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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Home Daycare business... And EXES ruining your life.
tehck_1013 11:28 PM 05-14-2014
I am very close to being done with all of my setup, paperwork, and classes and will be able to start the process of inspection and licensing in a few months. I am very excited and have worked EXTREMELY hard for this. I have spent a lot of money getting everything I need; from all the classes, remodeling, furniture, materials, and toys (and so much more!) that if this were to go south I would legitimately be heartbroken... and pretty broke! One thing I have not factored in however, is the way that my husbands ex-girlfriend (child involved) will accept my business once she finds out - and she will find out (she cyber-stalks me, sadly). The thing about having an in home daycare is that it's not like other jobs. When you run your own business there will always be the possibility (especially with the world wide web) for someone to completely ruin your life and career. I could go in-depth about all of the horrible psychotic and harassing things that she had done, said, and put me through in the last few years - but you can easily get the picture that if there is a chance to hurt me, she always takes it. She is violent (has physically assaulted me once, AND my husband more times than I can count), bitter, unstable, narcissistic, daily drinks and does drugs, and is basically the definition of a hostile aggressive parent TO THE T. Thank god we have their 9 year old daughter for the school year this year and next, and because of this she's been pretty 'quiet' as of late. This lady is the epitome of nightmare

I tried launching two previous business ventures, each lasting only about 10 months or so (hmmm, I wonder why...). One was maintenance and contracting work related (which should have had absolutely no problem taking off) and had a few bites but nothing stable. In the short span that it existed, bad things kept getting posted all around regarding it. How? No clue. But as long as I have a phone number, it can be typed into google to find out what the latest thing we're trying to launch is. Even my name brings up my business related things. I just can't hide and still expect to get anywhere marketing wise when she's constantly trying to overthrow our attempts at making a living. She's quick about it all too, like she's constantly on top of ruining our lives lol

SO I guess my question is how other people handle slander and libel, marketing and privacy, and all other things related to keeping people like her from ruining your good name? Would LOVE to hear stories. Also regarding things parents have said and done that impacted your business, very interested. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

P.S. Wandering around reading hundreds of threads for the last few weeks, learned leaps and bounds, and already love you all

P.S.S. Sorry for other thread? PC went wacko, can't login now. Made new one *shrugs* at least this is only post I had :/
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NightOwl 04:20 AM 05-15-2014
A cease and desist letter from a lawyer usually does wonders. When they see you mean business and are willing to press charges or sue for slander, that mouth may shut right up!
But be prepared to follow through. Don't give her any second chances because it sounds like she's had plenty already. This is NOT the type of business that you can afford to have a bad name in.
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Laurel 04:37 AM 05-15-2014
I agree, I would see a lawyer.

Laurel
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coolconfidentme 04:49 AM 05-15-2014
Originally Posted by Wednesday:
A cease and desist letter from a lawyer usually does wonders. When they see you mean business and are willing to press charges or sue for slander, that mouth may shut right up!
But be prepared to follow through. Don't give her any second chances because it sounds like she's had plenty already. This is NOT the type of business that you can afford to have a bad name in.
THIS!!
But, I send it out. It clearing shows I copy in my lawyer. It also advise them to seek counsel. It also has an agreement they can willingly sign stating they will stop the libelous & slanderous activity. It states I am entitled by law to seek monetary damages and equitable relief for the defamation. It really had stop people in there tracks who do this against my business.
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Sugar Magnolia 10:20 AM 05-15-2014
I'd get a separate business phone line, and leave your name out of your business name. Go with "Happy Home Daycare" instead of "Susie's Home Daycare". Don't publish your address in advertisements (many gals here with home daycare don't). Keep your Facebook page private or by invite only. Monitor yelp, Yahoo, white pages websites for "reviews". If you decide to use craigslist to advertise, no pictures of the outside of your home.


Can somebody reason with this woman?? If not, I would do like Wednesday said and lawyer up. You can't really do a cease and desist until she does something, am I right?
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tehck_1013 12:44 PM 05-15-2014
Yes, It wouldn't do any good to send a cease/desist order until she did do something, and the letter would just clue her in lol. I just know that my stepdaughter will likely say something about it in passing to her mother not knowing any better; and that will get her looking.

I will get a new phone number just for business.

I also begrudgingly noticed that when you set up businesses on review websites for more prominent Google results, sometimes they show your address - and you can't unshow it. Something to think about. I think I am going to be as minimal as possible with the info all over the place thing and hope for the best. Who knows, maybe that will keep her evil ways at bay for a long time.

Will also talk to my aunt about it because she has absolutely no website, no review sites, no advertising. The only way to find her is by typing in her provider ID number and her name or her specific address. She has been doing this since long before I was little because she too took care of me. I know its possible... But people like DSD's mom really make it seem impossible :/
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Tags:baby mama drama, drama, libel, marketing, privacy, ruin, slander, stalking
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