Influential Woman · Early Childhood Education and Development
Trina J. Romanowski
Chief Executive Officer- Founder, Birth Toddlers and Beyond
Hudson, MI 49247
Even in my hardest season, I kept standing, showing up, and moving forward. That's when I realized my strength came not from easy circumstances, but from faith and refusing to give up.
Trina J. Romanowski · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Trina
Trina Romanowski is the dedicated owner of Birth Toddlers & Beyond, a family-run group of three early learning centers located in Hudson, Adrian, and Cement City, Michigan. With a career spanning over three decades, Trina has committed herself to providing nurturing, developmentally appropriate environments for children from infancy through age 13, including after-school and summer programs. Her centers focus on early childhood education that emphasizes play, exploration, and hands-on learning, ensuring children develop confidence, curiosity, and resilience in their formative years.
Trina’s passion for education and child development began in her family’s home-based childcare, where she worked alongside her mother while pursuing her studies. Over the years, she transitioned from in-home care to opening dedicated center locations, leveraging family support and local resources to expand her impact. Her approach combines the Creative Curriculum for infants and toddlers with developmental and social-emotional screenings, helping children build foundational skills early, from self-regulation to problem-solving and empathy. Trina has also infused her love of discipline and perseverance from athletics into her professional philosophy, coaching track and cross-country teams while encouraging resilience and goal-setting among the children she serves.
Beyond her centers, Trina leads a balanced life rooted in wellness and mindfulness. She begins her days with running, incorporates meditation, and works with a life coach to stay grounded while managing multiple responsibilities. She emphasizes loyalty, honesty, and purposeful engagement both personally and professionally, instilling these values throughout her centers. With a multi-generational team, including her daughter and family members, Trina continues to grow Birth Toddlers & Beyond while shaping the future of early childhood education in her community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Trina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, hard work, consistency, and a willingness to keep growing. I have learned that success does not usually come from one big moment, but from showing up every day, staying committed through challenges, and continuing to learn along the way.
I also believe a big part of success comes from building strong relationships, caring deeply about people, and leading with purpose. When you combine passion with discipline and stay true to your values, it creates something meaningful and lasting.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to work on the business, not just in the business.
That advice taught me the importance of stepping back, leading with vision, building strong systems, and creating something that can grow beyond just daily tasks.
It also reminded me that success comes from being consistent, staying teachable, and treating people well along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry would be to believe in the value you bring, even before you feel fully confident. Early childhood and leadership work both require heart, strength, patience, and resilience. Do not underestimate the impact you can have.
Be willing to learn, work hard, and stay consistent. This field is not always easy, but the women who grow the most are the ones who stay teachable, build strong relationships, and keep showing up with excellence.
Also, do not be afraid to use your voice. Speak up with professionalism, lead with confidence, and trust that compassion and strength can go hand in hand. You do not have to choose between being kind and being a strong leader.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in early childhood right now is staffing. Programs everywhere are working hard to recruit and retain strong teachers while balancing compensation, burnout, and the growing expectations placed on the field. At the same time, affordability and access continue to be major issues for families, even though the need for high-quality care has never been greater.
One of the biggest opportunities is that people are finally recognizing how critical the early years are. There is growing momentum around expanding access to preschool, strengthening mixed-delivery systems, supporting the workforce more intentionally, and investing in children’s social-emotional development and school readiness.
For me, that means the opportunity is not just to care for children, but to lead with quality, build strong teams, partner well with families, and create learning environments that truly prepare children for life.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At the heart of everything I do are the values of faith, family, compassion, hard work, and purpose.
These values shape the way I lead, the way I care for others, and the way I continue to grow. I believe in building with intention, serving with heart, and creating something meaningful that leaves a positive impact on the lives of others.
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