What began as a childhood dream has grown into reality: “Casuta Feliciei”, a cozy private kindergarten in Chisinau, founded by young entrepreneur Felicia Zubic, a Microinvest client. Today, children play, sing, draw, dance, learn foreign languages, and grow in an environment filled with care and love. While the little ones explore the world in a safe and nurturing setting, their parents can rest easily knowing their children are in good hands.
In this interview, Felicia shares the story behind her decision to open her own kindergarten, the journey of bringing her vision to life, the challenges she faced along the way, and how Microinvest supported her in making it all possible.
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Felicia, what inspired you to open a kindergarten?
It all started with a childhood dream. My mother was an educator, and I watched her dedicate herself wholeheartedly to nurturing children. Growing up in that environment, I naturally developed a deep admiration for her work. From an early age, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps – to offer children the same warmth, care, and a place they’d be excited to return to every single day. After spending more than a decade working as an administrator in early childhood education, I felt the time had come to take a leap and bring my vision to life. That’s how “Casuta Feliciei” came to be.
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What challenges did you face in the beginning? What was the most difficult part of opening a private kindergarten?
The biggest challenge was that every stage – from concept to opening – demanded immense dedication, resources, and patience. It all started with a long and difficult search for the right location. Then came the interior design, renovation work, and purchasing materials – many of which we had to order from abroad. I wanted to create something truly special, and every detail was carefully thought out, down on the hand-painted walls.
But as often happens, just as we were nearing completion, it became clear that our personal savings wouldn’t be enough to finish the project. It was a critical moment, and everything could have come to a halt. That’s when Microinvest stepped in. Their timely financial support allowed us to finish what we had started, and on September 16, 2024, we officially opened the doors to “Casuta Feliciei”. For me, it wasn’t just the launch of a business, it was the realization of a lifelong dream.
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What does a typical day at “Casuta Feliciei” look like? What kind of activities do you offer for the children?
Each day at “Casuta Feliciei” is dynamic, engaging, and filled with warmth. We focus on creating an environment where children feel comfortable, inspired, and encouraged to grow. Beyond our core educational curriculum, we offer a wide range of enrichment activities designed to support holistic development – from foreign language lessons and dance classes to individual speech therapy sessions, digital drawing, and creative workshops.
We’re especially mindful when it comes to nutrition. Our meals are balanced, varied, and carefully adapted to each child’s dietary needs. One of the highlights of our kindergarten is the spacious outdoor playground, nestled in a natural setting. It gives the children plenty of time to play in the fresh air, in a safe and stimulating environment.
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Tell us about your team. Was it difficult to find people who shared your vision?
Building the right team was undoubtedly one of the most important and delicate parts of the process. For me, it wasn’t just about hiring people with experience – it was essential to find individuals who genuinely love working with children and approach their role with heart and soul. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible. Today, the “Casuta Feliciei” team is made up entirely of dedicated professionals with solid backgrounds in early childhood education. These are people you can truly trust with what matters most: the safety, growth, and well-being of every child. Each educator on our team shares our core values and shows genuine care and affection for the children every single day.
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How would you describe your experience working with Microinvest?
As I mentioned earlier, Microinvest stepped in at a moment when support was truly critical. The company was recommended to me by fellow entrepreneurs who had already had a positive experience – and that immediately built trust. I quickly connected with my loan officer – she was approachable, transparent, and took the time to clearly explain everything. Together, we found the financing solution that fit our needs perfectly. The entire process was fast and efficient, which allowed us to keep the project moving without delay. I wholeheartedly recommend the Microinvest team. And I’ll say this: you shouldn’t put your dreams on hold – you should bring them to life.
*Microinvest is the only financial organization in Moldova that holds the international GOLD certificate in the field of customer protection. This signifies a responsible and transparent lending process, fair and transparent financing, and a constructive approach to any request.
