“A child’s first school is where their love for learning begins. As educators, we don’t just teach; we shape hearts, nurture confidence, and build futures.”
These words reflect the journey of Mrs. Sutha Ramessh, an early childhood education expert, mentor, and edupreneur, who has spent over 17 years transforming preschool education in India. From starting a single preschool in Bangalore to expanding into two thriving centers under a renowned franchise, her journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to holistic learning.
Today, as a mentor to aspiring edupreneurs, she helps school owners, leaders, and teachers build successful preschools while ensuring that every child gets an emotionally enriching learning experience.
Her story is not just about growing an education business—it is about overcoming self-doubt, embracing challenges, and believing in the power of nurturing young minds.
The Early Struggles: Building a Preschool from Scratch
Mrs. Sutha’s journey into early childhood education was not a planned one. Like many edupreneurs, she started with passion but little experience in setting up and managing a preschool.
“When I opened my first preschool, I was filled with excitement. But soon, reality hit. Managing young children, hiring teachers, handling parents—it was overwhelming. There were days I questioned if I had made the right choice.”
The first year was tough—convincing parents to choose play-based learning over traditional rote memorization, ensuring financial stability, and dealing with high teacher turnover.
But giving up was never an option.
With every challenge, she adapted, learned, and found practical solutions. She focused on building trust with parents, continuously training teachers, and creating a learning environment where children felt safe and loved.
Her dedication paid off. The preschool that started with just 25 children soon expanded to accommodate over 200 students annually, leading to the establishment of one more successful center under the same franchise.
“Each child who walked through our doors carried dreams in their eyes, and it became my mission to give them the best start in life.”
From Edupreneur to Mentor: Guiding the Next Generation of Preschool Owners
As her preschools flourished, Mrs. Sutha realized that she wasn’t just shaping young learners—she was also inspiring other aspiring preschool owners.
Recognizing her expertise, the franchise brand invited her to mentor budding edupreneurs, guiding them on:
- How to set up a sustainable preschool
- How to train and retain passionate teachers
- How to engage and educate parents on early childhood learning
- How to balance business growth with quality education
“I’ve been where they are—full of passion, but unsure of where to start. I want to make their journey easier by sharing everything I’ve learned.”
Today, she mentors preschool edupreneurs across India, ensuring that their schools thrive not just as businesses, but as nurturing environments for young learners.
Why Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Became Her Next Mission
Despite her success, something always felt missing.
She saw children struggling with emotions, unable to express themselves, and teachers unsure of how to handle behavioral challenges. Parents often asked, “Why is my child scared to speak in class?” or “Why does my child throw tantrums?”
“That’s when I realized—while we were teaching numbers and letters, we weren’t teaching children how to understand their feelings, build confidence, or handle setbacks.”
She began integrating Montessori principles, self-expression activities, and interactive storytelling to address these emotional gaps.
Then, she discovered Better Together Cubed (BT3) through IME.
“When I learned that BT3 had achieved CASEL’s highest-level SELect certification, I knew this was the structured approach Indian preschools needed.”
Now, through IME, she is helping bring BT3 to preschools across India, ensuring that children, teachers, and parents benefit from a research-backed approach to emotional intelligence.
A Message to Aspiring Preschool Edupreneurs
Mrs. Sutha’s journey is a story of determination, adaptability, and impact. She knows the struggles of running a preschool—the sleepless nights, the financial worries, the self-doubt.
But she also knows the reward—the joy of watching a child take their first steps into learning, the gratitude of parents who see their child grow, and the fulfillment of creating a space where children feel safe and loved.
To new preschool owners: “Every challenge is a learning opportunity. Keep going, and never forget why you started.”
To educators: “Children don’t just need knowledge; they need emotional support, encouragement, and belief in their potential.”
To parents: “Trust the process. Learning should be joyful, not pressured.”
As a Leader of Change with IME, she continues to support, uplift, and empower preschool edupreneurs across India, ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life.
Her story is a reminder that education is not just about running a school—it’s about building a legacy of learning, love, and lifelong success.
