By Rocio Esparza. Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Arriving in a new country entails starting from scratch, making difficult decisions, and, often, reinventing oneself. For many immigrant women, the path toward entrepreneurship stems not only from necessity but from a deep love for their families.
This is the story of Rosa María Suárez, owner of Pasitos Childcare in Grand Island, Nebraska, who transformed sacrifice into purpose and love into a business that today impacts her entire community.
In February 2010, she made a decision that would change the course of her life: to emigrate to the U.S. in search of better opportunities for her family.
“I came for better opportunities for my family,” said Rosa María.
Like many mothers, her driving force has always been the well-being of her children. However, the road was not easy. For a time, she worked at a meat-processing plant—a physically demanding job that left her exhausted at the end of each day and, on many occasions, with accumulated physical pain.
Despite that effort, the income she received was barely enough.
“What I earned at my job wasn’t much, and I would end up spending it on child care for my daughters,” Rosa María said.
It was then that she faced a difficult yet revealing reality: she was sacrificing her health, her time, and being present as a mother, solely to be able to pay someone else to look after her girls. That moment marked a turning point.
“I decided to spend more time with them and stay at home, but I also knew that I needed to generate income,” she said.
Thus, she made a conscious decision: to prioritize her role as a mother—raising her daughters and providing them with an attentive upbringing—while seeking an alternative to make ends meet.
Before she became a provider, there was a pivotal moment that planted the seed of the idea.
“The first time it crossed my mind that I could be a child care provider was when I attended a conference sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs here in Grand Island,” shared Rosa María.
That space provided her not only with information, but also with a new perspective.
“I received very powerful information. I returned home filled with inspiration,” she said.
From that moment on, something changed.
“I wanted to learn everything. I was incredibly excited to become a licensed—but above all, well-trained—child care provider,” she added.
That initial spark was the beginning of a journey that has today evolved into a solid business and an essential service for its community.
In August 2023, she obtained her official license as a child care provider, formalizing a path she had already been building for years.
“I already had plenty of experience; back in Mexico, I worked in private schools, and I’m also a mother of four,” said Rosa María.
That combination of professional experience and personal life became the foundation of her business.
When comparing child care between the U.S. and her home country, she acknowledges there are significant differences.
“Yes, there is a big difference; here, there are more regulations and resources that help improve the quality of child care,” she explained.
However, she also highlights something essential: “The similarity is that, in both places, the goal is the safety, care, and love provided to the children.”
Today, her day care serves six families and operates at full capacity, providing care for eight full-time children and two additional children in an after-school program.
“We are at full capacity,” she remarked proudly.
She is supported by a substitute assistant and offers a schedule that caters to the reality of many working families: Monday through Friday, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Her participation in the Center’s Childcare Accelerator Program represented a key step in her growth.
“It was a positive and very beneficial experience, as I obtained important resources to improve my program,” Rosa María noted.
Through the program, she acquired tools in administration, finance, child safety, and activity planning. Furthermore, access to a grant enabled her to strengthen her business and expand her services.
With the support she received, she made a strategic decision.
“I bought a van to provide transportation services to more families,” she explained.
This investment not only strengthens her business but also responds directly to a real need in her community.
For her, being a child care provider goes far beyond just an income.
“I do what I love—working with children, playing a small part in their upbringing and development, and celebrating their achievements,” she said.
Her greatest satisfaction is watching that little world she has created grow.
“It fills me with joy to see that great little world we have in my day care, creating a safe, clean, harmonious, and fun environment,” she said.
Like any entrepreneurial venture, the journey also presents challenges.
“One of the challenges is maintaining a balance between my business and my personal life,” she commented.
The work does not end when the doors close.
“This job doesn’t end at 5 p.m.; there are always activities, purchasing, and training sessions after hours,” she continued.
Rosa María’s story is not just about starting a business. It is about making courageous decisions, prioritizing what truly matters, and turning challenges into opportunities.
Today, Pasitos Childcare does not merely care for children. It supports families, strengthens the community, and demonstrates that when the purpose is clear, the impact is inevitable.
