Name: Jennifer Cary

Name of business: Smart Beginnings Western Tidewater, 601 N. Mechanic St., Franklin

Phone number: 562-8511

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

E-mail address: jcary@franklinva.com

Nature of business: Non-profit for early childhood education

Position: Mentor

Executive director: Ellen Couch

Year founded: 2008

Prior location: City hall

Number of employees: Six

How’s business: We’re booming

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: An entire staff that is dedicated to the children in Western Tidewater.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Dream big and go for it.

Your first job: Babysitting

Your role model (in business or in life generally): My parents, Judy and David Parker. They instilled a strong work ethic and the idea that anything is possible if you work hard and stay focused.

The key to a successful business is: Hard work and a positive attitude.