FRANCHISING FEATURE CHILDRENS PRODUCT AND SERVICES

FranchisingFeature Children’s products & services

big business

Children’s products and services

why now is the best time to start a franchise why you should

consider multipleconcept franchising

au g u st 2020

feat ure : ch i l dr en’s products & serv ices

what’s new!

Abrakadoodle Mobile Art Programs Shift Imaginations into High Gear

Art benefits all kids with its ability to accelerate learning and build visual connections, and thanks to Abrakadoodle’s mobile art education program, schools don’t have to put the brakes on creativity education due to lack of staffing, supplies or travel constraints.

Abrakadoodle delivers award-winning, creative solutions with well-trained art teachers, abundant art materials and supplies, as well as comprehensive lesson plans. During this Covid-19 era, Abrakadoodle rapidly responded with a whole new online ‘model’ of learning programs.

Depending upon the area and circumstances for Abrakadoodle franchise owners, they can avail themselves of complete online learning programs with art kits and materials that can be dropped off or mailed to students. Owners received instruction in Zoom learning and many

franchisees now provide online classes, camps and parties.

From preschools and public elementary, charter and private schools to parks

programs, community centers and other sites, Abrakadoodle franchise owners/

educational directors enjoy the relational

aspects of this moveable concept and cite

the strong desire to make a positive impact

in their respective communities. With an HQ team that supports franchise owners in all business aspects, franchise owners can build a strong community presence.

Abrakadoodle sets up, cleans up and leaves behind confident, happy kids with their own original art to enjoy.

Visit: www.abrakadoodle.com

The Dan Collins Scholarship 2020 Award Announces Three Winning Students For a third year, NaturaLawn® of America offered high school seniors and college undergraduates across the country the opportunity to win scholarship money towards their higher education by entering an essay contest.

The scholarship,named The Dan Collins Scholarship Award, was established in 2017 in memory of former franchise owner, Dan Collins, who passed away from cancer in 2005. The scholarship currently offers three award prizes: $4,000 for the grandprize, $1,000 for the first runner-up, and $500 for the second runner-up. This year’s winners are Derrick W. Webb, Carlton Avery Robinson, and Lily Sweet King, respectively.

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The Grand-Prizewinner is Derrick W. Webb, from Alabama. Derrick currently attends Dillard University in New Orleans.

He is a Pre-Med student with a minor in Chemistry.

First runner-up, Carlton Avery Robinson, a high school graduate, is planning on majoring in Bioengineering at the University of Louisville.

Lily Sweet King, from Florida, is the second runner-up. She is a freshman at the University of Mississippi, majoring in Journalism and New Media.

“We would like to sincerely thank all the young adults who took the time to apply for The Dan Collins Scholarship,”said Phil Catron, NaturaLawn President, and

Founder. “…Dan Collins’ family will be pleased knowing his legacy continues to impact so many.

For more information, please visit us on the web at www.NaturaLawn.com

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our students remain our number one priority,” said founder Hansel Lynn. “We know the positive impact learning to code can have on students and families, which is why we were quick to offer AppStream and are permanently keeping virtual coding classes in our business model with the goal of giving kids the opportunity to learn valuable skills while allowing them to create their projects and become self-starters.”

National Kid’s Coding School Franchise Unveils Affordable Subscription Service theCoderSchool – whose motto is “Learn to code. Change the world.” – is unveiling an affordable subscription service giving parents another option to help keep kids engaged and learning during the pandemic. theCoderSchool’s new AppStream provides a video lesson presented by a Code Coach from one of the brand’s nationwide locations every Tuesday morning.

AppStream is a great way to expose

beginners aged 6-11 to coding basics with video lessons. Each week there is a brand new video with an experienced coder who will guide your kids to create a mini-app on their own.

In addition to AppStream program, theCoderSchool implemented personalized virtual coding lessons at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure the tech leaders of the future weren’t missing a beat, while locations were temporarily closed.

theCoderSchool transformed their business model due to the COVID-19 pandemic to support remote coding lessons and the company is moving forward with opening new locations as they keep up with the demand from parents around the country.

As summer draws closer and parts of America reopen, additional locations are planning to add in-person classes and day camps for students too. theCoderSchool is prioritizing safety over everything else and have implemented protocols to protect all campers and employees.

Visit www.thecoderschool.com

CELEBREE SCHOOL WELCOMES MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE IN VIRGINIA Faculty and staff at Celebree School believe success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection that extends beyond the classroom and into the homes and neighborhoods of the students. The Celebree approach is not simply about educating the “whole child” but the “whole family.”

Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education with 43 open or under development school locations in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, has awarded Josephine and Edward Johnson two franchises.

They will own and operate Celebree School locations in Loudoun County, Arlington or Fairfax, Virginia.

As first time business owners, the unwavering support they received from the Celebree team helped solidify their decision to franchise with the company.

“The Celebree School franchise model seemed like the ideal way to help us succeed with our goal of owning a business and getting to market quickly, said Josephine Johnson, an economist who previously worked as a teacher in Kenya. “The pros of going with a franchise far outweighed trying to open a business on our own.”

“As parents, we saw firsthand the vital role preschool played in our son’s life and we want to have that type of impact on other families,” said Josephine Johnson.

As franchisees, the Johnson family is investing in their financial future and their local community.

“From the moment we met Josephine and Edward, our entire leadership team knew we were destined to work together,” said Richard Huffman, founder and CEO of Celebree. “Their passion for community and education mixed with the drive to succeed is precisely what we look for when awarding franchises.”

For more information on franchise opportunities, visit the website www.celebree.com or contact Jim DiRugeris, Chief Development Officer, at jdirugeris@celebree.com or 443-391-6533.

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what’s new!

Peterbrooke Chocolatier Offers Summer Day Camp Options

Peterbrooke Chocolatier (Peterbrooke), the premiere Florida-based confectioner, announced today that it will help busy parents by offering its popular summertime day camps for kids of all ages in select stores.

Adhering to local and state health guidelines, camp sizes will be limited in the number of children attending based on spacing in each respective shop and some shops will offer virtual camps as an alternative to in-shop camps.

Peterbrooke’s summer camp this year will feature an “It’s Out of This World” theme that lets kids have a blast learning to make outer space confections.

Camp times and activities vary by location, so interested parties should phone their neighborhood Peterbrooke. Similarly, ages for campers vary by shop, with some beginning as young as 6 years old,

while other shops require children to be at least 8. One shop in Fernandina Beach is offering a special Mommy and Me opportunity for children between ages 2 and 6 with an accompanying adult.

“We are so happy to be able to host our camps again this summer,” said Peterbrooke Chocolatier Chief Operating Officer Jeff Smith. “Over the years, kids and parents have really looked forward to crafting chocolate in our neighborhood shops when school lets out. Especially this year, in light of everything we’re going through, we wanted to offer local families a fun, educational and delicious day camp. Each shop owner and manager is significantly limiting camp sizes while going above and beyond local and state health guidelines to ensure the safest experience possible while making sure everyone still has fun.”

For more information about summer camp, activities and costs, interested families should call their local Peterbrooke shop. Contact information can be found at peterbrooke.com

Tommy’s Express Car Wash Announces Scholarship Award Winners leaders and receive $1,000 for the current academic year. Previous winners may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements and choose to apply.

National car wash brand Tommy’s

Hudsonville, MI, and Tyler English of

Express has announced the winners of

Wichita, KS.

its first annual TEACHES (Tommy’s

The TEACHES scholarship program helps

Express Assistance with College and Higher Education Scholarship) Award.

This year’s scholarships were awarded

to Eli Shaner of Fremont, NE, Phylicia

Talbott of Macon, GA, Robert Parker of

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Tommy’s Express team members who want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate

degree at an accredited two- or four-year

college or vocational school of their choice.

Award recipients are chosen by their site

TEACHES was launched in 2019 and is part of the charitable arm of Tommy’s Express. “Integrity, high standards, entrepreneurial spirit, good citizenship, and education are the values that have defined Tommy’s since my grandfather Jun Essenburg started the business over 50 years ago”, said Ryan Essenburg, President and CIO of Tommy’s Express.

“Those same values are at the core of the TEACHES program, which will continue to build on that legacy and commitment to education. www.tommycarwash.com

Celebrity-Favorite The Whimsy Cookie Company Partners with Memphis Businesses to Bring New Items to the Menu

Huntington Learning Center Helps Families Fight the Summer Slide Every summer break students face a risk of significant learning loss. Studies show that on average, students lose up to 30% of their previous year’s reading progress and 50% of their previous year’s math progress.

With COVID-19 interrupting traditional classroom learning, students are dealing with a risk of academic decline that is compounded by social and emotional stressors. Therefore, it’s extremely important that we invest in our children’s education over the summer, which can be fun and engaging with Huntington’s help.

In response to the pandemic forcing school closures earlier this year, Huntington launched a virtual, live and individualized tutoring and test prep platform called HuntingtonHelps LIVE, enabling us to keep our doors open online, even if our brick-andmortar centers closed temporarily due to state mandates. Since the platform’s launch in March, Huntington’s certified teachers and accredited programs have provided hundreds of thousands of hours of personalized online tutoring to students across the country.

In an effort to further support families this summer, Huntington now offers free supplemental learning resources online. Families can enjoy programs like Huntington’s Reading Adventure and weekly Reading Live sessions on Youtube, as well as our free weekly webinars covering topics like how to build skills outside the classroom, how to write a great college essay, how to support your child’s mental health during the pandemic, and how to navigate the challenges of remote learning for students with ADHD and other learning disabilities.

To learn more about how Huntington can help your family, visit HuntingtonHelps.com

The Whimsy Cookie Company, known for its secret sugar cookie recipe, is now adding coffee and caramel to their menu.

Whimsy, alongside Memphis based J. Brooks Coffee Roasters have developed two roasts exclusive to the cookie company.

In addition, the cookie franchise is partnering with Memphis famed Shotwell Candy Co. in an effort to propel all the brands forward across the USA. Whimsy will be selling their two blends by the cup and in 12 oz. ground coffee bags in stores and online. The blends include Morning Whimsy, a light breakfast blend that has bright, citrus notes in a velvety body, and Magic Roast, a medium bean with pleasant stone fruit notes and a smooth milk chocolate finish. Both blends consisting of 100% specialty beans from Costa Rica and Peru.

“As a quality coffee roaster in the same hometown as Whimsy’s headquarters, we know our product will help Whimsy fans enjoy their treats even more,” Said John Pitman.

Shotwell Candy Co, known for its addicting and gourmet caramel and toffee candies, is a national award-winning and acclaimed Memphis business.

“One of the most important things to our brand is staying true to who we are, and we’re excited to partner with Whimsy because they also reflect these values,” said Shotwell founder Jerrod Smith. “They are dedicated to their products and devoted to their customers, and this is a great opportunity for us to work together with one common goal.”

Capturing the hearts of all who take a bite of their famous cookies, Whimsy has become well-loved by people nationwide.

Visit whimsycookieco.com

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G i n a G i l l Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A

big business Children’s products and services

One of the most powerful consumer markets in America is those who are under the age of eighteen.

Surprisingly, youth, who do not possess any income, have enormous buying power.

Parents want the absolute best for their children and are willing to pay for top of the line products and services to get them what they need, and want.

For example, baby care products alone have a worldwide market of over 73 billion US dollars - and they are only a small portion of the children’s industry (source).

The wide range of children products begins with babies’ clothes and diapers and continues into video games, sporting goods, diapers, daycare services and beyond.

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While some children’s products and services require strict protocols and safety measures, a franchise would provide up to date standards to follow and ensure all franchisees create a safe and reputable business. Ensure that a franchisee will provide guidelines and support before investing.

Another bonus to franchises in the children’s market is the branding and reputational factor. Franchises carry well-recognized products to appeal to all consumers and have already established an outward-facing reputation that is well recognized and trusted.

Pregnancy and baby products and services The economic buying power of children starts before they even enter the world.

Pregnancy products and services are a huge market and one that is wellestablished in the franchising industry.

Women are invested in a healthy and

“Franchises carry well-recognized products to appeal to all consumers and have already established an outward-facing reputation that is well recognized and trusted.” comfortable pregnancy more than ever before - which includes maternity clothing, creams, pillows, books and many other products. At the same time, there are also pregnancy and ovulation kits to determine and plan for pregnancy and even services that help pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant. The pregnancy care market is estimated to reach over $34 million US by 2026 - that is an expected growth of 5.5 percent (source). This is another form of business in which the consumers are willing to drop big bucks for great results.

They want to ensure that they provide the best space for mother and child during this short period in their life. Something that personal can not only pull on the heartstrings but also have a significant effect on the purse strings as well.

There is one birth every eight seconds in the US, and in 2018, children aged four

and under accounted for 27 percent of the population. That is a lot of customers to consider. When parents are willing to put their kids’ needs above their own, it’s a good chance; it’s also where they are putting their money.

The baby product industry is huge the range of options to choose from is enormous, but selling all of them in one place is also a consideration. You would be competing with other industries, including supermarkets and small businesses. Take note of what services a franchise offers within their store, ask what products are being offered and whether or not other products are being sold within the franchise.

Baby services include daycares, birthday parties, baby groups and recreational activities and more. Nowadays, it’s not enough to provide babies with just love and attention - they need the best of the best.

And as research continues around how to keep babies safe, there are more products needed to keep baby in the safest situations at all time. The more we know, the more products are made, and the more profit to gain.

“When parents are willing to put their kids’ needs above their own, it’s a good chance; it’s also where they are putting their money.”

Recreational and Educational activities With both parents working in the majority of households, the everyday family needs a little support to help keep their kids involved in physical activity, as well as after school care. With kids having a lot more to do, as well as a lot more options for entertainment - there are numerous franchise options out there. Those interested in running a children’s service business could tune in with their inner child and pursue a passion.

Recreational franchises include entertainment facilities, like arcades, mini putt, glow in the dark bowling and sometimes all three. There is fun for the whole family, as well as services for birthday parties and events.

Some recreational facilities offer after school programs and summer camps. It depends on your level of interest. Some franchisees would like to stay focused on one area that specializes in a particular activity. In contrast, other business owners are interested in tackling all activities possible. For those young at heart - this is an excellent opportunity with so many options.

On the other hand, a popular franchising choice for kids is the tutorial and educational franchise. Parents across the country sometimes need help assisting their kids with school work and studies.

There are a variety of options: some

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“Recreational franchises include entertainment facilities, like arcades, mini putt, glow in the dark bowling and sometimes all three. There is fun for the whole family, as well as services for birthday parties and events.” streamlined processes to gain the most profit. Some companies rely mainly on online sales to generate huge profit, giving franchisees less hands-on work.

address kids of all ages, others specialize in high school studies. There are options for learning centers, with a range of services of mobile franchises, with tutors teaching children at their own home. Depending on the start-up costs and interest, a franchisee has a lot of different opportunities to help support kids throughout their academic career.

“A lot of retail options offer children’s clothing alongside men and women, while other retail outlets specialize in just children’s clothing.”

Clothing In 2017, the global children’s wear market was worth nearly 203.4 billion US dollars, and in 2019 the US baby and young children’s apparel market was valued at 27 billion US dollars (source).

With such a vast industry, there is a lot of opportunity for franchises. A lot of retail options offer children’s clothing alongside men and women, while other retail outlets specialize in just children’s clothing.

With the online shopping industry booming, it’s essential to consider a franchise that offers both services and has

On the other hand, with concerns about the environment and overconsumption of clothing leading to a greater ozone footprint, franchisees have responded to consumer’s environmental demands. A lot of franchises specialize in used clothing and used baby products (that are safe), which appeals to many parents nowadays.

For those interested in the children’s franchising business, but also do not want to contribute to the 25 million tons of textiles that end up in landfills per year in North America - an environmentally friendly franchise might be the best-suited option.

The children’s products and services franchising industry are full of options - no matter what your interest, there are plenty of great and highly profitable franchise options that suit everyone’s needs. Parents have big pockets when it comes to their kid’s interests and passions, and it’s an excellent opportunity to run a reputable business, while also giving back to the community.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After receiving an English Degree, followed by a Journalism Diploma, Gina Gill became a freelance journalist in 2008. She has worked as a reporter and in communications, focusing on social media. She currently works as a community information officer with Epilepsy Society, while pursuing her writing career at the same time.

Look out for our next special feature:

pet friendly franchises

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Expert Advice: Faizun Kamal | CEO | The Franchise Pros

Why NOW is the Best Time to Start a Franchise! person who lost their job, one family’s future was jeopardized.

If this is you or you are in fear of getting laid off, this may be just the right time for you to start exploring business ownership.

Don’t allow the vagaries of the economy or a virus dictate your future. As a franchisee, you own your own business and cannot be laid off or furloughed from it.

Use your time in quarantine wisely

Starting a business is tough in any climate. So why would anyone think about starting a business in the midst of a global pandemic?

balancing act – containing and minimizing the risks while leveraging all of the possible rewards. And franchise ownership is unique in that through its proven business model, it reduces financial risk considerably while increasing the potential upside for its franchisees. It is a way to get into entrepreneurship with minimal risk and greater efficiency.

Over the past few months, I have seen many people become frozen with fear allowing uncertainty to rule their lives. I have also seen many others who are taking bold and calculated risks because they understand that fundamentally the bigger the disruption, the greater the potential opportunities that will arise from the disruption.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, don’t shy away now. This may be the best time to start your own franchise. Here are some of the compelling reasons why my clients are deciding to begin their business now.

As a business owner myself, I understand that entrepreneurship encompasses two sides of the same coin: risk and reward.

In many ways, entrepreneurship is a

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“Recession proof” your career 40 million. That’s the number of people who have lost their jobs since the pandemic was declared on March 6. While the number itself is astounding, it masks the true toll of these numbers. For every

As the world paused, many people also paused in their lives. They took a deep introspective look at their careers and asked themselves the hard question: am I living the life I want to? The answer that came back to many of my clients was: no.

Professionals around the country are starting to realize that they want to escape the 9-5, generate wealth, and finally live life on their own terms. Many are realizing that franchise business ownership could be the opportunity they have been looking for, to reinvent their careers and take back control of their destiny.

Take advantage of funding opportunities On March 27, 2020, the president signed the CARES Act, which provided billions in relief to American workers and small businesses. As part of this program, the Small Business Administration is offering various funding options that make it easier than ever before to get funding to begin a business. Coupled with lower interest rates that we have not seen in a very long time, business ownership has become a viable option for many people.

Faizun Kamal

“Professionals around the country are starting to realize that they want to escape the 9-5, generate wealth, and finally live life on their own terms. Many are realizing that franchise business ownership could be the opportunity they have been looking for, to reinvent their careers and take back control of their destiny.”

Vet how “pandemic resistant” a brand really is Franchises represent some of the most successful businesses in the world. Now, more than ever, franchises have been put to the test. In the face of great disruption and threat, they have had to nimbly adapt their business model to not only survive but thrive at a time when most other businesses have suffered. Many of the brands I work with have changed their operational and marketing tactics. Through pricing and vendor management strategies, these brands have pivoted to continue to grow through the pandemic. Some have had the best quarters they have ever had in their history.

able to continue to grow and make money?

Did they have to shut down their location?

As businesses reopen, what support did they receive from their franchisors? This is the perfect time to understand whether a franchise is truly recession- and pandemicresistant.

Leverage a softening real estate market

finding your perfect fit franchise? The time is now.

Faizun Kamal is an award-winning franchise coach, nationally renowned public speaker, and best selling author.

As CEO of The Franchise Pros, Faizun coaches people nationwide on making the transition from employee to entrepreneur. Her best selling book, “The Right Franchise for You: Escape the 9 to 5, Generate Wealth, & Live Life on Your Terms”, is the guide that thousands of clients have used to find their “perfect fit” franchise!

Good franchisors communicated daily with their franchisees as they pivoted their business models in real time to minimize store closures, reduce employee layoffs, implement new initiatives to keep customers, help franchisees obtain PPP funding and renegotiate leases with landlords.

Unfortunately, many businesses will not be able to survive the pandemic. They will vacate their storefronts and offices.

Commercial landlords will have real estate available for which they may be willing to negotiate more favorable terms. Many franchisors are negotiating such favorable real estate deals for their franchisees.

These cost savings can be considerable.

As you explore whether franchising is the right option for your career, you will be able to speak directly to franchisees to understand how their brands supported them through the pandemic. Were they

As Meister Eckhart said, “And suddenly, you know… it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.”

Faizun received her BA in Women’s Studies and Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins University. She is also a graduate of Stanford University’s acclaimed Social Entrepreneurship Program.

Are you ready to begin the journey of

www.linkedin.com/in/faizunkamal

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Expert Advice: Jeff Brazier | Chief Development Officer | Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care

Why You Should Consider

MultipleConcept Franchising

Diversification, a recommended strategy in designing an investment portfolio, aims to reduce risk while maximizing return, which is why diversification is poised to become the latest trend in franchising.

In fact, of the 450,000+ franchise units in the United States, 53 percent are currently owned by either multi-unit or multi-brand franchisees.

As multi-unit franchisees seek new avenues for growth, increasing numbers of them are adding new concepts to their franchise brand portfolios, because savvy business owners know that it’s best not to put all your eggs in one basket. Below are a handful of reasons why all aspiring or current franchise owners should consider diversifying: • Industry Change – Sometimes an industry can change due to market forces, technology or unseen events such as COVID-19. If you have all of your investment in one brand and that brand is impacted, it may be a challenge to

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“Our franchisees at Kiddie Academy come from various backgrounds, but all have this in common: a desire for work-life harmony, financial independence and building something valuable for their community.”

quickly pivot to another industry if you were not already invested into it.

• Best Practices – You can learn and implement best practices that could be used across industries and brands.

That experience can help to elevate your entire portfolio.

• Staff – We know that hiring quality staff can be a challenge, especially when there is limited upward mobility. When you have growth opportunities within your portfolio, it can provide incentive and a future path for your staff to want to stay and grow within your franchises.

• Complimentary Brands – Acquiring customers is a focus every day for a business owner. But just as important is maintaining that customer.

If you have complimentary brands or can extend the life cycle of a consumer through a different brand, it helps to drive down the cost of obtaining those customers.

Our franchisees at Kiddie Academy come from various backgrounds, but all have this

in common: a desire for work-life harmony, financial independence and building something valuable for their community.

Many of our franchisees became multiconcept franchise owners when they opened their Kiddie Academy, while others expanded their portfolios after joining our community.

Rakesh Patel became a Kiddie Academy franchisee after a decade of franchising experience in tutoring. He owns two Kumon Math and Reading Centers, which run mostly in the evenings after school lets out. “As my kids got older and their activities multiplied, we needed a business that was symbiotic with our new schedules,” Patel says. Along with noticing a need in their community for quality educational child care, Patel saw promise in Kiddie Academy’s Monday-Friday, normal business hours schedule.

Patel says his previous franchising experience made his transition to a Kiddie Academy Franchisee much easier – understanding the Franchisee/Franchisor relationship, having gone through the site

“Sometimes an industry can change due to market forces, technology or unseen events such as COVID19. If you have all of your investment in one brand and that brand is impacted, it may be a challenge to quickly pivot to another industry if you were not already invested into it.”

selection process previously, and even the fundamentals of small business ownership, such as accounting and customer service.

Patel also urges others to bring their own experiences to their new franchise – and look for a franchisor who appreciates and welcomes it. “In my experience, Kiddie Academy has been more helpful and flexible than our experiences with other franchises.”

Franchisees Katie and Larry Moore own and operate two very successful Kiddie Academy locations in Chicago’s suburbs, with plans to continue expanding. After experiencing success in the educational child care industry, the Moores decided to expand their portfolio to include a senior care franchise. As Katie Moore says, “My husband was looking for other work options and looked into senior home care and we wanted to franchise due to our success with Kiddie Academy.”

Being involved in another franchise concept gave Katie and Larry a leg up in the new industry. “The business knowledge and knowing the support that you get from a franchise – knowing to choose a franchise rather than just attempt it on our own.” Katie says she and Larry chose to break into a new industry because she

doesn’t like to have all of her eggs in one basket. “I would not feel comfortable if my husband and I were in the same industry and that was all we had going for us. At any given moment, an industry can change.”

Aleem Hasham had a diverse portfolio of franchises before he signed on as a franchisee with Kiddie Academy and opened his first location in North Albuquerque. Hasham was previously involved with Cendant (now Wyndham) and Holiday Inn (IHG). He is also currently involved with Chevron through a licensing agreement.

“The decision to expand our franchise portfolio was for a multitude of reasons – the primary being, working within an industry that positively contributes to the quality of the life of the community within which we reside and that is considered essential, even in the midst of a global shutdown,” he says. “Diversification is key in long term investments and planning.

Often, we view different industries as challenges as opposed to opportunities.

Expansion into a different industry should be viewed as an opportunity learn and grow.”

Jeff Brazier

Jeff Brazier joined the Kiddie Academy franchise development team in 2016.

In his role as Chief Development Officer, he works closely with franchise candidates to guide them through our franchise discovery process. Jeff has over 16 years of business development experience. Brazier began his career in the sports industry, with an emphasis on baseball, where he transitioned into business development. Jeff holds a BS from Towson University and MS from California University of PA. www.franchising.kiddieacademy.com

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Expert Advice: Jo Kirchner | CEO | Primrose Schools

For many, entrepreneurship is the solution to the struggle for work-life balance Franchising can offer the freedom, flexibility, and family time Americans crave.

“In running their business, franchise owners have the opportunity to pursue a full-time career or choose to be an active investor and have a partner lead the day-to-day operations with a strong managerial team in place.”

While they come from all walks of life, many have been parents that left demanding careers in corporate America in search of a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Jo Kirchner

Throughout my nearly 30 years in franchising, I’ve had the pleasure of talking with countless franchise owners about their goals for their business — and themselves.

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In many ways, the rising costs associated with housing, childcare, education, health insurance, and other essentials have pitted work against family. Even when people are not on the job, the ability to disconnect seems impossible. And the growth of teleworking has blurred the lines between work and home. Despite proof that worklife balance leads to higher employee morale, better job satisfaction, and more productivity, it seems as our society is moving in the opposite direction.

In recent years, I’ve noticed work-life balance as an ever-present topic in our society, and there is a heated debate over

whether it is attainable. Particularly, work-life balance becomes increasingly challenging when working professionals become a parent and are determining if they have to make sacrifices in their careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, two-fifths of American families have children under 18 (approximately 33.6 million families), and, among marriedcouple families with children, 63% have both parents employed.

A growing number of parents and caregivers are looking for more flexible career paths. Entrepreneurship, particularly franchising — where you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself — is a solution to many. It’s given them the freedom, flexibility, and the family time they crave. What’s more, franchising

“A growing number of parents and caregivers are looking for more flexible career paths.

Entrepreneurship, particularly franchising — where you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself — is a solution to many. It’s given them the freedom, flexibility, and the family time they crave.”

provides people the opportunity to mold their new career as an entrepreneur into whatever they want it to be. There are thousands of franchise opportunities with some of America’s most beloved brands across a variety of industries, from retail and restaurants to education, service, travel, and more. These opportunities come in many forms, including traditional brickand-mortar business, mobile franchises, and home-based franchises.

In running their business, franchise owners have the opportunity to pursue a full-time career or choose to be an active investor and have a partner lead the day-to-day operations with a strong managerial team in place. Through my experience as CEO of Primrose Schools, I’ve seen successful franchisees who have scaled their business while raising young children, as well as those who have decided to grow only after their young children got older or left the house all together. I value that franchising allows franchisees the opportunity to make business decisions that enable them to have the work-life balance they desire.

When researching franchise opportunities, consider these things:

Your passion(s) Unfortunately, many people feel stuck in jobs they don’t personally care about.

But entrepreneurship allows you to follow your passion and do something that is emotionally and financially rewarding.

Learn what’s available by reviewing awards and rankings, like the Entrepreneur Franchise 500, an annual ranking of the franchises with the greatest brand strength.

The support you need Investing in a franchise enables you to tap into the network of resources and tools that an established model provides. When you’re researching potential franchises, be sure to find out how involved the franchisor is and what type of support they provide throughout every phase of your franchising journey. Find a franchisor that has designed a franchise program to make the most of the effort owners put into their business.

The cost of entry Investment costs for franchises run the gamut, from a few thousand dollars to several million. Consider your budget and the minimum net worth and liquidity

required in order to narrow down your options. Forbes’ ranking of America’s Best and Worst Franchises breaks down its ranking by initial investment. From there, you can review each brand’s franchising website to find additional details pertaining to whether or not it’s a good fit for you.

As a mother and grandmother, I am a passionate advocate for franchising because of the opportunities the industry provides for parents and non-parents searching for their ideal level of work-life balance. We know through recent studies that as parents evaluate how best to manage their careers with the responsibility of parenting, they often struggle with feelings of guilt. Parents should not feel guilty daily for the decisions they make in order to care for their families. While corporate America is aware of these challenges, and many companies are making progress, it’s not there yet. In the meantime, there is a viable option for better quality of life awaiting through franchising.

Jo Kirchner is CEO of Primrose Schools, the leader in providing premier early education and care to children and families in the United States. www.primroseschools.com

Franchising USA

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GLOBAL

EXPANSION

G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N

Our GLOBAL CONNECTIONS are trusted operators in their markets and will enable a smooth entry into NEW TERRITORIES.

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We are members of the IFA and other respected organisations.

The transition process can be

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business and legal players who can take you through the first minefield.

Constant changes within the codes of conduct can create a massive challenge to franchise systems

wanting to move outside of their established markets.

With direct experience of the North American, UK and Australian/ New Zealand Franchise markets we have been in the business

of selling franchise systems direct to franchisees for over 35 years.

Franchising USA

For an initial discussion, please contact

globalpublishers@icloud.com