INTERVIEW

Building Blocks of the Future With Laura Coe of Snapology

Q

by Dave Jones, Consultant, The Franchise Consulting Company

Typically, most entrepreneurs have an “ah ha” moment that is the catalyst to becoming a business owner. What was your moment when you knew this was the time to venture out on your own? Tell us about your past professional experience and how it prepared for business ownership?

A

When I was 12 years old parents started their own business, so I was always interested and intrigued, even at an early age. I worked there throughout my teenage years (more on the operations side), so I saw firsthand what was essential to successfully run a business. After graduating from college, I worked as an actuary for 8 or 9 years. I then opened up a franchise in my late 20’s – grew it and then sold it. A few years later with my then spouse, we started The Cleaning Authority – Pittsburgh- which was a great experience with great franchise support. That business is still in operation today. When I had small children there wasn’t in my opinion a lot of Children’s franchise opportunities. One of my children wasn’t into sports and

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consequently, I found options very limited. I started to do some homework to learn that there was only 1 franchise that was in the space I was wanting to be in.

Q

According to engineeringforkids.com, STEM and STEAM education helps to bridge the ethnic and gender gaps sometimes found in math and science fields. Initiatives have been established to increase the roles of women and minorities in STEM-related fieldsSTEM education breaks the traditional gender roles. Can you tell me about Snapology and how it addresses this topic?

A

I agree that STEM should be gender neutral and should also bridge socioeconomic status as well. I find that parents may hold back(unknowingly) the young girls from STEM. Our emphasis is to explain that girls desire it as much as boys. Today it is much better, and parents are more aware that

MARCH 2020 | WWW.FRANCHISEJOURNAL.COM

girls want and need STEM as much as boys do. As for socioeconomics, we do a lot with under served populations, non-profits, etc. Our mission is to get this to as many children as we can through grants and other support means.

Q A

Do you need to be an educator to be a successful Snapology Franchise owner? Can you tell me what traits you look for in a new franchise owner? Indeed not, and in fact, we discourage our owners from teaching. Our best owners are those that understand the marketing, sales, and possess a desire to provide educational play