Tasha Taylor's Journey

Over the last year, the Mainspring Early Care Alliance continued to grow as a powerful, provider-led network of support, connection, and advocacy for Kent County’s in-home child care businesses. At the heart of this success is its 11-member advisory board—each a small business owner, each deeply committed to elevating the profession. One of those advisors is Tasha Taylor.

This year, Tasha found her voice.

In her own words, her voice is no longer “in the shadows.” Through Mainspring, Tasha stepped into leadership—asking bold questions, supporting her peers, and representing providers on broader stages. In the fall, she joined the MiLEAP panel at the Michigan State celebration event, sharing her experience with a statewide audience.

Tasha’s journey also reflects the core strengths of Mainspring: community, growth, and quality. Throughout 2024, she worked with fellow advisors to improve the quality of care in her program, receiving encouragement and feedback along the way. At the same time, she pursued her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at GRCC—a testament to her commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence.

“Being on the MiLEAP panel was breathtaking. I’ve never been asked to speak before—never been invited to share my story. My voice has always been in the shadows. But that day, something in me came alive. Mainspring gave me the confidence to stand up and say, ‘I have something to contribute.’ Now I know I have a voice, and I’m going to use it to grow—and to help others grow, too.” – Tasha Taylor, Mainspring Advisory Member

Tasha’s story is one of many that show the power of provider-led systems change. Mainspring isn’t just about networking—it’s about equipping caregivers with the tools, confidence, and community to lead. When providers like Tasha thrive, children and families do too. Since joining Mainspring, Tasha has stepped into several leadership roles: she presented at the NAEYC conference, contributed to a church-based community project, and was selected to participate in the IFF 49507 Quality Improvement Launch. She also joined the Great Start to Quality advisory board and re-enrolled in school to pursue her degree in child development, with dreams of one day opening her own center.