Karen Bachelder established Countryside Kids Childcare, a home-based daycare in Hiram, in 2020. After two years in operation and with several families on her waitlist, she recognized an opportunity to expand to better serve the growing needs of her community and support more families needing childcare. She envisioned relocating to a new building that would allow her to increase her capacity from 12 to 60 children.
On the recommendation of her bank, Karen Bachelder reached out to the Maine SBDC and was paired with Business Advisor Christina (Tina) Oddleifson. Tina proved helpful as Karen navigated the complexities of business planning and financing. She worked closely with Karen to organize her business plan and prepare financial projections. Under Tina’s guidance, Karen applied for and received funding from the State of Maine through the Childcare Expansion Grant Program, managed by Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), and secured a loan from Bangor Savings Bank.
Karen comments, “Tina has been so helpful with organizing my business plan and getting me bank-ready. She was so supportive and helpful, and listened to my concerns.”
Karen’s new, larger facility is now open, allowing her to accommodate more children and provide an even higher level of care. This expansion allows Countryside Kids Childcare to provide a high-quality, safe, and engaging environment to more infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. They are dedicated to each child’s care,happiness, and early education.
This expansion not only benefits the families she serves but also strengthens the community by offering much-needed childcare services. With a strong foundation and the support of the Maine SBDC, Karen is excited about the bright future ahead for her business.
As Karen looks to the future, she is filled with optimism. The successful expansion of Countryside Kids Childcare positions her well to continue providing exceptional care for children in her community.