Today we’d like to introduce you to Gilberto Pinzon and Ana Maria Fernandez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gilberto and Ana Maria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We founded Education First Inc in 2000, In 2001 we acquired our first Preschool located in Pembroke Pines. In 2002 we opened our second preschool, a startup project, built from scratch. In 2005 we acquired the third center also located in Weston, a competitor that was going out of business.
After 3 months of management, the preschool reached its break-even point and has been successful since then.
In 2008, we opened our fourth center located in Tamarac, a startup. In 2012 the fifth center opens its doors to the Miami market in Brickell, an urban center located in the 8 floors of a high-rise building. In 2017 Education First Inc. acquires the sixth preschool in Hallandale Beach.
Since 2012 Education First Inc. has been licensing its unique educational program to over 50 schools in the USA, Colombia, Chile, Argentina and Spain, impacting thousands of teachers and children around the world.
Along 17 years of operations Education First Inc. has obtained financial, operational and innovative achievements.
Today, the corporation employees more than 120 people, operates 6 preschools in South Florida and licenses its educational program to over 50 schools in 5 countries.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There is not such a thing as a “smooth road” in business. We live in a very competitive and disrupting time. Business owners not only deal with the challenges of the daily operations but also, we have to manage financial turn downs, economic cycles, market and demographic changes, new laws and regulations among many other things.
We have to anticipate trends. Innovation, flexibility, resilience, focus, discipline and hard work are the drive of a successful business, not luck, nor miracles. Smooth roads are for dreamers and vacationists.
In the service business industry, the most complicated part is to satisfy customers, to find what they need and delivering more than they expected with a good experience.
Only engaged, competent and happy employees can deliver that great service and experience, recruiting, developing and retaining good people is a real challenge for any organization.
Maintaining the balance between the cost of delivering a good service by an engaged and competent employee and the revenue obtain for the business is a challenge called profit, not easy to always get.
Education First – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our business is to create a better world through education by helping parents, families and teachers to raise good people who live a balanced life with purpose and wisdom.
We continuously learn and share our learning to other people.
We specialized on building sustainable cultures of thinking and learning.
We are known for the building of cultures of thinking.
As immigrants, we are very proud of building a company that impacts employees, families, children and communities in high numbers.
Our capacity for doing things different, innovate and evolve.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Today, because it’s the result of many proud moments along the road.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1820 North Corporate Lakes Boulevard, Suite 110
Weston, Florida 33326 - Website: www.educationfirstinc.com
- Phone: 954-642-2266
- Email: edu1st@educationfirstinc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Edu1st/
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