Meet Karen Avital of Barefoot Atelier in West Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Avital.

Karen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m an LA local and moved to Israel (literally) the day High School ended. I served in the IDF for 2 years and then attended school of Makeup Artistry. I knew that make-up artistry was a competitive industry to make a living in so I started Grad School at the University of Bar-Ilan studying Behavior Sciences and Business Management. While I was in school, I got hired to work at a Bio-Tech Firm in Yavne (a small town on the outskirts of Tel Aviv). Eight months into the position as a Marketing Rep I got promoted to an International Sales & Marketing Manager. A few years into the position my boyfriend and I searched for further growth opportunities and moved back to the US. I worked at the Biotech beach in San Diego for a very short period however in my heart I knew that I was still searching for more. I continued my education through UCLA at the time. A very special opportunity came knocking on my door to take over a child care facility in W.LA. I had previous years of experience in the field and with a mom that was a preschool teacher for over 30 years I found myself in a very familiar environment.

In 2008, I got married and started working towards opening the center and becoming a Director. I was 28 years old at the time. In 2009, I started building my mission statement and marketing the business I had imagined to own. In 2010, in the midst of a recession, I walked into the center there was trash and bright colored walls all over the place, literally every panel of wood outside was painted in a neon color. I literally had no idea where to start. With some quality mentoring and lots of support from my husband and dad I got started. A month after renovation, the center was licensed and ready to open. The struggle was real. I started off with 5 children on day 1. Each and every day taught me more about what I was doing and the purpose. The community I was building in this magical little place was growing stronger and stronger each and every day. The parents believed in the school and I kept on believing in the children. In 2011, my first was born and the struggle was real. How do I continue focusing on the school and my new family? As a new mother, I was challenged between the two but continued focused and positive that it can be done. In 2013, I flew to a winter institute in Reggio Emilia, Italy for a 9-day workshop and there it hit me, this is my purpose! My neurotransmitters went blasting off like shooting stars.

I finally understood that this was my fate, working with young children and families. From that point on I stayed focused on building a creative and eclectic community for people of all ages to come together. After having my first I decided that the RIE Philosophy would best fit our personal parenting style and family so I started focusing on infants and toddlers. Sharing the knowledge with other parents and educators. In 2014, I gave birth to my second child and was juggling now what I call is ‘my small tribe’. Barefoot (my school) has attracted an authentic audience of people from creative writers, artists, psychologists, therapists, and down to earth mindful mamas. Working with young children has been transformative in so many ways. Seven years later, and the children keep teaching me each and every day some of the best lessons in life -yup, what really matters most; connections, love, smiles, happiness, kindness, gratitude, laughter, humor, serenity and living in the moment. I recently became selected to become to CA Mentor Director and look forward to what that brings in my direction. I look forward to going back to school soon and deepening my experience. Knowledge is powerful, it fills us.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has been bumpy, at the age of 13 my parents declared divorce (it was literally like declaring war). My teenage years were like entering a dark jungle with no way out. I almost didn’t make it through High School and struggled with every aspect of the hormonal changes and life. My dad took custody of me and did his best in raising me while trying to deal with his own personal life changes. The pain was real. I started working at the age of 14 and haven’t stopped since. When I moved to Israel after high school, I joined the IDF 4 months later. Moving to Israel made me realize what life was all about. Community and good people. Thus, I try to build that for the community at my school. While going to school I worked ft., and studied ft. Trying to pay off my debt as I went along. When my boyfriend and I moved back from Israel to LA, it was a struggle again. Juggling became a profession for me at this point. Jobs, school and living expenses were tight. I worked 2 jobs and was going to school before opening my own child care center.

Barefoot Atelier – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Barefoot Atelier is a child care center located in the heart of W.LA. I am the program Director and founder. The school is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, implements RIE principles and the love of Israel. We are known to be an eclectic, creative, funky, down to earth, magical community. I am proud of the kind, creative, open minded, and kind people I get to work with daily. We focus on languages, the arts, mindfulness and fostering an organic journey where children can just be themselves! There is purpose and intention in the context of the learning environments and designing of the school. The children are respected and have the right to voice themselves as competent and resilient citizens of our world.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Becoming a mentor Director for the State of CA and hearing parents feedback on what an influence the school has been on their family. How it has helped them build community and have a deeper understanding for how competent and resilient children are.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1620 Bundy Dr
• Website: www.barefootatelier.com
• Phone: 3102562136
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barefootatelier/
• Facebook: facebook.com/barefootatelierpreschool.com

Image Credit:
http://alexthemistocleous.com