Published: December 15, 2006 10:43 pm            

PEOPLE PROFILE: Woman a sitter in a pinch

Beth Holler saw a hole in the child care market.

The Lockport resident got the idea for her independent drop-in baby-sitting service after back problems landed her a position at WKids in the Transit Road Wegmans.

“I met so many interesting people that don’t live in the area and don’t have anyone to watch their children,” Holler said. “I asked them if they would be interested in this service if I opened it independently.”

Although Holler considered herself “a great follower” as opposed to a self-starter, she believed in her business idea. With the support of her husband, Holler embarked on a two-year battle to open Miss Beth’s Kidsit, the state’s first independent drop-in baby-sitting center for kids between 21?2 and 12 years old.

She said the state had trouble classifying her business because it was the first of its kind. Ultimately they gave her a new classification, allowing children to stay there for exactly two hours and 59 minutes each day.

The entrepreneur chose a storefront location on Main Street in Williamsville because of its proximity to the shopping centers, colleges, movie theaters and many doctor’s offices.

“I had originally thought of Lockport, but then people going to the malls up here would have to pay for the drive time,” Holler said. “I get tons of kids from Lockport, Wilson, all over the place.”

Comfort is key at Miss Beth’s, who got her nickname from the children at WKids. There is a glass panel between the waiting room and playroom so parents can see inside. Parts of the playroom are separated into themed centers, including those for reading, playing computer games, a train table, rice table and a crafts area.

It has been almost two years since Miss Beth’s Kidsit opened. She said people have recommend franchising. If she does go that route, Holler hopes to open a branch in Lockport.

Unlike many of her customers, Holler had someone to rely on if she needed someone to watch her three kids in a pinch.

“I had my mother and mother-in-law,” Holler said. “I was lucky. When I started meeting parents at Wegmans who had no one, I realized how hard that must be.”

Contact Tasha Kates at 439-9222, Ext. 6241.

        

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