Vernon's Books
Explore Vernon H. Mason Jr.'s insightful, practical, and inspiring collection, a must-read for early childhood leaders, directors, and administrators seeking growth, resilience, and high-impact strategies.
A laugh-out-loud memoir with lessons that last a lifetime.
Don't Waste a Crisis!
Turning Challenges into Catalysts for Success and Gratitude With Exceptional Mediocrity
Part comedy, part entrepreneurial playbook, Don’t Waste a Crisis is Vernon Mason Jr.’s unforgettable story of resilience, reinvention, and the wild ride of building a childcare empire.
From his small-town beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized voice in early childhood leadership, Vernon’s journey is packed with hilarious missteps, jaw-dropping moments, and deeply human truths. He takes you behind the scenes of childcare ownership—the tantrums, the financial rollercoasters, the staff drama, and yes… even the kids who overshare about their parents’ after-hours hobbies.
When Hurricane Floyd floods his center, Vernon turns devastation into triumph, relocating an entire school in just four days. In a moving and candid chapter, he shares what it was like to come out as gay in the conservative South, bringing both humor and heart to a deeply personal story.
With wit, warmth, and wisdom, Vernon shows how every crisis can spark creativity, clarity, and growth. You’ll laugh until your sides hurt, but you’ll also walk away with practical insights on leadership, business, and life.
Why read this book?
For the entrepreneur: Real talk about resilience, reinvention, and scaling with heart.
For the childcare leader: Relatable stories, cautionary tales, and proven strategies.
For the reader who loves a good laugh: Comedy gold wrapped in wisdom.
Don’t Waste a Crisis is more than a memoir, it’s proof that even the messiest challenges can become the foundation for extraordinary success.
Keeping great staff is one of the hardest, most important jobs of any leader.
Don't Go!
A Practical Guide for Tackling Employee Turnover
In Don’t Go!, Vernon Mason Jr. tackles one of the biggest challenges in early education and small business leadership: employee turnover. With humor, honesty, and decades of real-world experience, he delivers practical strategies to help leaders not just hire well, but keep their best people thriving and committed.
Packed with simple, actionable solutions, this book gives you the tools to:
Create a workplace culture where employees feel valued and supported
Recognize and reward great performance without breaking the budget
Navigate tough conversations with honesty and respect
Build loyalty and reduce the constant cycle of hiring and training
Vernon’s stories will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and sometimes even cringe at the reality of staff dynamics, but his advice is always grounded, doable, and effective.
Whether you’re a childcare owner, director, or leader in any people-driven field, Don’t Go! is your essential playbook for reducing turnover, building stronger teams, and leading with heart.
When an employee isn’t working out, your response defines your leadership.
Get Out! But Before You Go…
Practical Steps to Turn Your Zero into a Hero or Set Them Free
In Get Out! But Before You Go…, Vernon Mason Jr. offers a straightforward, compassionate guide for handling underperforming staff. Drawing from decades of leading childcare centers and teams, he provides the tools leaders need to make the toughest calls with clarity and confidence.
Inside you’ll discover how to:
Identify whether an employee needs coaching, encouragement, or a graceful exit
Create performance plans that inspire growth and accountability
Have hard conversations with confidence, kindness, and professionalism
Protect your culture, your business, and your peace of mind
With a mix of humor, practical tools, and real-life examples, Vernon equips leaders to transform a struggling “zero” into a thriving “hero”, or to part ways respectfully when it’s time to let someone go.
This isn’t just a book about tough decisions. It’s a roadmap to stronger teams, healthier workplaces, and more confident leadership.