Her Story
About Desiree
Desiree Carbajal owns and operates Carbajal Family Child Care, doing business as Happy Lil Campers Daycare, from her home in Monrovia, California. She has spent 17 years in the early childhood development field, including prior work as a teacher at Disney's Imagineering corporate school, before starting her own business during the COVID-19 pandemic to support her family and pursue a long-held goal. Carbajal works with children of mixed ages, emphasizing safety, well-being, and a play-based emergent curriculum guided by the children's interests rather than a fixed plan. She earned her 12-unit child development certificate from Valley College around 2012, followed by a bachelor's degree in human development and early childhood education from Pacific Oaks and a master's degree in child development from the University of La Verne in 2021. She maintains certifications in CPR, first aid, and mandated reporting, and serves as a board member for the CAAEYC Foothill Division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Carbajal attributes her success to the support of her husband and children, and she values honesty and openness with families above all, advising others entering the field to pursue it only with genuine passion and to bring their own unique touch to their work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Desiree
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, especially my husband who is super supportive of my choices like going back to school and quitting my corporate job to start this home daycare. I mainly started it for our kids during COVID when we were all home, and my kids have been supportive too. It was always on my goals list and the timing felt right after researching how to homeschool my daughter.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to just keep going. It's tough opening your own business and you don't get customers right away, it takes time and grit. Speaking with other owners and friends in the field, they say don't give up, just keep going, the clients will come.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to go for it, but really make sure you love what you're doing and love working with children because it's not always a walk in the park. There are a lot of challenges every single day and you have to be on your toes. Put your own special touch on it because not every daycare is the same, and that's what brings families in - your own personality and touch on your business. Don't try to be like everyone else.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is most important - I'm very open with families, we're a tight-knit community and they're trusting me with their most prized possessions. I take that very seriously. If someone is sick in my house or theirs, I let everybody know. Don't come into this business for a money grab; this is something you feel from your heart and are passionate about.
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