Today we’d like to introduce you to Billy Coach Jr.
Hi Billy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Meet Billy Ray Coach Jr.: From Humble Beginnings to Childcare Advocate
Born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and raised in Radcliff and Knoxville, Tennessee, Billy Ray Coach Jr. exemplifies perseverance and community service. A proud alumnus of Western Kentucky University, he became one of the founding members of an Iota Phi Theta fraternity chapter, laying the groundwork for a life dedicated to leadership and mentorship.
After college, Billy moved to Arizona and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a logistics specialist. Following his military service, he channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into opening Totally 4 Kids, a daycare center that thrived until September 2024, earning accolades as one of the Best Daycares in Central Texas for four consecutive years.
In September 2024, he proudly launched Central Texas Children’s Academy in Killeen, Texas, where he advocates for quality childcare. His passion for empowering families and childcare providers led to the creation of Daycaretopia—a comprehensive resource not only for parents but also for childcare centers. This innovative platform features his new book, Daycaretopia: Billy’s Daycare Adventure, as well as a parent help line, blogs, book recommendations, and a charity supporting childcare centers.
Billy also founded WeCare America Inc. (WCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing lives through strategic support in childcare, employment, and homelessness. WCA’s mission includes:
Increasing Teacher Compensation:** Ensuring higher pay for educators to attract and retain dedicated staff, thereby improving educational quality.
Expanding Childcare Access:** Providing affordable childcare options to make quality care accessible to all families, regardless of financial status.
Creating Job Opportunities:** Generating sustainable employment and volunteer opportunities to help individuals secure meaningful work.
Incentives for Daycare Employees:** Rewarding childcare center employees chosen as employee of the week, month, quarter, and year.
WCA also offers a provider portal with valuable quick links and a newsletter, focusing on equipping underserved individuals with skills to secure stable employment. Through the development of community-funded daycare centers, WCA aims to ease the burden on working families while delivering high-quality care and education, making a lasting impact on the childcare industry and fostering resilient communities.
Recognized in Marquis Who’s Who for his accomplishments, Billy is dedicated to philanthropy and empowerment. His mantra? “Believe in yourself. You are great!”
Beyond childcare, Billy is a dynamic entrepreneur with ventures like Bodied By Billy, a fitness coaching business that provides an app for tracking progress, meal plans, and more. As a certified fitness instructor, he inspires hundreds on their wellness journeys each year. Additionally, he works as a travel agent at Vacation-Creators.com, specializing in luxury travel experiences.
Stay connected with Billy on Instagram at @IamBillyCoach and follow his journey as he continues to positively impact the lives of children, families, and communities.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My life has never been easy, I come from humble beginnings. Just my mom in the home taking care of 3 kids. I had to step up at a young age and help take care of my brother and sister. I started working young cutting grass for my uncles lawn care business at 13 years old and before that cutting grass in my neighborhood with my families lawn mower. As a college student life was pretty smooth sailing for me. As a childcare owner my journey has certainly had its challenges. When we initially took over a Christian daycare, we faced a significant hurdle: only five children remained enrolled, which was not nearly enough to cover our operating costs. However, through strategic marketing and a strong commitment to improving childcare quality, we successfully filled our facility and even relocated from Harker Heights to Killeen, Texas. The grand reopening was a wonderful success, and for a time, our daycare thrived.
Unfortunately, the arrival of COVID-19 brought unprecedented challenges. We lost half of our enrollment almost overnight, and despite the financial strain, we remained committed to our staff and families, keeping our doors open. While many daycares struggled or closed, I’m proud that we persevered, even though it took time to regain our footing.
Staffing has also been a persistent challenge in the childcare industry. Attracting and retaining the best caregivers requires competitive pay, which can impact our profitability. We’ve developed systems to address these staffing issues, but it’s been a constant struggle. Additionally, navigating relationships with parents can be complex, and we’ve had to manage various concerns along the way.
Overall, while the road has been far from smooth, each challenge has taught us valuable lessons and strengthened our resolve to provide excellent care for our children.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a daycare owner, my primary focus is on creating a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where children can thrive. I oversee daily operations, ensuring our programs promote social, emotional, and cognitive development. I’m proud to be known for my commitment to high-quality childcare and for fostering a strong sense of community among our families.
I’ve been recognized by the Killeen Daily Herald and Marquis Who’s Who for my success in the childcare industry, which underscores the impact I’ve made in our community. Additionally, I authored “Daycaretopia: Billy’s Daycare Adventure,” an inspiring children’s book aimed at families with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. This project is particularly close to my heart, as it reflects my dedication to early childhood education.
Beyond my work in daycare, I also embrace a diverse range of interests as a personal trainer, model, and travel agent. These roles enrich my life and allow me to bring a unique perspective to my daycare, emphasizing the importance of health, creativity, and exploration.
Ultimately, I am known for my resilience in overcoming challenges, my passion for improving childcare, and my dedication to creating a positive experience for both children and their families.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am inspired by YouTube. There are so many creative people in this world who have learn so many life lessons and I feel like YouTube puts all of their experiences and lessons right in front of us all to learn and grow from. I am avid reader though lately it’s. Even more audiobooks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daycaretopia.com
- Instagram: Iambillycoach
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15m3S25KgE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://wecareamerica.us
