NOMINATED BY GRACE MO-PHILLIPS, WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER
If you were to ask any parent, the most important thing in their life is their kids, and knowing that the best opportunities and care are available for them. With the same thought at the top of her mind, Andrea Nash decided to launch her business, The Kids Next Door, as a childcare provider for families in Central Maine. With her degrees in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education, and nearly 20 years of experience working as a private nanny and in other childcare centers, Andrea was well poised to deliver the best possible care for families in search of childcare options.
As is the case with many parts of the state, Central Maine has a shortage of qualified childcare providers, with most being small home-based providers that have limited capacity. With such a vacuum in the market, Andrea was able to build her business and cater to families from Augusta to Yarmouth. Within a couple years of opening her doors and being the sole employee, Andrea had to start planning for growth and bringing on employees, expanding to three employees in addition to herself. It was at this point that the growth of the business would require some outside assistance, so Andrea reached out to the Women’s Business Center to help her identify funding sources and ways to sustainably grow The Kids Next Door without sacrificing the qualities that made it a success to begin with.
Working with her business advisor at the WBC, Andrea explored her options for an expansion, initially looking to acquire another existing business. However, by working through the pros and cons of her options, it became clear that expanding her existing space would be the most effective way to grow. The plans made with help from the WBC proved crucial when it came to financing the expansion, with $250,000 received as a childcare loan from CEI, and a $30,000 grant from the State of Maine to expand childcare infrastructure in the state. With the funding secured, Andrea has set a goal to open her new 1,000 square foot facility and bring the number of spaces available up to 20, with a particular focus on children 2 years and younger.
By growing in a sustainable way while continuing to provide a critically important service to families in her community, Andrea has demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the best entrepreneurs. In recognition of the importance her business has for families in Central Maine, her success, and the sustainable growth Andrea has overseen, the SBA is pleased to name The Kids Next Door, LLC, owned by Andrea Nash, as the 2025 Microenterprise of the Year for Maine.
Maine SBA 2025
