Gymboree Play and Music® Offers Interactive and Developmental Learning for Children

September 15, 2003, was a special day for Maria Luisa Garcia, better known as Lila.  After much hard work and dedication, Lila finally opened the doors to Gymboree Play and Music®, a franchisee of Gymboree Play & Music Programs, Inc.

Lila first learned of Gymboree Play & Music Programs in Pennsylvania, when her children were initially exposed to its novel type of learning. Eager to develop a local franchise and needing some capital, Lila encountered, but overcame several roadblocks with lending institutions.  They simply did not believe her business idea would work. 

Now, the proud director and owner of the new center notes that her business has tripled previous projections.  With the guidance and expertise of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a component of CoSERVE, Lila developed a business plan and eventually convinced a local lender to assist her in fulfilling her goal of entrepreneurship.

Lila is also pleased to have received her corporate training and certification from Gymboree University to lend credibility to the center.  The new business is not just a career success, however, but a personal achievement as well.  Lila loves helping parents and their children interact.  Parents and their children up to 4 years of age can enjoy various types of interactive, learning programs where children develop physically and mentally through play, art, and music. 

Quite joyful about her new enterprise, Lila remains focused and never forgets to give her customers what they need.  She is especially thrilled when her services make a difference in children’s lives.  “Some children can not even crawl or walk when they come here, and then they start crawling and some have even stood up!” she exclaims.

With a positive attitude, strong faith, and support from her family, Lila plans to expand her existing business and perhaps open one more center in the Rio Grande Valley.  To other entrepreneurs wanting to fulfill their dreams, she has words of encouragement.  “Go for it! Fight for your goals. Keep on going until you make your dreams come true!”

Gymboree Play and Music® is located at 5103 North 10th Street, McAllen, Texas. For more information on her business, Lila Garcia can be reached at (956) 971-0114.  For further information on the services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), please call the SBDC at (956) 292-7535.  SBDC staff will be more than glad to answer any questions you have on starting and/or expanding a business venture.