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BRENDA KONDOS & TRICIA DAVIS

February 6, 2008 12:15 am

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: Toddlin' Time is a small franchise that was started by a mother named Tanya Wallace in Manassas. We bought into it and have been in business for almost 11 years. Toddlin' Time is a play gym for children and their caregivers--a place to play and explore on safe equipment and mats. Our brightly colored room contains balls of all sizes, trampolines, climbing and building equipment, riding toys, push toys, imagination toys and much more. Children can enjoy free play, circle time, musical instruments, parachute play and felt board fun while enhancing gross motor skills and socialization with other children. Our classes include different age groups and meet once a week for 45 minutes on weekday mornings with a free extra class on Fridays. We also provide private birthday parties that are fun and worry-free for the parents. The age range is 10 months to 4 years.

LOCATION: 2011 Princess Anne St. in Fredericksburg.

EDUCATION: Kondos has an associate degree in social sciences. Davis attended Mary Washington College and Roosevelt University in Chicago.

FAMILY: Kondos is married with two daughters, ages 13 and 17. Davis is married with three daughters: 9, 11 and 13.

CAREER HISTORY: Kondos: Rental company bookkeeper, retail and sales, optometrist assistant, and assistant to ophthalmologist and eye surgeon. Davis: Paralegal.

FIRST JOB: Kondos: Bookkeeper for a rental company. Davis: First real job was as paralegal in Washington. Worked at Carl's Ice Cream at 16. Also worked at the downtown library as a teenager.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Kondos: Brick, N.J. Davis: Born in Germany but grew up in Fredericksburg.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING TODDLIN' TIME? Our children went to Toddlin' Time when they were little and enjoyed it so much that we both agreed it was the perfect business for us as parents of small children. It offered flexibility and growth potential.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS? You have to keep up with your competition, always give 100 percent, stay current with new ideas and changes when necessary, and treat your customers well.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? Kondos: Seeing the children always puts me in a good mood! I enjoy watching them reach their milestones and their faces when they accomplish them. I also enjoy talking and listening to the parents and grandparents. Davis: I love being with all of these wonderful toddlers. They are so much fun! I really feel honored to be a part of their lives in a small way. It's fun to share ideas about parenting with other moms and dads. It's a true blessing to be able to do what we do. The children really light up my life in an amazing way!

WHAT'S THE WORST? Lots of military families that are constantly moving out of the area, which leads to us constantly trying to find new customers and missing the families that leave.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE HERE? Lots of families and children, friendly communities and growth potential.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS THAT COMPETES WITH BIG CHAINS? Finding affordable rent and constantly having to advertise, which can be costly. We have been blessed by a lot of word-of-mouth advertising!

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS LEADER YOU KNOW? Tanya Wallace, who started Toddlin' Time many years ago, is a wonderful businesswoman. She is always giving suggestions and has been enormously helpful over the years.

WHAT'S THE BEST BUSINESS LESSON YOU'VE LEARNED? Treat customers like family and they will keep coming back with their new little ones.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS TRYING TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS? Find something you love and go for it! Be optimistic and don't let a few setbacks slow you down. A business is worth everything you put into it--so always give 100 percent!

--As told to Bill Freehling