Ruby Mbelu Interview: From Home Daycare to a Multi-Location Childcare Empire

What does it really take to turn a passion into an empire? Many of us have a business idea, a side hustle, or a dream that feels just out of reach. We wonder if it has what it takes to go from a small operation to a scalable, impactful enterprise. In a can't-miss Ruby Mbelu interview, the entrepreneur, educator, and community builder sat down with the guys to share her incredible journey of scaling an award-winning childcare business from just 10 kids in her home to over 400 across multiple locations.

Ruby’s story is a masterclass in patience, system-building, and the courage to move past fear. It’s not just about business tactics; it’s about aligning your purpose with a real-world need and having the faith to take monumental risks.

First, Find a Real Problem (Not Just a "Cute Idea")

Long before scaling, Ruby’s entrepreneurial spirit was forged in Lagos, Nigeria, helping her mother run a restaurant and a hair salon. She learned the nuts and bolts of business—from inventory to paying off the area boys—at just 14 years old. That early education in buying and selling proved invaluable.

After moving to the US, getting married, and working as a director at a childcare facility, Ruby found herself at a crossroads. She was a new mother and had to quit her job. This was her chance to finally launch her own venture. But her first attempts, catering and interior design, didn’t quite stick. While she had a passion for them, her friends took advantage of her kindness, and the business model wasn’t sustainable.

This early experience taught her a crucial lesson about the difference between a passion project and a viable business. She had to pivot back to her first love and a proven community need: childcare.

"You want a business where you have reoccurring income from everybody because there's a demand in the community. You have looked at the community, you see the need and with your skill set, you can meet that need in the community. Right. Not just having a cute idea."

— Ruby Mbelu

Once she launched her home daycare, it was full within three weeks. Why? Because she was meeting a genuine need with a skillset her community already trusted. The business wasn’t just a "cute idea"; it was an essential service.

The Art of Scaling: Systems, Faith, and Fear

So many entrepreneurs crash and burn because they try to go big too fast. Ruby did the opposite. For five years, she ran the home daycare, intentionally staying small to perfect her craft. She wasn’t just watching kids; she was building the systems, processes, and curriculum that would become the foundation for her expansion.

When the waitlist grew too long, she knew it was time to scale. But this is where fear often paralyzes entrepreneurs. Fear of debt, fear of failure, fear of exposure. As Ruby explains, when you scale from 10 to 100, you can’t hide anymore. Your weaknesses get exposed.

Instead of building from the ground up, Ruby and her husband decided to acquire an existing, licensed daycare. They found a retiring owner who cared more about her legacy than the money. But there was a catch: Ruby’s life savings were just enough to buy the business, with only $40 to spare. After being laughed at by the broker, Ruby leaned on her faith.

In a miraculous turn of events, the seller revealed that she had prayed that very morning and received the exact same bible verse—Isaiah 43:19—that Ruby had prayed with the night before. The deal was sealed not on financials, but on shared faith and purpose. That doesn’t mean the work stopped. The blessing opened the door, but Ruby’s preparation and consistency are what allowed her to walk through it.

Build the People, and They’ll Build the Business

Getting the keys was just the beginning. Ruby then had to lead a team that was skeptical of her youth and experience. She quickly proved her expertise by demonstrating her deep knowledge of the business and, more importantly, by investing in her people.

Ruby shared her powerful leadership strategy: learn your employees’ love languages. Whether it’s words of affirmation, a thoughtful gift like a cup of coffee, or quality one-on-one time, making people feel seen, heard, and valued is the secret to building a loyal, high-performing team.

"You're building people. It's the people that will build the system. Then the systems will help you scale. The money will come. But you build the people."

— Ruby Mbelu

This people-first approach is coupled with another hard-earned lesson: hire slow, fire fast, and delegate your weaknesses. You cannot scale chaos. By bringing in experts to handle areas where she wasn’t strong, Ruby built a team that made her vision a reality.

Ruby’s journey is a powerful reminder that building a successful business is about so much more than a great idea. It requires patience, a deep understanding of your community’s needs, and the courage to build systems that last.

To hear the full story, including the framework Allen uses to advise founders and Ruby’s advice for her author-friend’s candle business, be sure to watch the full episode. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more insights delivered straight to your inbox.