From Zero to $300K/Month: The Journey of Building a Childcare Management Software
From Zero to $300K/Month: The Journey of Building a Childcare Management Software
Nov 27, 2024
Simon Ho
Simon Ho
⏳ 4.7 min
⏳ 4.7 min
Revenue/month
Revenue/month
$300,000
$300,000
$300,000
No. of founders
No. of founders
2
2
2
Startup costs
Startup costs
$150K
$150K
$150K
Company type
Company type
Company type
SaaS
SaaS
SaaS
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
In Silicon Valley, where tech ideas are born every second, Simon Ho decided to do something different. Instead of chasing trends, he built a solution born out of a deeply personal need—a need every parent can relate to: peace of mind for their child.
Here’s how Simon turned his unique experiences and challenges into 1Core Solution, a cloud-based, all-in-one childcare management platform that serves everyone from small daycare providers to the U.S. Department of Defense.
In Silicon Valley, where tech ideas are born every second, Simon Ho decided to do something different. Instead of chasing trends, he built a solution born out of a deeply personal need—a need every parent can relate to: peace of mind for their child.
Here’s how Simon turned his unique experiences and challenges into 1Core Solution, a cloud-based, all-in-one childcare management platform that serves everyone from small daycare providers to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Backstory + The Idea
Backstory + The Idea
Simon’s story starts with his daughter, Cassie, born with a congenital liver disorder. Simon and his wife were first-time parents navigating the terrifying waters of parenting a child with special medical needs.
When Cassie’s health stabilized, the couple began searching for childcare. Like many parents, they wanted the best for their daughter. What they found was an industry plagued with inefficiencies. No modern tools. No streamlined systems. And certainly no peace of mind for anxious parents.
Simon, with years of experience in management consulting and the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley in his DNA, saw an opportunity:
What if there was software to simplify childcare operations and give parents real-time peace of mind?
That’s when 1Core Solution was born.
Simon’s story starts with his daughter, Cassie, born with a congenital liver disorder. Simon and his wife were first-time parents navigating the terrifying waters of parenting a child with special medical needs.
When Cassie’s health stabilized, the couple began searching for childcare. Like many parents, they wanted the best for their daughter. What they found was an industry plagued with inefficiencies. No modern tools. No streamlined systems. And certainly no peace of mind for anxious parents.
Simon, with years of experience in management consulting and the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley in his DNA, saw an opportunity:
What if there was software to simplify childcare operations and give parents real-time peace of mind?
That’s when 1Core Solution was born.
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➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
Building the First Version
Building the First Version
Back in 2000, the childcare industry’s tech was... well, nonexistent. Most systems were clunky desktop-based software focused solely on backend operations. Nothing connected parents, staff, and directors seamlessly.
Simon, armed with his experience in Fortune 500 consulting, approached the problem systematically. He partnered with childcare providers in Silicon Valley to test his early ideas, ensuring the product was solving real problems.
But Simon didn’t go it alone. Swami, a brilliant technologist who became Simon’s cofounder and CTO. Together, they built the first version of 1Core as a cloud-based platform—a concept that was ahead of its time.
This move paid off. The childcare industry quickly saw the value in a system that streamlined operations and provided transparency for parents.
Back in 2000, the childcare industry’s tech was... well, nonexistent. Most systems were clunky desktop-based software focused solely on backend operations. Nothing connected parents, staff, and directors seamlessly.
Simon, armed with his experience in Fortune 500 consulting, approached the problem systematically. He partnered with childcare providers in Silicon Valley to test his early ideas, ensuring the product was solving real problems.
But Simon didn’t go it alone. Swami, a brilliant technologist who became Simon’s cofounder and CTO. Together, they built the first version of 1Core as a cloud-based platform—a concept that was ahead of its time.
This move paid off. The childcare industry quickly saw the value in a system that streamlined operations and provided transparency for parents.
Selling, Buying Back, and Growing Stronger
Selling, Buying Back, and Growing Stronger
Here’s where Simon’s journey takes a plot twist. Four years into the business, KinderCare, the largest childcare provider at the time, acquired 1Core. It was validation that Simon’s idea was solving a big problem.
But three years later, KinderCare decided software wasn’t part of their future. So, Simon and Swami did something bold—they bought the company back.
With full control again, Simon doubled down on making 1Core indispensable.
Here’s where Simon’s journey takes a plot twist. Four years into the business, KinderCare, the largest childcare provider at the time, acquired 1Core. It was validation that Simon’s idea was solving a big problem.
But three years later, KinderCare decided software wasn’t part of their future. So, Simon and Swami did something bold—they bought the company back.
With full control again, Simon doubled down on making 1Core indispensable.
Why 1Core Works
Why 1Core Works
What makes 1Core different? It’s not just the tech—it’s the philosophy.
Simon instilled a simple yet powerful motto:
“We listen, we solve, we elevate.”
This isn’t lip service. Everyone in the organization, from customer service reps to developers, is required to listen to customers—whether it’s directors, staff, or parents.
This approach has resulted in:
A 96% customer retention rate.
Continuous product evolution based on real needs.
Long-standing partnerships, including contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Child and Youth Programs, supporting military families worldwide.
What makes 1Core different? It’s not just the tech—it’s the philosophy.
Simon instilled a simple yet powerful motto:
“We listen, we solve, we elevate.”
This isn’t lip service. Everyone in the organization, from customer service reps to developers, is required to listen to customers—whether it’s directors, staff, or parents.
This approach has resulted in:
A 96% customer retention rate.
Continuous product evolution based on real needs.
Long-standing partnerships, including contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Child and Youth Programs, supporting military families worldwide.
Organic Growth: The Power of Word of Mouth
Organic Growth: The Power of Word of Mouth
Unlike many Silicon Valley startups, Simon took a different route: no venture capital.
“Bootstrapping helped us maintain full control over our destiny.”
Instead of flashy marketing campaigns, 1Core grew through word of mouth. Happy customers became the best marketers, spreading the word about a platform that actually worked.
Unlike many Silicon Valley startups, Simon took a different route: no venture capital.
“Bootstrapping helped us maintain full control over our destiny.”
Instead of flashy marketing campaigns, 1Core grew through word of mouth. Happy customers became the best marketers, spreading the word about a platform that actually worked.
The Future of 1Core Solution
The Future of 1Core Solution
After rebranding to 1Core Solution, the company isn’t just resting on its laurels. They’re exploring cutting-edge integrations to stay ahead, including using Generative AI to assess children’s brain development and provide personalized guides for teachers and parents.
And their partnership with the Department of Defense continues to grow. By supporting military families, 1Core plays a small but significant role in national defense readiness.
After rebranding to 1Core Solution, the company isn’t just resting on its laurels. They’re exploring cutting-edge integrations to stay ahead, including using Generative AI to assess children’s brain development and provide personalized guides for teachers and parents.
And their partnership with the Department of Defense continues to grow. By supporting military families, 1Core plays a small but significant role in national defense readiness.
Lessons Learned: Wisdom from a 25-Year Journey
Lessons Learned: Wisdom from a 25-Year Journey
Over the years, Simon has gathered insights that every entrepreneur can learn from:
Know Your Why
"Startups are incredibly challenging. Without a clear reason why you're doing it, it’s easy to doubt yourself and be tempted to give up.
Find the Right Team
"Life is short, It does not make sense to work with people you don’t like or respect."
Be Patient
"Treat your startup as your life’s work. Few businesses are overnight successes."
Embrace Authenticity
"Creating an authentic brand is critical."
Over the years, Simon has gathered insights that every entrepreneur can learn from:
Know Your Why
"Startups are incredibly challenging. Without a clear reason why you're doing it, it’s easy to doubt yourself and be tempted to give up.
Find the Right Team
"Life is short, It does not make sense to work with people you don’t like or respect."
Be Patient
"Treat your startup as your life’s work. Few businesses are overnight successes."
Embrace Authenticity
"Creating an authentic brand is critical."
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Simon’s journey is proof that you don’t need to chase trends or raise millions to build something meaningful. His advice for those starting out:
Start with a problem you deeply care about. Passion will keep you going when the hours get long.
Think long-term. Building something worthwhile takes time—don’t rush it.
Communicate with your family. Starting a business will impact them more than you think. Make sure they’re on board.
Enjoy the process. Entrepreneurship is about more than money—it’s about creating something that matters.
Simon’s journey is proof that you don’t need to chase trends or raise millions to build something meaningful. His advice for those starting out:
Start with a problem you deeply care about. Passion will keep you going when the hours get long.
Think long-term. Building something worthwhile takes time—don’t rush it.
Communicate with your family. Starting a business will impact them more than you think. Make sure they’re on board.
Enjoy the process. Entrepreneurship is about more than money—it’s about creating something that matters.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Simon sees 1Core as a legacy, a solution that started with his daughter’s needs and now impacts families worldwide.
As for the future? Whether it’s evolving into an evergreen company or passing the torch, Simon’s vision for 1Core remains crystal clear:
Create a brighter future for children everywhere.
And that’s a mission worth believing in.
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share Stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t 1core Solution, Starter Story ⇢ Great resources
Simon sees 1Core as a legacy, a solution that started with his daughter’s needs and now impacts families worldwide.
As for the future? Whether it’s evolving into an evergreen company or passing the torch, Simon’s vision for 1Core remains crystal clear:
Create a brighter future for children everywhere.
And that’s a mission worth believing in.
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share Stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses— Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers. Then, I share those insights with you. I would love for you to join us here
Shoot me a DM if you want to share your story or visit this page to submit your information 💌
- h/t 1core Solution, Starter Story ⇢ Great resources
