A new Sylvan Lake daycare has proved successful since opening earlier this year, and was recognized with the Start-Up Entrepreneur Award at the Success 4 Business Expo in Red Deer Oct. 9.
Mighty Owls Daycare was opened by husband and wife partners Max and Carly Legault in April, and has been growing steadily ever since.
But Max Legault said he’s refusing to get carried away by the recent accolade, and is instead committed to ensuring the business continues to operate and grow in the most successful manner possible.
“I think the best word to describe (receiving the award) would be ‘reassuring,’” he said. “By no means do we think that this is the end-all; it’s just kind of that boost that says you’re heading in the right direction.”
Mighty Owls was one of three nominated finalists up for the award. Both of the others were from Red Deer.
An exemplary business model and demonstrated innovation were both factors in the daycare’s receiving the award, according to Legault. And he feels the experience brought to the table by both himself and his wife has also played a prominent role in the daycare’s success so far.
“Carly and I have backgrounds that allowed us to complement the business model,” he said. “In my former career, I was a mental health counsellor and really got a lot of experience in child development and in organizational management. Carly has taught nursing for 12 years at the university level.
“When I was looking at what kind of business we wanted to start, daycare seemed like a natural fit.”
The business operates out of a 4,300-sq.-ft. space on Hinshaw Dr., in a facility Legault describes as “state of the art,” and which he feels will allow plenty of room for future growth.
“We’re growing very fast, and that growth is welcome, but it’s challenging at the same time,” he said. “It’s where we want to be, but it’s just a matter of making sure everything adds up.”