Notable Neighbor: Angela Wilson, American Professional Nannies

Who: Angela Wilson

Age: 45

How she started her business: Wilson grew up with two parents who were entrepreneurs. After getting her college degree in business administration, she assisted with her mother’s franchising business. One of the businesses they assisted was a company that matched nannies with clients. So, 21 years ago, Wilson bought a franchise that she opened as American Professional Nannies in Des Moines.

For the first years, American Professional Nannies had an office in the skywalk of Downtown Des Moines. Later, they moved to an office in West Des Moines and now Wilson runs the business out of her home in Waukee.

Why she chose Waukee: Wilson, her husband, Ed, (yes, that Ed Wilson of WHO-13,) and her two kids, ages 13 and 11, have lived in Waukee for seven years. They chose Waukee primarily for the high quality of the school district.

What she loves about living in Waukee: “It has a small-town feel while being in a bigger area,” Wilson said. She likes that it’s part of a larger metro area but still has its own sense of community.

What makes her notable: Wilson said “our business specializes in being committed to families. You get a one-on-one feel.” She remarked that she has felt it important to never let her business grow too big. She likes being able to be very involved in matching families with nannies.

“I personally interview all the nannies,” Wilson said. “It’s a big deal to get the chemistry down.”

Wilson said there are challenges of running a nanny business, noting “there are often unusual situations or tricky schedules.”  Her biggest successes come from when she has felt that she was able to make a challenging situation work out smoothly. She said “we have a great long-term relationship with our families. Our advertising has been all word-of-mouth. We have never had to advertise.”

Why you should get to know her: Wilson feels proud of her commitment to do her best by nannies and families, providing both with a good match. She said “doing a good job is the best endorsement you can have.”

Wilson is happy to talk about different scenarios for a family’s needs. She said “nannies aren’t just for people who have a lot of money. They are way more cost effective than you would think.” She noted the great amount of flexibility and ease on stress for families who choose a nanny for their childcare provider. You can learn more by visiting the website or by calling (515) 254-2240.