Meet Assia Mahmood: Owner: Windhaven Academy – Daycare & Preschool

We had the good fortune of connecting with Assia Mahmood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Assia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was young and innocent, I was more sure I wanted a career than a baby. Then I had a baby and she changed everything! Nonetheless, I was still steadfast in my ambitions and my new baby girl was actually more fuel to my fire. Childcare is a necessity for working parents and so I picked the most convenient option, a reputable franchise daycare next door to my office building. I was one of those parents that trusted the brand. Certain elements of the care I blindly accepted, even when it didn’t feel quite right. Don’t get me wrong, overall I had a positive experience, but when I think back to that time I wonder how I just accepted certain things, when I felt my family deserved better – especially for the price! I remember crying over the canned fruits and veggies that were served, I remember when I couldn’t feel the warmth I wished for from some caregivers, I remember wishing I knew more accurate details of her day. What quickly began as a secret desire turned into an obsession. I knew I could not be the only mom wanting better for my child. As parents, whether we work because we want to or we have to, we shouldn’t have to settle when it comes to the care of our children. At 5 months pregnant with my second child, I set out to create a childcare experience for parents just like myself and my husband! I knew I could offer more and better at a lower price than most franchises. I knew that as a mother of young children myself, I would have an insight into my own business that no other childcare in my area had. I knew, having my own children in care, the things that would make me cringe and the ones that would make my heart feel at ease. I knew how important it was to focus on safety, security, health, nutrition, happiness, education, communication, love, and imagination (to say the least!). After a lot of work, I truly believe that with the help of my team and my family, we have created an environment of love, learning, and safety for the children with a true focus on providing a peace of mind for the parents.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I started down the road of looking for a childcare center to call my own I explored many different options. The franchise option seemed to be the most stable in terms of marketing and growth. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of getting myself trapped. I wanted to create something different. I wanted to offer more. I wanted to be able to implement changes as I saw fit for my families and my staff. I also realized that by not joining a franchise, I could keep my prices lower while offering better features and amenities! Franchises charge a huge chunk in fees that then gets passed onto the families. So after the initial research, I decided I wanted to remain independent. Windhaven Academy was an existing child care center for sale. In West Plano, close to Dallas North Tollway, with on and off ramps on both sides of the Windhaven exit – I knew the location was perfect. Once I saw the building, I like to say I was pleasantly appalled. It was a large prominent building off a decently busy road, but it was almost invisible due to overgrown landscaping and outdated signage. The bones of the building were incredible. Multiple mulch free playgrounds, a splash pad, a large gym, a library and a computer lab. Cameras throughout the entire property. A biometric handprint required for entry. Great onsite kitchen with large pantry. A large resource room for the staff. I could go on and on. I had found a rare gem, but one that needed several rounds of polishing to live up to it’s potential. This was the one and I couldn’t turn it down! As we took over the center, we had our work cut out for us, but with the time constraint of a baby on the way in 4 months, I hit the ground running! We remodeled the interior of the building, uncovered the exterior, upgraded the curriculum, trained new staff, implemented a parent communication and partnership strategy, built an organic fresh menu, and re-started the program from scratch. [Fun fact: Even after we acquired Windhaven, I continued to pay my previous daycare for several months, until I felt I had gotten Windhaven to the point where I would want my own child to attend!] Changing so much in such a short period of time was hectic and difficult, but so worth it! I am so excited to be able to provide so much more than other schools in the area and at a more affordable rate. Our facility has all the perks of a much larger school, while still feeling like a safe family environment. We serve delicious organic kid approved meals with FRESH fruits and vegetables. Did you know even some of the “best” schools serve fruit from a can?? Our curriculum is research based and STEAM integrated. Our teachers are loving, compassionate, and invested in the mission. Our app updates are the most regular and accurate you will find. As a parent of young children, I know the depths of parental guilt all too well. That’s why I focus heavily on parent partnership and communication. The childcare we offer is incredible and I personally make sure that our families are not disappointed! Our biggest challenge to date has been getting the word out there – especially during Covid times. There has been a lot of uncertainty in the world and we are taking every precaution we can to keep the children and staff safe. We’ve had many families place their trust in us during these crazy times, and I know as they continue to share their experience we will continue to grow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Cattelack BBQ – They’re only open on Thursday and Friday for lunch, but it’s must have Texas BBQ. Uchi – For a fancy night out! Their fois gras sushi is unmatched. Everything is delectable. Legacy West in Plano and the Star in Frisco are great for walking, browsing, and eating. Legacy Hall is definitely a place to check out! Great food hall concept. Summer Moon coffee in downtown Frisco – I’m usually a black coffee girl, but their moon milk lattes are such a treat! Truck Yard in the Colony is a fantastic place to hang out, play games, and grab food and drinks. They have food trucks and an amazing place for philly cheesesteaks! Kid and dog friendly too! Klyde Warren Park – a park built over a highway right in the middle of Dallas. Definitely a great place to check out. Northpark Mall, Gaylord Texan, Deep Ellum, White Rock Lake, The Arboretum, Tea at the French Room. Dallas is just so great and there’s so many things to see and do. It can cater to any type of audience! Especially people who love to eat! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am beyond blessed to have an army of love, support, and encouragement behind me. My children, Amara and Musa: They are the inspirations for my dreams and the fire and passion in my veins. They have taught me so much about life and love and even work. They make me want to be a better mother, woman, and entrepreneur every day. My husband, Shiraz: He is the calm and steady anchor for my life and my mind. He somehow knows exactly what I need in any given moment, even if it isn’t what I want. He is my soulmate, my partner in parenting and in life. I could not do a fraction of what I do every day if it weren’t for his support in every aspect. He puts my crown on for me every morning and reminds me I am loved, and beautiful, and worth it every chance he gets. My dad: My dad is the greatest human I’ve ever known and I can never be more thankful that I was chosen to have a man like him as my own father. He embodies goodness, kindness, selflessness, and humility. He is a force to be reckoned with and has ran and sold several successful business ventures and has been an inspiration to so many people. I have been lucky enough to not only be his daughter, but also his employee, and now finally his business partner. I get to live my dream and passion with his full support behind me. He has always believed in me and guided me. I can’t thank him enough for that and for providing me such a beautiful life. My mom: How do you thank your mom? I don’t know that I could adequately do so, even if I spent my whole life trying. My mom wakes up every day and tries to find ways to make my life easier, even without me asking. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for me, my husband, or my kids. Especially my kids. She was the first person to believe in this crazy dream of mine to have a school of my own and she helped me fight for it. My little sister, Sara: Even though she’s my baby sister, I look up to her for the driven, selfless, hilarious, wonderful human that she is. She is my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and my confidant and I seek her approval on everything because I know her advice will always be selfless and sincere. I can’t go a single day without talking to her, even now that we are both moms and business owners. My little BIL, Gursimran: I feel like nothing I could do would ever make him think badly about me. He is this ever positive presence in my life and I’m so glad he is the one my sister ended up marrying and having my adorable nephews with. My oldest sister, Roma: Throughout my life she has shown me what was possible for strong women just by living her own life. The example she set with her marriage, her children, her work ethic, and now her entrepreneurship are guiding lights in my journey. My big BIL, Zia: Since he married into our family, he has been taking care of all of us at one point or another and he always let me know that I have another home I can call my own. My older sister, Raheela: She is one of the strongest people I know. She has fought for herself and her family no matter how difficult the road got. She is the most creative person I know and I can’t wait to collaborate with her one day as educational leaders. My friends, Maryam, Uzma, and Hosna: I have been blessed with a group that allows me to be unapologetically myself. No pressure friendships at this point of motherhood and entrepreneurship are like knowing I have a soft pillow to rest my head on when I’m ready for it. My staff: They have all have taken on the monumental responsibility of implementing my dream with such love and enthusiasm. Their buy in and loyalty are more than I could ever ask for and I’m blessed to have such a wonderful team behind me. My Windhaven families: They all took a chance on me and I couldn’t be more grateful that they saw my vision and allowed me to share it with them!

Website: www.windhavenacademy.com
Instagram: @windhavenacademy
Facebook: facebook.com/windhavenacademyplano