Influential Woman · Potty Training Consultant

Nikita Grayson

Event Planner, Event Styles by G

Sanford, NC

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Associate in General Studies Degree Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Degree Master's in Sociology Cert North Carolina Division of Child Development Certification

Her Story

About Nikita

I officially started my potty training consulting business in 2022, but I have been doing this work unofficially since about 2008. I have been in child development for a little over 26 years. My journey began when I was a teacher in a Child Development Center on a military base, so my first clients ended up being U.S. soldiers. I was potty training one of my own children, one of five, at that time, and I needed a way to find some relief at home and at work. When my director noticed that more than half of my children were potty trained in my classroom, which stood out in that facility, she wanted to know how I did it. I began doing monthly workshops for the parents because everyone was sending their parents from their classrooms to mine. I climbed up the ranks and became part of the management team as an assistant director and director for the facility, but I still performed those workshops because the topic would always come up and I was the go-to person. I assisted parents after I got off of work via email, video chat, text message, Facebook Messenger, any way that I could to get them through that process. Several people told me I should write a book, and eventually I did. I have written several books, including parent instruction guides, a book for child care providers, four children's books with bilingual editions in English and Spanish, and a planner with calendars and note sections for tracking progress. My program is titled Potty Training Without Pressure, and it goes to the mindset that we're not forcing. We go along with a routine, stay consistent, and see the results happen with consistency, but there's not a lot of big expectations for the child. I have gotten my program certified through the North Carolina Division of Child Development, which allows me to give my attendees two contact hours when they attend my virtual workshops or coaching sessions.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Nikita

01What do you attribute your success to?

I believe that my program, titled Potty Training Without Pressure, is what makes me successful. It goes to the mindset that we're not forcing. Yes, we can do it in the child's own time, but we're just going to go along with this routine, we're going to stay consistent, and we're going to see the results happen with the consistency, but there's not a lot of big expectations for the child. We know that accidents are going to happen, we need to embrace the accidents. The accidents are our friend, and we need them. It's just kind of adopting a carefree type of attitude. I found that if I could get parents to gain an understanding and some clearing up of misconceptions on what to expect in this process, then that can help reduce child abuse incidents related to potty training. It felt like I was contributing to better parents, better employees, better overall individuals to give parents a sense of relief, especially if they knew that these accidents are okay if it happens. I also offer a sense of personality along with my training. I have a tell-it-like-it-is approach. It's always out of passion and out of love, but it's a tell-it-like-it-is approach. It's either, hey, you're gonna need to get on this ride, or get off. But this works. You're gonna have to get out and get into the pool so that we can get you swimming and get out on the other end.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say to get as much information on the topic of potty training as you can, and if there's any knowledge that you already have, definitely do your best to assist parents. Just be on the understanding that there is a different range of parents who are willing to participate. Some parents have different ideas on the involvement that they should have in the potty training process if their child is in childcare. I would also say to not be bombarded by your knowledge, because potty training is not in the job description in child care facilities. Some people assume that people who work in childcare must know about potty training, and that's simply not true, which is why some programs would choose to have your child already potty trained. It's not a state requirement. Potty training is like a diamond in the rough, so if you have someone who is knowledgeable, hopefully they don't get too bombarded because of their own knowledge. I wouldn't know how they would handle it, but just to be mindful, you know, it is a gift, because it's not something that automatically comes along with the program.

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