Molly Bidman

Family First Nannies is a nanny placement agency that works with clients to find the right fit for their family. Using a multipoint screening process, owner Molly Bidman ensures that only top-quality, qualified candidates make it to the final round of interviews. As a mom and a former nanny for more than a decade, Molly’s goal is to help other new parents who are overwhelmed with the search for in-home child care. She started Family First Nannies in 2023.

Tell us about your business.

We offer nanny placement services ranging from full-service to basic. We help families that are overwhelmed by the search. Parenting is already a busy job, and adding trying to find a nanny—knowing what questions to ask, how to verify their experience, what really matters when finding the right fit—can be a lot. We are here to make the search stress-free.

How did your background lead to the opening of Family First Nannies?

I grew up in Wisconsin and graduated with bachelor’s degrees in music and Spanish education. After working in public education for a couple of years, I moved to California and began working as a nanny. My husband and I welcomed our son in 2022, and the dream to expand our community and help other new parents find support was born with Family First Nannies.

What inspired you to pursue this career? 

I have always loved children, since I was a little girl. I always dreamed of working with kids, having my own children and finding ways to support children in the community.  Education and nannying was a very natural path for me to take. Operating Family First Nannies builds on that passion while allowing me to connect with the larger community.

In what ways do you stand out in your market? 

Having the experience in education—as a nanny and as a mom—gives me a distinct perspective on the nanny search. I know what questions to ask families, what questions to ask nannies and how to find the sweet spot with personalities to make sure everyone is happy. Having grown up in a small Midwest town, I have a deep love of community. Growing that community through ongoing connections with families and nannies is very important to me. 

Multitask or single focus? 

I’m a mom, so multitasking is a mandatory job description! I thrive when I am busy and have loved launching this agency with my son by my side.  

Speak about the importance of community to your business.

Community is everything to our family. Having no personal family in California, we have had to build our community. Family First Nannies was imagined around growing that community even more. There is nothing greater in life than the connections we make with others, and I look forward to expanding those connections as this business and our own family grows in the South Bay.

What words of wisdom do you have for other women entrepreneurs?

It is no secret that there are dozens of other nanny placement agencies in Los Angeles. Breaking into the agency world has been a fun challenge! I have tried to focus on staying small and connecting with my clients and nannies to give a truly boutique experience throughout the entire process. I would tell other women looking to start their own businesses to keep pushing forward. There are highs and lows, and it takes time to truly build a network of clients. But the connections you make are worth it, and if you have the passion to keep showing up, the growth will happen!

In what ways does authenticity play into your business model?  

Having a little one at home allows me to truly understand the day-to-day needs of my clients. Add to that my experience as an educator and nanny with children of all ages, and it allows me to bring real-life experiences to the nanny placement process. I’m not just listening to what you need—I understand it.

Whom do you credit for your success? 

I could not have done this without the support of my husband and the examples that our parents have set for us. Hard work was something I learned early on in life as my mother went back to school to pursue a career in medicine with four kids at home and my father working as a teacher. They taught us that truly anything is possible if you are willing to put in the work to make your dreams a reality.

Tell us about your family.  

I met my husband in 2014, we were married in 2019 and welcomed our yellow lab, Freja, and our son, Jensen, in 2022. We have lived in the South Bay since 2014 and have truly fallen in love with this area! We met in the South Bay and have stayed here ever since. We love to get out and explore the community as a family, but with a 2-year-old puppy and little boy, most of our time is spent at Polliwog Park and the Green Belt.