The harder the wall of challenge is, the harder I hit it and knock it down, says Stella Moga Kennedy, Pink Ladders February 2011 Woman of Focus. I always have goals. Sometimes these goals are far out of reach… Having something meaningful to accomplish is the key to a happy life.

“I start each day in silence. Before the phone rings and the noisy day begins, I take a few moments of gratitude that I am here and the job I have is very important in children’s lives. I end the day in silence as well. It is very important to be connected to the quiet within your own heart.”

Stella’s career direction was made clear to her after giving birth to a premature baby.  Working was necessary, so she enrolled her son in a day care where they let him cry all day.   “I was appalled and upset and decided to open my own school.  I started in the basement of a church with three children and it grew like a garden.”

Stella now owns a chain of day care centers in Northeast Ohio with 200 employees.  Over the last three decades, she has assisted thousands of families in raising their children.  Caring for and educating children has always been Stella’s passion. “I started my company with my last $1800 and now it is worth more than $3o million. But that’s not even the point. I am one of the luckiest immigrant entrepreneurs anyone can find. To do what I love each and every day.”

Stella arrived in America from Romania with a master’s degree in education.   She attended college after high school and acquired her master’s degree while she was pregnant with her daughter.   School was a means to an end, says Stella.  It is the calling card to your character.

“I used to dream of exotic places as a young girl from behind the walls of the Iron Curtain. As soon as we got out of that wretched grey place, I felt my case of wanderlust soar.”  However, once arriving in America, Stella had to survive not knowing English, being penniless and without a business degree.  “I had to beg for change at the airport when we arrived to make a phone call to some friends that helped us to come to Cleveland, Ohio from New York.”

Make people around you part of your plan, says Stella.  When asking for help, tell people very simply and clearly what you need from them.   Ask, “Can you please help me?”  “I never gave up on anything. I am one of those people naturally wired to accomplish something every day. I am very self motivated from the inside. My inner compass points me in the right direction.”  Stella’s determination stemmed from her mother and father who never gave up on the possibility of success even in harsh times under communism.

After living in Romania, a real problem was not having the freedom of choice to open a business.  This country is brimming with possibilities, says Stella.  The American dream is very much alive.   In America, Stella’s biggest obstacle was male bankers who would not take her seriously, and lend her money to build schools.  When Stella is told “no”, she is propelled toward her goal to succeed.

“I had to learn everything from experience. When you read my book, Stella’s Way, many times you will say, ‘How did she do it?’ and many times it was almost impossible to overcome. I never gave up. Persistence is the secret ingredient to success. Without it, success is not possible. I am the head of my family. I am the one who pushed, fought the communist regime, and did not give up until we reached the zenith of success. My children and now my grandchildren are my inspiration. I want to be an example in action for them that anything is possible.”

Essential to success is being passionate about your job.  This will bring about determination and creativity.   Understanding that learning is a lifelong process is priceless, says Stella.  Keep in mind that technology and information is ever changing.  Staying current keeps your business exciting.

As her company grew, it was important to train employees to manage in order to delegate some management responsibility allowing her to manage her managers instead of micromanaging her business.  Also essential to success is networking.  “Networking has brought more clients to my business than any advertisement I put out there. When I was awarded the Ernst and Young awards series for Ohio, and nationally, I got a chance to show people how passionate I am about my business and could talk about my future plans,” says Stella.

Stella’s heroes are American women.   Much of her inspiration comes from single moms in her schools. “They are amazing on how they manage emotionally and financially…They work so hard for their families and careers. My worry is that with the hustle and bustle of modern life, there is no time to stop and smell the roses. God gave women in this country all the ingredients to be happier… We have homes with all the modern amenities to make our lives easier and more enjoyable. The American grocery store is simply the most beautiful and bountiful place on earth. And most of all, they have the freedom to become anything they dream of.”

Wake up and appreciate the fact that you were born on this blessed land, says Stella.  She has sponsored hundreds of immigrants and mentors many young women, encouraging them to get an education and make wise choices.

“Now it is time for me to honor my teacher’s spirit and pay forward all that I have learned,” says Stella. “Then I will be able to say I have done well and my spirit can retire in true bliss.  I want my book to be a point of inspiration for all walks of life. I want to make my book into a movie.   I want to spend some precious time talking to Americans all over the country about the makeover of the American dream. It still exists in each and every one of us.”

Stella is proud that her schools provide a higher level of education, care, and nutrition to young children in comparison to national chains in a country of such abundance. “I am happy to have the privileged opportunity to improve the child care and education field on a national level. This is my next project and I’m looking forward to see it through.”

Persistence.   It is simply the only thing that carries a plan through. When you have persistence, everything else will fall into place, says Stella.

Stella Moga Kennedy can be reached at Stellasway.com