Success Story: Victorious Christian Kids Academy

Growing Stronger with Every Step: Steady ND SBDC Support on Barnabas Gbeintor’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Fargo – When Barnabas Gbeintor launched a faith-based childcare center during the pandemic, it was more than a business decision. It was a response to a pressing need in his community and across North Dakota. Demand for dependable childcare continued to grow statewide, especially for families seeking a childcare center in Fargo, and Barnabas wanted to create a safe and nurturing space where children could learn, grow, and experience care rooted in faith and compassion.

As the pastor of River of Life Church, Barnabas saw firsthand how many families needed reliable childcare. With that goal in mind, he opened Victorious Christian Kids Academy within the church, creating a program that drew on his years of experience caring for children and supporting their development. The academy quickly filled, and the church-based space could no longer meet demand.

Barnabas first connected with the ND SBDC in October 2022 as he sought guidance on how to strengthen and grow the rapidly expanding academy. Fargo business advisor Chris Erwin helped him prepare to apply for a $20,000 North Dakota Development Fund Childcare loan program, which funded a remodel of the church childcare space and positioned the program for continued growth. As Barnabas pursued additional opportunities, he also worked with the ND SBDC to launch a second venture, Guardian Angel Event Security.

He stayed connected with the ND SBDC as his goals expanded. Early in 2024, he returned for support related to the continued development of both businesses, and later that year, he sought guidance on one of his most significant milestones: preparing VCKA to transition from a group license serving 30 children to a full center license for 86 children.

The transition required facility upgrades, staffing growth, financial restructuring, and a clear plan lenders could trust. The ND SBDC helped him navigate the full expansion process, including projections for a combined $1.365m project and guidance that positioned the academy to secure a $475k Non-Traditional Hours Child Care Grant through the Department of Health and Human Services.

“I had big dreams but very little knowledge about the financial side of growing a business,” Barnabas said. “My advisor was extremely knowledgeable, especially in areas where I had no experience. He took the dreams I shared and turned them into a projection that gave the bank clarity and confidence in our loan application.”

With ND SBDC support and financing from First Community Credit Union, Victorious Christian Kids Academy purchased its own building and expanded its team from four employees to sixteen. The new center now offers care for families who work outside traditional business hours, including nurses, manufacturing employees, and firefighters. Word-of-mouth referrals have become one of the academy’s strongest assets and reflect the trust it has built with parents who rely on consistent, high-quality care.

Barnabas is also passionate about the importance of accessible business support for New Americans. “I have tasted this fruit, and indeed, I am living in its reality,” he said. “The ND SBDC is a vital resource for New Americans such as myself who are moving into North Dakota with big or small dreams of establishing a business.”

His advice to other entrepreneurs is simple. “Absorb every piece of information your advisor shares and apply it. Appreciate every 60 minutes and make it count.”

Today, with strong community ties, dedicated leadership, and years of guidance from the ND SBDC, Victorious Christian Kids Academy continues to grow as a trusted childcare option for families in Fargo and surrounding communities. “Your business is your most precious baby,” Barnabas said. “And this precious baby deserves the best care by acquiring the best resources to grow it effectively.”