Caroline Wesnitzer is the co-founder of Trusting Connections, one of the most respected nanny agencies in the country serving Tucson, Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth. The company was founded in 2014 in Tucson, and just last year was on track to become a multi-million-dollar company. Learn more about Caroline Wesnitzer…
Hometown: I was born in Memphis and raised in Oro Valley.
First job: I was a neighborhood babysitter starting at the age of 12. When I turned 16, I was a hostess at Uno Chicago Bar and Grill. I think everyone should experience learning solid customer service skills in the service industry. It is definitely something I had to pick up quickly working in a restaurant.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: I love being with my family and spending time outdoors. Arizona has so many beautiful places that I love exploring with my family. For the first year of my daughter’s life, we hiked a mile for every month. In April, we hiked 12 miles, for her one year birthday! We also love cheering on the Arizona Wildcats! #beardown
Person who has impacted your life the most and why: Myself. This isn’t to say that I haven’t had many incredible mentors and supporters throughout my life. I am grateful for the many people who have enriched my journey. But, I have really spent a lot of time carving my own path and that’s something I am really proud of.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes and why: Creating Trusting Connections with my business partner. When we first started the concept at 24, many people, including family, did not take us very seriously. It’s been incredible to see how far we have come the last nine years with now three locations. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish in the next five years.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: Overcoming my natural shy tendencies as a leader. I started as a girl who couldn’t even ask where the restroom was in public to now participating in speaking engagements at conferences and managing employee meetings with 100-plus people.
Someone who inspires you and why: Sara Blakely [the founder of Spanx]. She is such an amazing entrepreneur who really started with nothing and hustled her way to becoming one of the wealthiest female entrepreneurs in the world.
Favorite quote: “Just keep swimming”—Dory from Finding Nemo
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Just because you are a great nanny doesn’t mean you will be a great nanny agency owner. Being a business owner takes a lot of tenacity and grit and is not for everyone. So really know that this is something you want to do before pursuing it.
What you think makes someone fabulous: Someone that is passionate about life and passionate about what they do.