welcomes back Vernon Mason to the show. Not only is he the first guest to return three times, but he is also a highly sought-after influential speaker and the Senior VP of Growth and Professional Development at the Nest Schools. Vernon and Kris discuss the importance of advocacy at a local and national level, building community, and the most important subject in child care right now — the staffing crisis. Vernon gives practical ways to attract and hire key talent that will stay, including benefits, building relationships, the right type of marketing, and an improved pay structure.   Key Takeaways: [9:04] Vernon holds the record for being the first guest to appear three times on the podcast [10:01] Kris and Vernon go back into the vault for the 2021 Summit, and look ahead to what is next. [11:55] You can not talk about the child care world today without talking about the staffing crisis we are currently under. That is trumping everything. Also, owners are in denial about this, and the work that it takes to get the staffing crisis under control. [13:14] There is not an industry Vernon knows of that works any harder than the child care industry, yet few industries have the liabilities and staffing crises that early education does. [14:22] Vernon shares the imperative double-sided reason for child care owners to get their staffing issues under control. [15:49] Vernon and Kris discuss their thoughts on President Biden’s plan for universal preschool and well-funded child care. [21:09] Vernon and Kris discuss why advocacy in the ECE industry is so important at local, regional, and state levels. [26:05] Vernon and his team currently operate 29 schools, with four more on the way. [33:12] Vernon shares some practical ways for leaders to be visible on social media and helping out with the community. [40:26] Vernon shares the importance of targeting to the right type of new employees that you are looking.  [47:01] Vernon shares why you must take care of your directors in order to have a successful child care business. [47:16] Vernon and Kris reveal how long the training process of new hires should truly be. Quotes:  [11:55] You cannot talk about the child care world today without talking about the staffing crisis we are currently under. That is trumping everything. — Vernon  [13:14] There is not an industry I know of that works any harder than the child care industry. — Vernon [35:06] One of the things you can do that won’t cost you a dime is being involved. As an owner, you need to support your leaders. — Vernon [47:01] Take care of your directors. They are taking care of your business. — Vernon    Sponsored By: PB&amp;J TV — Don’t forget to mention Kris Murray for a special offer!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company  The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit  Vernon Mason   NAEYC  NCCA The Nest School  VernonDirectorsLeadership@gmail.com

Kris welcomes back Vernon Mason to the show. Not only is he the first guest to return three times, but he is also a highly sought-after influential speaker and the Senior VP of Growth and Professional Development at the Nest Schools. Vernon and Kris discuss the importance of advocacy at a local and national level, building community, and the most important subject in child care right now — the staffing crisis. Vernon gives practical ways to attract and hire key talent that will stay, including benefits, building relationships, the right type of marketing, and an improved pay structure. Key Takeaways: [9:04] Vernon holds the record for being the first guest to appear three times on the podcast [10:01] Kris and Vernon go back into the vault for the 2021 Summit, and look ahead to what is next. [11:55] You can not talk about the child care world today without talking about the staffing crisis we are currently under. That is trumping everything. Also, owners are in denial about this, and the work that it takes to get the staffing crisis under control. [13:14] There is not an industry Vernon knows of that works any harder than the child care industry, yet few industries have the liabilities and staffing crises that early education does. [14:22] Vernon shares the imperative double-sided reason for child care owners to get their staffing issues under control. [15:49] Vernon and Kris discuss their thoughts on President Biden’s plan for universal preschool and well-funded child care. [21:09] Vernon and Kris discuss why advocacy in the ECE industry is so important at local, regional, and state levels. [26:05] Vernon and his team currently operate 29 schools, with four more on the way. [33:12] Vernon shares some practical ways for leaders to be visible on social media and helping out with the community. [40:26] Vernon shares the importance of targeting to the right type of new employees that you are looking.  [47:01] Vernon shares why you must take care of your directors in order to have a successful child care business. [47:16] Vernon and Kris reveal how long the training process of new hires should truly be. Quotes: <ul> <li>[11:55] You cannot talk about the child care world today without talking about the staffing crisis we are currently under. That is trumping everything. — Vernon </li> <li>[13:14] There is not an industry I know of that works any harder than the child care industry. — Vernon</li> <li>[35:06] One of the things you can do that won’t cost you a dime is being involved. As an owner, you need to support your leaders. — Vernon</li> <li>[47:01] Take care of your directors. They are taking care of your business. — Vernon</li> </ul> Sponsored By: <a href="https://www.peanutbutterandjellytv.com/live/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PB&amp;J TV</a> — Don’t forget to mention Kris Murray for a special offer! Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://twitter.com/kris_murray" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kris Murray</a> <a href="https://www.childcare-marketing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Child Care Success Company</a> <a href="http://www.childcare-marketing.com/coaching-programs/success-academy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Child Care Success Academy</a> <a href="https://www.childcaresuccesssummit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Child Care Success Summit</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernon-mason-jr-author-speaker/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Vernon Mason </a> <a href="https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/public-policy-advocacy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> NAEYC</a> <a href="https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Accreditation/Earn-Accreditation/NCCA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> NCCA</a> <a href="https://thenestschool.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Nest School</a> VernonDirectorsLeadership@gmail.com

Feeling Alive In Your Work With Vernon Mason

This week features a special working-happy-hour episode with beloved guest Vernon Mason. Vernon has been an early childhood administrator for over 20 years and also owned four centers with locations in North Carolina before selling them to a national buyer. Vernon and Kris talk about the future of early childhood and how quality ties in with profitability. Vernon also shares his love for visiting schools on professional development day, and how we can stay connected to our staff and culture while we adjust to getting back to school in the pandemic.   Key Takeaways:  This is a special happy-hour celebratory episode because your fearless leader Kris is newly engaged! Vernon is a consultant, trainer, and keynote speaker. He is loved for his authentic and inspiring way of delivering speeches, and always injects humor and a fresh perspective in his talks. In 2015, Vernon launched Directors Leadership Solutions to help directors on their path to success. He helps leaders with everything, including having difficult conversations, smoothing out clear communication, how to handle parent complaints, and developing a culture that stays loyal and engaged. You can’t shoulder the stress of keeping your school alive and vibrant on your own. Three pieces of financial advice to survive and thrive during this time: use your EDD wisely, take a good look at your payroll to see if it’s too high, don’t apologize or feel guilty for going up on your rates in the fall. Even if you don’t know exactly all the answers, parents appreciate the communication of just touching base to let them know what you are working on, and what is, at least, coming next. Your team needs to know how important enrollment is, and leaders can communicate that in a sensitive yet clear way. The better you treat your employees, the better they treat the children.    Quotes:  “If you are tired of being a victim, take action.” “Without connection, there is suffering.” — Brene Brown “The fuller the program, the better the quality will be.” “Treat your employees as well as you want the kids treated.”    Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company  Child Care Success Academy Child Care Success Summit — offering $1 ticket Grow Your Center Child Care Authority Child Care Exchange  Directors Leadership Solutions  Vernon Mason, Jr Bari Baumgardner Palm Beach Preschool  vernondirectorsleadership@gmail.com

This week features a special working-happy-hour episode with beloved guest Vernon Mason. Vernon has been an early childhood administrator for over 20 years and also owned four centers with locations in North Carolina before selling them to a national buyer. Vernon and Kris talk about the future of early childhood and how quality ties in with profitability. Vernon also shares his love for visiting schools on professional development day, and how we can stay connected to our staff and culture while we adjust to getting back to school in the pandemic. Key Takeaways: <ul> <li>This is a special happy-hour celebratory episode because your fearless leader Kris is newly engaged!</li> <li>Vernon is a consultant, trainer, and keynote speaker. He is loved for his authentic and inspiring way of delivering speeches, and always injects humor and a fresh perspective in his talks.</li> <li>In 2015, Vernon launched Directors Leadership Solutions to help directors on their path to success. He helps leaders with everything, including having difficult conversations, smoothing out clear communication, how to handle parent complaints, and developing a culture that stays loyal and engaged.</li> <li>You can’t shoulder the stress of keeping your school alive and vibrant on your own.</li> <li>Three pieces of financial advice to survive and thrive during this time: use your EDD wisely, take a good look at your payroll to see if it’s too high, don’t apologize or feel guilty for going up on your rates in the fall.</li> <li>Even if you don’t know exactly all the answers, parents appreciate the communication of just touching base to let them know what you are working on, and what is, at least, coming next.</li> <li>Your team needs to know how important enrollment is, and leaders can communicate that in a sensitive yet clear way.</li> <li>The better you treat your employees, the better they treat the children.</li> </ul> Quotes: <ul> <li>“If you are tired of being a victim, take action.”</li> <li>“Without connection, there is suffering.” — Brene Brown</li> <li>“The fuller the program, the better the quality will be.”</li> <li>“Treat your employees as well as you want the kids treated.”</li> </ul> Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://twitter.com/kris_murray" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kris Murray</a> <a href="https://www.childcare-marketing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Child Care Success Company</a> <a href="http://www.childcare-marketing.com/coaching-programs/success-academy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Child Care Success Academy</a> <a href="https://www.childcaresuccesssummit.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Child Care Success Summit</a> — offering $1 ticket <a href="https://www.growyourcenter.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grow Your Center</a> <a href="http://childcareauthority.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Child Care Authority</a> <a href="https://www.childcareexchange.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Child Care Exchange</a> <a href="https://directorsleadershipsolutions.com/vernon-h-mason-jr-m-ed/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Directors Leadership Solutions</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Author/Vernon-Mason-Jr-MEd-Author-Humorist-Inspiring-Keynote-Speaker-182565602166232/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Vernon Mason, Jr</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/baribaumgardner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bari Baumgardner</a> <a href="https://palmbeachpreschool.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Palm Beach Preschool</a> <a href="mailto:vernondirectorsleadership@gmail.com"> vernondirectorsleadership@gmail.com</a>

How Profit and High Quality Can Go Hand In Hand with Vernon Mason

In today’s episode, Kris is joined with one of her favorite friends in the industry, Vernon Mason. Vernon has over 25 years of experience in early childhood. He shares with us his journey of how he started and some of the key points that allowed him to grow from a school of 30 into now five locations. Vernon is an inspiration as a leader and rockstar! Vernon makes it fun and open, from making the snacks in a classroom to helping directors find the confidence and skills to be great leaders themselves. They also cover hiring and letting employees go, his rewards and motivation systems, and what’s next in his career!   Key Takeaways: [:52] Today’s guest is Vernon Mason. He has been in early childhood for over 25 years, and with a $5,000 credit card in 1991, he and his mom opened a small child care center that grew to 125 children. In 1999, it was destroyed by a natural disaster, and he rebuilt and has since grown into 5 locations. [5:28] One of Vernon’s original schools grew and expanded, but then got flooded due to a hurricane. They were closed for 2 days then moved to a downtown location for a year, where the parents would drive out of their way just to go to the school. Within two years he doubled the attendance, and grew the number of teachers he hired, as well. [7:27] Vernon thanks Kris for helping to rejuvenate him in a time of burnout from the stress of expansion. Getting clear on his to do list and his day became a way to get him more focused with an efficient strategy to work on high-payoff activities. [11:54] Loyalty, openness, and incentives are very big to Vernon when hiring and working with his directors. [16:25] They are focusing a lot of attention on good attendance, and he has a great rewards program for those with great and near perfect attendance. They also give a reward for going above and beyond with a sense of enthusiasm and energy. [22:19] Vernon gives tips and shares his own experiences on being able to let someone go that isn’t a fit for the company in a respectful and professional manner. [29:52] Having a “three strikes rule” is a good tool to maintain core values within the company. [43:26] A key to good leadership is vulnerability and letting people see your imperfections. [45:24] Vernon has done 16 keynote talks this year, so he may be taking a little keynote break! His second book will also be out soon.   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray  Child Care Marketing Solutions  Child Care Success Academy  The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber  Don’t Go!: A Practical Guide for Tackling Employee Turnover, by Vernon H Mason  The Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness, by David J. Rendall  The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin  The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, by Jon Gordon Directors Leadership Solutions

In today’s episode, Kris is joined with one of her favorite friends in the industry, Vernon Mason. Vernon has over 25 years of experience in early childhood. He shares with us his journey of how he started and some of the key points that allowed him to grow from a school of 30 into now five locations. Vernon is an inspiration as a leader and rockstar! Vernon makes it fun and open, from making the snacks in a classroom to helping directors find the confidence and skills to be great leaders themselves. They also cover hiring and letting employees go, his rewards and motivation systems, and what’s next in his career! Key Takeaways: [:52] Today’s guest is Vernon Mason. He has been in early childhood for over 25 years, and with a $5,000 credit card in 1991, he and his mom opened a small child care center that grew to 125 children. In 1999, it was destroyed by a natural disaster, and he rebuilt and has since grown into 5 locations. [5:28] One of Vernon’s original schools grew and expanded, but then got flooded due to a hurricane. They were closed for 2 days then moved to a downtown location for a year, where the parents would drive out of their way just to go to the school. Within two years he doubled the attendance, and grew the number of teachers he hired, as well. [7:27] Vernon thanks Kris for helping to rejuvenate him in a time of burnout from the stress of expansion. Getting clear on his to do list and his day became a way to get him more focused with an efficient strategy to work on high-payoff activities. [11:54] Loyalty, openness, and incentives are very big to Vernon when hiring and working with his directors. [16:25] They are focusing a lot of attention on good attendance, and he has a great rewards program for those with great and near perfect attendance. They also give a reward for going above and beyond with a sense of enthusiasm and energy. [22:19] Vernon gives tips and shares his own experiences on being able to let someone go that isn’t a fit for the company in a respectful and professional manner. [29:52] Having a “three strikes rule” is a good tool to maintain core values within the company. [43:26] A key to good leadership is vulnerability and letting people see your imperfections. [45:24] Vernon has done 16 keynote talks this year, so he may be taking a little keynote break! His second book will also be out soon. Mentioned in This Episode: <a href="https://twitter.com/kris_murray" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kris Murray</a> <a href="http://www.childcare-marketing.com/portfolio-item/kris-murray-child-care-marketing-expert/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Child Care Marketing Solutions</a> <a href="http://www.childcare-marketing.com/coaching-programs/success-academy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Child Care Success Academy</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Go-Practical-Tackling-Employee/dp/1517476208" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Don’t Go!: A Practical Guide for Tackling Employee Turnover, by Vernon H Mason</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Freak-Factor-Discovering-Uniqueness-Flaunting/dp/1599326698" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness, by David J. Rendall</a> <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-happiness-project/about-the-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Bus-Rules-Fuel-Positive-ebook/dp/B0086I25S8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy, by Jon Gordon</a> <a href="https://directorsleadershipsolutions.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Directors Leadership Solutions</a>