A Child’s University employs Disney magic in new RI location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A Child’s University uses Disney Magic in New Early Learning School

Smithfield, Rhode Island – October 22, 2014

Press Release | RI Success Story

- Advertisement -

 

By employing an unusual benchmarking strategy, A Child’s University creates a one-of-a-kind facility and is met with a supportive, positive, and strong business environment in Rhode Island.

A “Magical” Place To Do Business: Rhode Island?

It was scary news when Lynsey Colgan learned that her nationally accredited and award-winning early childhood school, A Child’s University, had to move from its location in Lincoln, RI.  “We learned from an attending family that a large building addition was approved by the Town to be constructed right along the entire side of our classrooms.” The news came as a complete shock and after ten years and hundreds of thousands of dollars put into the space that they were leasing, it was a challenging decision on what to do next.

“We were at a crossroads and it meant walking away from a significant investment of both time and money. But, we knew that if we kept working our hardest and kept doing the right things…then, something bigger and more wonderful would come out of this unexpected challenge.”

After spending months searching through properties and looking at land for sale, Colgan found a site nearby that was perfectly positioned for her early childhood school.  However, it was a tremendous risk and an intimidating, sizable undertaking.  

“Rhode Island seems to continually accumulate poor rankings in different economic studies and statistics pertaining to the business climate.  The constant barrage of bad news makes it intimidating to venture out and take a risk.  I think this creates a negative cycle and perpetuates the problem.  We decided to be different – to be bold.”

Following her heart, Colgan pursued the development of a challenging site and a tight timeline everyone said was far too ambitious.  Then, she put her head down and got to work while sparing no expense to make the project a reality. 

“Daily, I was hit with confidence-shaking bad news on the economy and RI’s poor national standing on almost every level.  But then, my actual, real-life experience didn’t seem to reflect the gloom.  I make a point to keep only positive, enthusiastic people around me… so, we found the complete opposite of all the despair.  We found helpful town government, a highly responsive and dedicated bank to lend the financing, a great design team, and the most amazing construction firm we could have ever imagined.”

The project didn’t seem to reflect the dreary economic news plaguing Rhode Island and perhaps one reason for that was the enthusiasm and unique positive approach used in making it come to life.  One aspect of this strategy was in benchmarking a wildly successful company catering to the same clientele, but in a completely different field.  To do this, Colgan and her team set out to capture some of that world-renowned Disney magic and then devise a way to sprinkle some of it in the rural and unsuspecting Town of Smithfield, RI.  Colgan admits there were certainly skeptics who thought her vision was too grand or her ideas too lofty.  “I am getting used to being laughed at,” she said.  “Many people thought some of our ideas were a little unrealistic. But, we wanted to think bigger for this project, to give something unique and special to the families we serve.  I believe that any venture is as successful as you are willing to make it…how hard you are willing to work and how well you treat the people around you will determine whether your dream is a success or a failure.”  For Colgan, when it came to dreaming of over-the-top ideas, where better to pull inspiration than from the happiest place on earth – Disney World.

“My family and I were walking through EPCOT and stopped at their Monsters Inc. playground that was on display for the Flower and Garden Show.  I looked at the excitement of my own children and about two hundred others as they climbed and played.  There was such an amazing energy around us and the looks on their faces … just priceless.  I thought, this is what we need to do.  We’re going big.”

Mirroring the outdoor environment of a seemingly endless Disney budget in a tiny state bombarded with dire economic news sounded a trifle more than farfetched, but this didn’t shake Colgan’s confidence.  “I think that is the exact problem we face.  People blame the politicians, they blame the economy, they blame the so-called conditions – so everyone holds back in fear because they think that all of this is stacked against them.  It is usually just that 5-10% more of effort beyond what you think is your breaking point that catapults an endeavor from average and into greatness.  If you want to prosper – don’t hold back!  Be the difference.” 

One such aspect, the Monsters Inc. outdoor environment, was particularly hard to match when compared to the near budget-less Disney World operation.  But, instead of trying to come up with a watered-down alternative, Colgan went straight to the source.  Unusual again in her approach, Colgan snapped pictures, took notes, and drew sketches while standing in the center of EPCOT in Disney World amidst the carefree sounds of childhood laughter and awe.  When she returned to Rhode Island, she got in contact with the manufacturer and they began designing a one-of-a-kind outdoor environment inspired by the leader in entertaining children.  

When asked about the cost and how she was able to afford Disney-level equipment, she playfully said, “… faith, trust, pixie dust!”

Just a few minutes into a visit of her new facility and it is evident that Disney World served as an inspiration throughout the entire project.  “Attention to detail is what separates the experience a guest receives at Disney World compared to anywhere else,” she said.  “So, we dedicated ourselves in the very same way.” 

The facility hosts a series of unique features, but – as Colgan enthusiastically points out – the magic is really in the tiny details. There are special hand-scraped wooden doors that look as if they were imported for a mountain lodge ski resort, built-in sitting areas for children, faux tree timbers that look battered by elephant tusks, artificial turf from the landscapes of EPCOT, and dangling lanterns that look like they are straight from a restaurant in Disney’s “Princess and The Frog.”

When asked about the amount of influence that Disney had on the design, Colgan eagerly explained as she walked the corridor, “the classroom doors are inspired by the Animal Kingdom Lodge… the massive tower in our kindergarten knoll classroom is from Disney’s “Tangled.”  Oh! The siding is borrowed from Disney’s Boardwalk hotel … and the lighting is from Hollywood Studios. We even had custom made debarked trees installed that pulled visual elements from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – these were custom made by the same company that builds life-sized action figures and other theme park structures.”  

With a brief moment of embarrassment, she chuckled and added, “I know everyone thinks I went too far, but what people might think about me is just a small price to pay when I see each child’s face light up with excitement when they walk through our doors.”  She paused a moment and then said, “this is the kind of stuff the children will remember for a lifetime.  To me, giving them positive, happy lasting memories of their childhood makes it all worthwhile.” 

Despite some strange looks and more than a dozen eyes rolled in her direction, Colgan stuck to her vision of creating an atmosphere where children could spend their day enjoying a Disney-like, magical experience.  The sights, the smells, the sounds – every sense had to be engaged in just the right manner before Colgan would rest.

This is a difficult vision to articulate to people, though, especially in an enthusiasm-battered climate plagued by glum business reports.  But, sticking with her belief that like-attracts-like, Colgan was fortunate to partner with an amazing firm for the construction – Graham Builders of Smithfield. 

“The real hard work was done by Graham Builders – David, Judi, and Courtney Graham. They took our vision – and our idiosyncrasies – and made it all work.  Their attention to detail and their commitment to high quality was what really made this project such a smashing success. There is a fine line with creative work like this and we wanted to ensure that it was classy and top-notch from start to finish.  Graham Builders more than delivered.”

The feather in the hat [Peter Pan’s, of course] came on opening day of the new facility.  An attending family pulled Colgan aside and somewhat bashfully asked, “can I tell you something kind of strange?” Colgan urged them along and they continued, “this sounds kind of odd, but we are huge Disney fans …”  Colgan’s eyes widened.  “This school actually feels like Disney World.”  Colgan smiled.

With a growing collection of accolades including a “40 under 40” award, the INC. Magazine HirePower award, the 2014 Entrepreneurial Woman To Watch Award, and a “Best Place To Work in RI” award for her dedication to the expanding team of around 100 people along her side, the 34-year-old mother of two (with a third on the way) knows a thing or two about leadership and how to get things done.  When asked to offer advice to other entrepreneurs in Rhode Island, Lynsey Colgan added, “just please don’t give up.  It sounds cliché, but it is all that matters.  Don’t give yourself the excuse of a weak economy as the way to quit on something.  Adjust course and make it work… no matter what.  This really is the land of endless opportunity.  If you wake up in the morning and can fill your lungs with air, then you can venture out and do amazing things,” she said.  “Go bigger than you think you can.  Anyone can be successful if they just work hard, treat people right, maintain a great attitude at all times, and never, ever, ever quit.  Strive for excellence in all that you do and remember that time-proven adage – whether you think that you can or you think that you can’t, you are right.”

——- A Child’s University is a nationally accredited early childhood school with two Rhode Island locations (Cranston and Smithfield) and provides programs for children in kindergarten, prekindergarten, and preschool as well as specially designed infant and toddler programs.  The company was recently honored nationally in INC. Magazine and is the recipient of many local and national awards including “Best Place To Work.” Please visit www.AChildsUniversity.com to learn more.  Lynsey Colgan and her husband, Jay, collectively own six companies and happily make themselves available to offer free advice and support to other entrepreneurs desiring to start or grow their organizations. 

 

Email: Imagine@achildsuniversity.com  

Web:  www.AChildsUniversity.com

370 George Washington Highway,

Building Number 3, Smithfield, RI 02917

 

695 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910

Phone:  (401) 349-3010

 

No posts to display