MI Child Care Entrepreneur Overcomes Challenges and Succeeds!

Giving up easily is not in Jesenia Amoros-Hernandez’ nature. When confronted with a roadblock, she always has faith that there is a solution. 

In 2022, Jesenia was a home daycare provider that served six children. She decided that she wanted to expand to being a group home daycare – which in Michigan means being able to take care of 12 children instead of six. 

She planned and worked through the details only to have those plans derailed when her zoning request was denied because there was an assisted living center within 1,500 feet of her proposed group home daycare. 

“I was disappointed, but I knew there must be another plan. I didn’t give up,” says Jesenia. “I reached out to friends who were opening a center and helped them through the process, learning and making contacts along the way. Then I found a center owner who wanted to retire. I met with her and we reached an agreement for me to take over that location.” 

Fast forward to today, and Little Scholars II Daycare Center in Wyoming, MI, is nearly at its 41-child capacity – just months after opening in January 2025. 

“It was great opportunity that was meant to be. But the process was not easy; there were a lot of hoops to jump through,” Jesenia says. 

The biggest challenge Jesenia encountered included plan review and approval from the state, which was needed to open the center. “It took me 3 months to understand what they wanted; language was a barrier, especially through email and text.” 

In the end, the state’s requirement really hinged on a fire safety system that was not difficult to accomplish. “It turned out well but it was very challenging.” 

During her journey to open the center, Jesenia met Business Development Manager Jessica Affholter and Business Development Specialist Angeliek Lopez from First Children’s Finance. 

“Jessica and Angeliek – they were amazing! They cleared everything up for me –from my business plan to budgeting to how much I needed to charge. They were just here last week. I love those ladies!” 

Several FCF staff recently were able to visit the center. 

“We are incredibly proud of Jesenia and all the hard work, dedication, and love she poured into making this dream a reality!” says Affholter. “We visited Little Scholars II during a recent trip to the area; we were blown away by the quality of the program. Jesenia’s passion for early childhood education shines through in every part of her center.” 

During startup, Jesenia also received help from the First Children’s Finance Loan Fund, which helped ensure that she had capital necessary during those early months. 

“(Loan Fund Manager) Amanda Brewington was there with me during the process, helping me secure funding that helped with payroll and with some opening hiccups. I can’t thank them enough. Everything was smooth and benefited my business.” 

Jesenia said that one of the greatest areas of relief she received from the Loan Fund was that she didn’t have to fear that she wouldn’t be able to pay staff until enrollment grew. “It’s wonderful to have that security and cushion.” 

Jesenia would encourage every child care business owner to reach out to First Children’s Finance. “Really connect with someone from FCF. There are many things that new providers don’t know, and FCF has that information and is always willing to share in a professional, efficient manner.” 

Now, four months after opening and the center nearing capacity, Jesenia thinks about how busy things have been and continue to be. 

“Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for,” she laughs. “But I love everything about it. I wouldn’t do anything else.”