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2010 Rising Star Apple Tree Connections, LLC Tina Donaldson, Owner
Coffee shop, dry cleaning service, prepared take-home meals, resource library – perks that you would expect to be part of the corporate culture. In this case, they are services to help simplify the lives of clients. Clients who are the parents of your customers. Customers who range in age from a few months old to school age. Highly unlikely in the corporate world, but rather a child care center.
Tina Donaldson, owner of Apple Tree Connections, a working mother in the accounting field, developed a vision for a safe and secure child care environment after personally experiencing some unfortunate situations at other centers.
Donaldson began extensive research into child care with Child Care Research and Referral Agency, and the Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project, and by enrolling in the early childhood classes at Fox Valley Technical College. Her research led her to develop a business plan and secure investors for building a new center. Next in the process was an extensive search for a director for the center who would share her passion for quality child care.
Additional research went into the site selection for the new building, which was completed in August 2007 and located at the corner of JJ and Providence Avenue in Appleton. Donaldson managed the undertaking of her dream while working full-time but eventually left the corporate world to focus on Apple Tree Connections in late 2009.
Initial employment in 2008 started with 13 employees and 28 children enrolled. Today the center employees 30 people with approximately 150 children. Donaldson's approach to running the center has been so embraced by current families that many put down a deposit to hold a spot soon after they learn they are expecting their next child.
The initial investors have been pleased, as Donaldson has been able to purchase the building in half the original time per the agreement. Her philosophy of working closely with parents includes a parent board that meets monthly to offer suggestions and advice.
Giving back to the community also is important to Apple Tree Connection's success. The center works on three annual events that include a brat fry at Copps with funds being donated for care packages to send to military troops, a 5K run/walk to celebrate birthdays at the center as a healthy alternative with funds being donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation; and participation in the Adopt-A-Family during the holidays.
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