July 31, 2025

Episode 207 with Gigi Schweikert — You Can’t Save Your Way to Success

43 minutes

Kris welcomes Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy, to explore what it takes to lead at scale and stay grounded in the human side of early childhood education. With 85 centers across the U.S., Gigi shares how she thinks about quality, culture, and decision-making at the organizational level, and why trust is still the best metric. They discuss industry trends, mentorship, and the habits that help leaders grow. Gigi also reflects on what she’s learned after publishing 18 books, raising four children, embracing grandmotherhood, and showing up consistently for her team and community.

Key Takeaways:

[6:52] Gigi explains how Lightbridge Academy evaluates quality across its network and why it comes down to trust more than checklists.

[8:52] Gigi talks about her passion for mentoring women in leadership, her new role as a grandmother, and how watercolor painting gives her space to recharge.

[10:54] Both Kris and Gigi reflect on the importance of creating safe spaces where women can speak openly about challenges and goals.

[13:42] Gigi breaks down the balance of running a business with high accountability while preserving joy and mission-driven work.

[16:08] Lightbridge is made up of 20% company centers and 80% franchise centers.

[20:38] The Serene Seedlings rollout program.

[23:50] Gigi reflects on how technology, when used intentionally, can improve connection and enhance the customer experience in early childhood environments.

[25:45] She shares a (funny) standout memory from a speaking engagement in China and what it taught her about cultural differences and the universality of leadership challenges.

[33:51] Kris and Gigi talk about the upcoming Child Care Success Summit, with Gigi returning as a main stage speaker, and why she’s especially excited for this year's event.

[41:22] Why you have to spend money to make money, and you can’t save your way to success.

Quotes:

“I really see ECE so much as that quality piece, that education piece, that opportunity to make sure that every child gets the best start, from zero to three, zero to six, etc. And so I’ve always said that early childhood education is the trust business.” — Gigi [6:52]

“At the end of the day, when I am out in the field and looking at quality, my judgment of quality is trust.” — Gigi [7:56]

“Being a mentor for women is one of the most meaningful and fulfilling things that I do.” — Kris [10:37]

“I just want to make sure that I can create a safe space wherever I go, where people can feel like they can be themselves and talk about their vulnerabilities and talk about their aspirations with equal enthusiasm to overcome whatever barriers and boundaries they might have.” — Gigi [11:45]

“Families are about love, reconciliation, understanding, and about getting through tough times together, and about having each other’s backs and all those things. I think childcare centers are the same. They just look different all over. So my desire, my personal desire and passion, is that every child has access to affordable, quality childcare. I just think it’s paramount.” — Gigi [19:36]

“I want people to recognize that in so many ways, when you think you can’t, you can.” — Gigi [35:19]