Coni Ensor Goudie has seen many changes over her years as a Gymboree Play & Music franchisee, including updates to the play equipment and face lifts for our mascot, Gymbo the Clown. But what hasn’t changed is her love and enthusiasm for the business.
Coni was a young mom with a toddler back in 1983 when she happened upon an article about a children’s program in Newsweek magazine. When she discovered that the only location on the East Coast was in New York, she decided that she had to bring the program to Miami. During her first year of owning the business, she had a second child, making the flexibility of owning her own business even more important for her family.
Coni expected to run the business until her children outgrew it but, 39 years later, she has the most seniority of all our owners and her “toddler” works in the business with her.
“Gymboree has meant many things to me over the years. It afforded me the independence I needed in being a divorced mom with two kids to make the special teacher meetings and school plays. But, as the business owner, the final responsibility fell on my shoulders if a teacher called out sick, which set an example for my children about work ethic. To this day I cannot go anywhere or meet anyone in the Miami area that does not know about Gymboree, and that is because of what I built. I am overwhelmed with the pride that gives me.”
Coni has made sure to give back to the community that supports her business, setting up charitable programs and working with area hospitals.
“Getting to meet the moms and children and help them interact with their children through the program is certainly rewarding, as well as watching them grow and develop through the different stages of the classes. Some of my best friends to this day I met at Gymboree.”
Our programs support early learning from birth to kindergarten, while creating friendships and community within our locations. Come see what you’ve been missing! Gymboree Play & Music
