Entrepreneur to Watch: Natacha Beim of CEFA

Natacha Beim is a renowned writer, speaker, educational leader and founder and CEO of Core Education & Fine Arts – North America’s first junior kindergarten school. As a pioneer in the field of modern education, Beim strongly believes in the power of a well-rounded education. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two sons where she divides her time between research, writing, speaking engagements and her most important accomplishment to date – being a mom.

What were you doing before you opened your business?

I was a teacher, a writer and a reporter

What inspired you to start your company?

As a teacher, I believed in a better program for young children. I searched for where I would like to work and since I did not find what i was looking for, I approached the government to inquire about their plans to implement a junior kindergarten program.

I still didn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to open my own school-the way I believed a program should be. The school and the program became so popular amongst parents and teachers, they started to open their own CEFA schools under a franchise model which I started and still run today.

What is your company all about?

It is all about giving young children an excellent start at the peak developmental period of their lives. Just as importantly, we show them how valuable they are in our society and teach them to contribute with wisdom and empathy.

What’s your vision for your company?

We want to make Canada world-renowned for its junior kindergarten programs.

What excites you about what you’re doing?

It excites me to see how well it is working and how inspired these young children are!

But everything about what I do is exciting. We develop toys and games to implement with our curriculum, we train teachers who are eager to give back to their communities, we get involved with charitable projects, we are constantly researching and growing based on what we find.

It is definitely a fast-paced company!

What are some early examples of success?

Every single child emerging from our program is a clear example of success (including my own two!)

Also, I won top 40 under 40 entrepreneurs, West Vancouver’s best business (nominated – we’ll win it next year!) and was nominated for woman of distinction award.

Are there any charities or organizations you’re involved in?

Together with the children, we decide what to focus on (based on what they are concerned about). We have greatly helped the Red Cross on several occasions, B.C. Children’s Hospital, food banks (each and every month), clothing banks, breast cancer research (also every year), and have contributed immensely after world disasters such as Japan, Thailand, Haiti.

As well, we are dedicated to opening schools in developing countries, working with organizations such as Imagine One Day and Room to Read. Our children and staff often gather to re-paint and clean schools in the poorest areas of B.C., and donate school supplies and books.

I also personally help women get out of poverty and start their lives over, also through organizations and volunteering.