Meet Johnquetta Webb

We were lucky to catch up with Johnquetta Webb recently and have shared our conversation below.

Johnquetta, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

How did I find my purpose? Or how did it find me? The latter question best suits the foundation that supports The Playhouse of Excellence. The answer is quite simple … God. This journey, profoundly personal and yet shared with you, is the heart of The Playhouse of Excellence. It’s this personal journey, the moment of divine inspiration, that led me to create a space where children can learn, play, and excel, just as I did in my own journey.

One day, I was sitting alone in my apartment, had a rough day at work, and was overwhelmed. I was sitting there watching TV, and I suddenly turned it off, picked up my phone, and began watching TikTok. The string of videos set the tone for what happened next. God had got me where He wanted me; I was alone, the distractions were eliminated, it was quiet, and it was just Him and me in my apartment. The tears began to well up in my eyes and stream down my face, and I heard a subtle, faint voice in my ear say, “Teach.” Now, I know it’s just me in my apartment. Can you imagine the horror I felt for a split second? I almost walked out, leaving whoever spoke to me right there. But I quickly realized it was God, and I finally received the direction I had desperately sought and prayed for.

The next step was genuinely understanding what God meant by “teach.” By definition, it means to show or explain how to do something. I sat there waiting and listening for further instructions, but that was it. So now I’m sitting there pondering on the word and trying to piece the pieces together. It was not until months later that I had my ‘aha’ moment. I understood my purpose was to bridge the gap between parents, teachers, and the educational system. I aimed to provide physical, emotional, spiritual, behavioral, and/or social support.

The Playhouse of Excellence was born out of a deep commitment to give parents trust, security, respect, and guilt-free personal care. This is our mission, our promise to you. When people ask how I can work all day and then go babysit, I quickly think about the parents who performed their job duties all day and had to go home to parent duties with very little alone or personal time. With that being said, my purpose is to teach or instead show parents that it’s okay to step away from “the life” to live their lives unapologetically.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Johnquetta, and I am 28 years old. I am in a committed relationship with my boyfriend, Nicholas, of 5 years, and we have a golden doodle son named Tyson. I was born in Augusta, GA, but I was raised in Gallatin, TN. Growing up, I was significantly involved in my church; I served as the Children and Youth Praise and Worship Leader for many years. I also served on the youth usher board, dance and step ministry, and participated in the drama ministry. If I was not at home, school, or work, I was definitely at church. I graduated from Station Camp High School in May of 2013. I pursued my undergraduate degree from Austin Peay State University (APSU) in the fall of the same year. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychological Science from APSU in May 2018. Shortly after graduating, I began working in behavioral health at a few of the local hospitals in Nashville. While working as a pediatric mental health specialist, I became a registered behavioral technician at the Autism Partnership Foundation. I loved working in behavioral health but was not satisfied, so I tried something different. Not only did I try something different, I finally accepted the calling over my life. When I said yes, God began opening and closing doors, I didn’t even know existed.

In February 2022, I was accepted into Liberty University’s Graduate School of Education to pursue a Master’s in Teaching Elementary Education. I am expected to graduate in December 2024, but I don’t know what grade I’d like to teach. I feel confident enough in God to know He will place me where I am most needed. I plan to teach in the classroom while I pursue my Ed.S and Doctorate in Education to become an Educational Policy Analyst, Director of Schools, or Superintendent.

While obtaining my Master’s, I officially launched my babysitting and tutoring program called “The Playhouse of Excellence.” Although I had previously been babysitting and tutoring for almost 15 years. I started babysitting and tutoring while in high school. Our tagline is “Learn, Play, Excel” because our tutoring services promote learning. Our babysitting services provide top-of-the-line care, support, and plenty of playtime, motivating children to excel physically, intellectually, socially, and behaviorally. At the playhouse, we provide private, one-on-one tutoring sessions to promote independent learning and better comprehension as children receive targeted, goal-driven instruction on specific topics. We offer tutoring services for all school-aged children from Pre-K/Kindergarten to 12th grade in all subjects. Babysitting services are offered to families with children aged 3 months until age 13, which can be adjusted for families meeting specific criteria. Depending on age, we also provide group or multi-family style babysitting with up to 15 children. Group/Multi-family discounts are available. Our services also include educational playtime, nutritious meals, and transportation to and from school or extracurricular activities.

What’s next? Be on the lookout for Storytime with Miss Q, a virtual storytelling series coming to a screen near you, and event planning, specifically for children, such as birthday parties, field trips, graduations, etc. We also plan to expand our services and partner with local programs and summer camps, providing a comprehensive childcare and education solution for parents and educators.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My journey as a new entrepreneur has been full of twists and turns impacted by many factors and influences. Working with children and parents requires a high level of patience and empathy (compassion). Most parents are reluctant to leave their children in the care of others, including their family members. To exhibit patience and compassion with parents and children, you have to be able to understand, meaning put yourself in their shoes truly. For instance, if a parent is worried about their child’s safety, you can reassure them by explaining the safety measures you have in place. Also, ask yourself, how would I feel if it was me and my child(ren)? Parents need to know that their children will be safe and not exposed to any harm or danger. This may take some time, but I want you to know that maintaining an open line of communication, providing frequent updates, and providing constant reassurance with your words and the actions to follow will motivate parental trust. Your actions will speak louder than your words, and your words will not mean a thing unless your actions back up your words. Both parents and children require compassion at different levels, of course.

Along with patience and empathy, it is also crucial to deeply understand child development, typical wants, needs, and desires. I understand that all children are unique and develop at their own pace, which is why maintaining an open line of communication with parents is vital. Parents are the true experts on their children, so ask questions, listen to understand, and maintain consistency. My journey to creating a business tailored to assist families in many dimensions was profoundly influenced by my development of patience, ability to empathize with parents and children, and knowledge of children and adolescent development.

I advise those just getting started to pray and not stop praying. Pray for guidance, strength, and the tools required to do whatever you want. Keep your eye on the prize, which is the ultimate goal. Quiet the voices. Remove the toxins and negativity from your life, and yes, this includes every person, place, or thing that is not helping you get to where you need or want to be. Oh, and one more thing, never give up, no matter how hard it gets; that’s your clue that you are almost to your destination, the finish line. Remember, perseverance is key to overcoming any obstacle.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Oh my goodness, YES! I always seek to collaborate with individuals or organizations tailored to children. I have been chatting with the owner of The American Academy of Etiquette and Decorum about hosting an etiquette class for youth ages 5 to 17 here in Nashville. I am interested in partnering with churches, non-profit organizations, event planners, educators, mentorships, etc. Our vision is not just for some children, some parents, and some families, but for all. We want to reach and advocate for every child, parent, and family worldwide, and that includes you.

Connect with me through email or any of my social media platforms.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: theplayhouseofexcellence_
• Facebook: The Playhouse of Excellence
• Linkedin: Johnquetta Webb
• Youtube: The Playhouse of Excellence
• Other: TikTok: @playhouseeofexcellence

  Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Amy Connor Photography