At First Mid, we take pride in supporting all businesses. In celebration of National Women's Small Business Month, we are showcasing some of our woman-owned business customers who may inspire other female entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures and make a difference in their communities.

We are excited to share the inspiring journey of Amy Hitchinson, a female business owner in Northern Illinois, whose path from real estate to early childhood education showcases her dedication and impact. Here's a glimpse into Amy's story.

1. How did you start your career as an entrepreneur? Is this your first business? I started my entrepreneurial journey in the early 90s when I moved back to Illinois to help run my family's daycare business. Childcare was in my blood, but I wanted to venture into real estate and asset holding. I retired from the early childhood development industry in the mid-90s and focused on real estate.

My real estate business in Elgin was my first venture on my own, partnering with my cousin. We renovated Victorian homes and multi-units, turning them into single-family homes and affordable housing. We focused on helping people become homeowners through financing and support, which was deeply fulfilling.

Despite my success in real estate, I often found myself drawn to an abandoned KinderCare building. I realized if I was going to invest so much effort into real estate, I should apply the same energy to something as impactful as early childhood education. I wanted to provide high-quality education at affordable prices for the families I had been housing. So, I returned to the early childhood development field, renovated the KinderCare building in Elgin, IL, and established a space where children could flourish, the Ivy Academy of Early Learning. My return to early childhood education was driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on children's futures.

2. Did you find external resources - such as training courses or mentors - helpful in your journey? My parents were my greatest mentors, running daycares while I was growing up. Their experience and guidance were invaluable to me. To help with their facilities, I earned a Master of Sociology and Human Behavior, building on my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Later, I successfully operated my own real estate business, which provided me with essential knowledge for starting and running a business.

3. How did you grow your company into what it is today? Were there critical foundational elements that contributed significantly? My company's growth from one facility to three - two Ivy Academies and one North End Youth Center - has been primarily driven by our responsiveness to the community's needs.

For example, there was a situation where a father was struggling to manage his mortgage, groceries, and his child's schooling after recently losing his wife. We stepped in to ensure he could continue sending his child to our school by providing financial counseling and resources. We also focused on the child's development, ensuring he received the care and support he needed during this challenging time. This illustrates our deep commitment to our students and their families.

During COVID, we launched the North End Youth Center in Elgin, never closing even a single day while schools were closed. We quickly acquired and transformed a building into a school, managing all licensing remotely. Addressing the immediate needs of children left alone while their parents worked in essential jobs was a top priority.

In addition to staying attuned to the needs of the families we serve, we also prioritize investing in our staff, who have been integral to our success. Many of our original team members are still with us. We support their personal goals, such as parenthood, homeownership, and higher education. In return, their dedication and high performance reflect the value of our investment in them.

Understanding and meeting these demands has been crucial to our success.

4. Have you encountered challenges while starting or running your own business? Absolutely. One of the biggest challenges has been dealing with government regulations. While local authorities have been supportive, navigating state-level requirements, such as working with the state fire marshal and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, has been complex and time-consuming. Despite these challenges, I've remained committed to overcoming them and continuing to make a positive impact.

5. What advice would you give other women thinking about becoming an entrepreneur? My advice is simple: Go for it. Don't give in or give up. Keep pushing forward and believe in your dreams. View obstacles as hurdles to overcome rather than brick walls. Challenges are opportunities to learn and grow. Approach them head-on and remember that roadblocks are there to remind you to pace yourself and think creatively about solutions.

6. What are the next steps for your business? Do you have plans to expand? We are focused on achieving national accreditation for our centers. One of our centers is already nationally accredited, and we are working towards accrediting the second one. Having all three centers accredited would be a significant achievement, providing an additional layer of evaluation on a national scale, which helps ensure we meet high standards in our curriculum and environment.

7. How has First Mid made an impact on your business? First Mid has been instrumental in supporting my ventures. They believed in me enough to fund opening the second Ivy Academy location in Geneva, IL, and provide a line of credit for various endeavors. Their support has allowed me to pursue and expand my projects.

8. How has your experience been with your commercial lender? My experience with my initial commercial lender, Rick Zonts, has been exceptional. I first collaborated with him at Wintrust, where his support and faith in my projects were invaluable. When Rick transitioned to Blackhawk Bank, I followed him, appreciating his continued dedication. Now at First Mid, Rick and the commercial lending team, including Paul Stagen, have been instrumental in supporting and ensuring the success of my projects.

9. Do you also work with First Mid for purposes beyond commercial lending? Beyond commercial lending, I collaborate with First Mid on community initiatives, including mortgage education classes for staff and parents, as well as various community events. Supporting nonprofits and promoting staff volunteerism are priorities for us, and we're dedicated to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Amy Hitchinson's journey highlights the power of passion and perseverance in business. Her story as a female entrepreneur underscores the impact one person can make by staying true to their calling and investing in their community.

If you dream of starting your own woman-owned business, click here to learn more about our Commercial Loans. Our commercial lenders are here to help.

*This Q&A was edited for clarity and length.

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