Dondra Coleman is an entrepreneur who moves with intention, leading her team at Learning Ladder Childcare & Development Centers to do the same. Learning Ladder’s programs, activities, curriculum, and facilities are purposefully designed to help parents make the most of the 1,892 days between when their children are born and when they enter kindergarten. Coleman’s intentionality has earned her centers the Step Up to Quality Gold Rating and selection by HOPE Toledo to be a partner provider.

Coleman will be among the panelists on November 12 at Toledo Library’s Entrepreneurship Week kickoff event. As we approach the week’s events, Coleman shared her background and what she thinks aspiring entrepreneurs need to know.

Again, intentionality leads the way with Coleman urging small business owners to “Make a decision about what you want in life. Then be fully dedicated to learning all you can to help that life you want to become a reality.” She explained that this dedication and learning is an investment in yourself and that she has seen a good return on investment by paying for learning opportunities and a business coach.

It was during one of these learning opportunities – her undergraduate studies – that Coleman realized entrepreneurship was the path for her: “While in the undergrad program at the University of Toledo, I had a part-time job and started a business selling women’s handbags and accessories. I loved having multiple streams of income while working in my profession as an educator. My early years while teaching with Toledo Public Schools gave me flexibility with my schedule to have a handbag/accessories business and be a part-time real estate professional.”

Through diversifying her income streams, Coleman gained stability and confidence. She continued to work as a teacher, inspiring students in grades 6-12 at TPS, but it was having her own child that inspired her to reimagine her career.

“In 2008 while pregnant with my oldest son, I decided to take a different approach with my profession as an educator. I started an in-home family child care business in 2009 after he was born because I could be a stay-at-home mom, continue to be an early learning professional, and be in business for myself.”

Coleman’s in-home childcare business and real estate career would flourish and evolve in those early years. Fast forward to today – Learning Ladder is no longer an in-home daycare, but a growing child care and development program with two brick-and-mortar locations along a bustling stretch of north Reynolds Road. These intentional location choices of Coleman’s have placed each center in a popular and convenient area for busy parents and caregivers – with several schools, the Reynolds Corners branch of Toledo Library, and the Toledo Botanical Garden not far from either.

The entrepreneur has also elevated her real estate services, shifting from the part-time endeavor during Coleman’s early years as a school teacher to running a full-fledged real estate company as of 2022. Donumental Real Estate Company LLC not only brokers real estate transactions for individual and family clients, but Coleman also focuses on lifting up fellow small business owners by providing commercial space for entrepreneurs.

Coleman says it’s her “passion for helping others and the importance of early childhood education,” that keep her motivated. Early on, she was surprised – and delighted – by the number of resources available to small business owners, encouraging new entrepreneurs to follow her in “putting in the work to utilize those resources.” Among the resources leveraged by Coleman was the Small Business Support offered at Toledo Library.

“I have always loved the library. The business department has been a great help to me in finding research for both industries and also identifying funding opportunities. The librarians are second to none.” Having a library near to her child care centers has also been a source of joy, Coleman said. “We also love teaching the children how to go to the library and read books.”

Owning businesses centered on supporting area families has unlocked unique freedoms that let Coleman better support her own. She shared that part of what most excites her about being an entrepreneur is being in charge of her schedule. “I am grateful that I have been able to watch my sons grow up and be available for my sons to participate in their school/extra-curricular activities. Providing various services to help individuals/families with their real estate needs, and also providing families with high-quality early learning/child care. And of course I am excited about having financial success and endless opportunities for growth.”

Learn more from Coleman about the rewards and challenges of small business ownership during Toledo Library’s Entrepreneurship Week, when she’ll appear alongside four fellow entrepreneurs during the kickoff event: Meet the Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurship Week Discussion Tuesday, November 12 at 4 p.m. at Main Library.