Zuryna Livermore: Welcome to
Operations Unfiltered, the podcast
that takes you behind the scenes of
influencer and talent management.
I'm your host and your favorite
marketing project manager, girly Zuryna.
Today's episode is a Special
Moms unfiltered edition.
You guys know that I think moms are the
true project managers of life, . And in
true project manager fashion, I wanna
make sure that you guys are equipped with
the right people, processes, and tools
that you need in order to be successful.
One thing that comes to mind as a barrier
for women in business is childcare . It's
especially a barrier for working moms.
Now I did some research and by research I
meant ChatGPT with a sprinkle of Google.
Did you know on average, families spend
about $300 to $330 per week on childcare.
Now, that's per child every week.
Now, me personally, I live in the
great state of Maryland and I spend
almost $400 a week for childcare.
And what's even more insane is that I've
heard stories from moms in different
cities who pay way more than I do.
Now listen, when I said I wanna make sure
you have the right people, processes,
and tools that you need in order to
be successful, I truly mean that.
And if you are on your childcare journey
or searching for childcare that aligns
with your schedule and your budget, look
no further than today's conversation.
I'm chatting with Dulany Reeves
Dent, the CEO of the Nanny Network.
I came across this company during my own
postpartum journey almost four years ago.
And what stuck out to me the most
was their robust nanny vetting
process, which was way more robust
than what I've seen on care.com
and other companies.
And they also offer household
services through their sister
company called Sidekicks
Think of it like lighthouse
work, light meal prep.
Essentially anything that a
working or overwhelmed mom could
use some additional support with.
This conversation was so inspiring.
I mean, Dulany was able to
achieve all of her dreams while
being a working mom of three.
So without further ado, let's
get into this Mom's unfiltered
edition of Operations Unfiltered.
I.
I always like to do a
little bit of a lead in.
I give a little bit of a bio,
but I feel like no one can tell
the true story of who you are.
Like you.
So first of all, welcome
Dulany Reeves Dent: Thank.
Zuryna Livermore: Reeves dance,
and if you wanna give us a little
bit of a background about who you
are and what your business is.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Sure, sure.
So, yeah, my name is Dulany Reeves Dent,
and I am a, a local Delaware entrepreneur,
originally from Wilmington, Delaware,
and have been in Baltimore since 2003.
And I've been the CEO of the
Nanny Network for 20 years.
Or I got into the childcare
world because of a.
Thesis that I wrote in economics in
college in the late 1990s and have
been very passionate about narrowing
the gender wage gap, which is what
my thesis was about, and basically
concluded that childcare was the main
reason for the, the gender wage gap.
And so I've been passionate about
leveling the playing field for women
in the workforce for quite some time
since discovering that and ended up.
Buying the Nanny Network.
In 2006, I actually, I didn't start it.
My husband and I actually used
the service to hire a nanny
when our first child was born.
We have three kids now.
And I knew I wanted to have a family.
I knew I wanted to have a career, and I,
I did think to myself, you know, being
my own boss would probably be helpful.
And so I approached the founder of
the Nanny Network in 2006 to see
if she had any interest in selling.
And at first she didn't.
But then she called me like a month
later and said, let's meet for coffee.
And so,
Zuryna Livermore: can I tell
you, I'm fangirling right now.
That is like the most boss mom story ever.
Like, I, I cannot believe you did that.
'cause the imposter syndrome in me is
like, oh my God, what if they say no?
Oh my God.
Like, that's insane.
So kudos to you.
And 20 years.
Wow.
Like, and you don't even look like that.
Like how, how you're only 21 Dulany.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Oh, I know.
Zuryna Livermore: 21?
Dulany Reeves Dent: only 21.
Thanks for noticing.
Yeah, no, it, it's the, it's
the screen and the zoom effect.
'cause trust me, there's a lot of
wrinkles over here, but yeah, no,
it's been, it's been a journey.
And the imposter syndrome, that is
something we can definitely talk about.
My inner voice, I've really had to
train my, my inner voice over the years.
And I was a, an athlete or.
I still consider myself an athlete, but I
played two college two sports in college.
Zuryna Livermore: Oh
The sports.
Dulany Reeves Dent: I played
field hockey and women's lacrosse.
Zuryna Livermore: Oh wow.
The both are tough sports, man.
So you have that discipline
and that mentality.
I, I can tell
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah, I think I
really do think me being here today
is a in large part to my sports
experience as a young woman, a, a girl.
I mean, I was playing three
sports a year, which not many
of my friends did, but I just.
Zuryna Livermore: lot.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah,
no, but I loved it, right?
I loved the, the teammates I
loved, like just being out and
it was fun, it was exciting.
Like we were always like, you know,
working on something and getting
better, but we had fun in the meantime.
And so, a lot of my friends cho
chose not to do three sports.
But I think it just really helped me
with time management from a young age.
And then also just understanding like how.
Smart women are and how many balls
they can juggle at once and you know,
we're just how much they have to offer.
And so when I started seeing wait a
second, women aren't paid as much as men.
Like what?
Zuryna Livermore: and we work a lot
like we women are like some powerhouses
and that's honestly why I started,
you know, the moms unfiltered,
subseries of operations, unfiltered.
'cause we usually talk about the behind
the scenes of influencer management
and marketing and things like that.
But moms really are.
Like the project management, project
manager, gurus of everything.
So
Dulany Reeves Dent: Truly.
Zuryna Livermore: you like talk about
your time management and what you
attributed to, I, I think that is so
inspiring and hopefully people listening.
And you know, can, can lean into that.
Now, the reason why I'm so excited about
this interview is because I like equipping
my audience with the right people,
processes, and tools to be successful.
But fun fact, when I had my daughter
four years ago, almost four years ago, I
can't believe I'm saying that the Nanny
Network was in my list of places to
get care from because you are correct.
I had to go back to work.
Like I just was like I and
daycares, they don't tell you that.
As soon as you find out you're
pregnant, you need to get on
the waiting list for daycare.
And sometimes the list might
not be available when you
need to go back to work.
So the nanny network was something
we didn't end up using it because
a spot became available, but that
doesn't mean I won't be using it.
And we'll talk a little bit more about
your services, but that's the reason
why I really wanted to talk to you.
'cause I'm like, oh my gosh, this is,
why didn't I think of this sooner?
You know?
Why didn't my friends think of this?
And the other question that I
have for you, the first question
that I have for you is that mom.
What does the Nanny Network offer?
What services do you guys offer?
Like I said, I'm possibly gonna use
you for the sidekick services that
you offer, but give us like a overview
view of, of what you guys offer.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Of course, of course.
Yes.
So, so the Nanny Network works
directly with individual families,
and then we also work with companies.
But looking at the individual family
services for any moms listening that you
know, are in need of some support, uh,
we offer in-home childcare placements.
Uh, we do short-term placements,
which we consider eight weeks or less.
But we also do long-term
placements for eight weeks or more.
That might be a three month placement.
A six month placement
could be a year or more.
We have a lot of families who we've
placed you know, childcare providers
with over the years and they hold
onto those providers for forever, and
that's like the best, you know, when
we hear from clients who are like, oh
my gosh, I still have Sharon, and Yeah.
And that, you know, she's
been with us for 10 years or.
It's like, oh my gosh, that's amazing.
And, you know, we made those matches
and we're so, so proud and, and happy
when we hear about those, those stories.
We also offer Sidekick, as you mentioned
sidekick is in-home support in the format
of laundry service, errand service,
grocery shopping, simple meal prep.
I will put that word out
there again, simple meal prep.
'Cause there's a lot of, you know, there's
a, there's a gamut out there in terms of.
Preferences and all the
things related to cooking.
But you know, just with the idea
of, you know, doing the household
management, getting a family set up
for dinner just to, you know, help
people focus on what matters most.
And that's kind of our
tagline for Sidekick is make
time for what matters most.
And, and the idea being, you know,
we were doing childcare for years
and we had a lot of providers coming
in that didn't have two years.
Of childcare experience, which
is one of our requirements to
be a childcare provider with us.
But they were awesome people and
that you could tell that they really
wanted to help families and they
really, you know, were organized
and, and knew how to run a household.
And so, you know, we launched Sidekick
in 2018 you know, to help, to help
match those people with families who
needed different kinds of support.
And and the other thing with
Sidekick was that, you know, when.
I got into this business, a lot
of families who would come to us
and they'd say, okay, I need a
nanny who can, you know, do all
these things for my children early.
You know, I want early childhood
education, you know, the
development piece obviously.
But I also need the laundry done.
I also want the meals done, and I also
want like all these things and we're like.
Zuryna Livermore: the things.
Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: There's only so many
hours in the day, and depending on the
age of your children, like the focus
really needs to be on the children.
And there's probably less time to do
the, the household management piece.
And so the idea was, look, if you have
children that are very young, babies,
infants, toddlers, you know, hiring a
sidekick to do more of the household
stuff is, is really more the way to go
because providers can't do all that in.
Zuryna Livermore: And
Dulany Reeves Dent: kind of an
unrealistic, unrealistic expectation.
So a lot of what we've done over the years
is just educating families on what makes
for the best result, you know, having.
Zuryna Livermore: like a custom
care plan for them almost.
If, if that makes sense.
That sounds amazing.
So like if I'm a parent, not
if I'm a parent, I am a parent.
What makes the Nanny network
different from like a care.com
or like something like that?
Well, how are you guys different?
Dulany Reeves Dent: We are so different.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: One, we are
very mission driven, as I mentioned.
You know, we are, are really looking to
help working women, working families,
and we have the personal connection.
We're all about relationships.
We don't cut corners.
It is, we have an eight
step vetting process.
So, you know, we are meticulous
about who we will work with.
Zuryna Livermore: Mm-hmm.
Dulany Reeves Dent: we built,
actually ended up building
our own software platform.
And it really happened kind of
organically and, but I happened to
be introduced to a software developer
from another woman entrepreneur and
she said she really liked this guy.
He had done another
project for her and I had.
Small project at the time, and he
kind of got into it and could see
what we were doing behind the scenes.
He could see the Google sheets and all
the manual stuff that we were doing
to try and make these matches and
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: And he, and
he's the nicest guy and he is,
you know, on my speed dial and
we talk multiple times a day.
But you know, he was like, please
let me build something for you.
I could see there are so many
things that he could see that he
could do pretty easily to help us
with all the administrative work
that's required in our business.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: So anyway, so that
has definitely played into our, our story
and our growth strategy and all that.
Zuryna Livermore: It seems like
you guys have, like you said,
that personalized touch that's
so different from what's offered.
It's very commercialized.
It's like you can't.
Or can I really trust
what I get from that?
So that's personally what I
loved when I was looking at the
Nanny Network and continuing to
look at the sidekick services.
So I completely agree 100%
about the personalization.
Now, for me in my audience, I know
if I'm thinking about these services
that you offer, they're amazing.
But there's often, there's this
perception that like household in-house
placement or sidekick services, you
have to come be a high income family.
Do you have to have, be in a
certain tax bracket to work with
the Nanny Network or is it for
Dulany Reeves Dent: You don't have
to be in a certain tax bracket.
And I will echo that.
I mean, the cost of childcare,
you know, the, the childcare
system in the US is broken, right?
I mean, for years caregivers
have not been paid enough.
And it's just, it's, and have obviously
after COVID, you know, a lot of price,
a lot of the pricing went up and.
You know, we have a very a strong
commitment to workforce development on
our end in order to, you know, increase
the compensation, the benefits for our
childcare, our childcare providers.
You know, it is, it's, you don't have
to be in a certain tax bracket, but
the, it, it is expensive and we, we.
We want to do what we can to keep the
cost low, but at the same time, when
it's, it's been very challenging, this
industry is very challenging to grow a
business and so we've really bootstrapped
over the years, again, not wanting to,
we wanna make it accessible to families,
Zuryna Livermore: Mm-hmm.
Dulany Reeves Dent: I mentioned
earlier, we also work with companies.
Zuryna Livermore: Mm-hmm.
Dulany Reeves Dent: so because the
United States, unfortunately, is one
of the worst developed nations when
it comes to providing childcare.
Zuryna Livermore: Mm-hmm.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Companies are
really having to step in and subsidize
the cost of care because it's become
so expensive and, and a lot of times,
like 20% of someone's household income.
So,
Zuryna Livermore: I
To that.
I looked at my end of year statement
for my daycare and we were paying
over $25,000 and I'm like, insanity.
So yes, I, it's, I can attest to that.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Right, right.
And so, so what we're really looking
to do is and this is part of the Good
People Care Alliance as well, but
you know, working with employers who
understand that it is imperative for
families to have care support and
then they subsidize the cost of care
through, through a benefit program.
So that's.
Zuryna Livermore: that.
Okay, so yeah, let's talk about that.
You recently launched the
Good People Care Alliance.
Am I saying that correctly?
The Good People Care Alliance.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Got it.
Zuryna Livermore: little bit more
about what gaps you were trying to
fill with this new service and new
program, and what exactly is the
Good People Care Alliance program?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes.
Yes.
So literally just launched
two weeks ago, so it is
Zuryna Livermore: I
Dulany Reeves Dent: hot, hot the press.
Yeah.
Thank you so much.
We're very excited and I think, you
know, one of the reasons I'm so excited
is because of the conviction I have.
In it because I've been doing
this so long and just been, you
know, paying such close attention.
And again, the systems that we've
developed our track record, like we,
we do our job really well because we
take it so seriously and that again,
that attention to detail and just.
Making sure that anybody that we are
sending to someone's home has gone
through our entire, uh, you know, vetting
and onboarding, onboarding process.
So the Nanny Network has direct
corporate clients that we've
been working with over the years.
But to be honest, you know, the
sales cycle has, you know, was.
Fairly slow, slower than we'd like.
And what we realized was is
that the Nanny Network on its
own, we're a, a one trick pony.
Zuryna Livermore: Mm-hmm.
Dulany Reeves Dent: We, we offer
in-home childcare, we, we offer a
great in-home childcare service, but
employers have employees that are,
you know, at various stages in their.
In their lives
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: need
various kinds of support.
And now of course I'm a sandwich
generation person and you know, and
our parent, you know, my husbands
and my parents you know, are getting
older and kind of starting to
see, see that for ourselves now.
And so we realize like employers
really want like a one stop
shop where they can get.
Access to expert quality care, but across
the care continuum so that they can
really provide that support to your, their
employees, regardless of what age they
are, where, where they are in their lives.
So I, you know, just being in business
for so long over the years through
networking and things, have gotten
to know other business owners in
the care space and we've become
friends and I'm, you know, I'm, I'm.
Blown away by that, what they're doing.
'cause they're so awesome
at what they're doing.
And I'm like, we need to put our heads
together and part, you know, create a
partnership so that we can each stay
in our own lane and still focus on what
we're doing so that we can do it well.
But then be able to offer
all of those services in one
package, if that makes sense.
Zuryna Livermore: I love, so you
are the, the actual and literal
problem that you are solving is the
multi-generational issue that you're
talking about, the sandwich generation.
I have my kid and I also have my parents.
So what exactly are the
services that are available?
Is it, are you just offering resources
to be able to get like elder care?
What, what exactly does that look like
for the exact person that I'm describing
who has, you know, a young child and
may need childcare, but they're also
have an older adult in their home?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Yes.
So we offer, obviously the nanny
network is the in-home childcare
piece, which includes backup care and,
and long-term placements, short-term
placements that we talked about.
The sidekick services
are part of that as well.
But then the other agencies that
we've partnered with the option group.
Is one of them.
They do care management
consulting, if you will, kind of
Zuryna Livermore: Okay.
Dulany Reeves Dent: plan care planning
and for, that's for elders and
also for people with disabilities.
So you're trying to,
Zuryna Livermore: that.
Dulany Reeves Dent: to help your
parents, or you have a loved one who is
disabled and you're trying to navigate.
What are the best, highest
quality resources out there?
What can I afford?
You know, given a budget or
are there certain subsidies
that the government offers?
They'll help you navigate all of that.
'cause you know, a lot of times they
the, when you, you know, to just
apply for those things, it's just,
Zuryna Livermore: To
Dulany Reeves Dent: overwhelming.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Exactly.
Zuryna Livermore: needed.
Dulany Reeves Dent: So the idea is it's,
it's a, a trusted expert who can really
walk you through and hopefully help you
to just understand and, and, you know,
not get overwhelmed by, by kind of the
emotional factor of those big decisions.
'cause these are your loved ones and
you want the, the best care for them.
Zuryna Livermore: Absolutely.
Dulany Reeves Dent: So the
option group, and then Alo Home
Care is our elder care partner.
So they do in-home elder care
similar to how we do childcare.
And then your teacher
tutors is our tutoring.
Do you know Natalie Mangrove?
Oh.
Zuryna Livermore: I don't, but I'm like,
I'm gonna go research this immediately.
'cause I have a, a 14, a 15-year-old
brother now who needs a tutor.
So.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Natalie is amazing.
All these CEOs are amazing.
And again, just best in class, you
know, just operate according to certain
core values that we, you know, we
all just feel very strongly about.
And just our mission really
leading with a mission to help,
to help working, working families.
Zuryna Livermore: This is so needed.
And when I say I really wanna empower
people to have the right people, processes
and tools, it's like your company is a
one stop shop and it gives people access
to so many things to help solve it.
'cause I feel like, I know I'm
overstimulated all the time.
I feel like decision fatigue is so real,
especially for moms that are working and
have all of these things on our plate.
People have multiple jobs.
So the last thing that we have
the mental capacity to do is
make these extra decisions.
So investing your, your finances
into something like this.
Where, you know, you can get the
assistance that you need is so helpful.
So this is really solving a, a need
Dulany Reeves Dent: And I do, I do wanna
point out, and this, so we're getting
launched right now with good people,
but really to start, it's just on a B2B.
Basis.
Zuryna Livermore: business
Dulany Reeves Dent: just
wanted to make Yeah sorry.
Yeah.
Just selling to employers out of the gate.
So I just did just wanna make it clear.
You know, our hope is to build it
out, to make, you know, to have
it a avail that, you know, all of
those variety of services, but those
companies are all in our, our backyard,
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
Dulany Reeves Dent: in
the Baltimore DMV area.
And like I said, they're
all so good at what they do.
It's just that that's how we're kind
of launching and there'll be different
iterations and we have big, big
growth plans with, with good people.
So
Zuryna Livermore: be on the
lookout because this is definitely
gonna serve a need, you know.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: of which, I don't
even think I clarified where, what's,
where, what areas are the Nanny Network
and the Sidekick services available?
Dulany Reeves Dent: So we're
in the Baltimore, Washington
dc, Northern Virginia area.
We've been, we've been in DC
now, our office is in Towson.
But we've been in DC since 2013.
And about 45% of our business
is in the, in the DC area.
Zuryna Livermore: I love that.
Okay, now you have, you have so many hats.
It sounds like you're a busy mom,
you're a wife, you're an entrepreneur.
Now, how do you keep all of
your systems and appointments?
Are you a pen and paper type of girly?
Are you a voice notes type of person?
How do you keep it all organized?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Well, if you were
walking around my house right now,
you'd see I have I make a lot of lists.
I make a lot of lists, and
they're all over the place.
I don't know if, I don't even know
where they all are because I'm
just always on the move, and if I
don't write it down, I'll forget.
And then I need to clear
out Headspace and so, I, I.
Ended up finding on Amazon.
These it's like a portable whiteboard
Zuryna Livermore: Oh.
Dulany Reeves Dent: it's, it's kind
of like a not like an easel, but it,
like you can collapse it or, you know,
stand it up and it's double sided.
And so, in various rooms around my
house, I have these whiteboards and
so I just like, we jot job topics.
Zuryna Livermore: gonna steal that
idea because the, I'm the same way with
the Post-Its, and my husband is, he's
like, enough of it, I, there's Post-Its
literally everywhere, so I might have to
let me write that down as my action item.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah, no,
it's been, I got one for my mom.
She, she uses it all the time.
You know, it, it, and my family does
tease me 'cause and they're always
adding things to my list, like funny
things at the end because they just.
Stumble upon my lists in different
places, but yes, I'm a definite list
girl and I have been for a while.
Zuryna Livermore: Now, what does
self care look like for you?
Because I know I'm a busy mom and
I sometimes forget to pour into
myself, but I'm trying to make a, a
better habit of taking myself out on
dates or just turning my phone off.
So what does self care look like for you?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Oh, self care
is so important, and that was
definitely something I wanted
to talk about with you today.
I've gotten better
about it over the years.
And I don't know if that's just because
my kids are getting older and it's,
you know, my kids now are 2018 and 13.
And for me it's, and I, I think maybe, you
know, it's, it's more, it's really working
out and like getting to the gym and, you
know, releasing you know, whatever it
is, just working out and just mentally
it helps me feel, helps me feel stronger.
And you know, I, I have played
sports for a long time and so I had.
Zuryna Livermore: I was gonna say,
once an athlete, always an athlete.
It's like that regimen you have.
I, that's that discipline we
were talking about earlier.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Yeah.
It really and I think, yeah, those
daily habits that I learned as an
athlete and you know, have just stuck
with me and, you know, you just look
at all the research and, and the
amount of benefit, whether it's.
Mental, cognitive,
physical from working out.
I feel like it checks so many boxes.
And so, you know, one thing I try and
encourage people, 'cause obviously I talk
to a lot of people who don't, they're
kinda like, oh, I can never do that.
Or, you know, that just, I think
they're overwhelmed by the thought or
intimidated or something like that.
And I'm always at the mindset of.
Baby steps.
Like wherever you start it, it
doesn't, you can start so, so small.
Like you don't, you don't have to
jump into something and be an expert
and you, you know, you need to give
yourself time to just get, you know,
become familiar with it and get
to know it and find your people.
'cause like I will say, I found this
amazing gym that's in Timonium and
it's got this community of women and
you know, there's some of, some people
in their forties, some in their.
Seventies and these women
are like, you know, lifting
weights and just so inspiring.
And so the community aspect of
that has been almost as impactful
as like the, the physical and the,
the working out, like piece of it.
Mm-hmm.
Zuryna Livermore: I've
learned that so much.
I think honestly, when I get
overstimulated and I'm, I'm working so
much, I tend to isolate, but I'm realizing
that leaning in on that community is
honestly what's gonna fuel me so that
I can be the best version of myself.
So you saying that today is
really echoing what I was already
thinking, so I appreciate that.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Do you work from home?
Zuryna Livermore: I do, I work remotely
most of the time, so it's, I'm just
used to being in my own little cocoon.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes.
Zuryna Livermore: I've made it a point
to go to networking events and, you
know, do more of these in per podcast
interviews, both on Zoom and in person.
So, but I'm making it a requirement
for myself now because I
don't wanna be a hermit crab.
I don't wanna just lose myself in
the mundane of every day, you know?
So,
Dulany Reeves Dent: And it's so easy to
do that and it makes sense that people
get into those, you know, root like ruts.
I don't wanna say rut, but you
know, I do think another thing,
just being so intentional about
it and just it, it requires.
Effort, but it's, it's one of those, you
know, I don't know the intentionality
of whether it's working out or
just scheduling time for yourself
or, you know, making sure, uh, you
know, I'm doing something as a mo.
Like whatever your goals are in whatever
category of your life, you know, so many
things just require that intention and.
Zuryna Livermore: And consistency.
That's me too.
I have to be consistent as well.
It's like you were saying, start small,
but it's like I need to be consistent.
You know what I mean?
Con
Dulany Reeves Dent: Hmm.
Zuryna Livermore: a little bit
every day, a little bit every day.
So that way I can look back and
be like, oh my gosh, I, this
is a, a big deal now, you know?
So.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Totally.
Zuryna Livermore: but also more
consistency that those have
been my goals for this year too.
So
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: what I already
have on my list, so thank you.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Good.
Zuryna Livermore: Now I wanna be a
little bit more transparent for the mom
who might be struggling, the business
owner, the woman entrepreneur, has
there ever been a time where you felt
like you were failing not only in
motherhood, but also at your business?
And what did it feel like at that season
in your life, and how did you navigate?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
I mean there have been, yes, there's
been a lot of challenges over
the years and you know, I think.
For me, you know, I mean, I'm, I'm so
lucky to have a great support network.
You know, I've got, I, my very close
with my parents, my sister not in
terms of childcare support network,
but just in terms of emotional
support, you know, between my teammates
from years ago and just friends.
Again, something else I've been really
intentional about, just keeping in
touch with people, making sure I
do those girls weekends and like
Zuryna Livermore: are required.
Dulany Reeves Dent: those
need to be a requirement.
Everybody, if you're gonna write
anything down, write that down.
Uh, I actually have one coming up, so
I'm, I'm really looking forward to that.
But yeah, I mean, there are challenging
moments and I think, you know, I, I talked
to one woman entrepreneur when I was
younger, and this always sticks with me.
And she, she sold her business at a
time of, I'm gonna call it weakness,
but that's not really what I mean.
I'm not saying she was weak, but it
was just a very tough time and she sold
her business somewhat quickly and she
really regretted it afterwards and.
I think about that a lot.
'cause there were times when
I'm like, what am I doing?
What am I doing?
You know, this is, this is too much.
Can I, can I do all this?
Zuryna Livermore: internal
self critic, that's what my
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yep.
Zuryna Livermore: calls it.
I hate her.
I hate talk.
I hate when she talks 'cause
it's like she's so loud and
she makes you doubt yourself.
But yes.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes.
And, and we were talking about
imposter syndrome and all that.
Like it really, my inner voice,
I, I constantly am talking
to myself about, oh, and I.
This is, I brought this, I
don't know if you can see this.
Can you see this?
Oh no.
You can't really see it.
Darn.
It's a card.
It's a card that I have in my room, and it
says she believed she could, so she did.
Zuryna Livermore: Oh, yes.
Dulany Reeves Dent: And so I, I
literally have been looking at this
for years and you know, it really
was enough to just kind of keep, you
know, again, one baby steps, one foot
in front of the other deep breathing.
And I think I.
You know, just, I mean, no question.
My family always comes first.
Like, if there was anything,
there was just never, you know,
that's always my, my priority.
But I've been able to be as a business
owner because I am my own boss.
You know, been able to have flexibility,
but there have definitely been,
been challenges over the years.
But you know, I think just
believing in what we're doing.
Just, I, we gotta keep going
because we are making an impact.
We are helping families.
You know, we're gonna make mistakes.
And that's again, something i, I
learned in sports, you know, oh my
gosh, we got crushed in that game.
What happened?
Let's analyze it.
What can we do better next time?
Also celebrating what we
did well, but and that's it.
Zuryna Livermore: lessons learned.
As the project manager, we
call those lessons learned.
What went well, what could be improved.
We love those.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes.
Yes, exactly.
So yeah, I don't know that
that's a, the a great answer,
but a lot of it is just mindset.
And I think giving yourself grace that
you are doing your best and you are,
you know, you're, you know, you're,
you're doing everything you can.
And again, I had flexibility
'cause I was my own boss and not
everybody has that flexibility.
Zuryna Livermore: Your company that is,
you know, helping fill that problem.
So here we are ladies.
We are giving you a, a
solution to your problem.
Dulany Reeves Dent: We, yeah, we love
helping, we love helping families.
We've got a great team that will
pick up the phone and talk to you
about whatever your scenario may be
and tell you like what, you know, we
would recommend, or, and, and there
are times when families will call us
and maybe it's not a great fit, you
know, for what they or what they need.
For example, you know, we have a four
hour minimum with our childcare bookings,
and so sometimes people just need like.
A ride for their child and, you
know, somewhere in the morning
or need, like before and after
school care, which I totally get.
And I, this has been something
I've been trying to crack for
years, this, this challenge.
But it's really tough.
It's really tough to find care
providers that can split a shift
and do something in the morning
and then leave and then come back.
And so, you know, there are
things that we're better at and
we, we are just very transparent.
And, and.
Zuryna Livermore: think I appreciate,
that's what I like about this company
because you guys are so transparent and
there is that personal touch because
you can't get this from a care.com.
It's very.
It feels robotic almost.
So I, that's, that's, if anyone's in
the Baltimore Annapolis, DC area, I,
I highly recommend looking into this.
So that's all I'll say.
Now,
Dulany Reeves Dent: Thank you.
Zuryna Livermore: Unfiltered is
all about influencer marketing
and influencer management.
I personally have managed the careers
of influencers and content creators.
I'm a budding content creator
myself, and so I'm wondering,
I've seen your post on LinkedIn.
I've seen how you engage.
Do you consider yourself an
influencer, a content creator?
Or just the CEO who
happens to post online?
Or are you a mix of all of it?
Dulany Reeves Dent: I really consider
myself a CEO who just posts online.
Well, and, and like I, I was
an economics major in college.
I went to business school.
I majored in finance, so I'm a
numbers person, like spreadsheets and
marketing, social media, even being.
On camera is uncomfortable
for me at times.
And so, you know, I've had to kind
of go outta my comfort zone and to,
to, you know, just to get out there.
I mean, I, I do love telling our
story because it has become one, one
and evolved into one that is just
you know, I think really people, a
lot of people can re resonate with.
But.
We're working on.
I've never been an influencer.
I have, I think it was two years
ago, we tried to kind of get
some influencers working with us.
And to be honest with you,
I don't think we did it.
We did it right.
So, I think we have you know,
a lot to learn in that area.
But you know.
Whether it's childcare providers, you
know, I mean, there's still, there's
such a supply shortage in childcare.
And so finding, you know, high
quality dedicated childcare providers
has always been a challenge for us.
And we're always looking,
we're always hiring.
And so yeah, I'm not, I'm not really
great on the, on the influencer
front, but I know it's a hugely
successful model for so many.
Zuryna Livermore: a, a good
tool for some companies.
I will say it's, it's effective for
some services in some businesses.
I will say it's not always
the best for others.
So as a marketing project
manager, I'm like, do what
makes the most sense, you know?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Mm-hmm.
Zuryna Livermore: if you
could partner with any type of
influencer or brand tomorrow.
Like, what would your ideal
collaboration look like?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Well, I always
think about, and again, being an
athlete, like just in, in this, so the.
Multitude of lessons
learned from playing sports.
Like women's sports to me are, there's
so many parallels for, you know,
for working women and just again,
like, just, you know, 'cause we have
to, we have to work harder, right?
Like we have to work harder and it's.
It is what it is for, for now.
We're working to change that.
But you know, just getting into those
daily, those daily routines and just,
you know, as an athlete, you know,
you're, I played lacrosse, I'm doing
wall ball here with my hands, but you
know, just putting in the time, putting
in the reps, putting in the, you know,
you like just having that mindset of
it's like this is gonna be a battle
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: So I, I always
get excited thinking like, one day
we'll do something with like a,
a women's with a women's sports
theme or, or something like that.
Zuryna Livermore: I could
definitely see that.
I would love to see that.
A partnership with, who knows, maybe
unrivaled, WNBA will have like a, A
league nearby and they could partner
with you for like the childcare sponsor.
That would be cool.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: the universe.
Okay.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Well, and I
don't know if you ever heard about
the US women's soccer teams fight
with for equal pay like that to me.
Yeah.
So I mean, this is something
I talk about for hours, but
Zuryna Livermore: love
Dulany Reeves Dent: yeah.
Yeah.
I.
Zuryna Livermore: passionate you are.
But for the moms who are listening and
they wanna build something of their own,
they're looking at you and fangirling
like me, because you're this boss woman.
What some advice that you would give her?
Like, what if, what if she's
afraid that she'll have to
sacrifice time with her kids?
I'm gonna not be the perfect mom.
Like what would you, what
advice would you give to her?
Dulany Reeves Dent: It's a
marathon, not a sprint, right?
This is a whole lifetime and.
I think pacing yourself, knowing
kinda what makes you tick.
What, what makes you happiest.
And like for me it was always
like being a part of it all.
Like whether it was sports or academics.
And I love to go out with my
friends, like I like to be social
and spend time with, so I always
wanted to kind of have a, a balance.
And so that to me was always my.
My goal, have I always been
the best at accomplishing that?
Not necessarily.
But you know, I think knowing that,
that's kind of driven me from for a while,
so knowing that, you know, eventually
our kids are going to grow up and
they're gonna be out of the house and.
What do you do at that point?
Like, just being realistic about
kind of what life, you know, life
is gonna go on and it's, you're
not always gonna have young kids,
and so it's continuing to invest in
yourself and what makes you happy.
And if you choose to stay at home
with your kids, like, I love that.
Like, whatever makes you happy.
I'm, we're trying to make it so that.
Women have the option, right?
Whatever it is that you want to
do, you have the option, you have
high quality childcare, you know,
access, and it's affordable.
Like, we are working so hard towards that.
But yeah, I think it's really just
being true to yourself and, and really
knowing what makes you happiest and,
and thinking of a long-term plan.
And I know it's, that's much
easier said than done, but you
know, just, just knowing kind of.
What, what makes you happiest?
Zuryna Livermore: Thinking about legacy.
That's what I'm hearing.
I, I, I love that advice and.
I think that that's so helpful,
especially for me, is that my daughter
is four and I feel like I'm just,
or she's about to be four, and I'm
just now out of that postpartum funk.
But I, I used to feel guilty for
like, oh, I wanna build something.
I wanna be out, you know, outside.
I wanna chase my dreams.
I wanna go do these interviews.
And I just felt like I
was missing something.
But I also don't want her to
look at me and say, you know, you
didn't, you gave up on your dreams.
You
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: to do.
So that is such great advice.
I
Dulany Reeves Dent: And I think about
that all the time with, because having
two daughter, I have a, a boy and two
girls and having two daughters and I,
you know, there were times when I'm
like, oh my gosh, am I the worst mom?
But now that they're getting older
and I can see them, you know, and
their, and all their friends, you
know, having role models of, you
know, women that have chased their
dreams, whatever those dreams may be.
But you know, you know, not,
not giving up on those and, and.
Trying to to do it, to do it all.
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
so inspiring.
So what is next for the nanny work?
Are we expanding with new services?
Complete world domination?
What's next?
Dulany Reeves Dent: I
like the world domination.
No, I mean, I'll be honest.
I, I think this, our company has
a lot of potential to, to make
an impact at a national level.
Over the years.
Being in this industry, you know,
I've connected with a lot of people.
It's a very fragmented industry because
it's, it's fairly young compared to
other industries, but I've gotten to
know a lot of the players around the
country because I'm, you know, loyal
and going to conferences every year.
And, you know, you make.
These connections and
develop these friendships.
And so, you know, we're start, we're in
the DMV currently and that's where we're
starting the Good People Care Alliance.
But the thought is really to expand
nationally and do it as quickly as we can.
Because I mean, I've, I've just
been working with urgency for
a while just because of how
bad the childcare crisis is.
Zuryna Livermore: a huge issue.
Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: It's
Zuryna Livermore: who has my W2 job
com still, and, and like I said,
my year end statement for the cost
of daycare, it's, it's really a big
issue and it's honestly making me
think twice about expanding my family.
'cause I'm like, I don't
wanna go through this again.
Childcare and all of that.
So.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah,
Zuryna Livermore: the work
that you all are doing to
kind of help with this crisis.
'cause that's what it is.
For all intents and purposes.
It is a crisis.
Dulany Reeves Dent: it,
it's definitely a crisis.
And you know, I think just for us,
again, knowing how focused we are on.
Relationships and earning that trust and
transparency and authenticity and you
know, just we're constantly coming back to
what our mission is and helping families.
You know, that plus our technology
platform that we built, which
again, I wasn't planning on, but
then we just happened to build it
and now it's this robust system
that really helps to support.
Multiple departments within our
company and knowing that that can
help us to, to expand out of, you
know, at, in addition to the DMV area.
So I do think we have, you know, a
lot to, a lot of experience, a lot
of, you know, technical kind of,
expertise and just the passion to.
To make a difference, I think is
really what gets me the most excited.
And then I think about just what's
happened in the world again since
1997 when I wrote that thesis.
You know, at, at that point in time, if
I, if you and I had talked, I would've
put so much money down on the fact that
we were gonna have an equitable workforce.
These women are gonna go crush it.
No doubt my teammates
here are gonna go crush.
And then it's just gotten worse.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
Dulany Reeves Dent: women are,
you know, COVID forced so many
women out of the workforce.
And then, I don't know if you saw the
job reports at the end of last, you know,
in the recent months, like so many women
are leaving the workforce right now.
Zuryna Livermore: so depressing.
It
Dulany Reeves Dent: My gosh.
Zuryna Livermore: and it's
impacting black women.
Exponentially.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes, I know it is.
Zuryna Livermore: I really wanted to
have you on here to, to show that you
are here as a resource, because a lot
of barriers of entry is childcare.
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes.
Zuryna Livermore: These
conversations are so important.
I don't know what we have to do.
We have to scream from the mountaintops.
We have to support one another,
but lean in on that community,
like you said and continue to just.
Speak out about this 'cause this
is a crisis and it's gonna get
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yes,
Zuryna Livermore: And we have
to do something about it.
So
Dulany Reeves Dent: yes.
Zuryna Livermore: And, and last but
not least, before we close out, how
can our audience connect with you?
I have a couple of mom friends
who are currently pregnant, who
are possibly gonna be looking
for in-home childcare placements.
I, I'm, look, I know I'm gonna need
the sidekick services immediately soon.
So how can we connect and, and learn more
about the Nanny Network and the Sidekick
and the Good People Care Alliance?
Dulany Reeves Dent: Yeah, so our website
has a, we've got, well now we've got
our website is nanny network.com.
So nanny network.com.
And then our Good People Alliance
is good people alliance.com.
And then you can find us on social media,
on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
And just, if you wanna just call
and talk to Steven or Greece or
Samira or Kelly, you know, we're
all you know, we're all there.
We're people, we're real people behind.
Zuryna Livermore: phone, real
Dulany Reeves Dent: Will you answer?
Zuryna Livermore: the phone.
Yes.
I will put everything in the episode
description because like I said, I like to
make sure that we have the right people,
processes, and tools to be successful.
So.
I will definitely make sure I
include everything in the show notes.
And thank you Dulany for joining me today.
This was such a great conversation.
You are such a fascinating person, and
like I said, the Nanny Network came
into my life at a time where I was
completely overstimulated and seeing
the journey and what you created and
what you built is just truly inspiring.
So
Dulany Reeves Dent: Thank
you so much, Serena.
I'm so honored to be here and I really
just appreciate you reaching out and
inviting me to be on your podcast.
And I hope, I hope what, you
know, hopefully I've been able
to share some nuggets that
people can, can take with them.
But no, I just, I can't thank you
enough and, yeah, reach out when,
when you wanna talk about childcare
or anything else for that matter
Zuryna Livermore: Thank you so much.