If you had told me years ago that I would become the founder and CEO of multiple Montessori schools, I probably would have smiled, laughed a little, and gone right back to preparing my classroom.
Not because I didn’t believe in myself, but because my heart was always in education.
I loved the classroom. I loved watching children discover something new, seeing their confidence grow, and creating environments where they felt safe enough to explore the world around them.
What I didn’t realize was that the same passion that made me love teaching would eventually lead me into entrepreneurship.
And what a journey it has been.
Every CEO Has a Beginning
My career in early childhood education didn’t begin with a fancy office, a business plan, or a title behind my name.
It began with children.
Over the years, I worked my way through different roles in education, from the classroom into school leadership. Every position taught me something different about children, families, educators, and the systems that make schools successful.
As a military spouse, I also had the opportunity to live in places like Japan and Germany. Those experiences changed how I viewed education, culture, and community.
I saw firsthand that while children around the world may grow up speaking different languages and experiencing different traditions, they all deserve environments where they feel valued, capable, and loved.
Those experiences helped shape the educator and entrepreneur I would eventually become.
The Dream Became Bigger Than Me
When I began building The Nest Montessori, I wasn’t simply interested in opening another childcare center.
I wanted to create something meaningful.
A place where children could thrive, educators could grow professionally, and families could feel a genuine sense of belonging.
I wanted an environment that respected the Montessori philosophy while embracing diversity, inclusion, creativity, and the individual needs of every child.
But dreaming about owning a school and actually operating one are two completely different experiences.
Nobody hands you a manual explaining how to navigate staffing challenges, enrollment fluctuations, financial responsibilities, difficult conversations, or the emotional weight of being responsible for an entire organization.
You learn.
Sometimes through success.
Sometimes through mistakes.
And sometimes through situations that make you question why you ever decided to become an entrepreneur in the first place.
Yes, I’ve had those moments too.
I’m More Than My Business
One of the biggest lessons entrepreneurship continues to teach me is that my identity cannot exist solely inside my businesses.
I’m a mother. I’m a woman of faith. I’m creative. I enjoy fashion, travel, planning, and discovering new things about myself.
And I’m still figuring out how to balance all of those pieces while pursuing the dreams God has placed on my heart.
Some seasons require me to lead boldly. Others require me to slow down, reflect, and remember why I started.
Both are necessary.
Why I’m Sharing My Journey
I created this space because I believe there is value in sharing the journey, not just the destination.
I want aspiring entrepreneurs to understand that success isn’t always a straight line.
I want educators who dream of owning schools to know that their experience matters.
I want women in leadership to understand that ambition and vulnerability can exist in the same person.
And I want to remind myself that every chapter of my journey deserves to be acknowledged, even the difficult ones.
I’m proud of what I’ve built, but I’m even more interested in the woman I’m becoming through the process.
So welcome to The CEO Diaries.
We’ll talk about business, leadership, motherhood, faith, personal growth, and probably a few things that have absolutely nothing to do with running a company.
Because I’m more than a CEO.
And this story is still being written.
With purpose,
Shavonda Lawson
Founder & CEO | Entrepreneur | Montessori Educator
Have a question about my entrepreneurial journey or interested in working together? Visit my Press & Speaking page to connect.