Karim Child Care, located in Grand Island, Nebraska, has been open since April 2017. Over those few years, owner Carim Ruvalkaba has seen success and growth in his business. However, when it closed indefinitely in April 2020 due to the pandemic, the entrepreneur decided to take an unexpected time off to develop his skills as a business owner.
When she received an announcement on social media for training programs through the Center for Rural Affairs, she enrolled in the center’s multiple academies, multi-session, area-specific trainings presented by trainers specializing in each area Were.
Graduates leave academies with a basic understanding of key business concepts and industry skills. Participants are also provided with face-to-face technical support, and in some cases, they have the option of obtaining professional certification.
Carime educates herself on topics including financial management, marketing, credit, QuickBooks, business planning, babysitting, strategic planning in times of COVID-19, and disaster recovery.
Due to the dedication and hard work put into her business, Carim has been selected to receive the 2021 Mahila Business Center Entrepreneur Award from the Center for Rural Affairs.
The award is presented annually to a person or persons who have utilized the services of the Center and are successfully operating and growing their business. The award exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit for small businesses and the rural Nebraska communities they call home.
“It’s an honor for me to receive this honor for the efforts and work I put in as a team to make my day care program professional and of high quality,” said Carim. “Thanks to a loan from the Centre, at the time of the greatest crisis caused by the pandemic, I was able to move forward, and I always have their support for any difficulties in my business.”
Center for Rural Affairs Business Development Specialist Raul Archos Hawkins worked with Carim while he attended academies.
“Carime is a great example of perseverance and how to work with what your business needs,” Raul said. “Currently, she has joined a women’s child care group to get more counseling for her business, and has always looked for opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.”
She has also stepped in as a mentor to help other providers improve their business and increase access to content for Spanish-speaking operators. Carim is also working towards getting certified as a Safe With You trainer.
“I look forward to being part of all the mentors that team up to grow small businesses and inspire more entrepreneurs,” Carim said.
The business owner is grateful to have received the award, and is grateful for his role in the center’s success.
“Having this recognition encourages me to continue working to improve my business for the betterment of children and our community,” she said. “The center is a very important part of the development of Karim Child Care, through training, mentorship and loans. The staff at the center has been very supportive of all the academies I have attended, and they are there to connect those people. Do a great job for those who have the knowledge and who want to learn how to manage and improve a small business.”
Careyme received her award with the center staff present.
