By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A child care center in Hays that opened just before the COVID-19 pandemic is now recognized as one of Kansas’ top rural small businesses.
The U.S. Small Business Administration presented Andrea and Nick Felder, co-founders of Bright Minds Academy LLC, with a National Small Business Week award on Friday. The SBA honors outstanding small businesses that started and grew with the help of SBA-backed financing or technical assistance.
Bright Minds Academy was nominated for the 2026 Kansas Rural Small Business of the Year Award by Frontier Financial Partners.
Wayne Bell, SBA district director, introduced several speakers before presenting the Felders with the award, including Hays Mayor Mason Ruder, James Robben of Grow Hays and a representative from U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall’s office.
“We're wrapping up National Small Business Week here today. It's a really neat period that gives us all an opportunity to celebrate the many entrepreneurs and job creators from communities like Hays,” Bell said.
Bright Minds Academy is a multi-center child care program serving infants through 5-year-olds. The child care center has served the area for six years, employs 100 staff members and is licensed to care for 329 children.
Andrea said she and Nick were honored to receive the award, noting how challenging it was to get Bright Minds Academy off the ground. She credited Bank of Hays, the SBA and other community partners for helping them grow.
“There's not much margin in child care, so you kind of have to rely on partnerships in your community to be able to grow the way we have. We thank all of you guys for allowing us to do that,” she said.
Ruder congratulated the Felders, calling child care providers “the workforce behind the workforce.” He said economic growth in Hays depends on men and women being able to work while knowing their children are cared for. Ruder signed a proclamation declaring May 3 to 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week in Hays.
“We're lucky to have [child care providers] in our community and their continued investment into growing an organization, taking care of way more children than I ever would want to do,” Ruder said. “Thank you for your patience in handling our children.”
Robben said Grow Hays has worked with Nick and Andrea from the beginning, helping them expand to multiple locations. His daughters attend Bright Minds Academy.
“I've not only seen them grow from one to two locations, but to three. This award, Small Business of the Year, doesn't come lightly. It's very well deserved,” Robben said.
Field representative Odalis Jimenez read a statement from Marshall. She said Marshall submitted the recognition to the Congressional Record, meaning it will be permanently documented in American history.
“Their mission to provide high-quality care and education ensures that Kansas children have a strong foundation for success in the future,” Marshall’s statement said.
Nick said that to make their dream a reality, the couple sold their house and moved into a small apartment to help fund the startup. He also credited Bright Minds Academy Director Kayla North for the center’s growth.
“Beyond that, it's the support of the people, the community, parents and teachers that we have. Nothing's possible without all of you and all the kids that keep us going,” Nick said.
“And all the kids that keep us going,” Andrea added.
Bell noted the child care center opened in January 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation. He said the academy’s growth shows the resilience Nick and Andrea had as they went on to serve hundreds of area children.
Bright Minds Academy is one of four programs selected for an opportunity at national accreditation through the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation.
You can learn more about Bright Minds Academy on its website.
