Michigan Cohort Helps Family Provider: “Now I’m a Business Owner!”
When Isela Hernandez started a Business Leadership Cohort provided by First Children’s Finance and Michigan Women Forward, she was happy with her life and where she was.
“As a stay-at-home mom with twin boys for three years, mom was my biggest title. I was proud of that. But through the cohort, I realized that I can now say I’m a business owner!
“Before the classes, I couldn’t even say that to myself!”
After her twins were born, Isela knew she could take care of additional children but also recognized the licensing process was long. Several months passed before she knew she was ready to start the licensing process to open her home-based family care program.
That’s when she heard about First Children’s Finance.
“FCF came into my life during the licensing process or right at the very end. I knew I would be approved and came across another provider who knew about Michigan Women Forward.
“I was a little hesitant (about the Business Leadership Cohort) because I thought it might be too much at the time. But when I heard what was going to be taught, I knew I had to take it. I had a feeling that something was missing in my planning but didn’t know quite what it was.”
FCF’s Business Leadership Cohort program provides child care business owners with the opportunity to learn the basics of business related to their child care program. The program includes four group cohort sessions and two individual consultation meetings.
Isela said the process to open a family child care program was a long road – from licensing to trainings to classes. “There’s a lot to becoming licensed. And as much as you can learn from people who have gone through it, it’s different when you experience it yourself.”
As she looks back, Isela realizes that she probably made it tough on herself. “I wanted to be ready 110 percent. I’m an overachiever. I wanted to invest more into my house to be fully equipped by Day 1. I didn’t have all the startup money when I wanted so it took me a little longer. But in the end it was worth it.”
In April 2025, Isela became the Owner and Founder of Play Garden Spanish Immersion Program in Kent County, MI. While she is licensed for six children, she started with four and expands to six in January 2026.
“I started with my twin boys, then moved to four children. I wanted to take some time before I reached my licensed capacity so I knew I would be ready.”
Play Garden is a Spanish-immersion program that focuses on play-based activities. A typical day includes arts and crafts, outside time, and child-led instruction to improve fine and large motor skills.
“We spent a lot of time outdoors this summer and fall,” Isela says. “The kids helped water the garden, identified insects, played between the garden rows, and explored nature on their own. Now we are ready for the kids to bundle up and explore the Michigan winter!”
Along with learning from the classes and other students, Isela took inspiration from Angeliek Lopez, First Children’s Finance Business Development Specialist. “Angeliek’s background – having a Spanish immersion program herself – honestly inspired me to do the same program style. I saw how happy she was with everything she accomplished. I wanted to be like that!
“On a personal level, I really connected with her, and in our 1-1 meetings she provided excellent feedback and brainstormed with me. We related to each other; I could tell she really cared.”
Angeliek said that Isela is a wonderful person and business owner.
“Isela is a delight to work with. She is eager to expand her business acumen as she starts and builds her business. Like many providers, she has a caring heart and understands that to keep her doors open, she needs to make smart decisions about her business. She was an active participant during our cohort, asking clarifying questions and sharing her perspective. I can’t wait to watch as she grows her business in West Michigan.”
Along with taking care of four children every day, Isela has been offering a successful “parents’ night out” event once a month and has gained confidence marketing herself and her program.
“My program is unique, and the training helps me effectively market that.”
Isela would encourage other child care business owners to sign up for FCF’s training and cohort offerings.
“All the data that FCF provides and the processes that they walked me through made me self-reflect as a business owner. I had never done that. It made me feel like a business owner and not a babysitter.”
