Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Ober and Nikole Mathews.
Hi Emily and Nikole, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We have been friends since High School! Both Nikole and I (Emily) have worked in childcare here in San Diego from the age of 16 up until starting Bloom Care. Collectively we have over 30 years of experience in childcare. We know the ins and outs of not only being Nannies but have also gained experience from working for after-school programs and recreation centers. I (Emily) still work as a Postpartum Doula because my heart is really with helping families adjust to bringing an infant home. This is something we made a part of Bloom Care because of the inherent need for birth and postpartum support, and the recent recognition of how beneficial it truly is to have a doula.
We saw an opportunity when were both constantly getting calls about being able to Babysit, Doula, and Nanny to the point where we were turning down so much work. With our decades of combined experience, we wanted to create a network for ourselves to recruit other candidates and help out families in need of reliable care. Making Bloom Care a reality was really a no-brainer for us- It was the next step. We took a leap of faith and it was the best decision we could have possibly made!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When starting this business, we were both working full-time jobs- sometimes multiple jobs, we didn’t realize we would launch so quickly, but we did and had to manage to keep up amidst our other obligations. The most challenging part was trying to navigate a new business while being pulled in multiple directions due to other work. We really had to narrow things down, prioritize, and ultimately put Bloom Care first.
As far as getting the business started, a challenging part was getting connected with families outside of our circle and referrals. We needed to get ourselves out there so parents in need of help all over San Diego County would know about us. We are fortunate enough to have mentors that helped guide us along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Bloom Care, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Bloom Care, we are passionate about our mindful, modern, and versatile approach to finding the right care for our families in need. We help match families with Nannies, Babysitters as well as Birth and Postpartum Doulas. Our team of qualified caregivers are thoroughly interviewed and professionally screened before being taken into consideration for any position. We hand select the “perfect” caregiver for each family. We have both been Nanny’s, so we know what the job entails, and that’s extremely important when scouting candidates. We also understand how the caregivers we place need support. We are not only a constant and supportive resource for the families, we are also a safe haven for our team to come to. We come from a place of complete understanding, and we think that’s what sets us apart.
Being born and raised in San Diego, we understand the needs and culture of our beautiful and diverse community. We are excited to offer San Diego families the opportunity to Bloom With Us.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
We have been so fortunate to have so much support. Ken Justo has been mentoring us which has been extremely helpful. He knows business and we’re so lucky to have him! Alyssa Crampton is our go-to photographer and beyond that, she’s just a really good friend. She is so talented and is always available to help us. Her work is all over our social media! Our families and friends have been beyond supportive. We both come from extremely close families and since we grew up in San Diego, we have a ton of support from the community.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bloomcaresd.com
- Website: www.bloomcaresd.com
- Instagram: @bloomcaresd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bloomcare
Image Credits
Alyssa Crampton
