“In my earlier days, I was just like any other typical Indian individual working in the IT industry. I had the opportunity to work for various IT companies, which I found quite intriguing. However, being a Kumon parent, I had a unique perspective on the activities and experiences of children there, which fascinated me to a great extent. It was this fascination that drew me towards Kumaon when I began contemplating a different career path in the business world. Interestingly, Kumon had already been a familiar name to me long before I even thought about pursuing it.
There is a particular moment that will forever be etched in my memory. It was during a party hosted by one of my husband’s colleagues in Delaware. We occasionally met with his coworker’s wife, who happened to be a former Kumon franchise in Delaware. During one of our casual conversations, I mentioned that I was pregnant with my second child and expressed concerns about managing a job and commuting. She casually suggested that it might be a good time for me to consider Kumon. Although I had already been contemplating it, her explicit mention of it planted a seed in my mind. I realized she was right, as I would have some time to think and explore the idea. That’s when I filled out the form on the Kumon website, initiating the conversation that eventually led me to start my own Kumon franchise within a year
The most challenging part of this journey was the fact that my husband and I had no prior experience in owning and running a business. Both of us came from families with job-class backgrounds. In India, my husband’s father was a professor, and my father had a government job. We had no connections to anyone who owned a business, not even among our family and friends. Therefore, when we began envisioning what it would be like to open and operate a business, we faced numerous challenges. We had to consider various concepts, aspects, and factors that were entirely foreign to us.
Opening a franchise involves various critical factors, true for any business. Eight years ago, I embarked on my own franchise journey, where demonstrating a healthy cash flow and financial stability became crucial. This requirement applies universally to ensure resilience during the initial six months without income, preventing collapse or bankruptcy.
An empty bank account becomes an insurmountable obstacle to acquiring a franchise. To avoid rejection, a strong financial background and assets must be showcased. Thus, establishing oneself as financially sound is essential when pursuing a franchise opportunity. Additionally, launching a business necessitates procuring supplies and renting a space. Commercial leases, typically lasting five years, cannot be terminated prematurely. Even if the business closes within two years, payment obligations for the remaining three years persist. Adequate financial preparedness is vital to navigate the franchise landscape and avoid significant burdens.
Nonetheless, as the business gains momentum and profitability, everything falls into place. However, the initial stages of entrepreneurship entail substantial risk. The ambiguity surrounding the future presents the greatest challenge. I vividly recall negotiating a five-year lease agreement while considering the possibility of closing within a year and the resulting consequences. These concerns are common among aspiring business owners, deterring many from taking the plunge. Despite the uncertainties, I embraced the risk and remain immensely grateful for the path I chose.
Achieving the break-even point within the first year or a year and a half was a significant milestone. It was a satisfying accomplishment aided by dedicated individuals and divine grace. Similarly, in my current franchise, we began with only a few enrolled children. Presently, we boast an impressive 90% occupancy rate. Sustaining this rate and avoiding turning away eager parents seeking spots for their children is my ultimate goal. Positive parental experiences lead to word-of-mouth referrals, propelling the continuous growth of our business.
I attribute much of our success to the parent company, which holds a significant reputation in the market. Choosing to franchise with Kumon was a wise decision since their established brand name garners trust from customers. The recognition and reputation associated with Kumon attract clients to our doors. It is then our responsibility to satisfy customers and assist children in their educational journeys. Kumon’s program structure and materials provided are excellent, and while they do not directly train my staff, they have trained me, and I, in turn, train my team. The support and guidance from a reputable parent company like Kumon are invaluable. In the education sector, numerous competitors exist, but Kumon consistently outshines them. Its presence in 80 countries speaks volumes about the brand’s hard work and dedication. Kumon’s stringent criteria for selecting franchisees further demonstrate their commitment to quality. Their franchise agreement explicitly limits franchisees to operating only one center, emphasizing the importance of ensuring excellence rather than pursuing quantity.
Undoubtedly, Kumon’s policies and practices deserve significant credit. They prioritize the perspective of the end user—the customer—more than anyone else. It is this customer-centric approach that sets them apart. I am grateful for the opportunities and success I have achieved through my partnership with Kumon. Their thoughtful policies and thorough consideration of customer needs make them a standout franchise in the education sector.
I became a trailblazer or trendsetter, as I was the first person in my family to venture into the world of business. It was a bit daunting to leave the security of a stable job and enter a completely unfamiliar realm. The anxiety factor was certainly present, but once we embarked on the journey and gathered more information, it became much easier to navigate.
We often have the misconception that if our children can read, they are proficient in all aspects of language. However, this perception is entirely wrong. While math topics are clear and objective, with additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, fractions, algebra, and more, reading is a whole different story. When it comes to reading, it’s not just about decoding words but also comprehension. And let me tell you, kids struggle tremendously with reading comprehension. They find it extremely challenging to read between the lines and extract deeper meaning from texts.
It’s crucial for us, as parents, to understand what our children are learning in school regarding reading. Unfortunately, there is no specific syllabus for reading like there is for math. It’s not simply about reading words; it’s about being able to comprehend and analyze the text. Children often struggle to put their thoughts into words effectively, and this greatly impacts their reading abilities. I always advise parents to give their children writing prompts and see how well they can express themselves on paper. Try it yourself at home, and you’ll gain insight into your child’s vocabulary, comprehension, and ability to articulate their thoughts. It’s a valuable exercise that can help identify areas of improvement and provide a glimpse into their reading abilities
When children participate in programs like Kumon, they gain confidence in their reading skills. This newfound confidence becomes evident in their actions and performance. They start applying their comprehension skills and become more proficient in reading between the lines. It’s truly remarkable to witness the transformation and growth in their abilities. Reading goes beyond the surface level of decoding words. It involves comprehension, analysis, and expression. Through programs like Kumon, children develop these vital skills and gain the confidence to excel in reading.
Seven years ago, a single father brought his shy, unconfident son to our center. Initially, the boy struggled to express himself, providing brief, concise answers without elaboration. However, over the next five years, he thrived in our reading and math programs, completing up to grade 12. Witnessing his remarkable progress, I offered him a job at our center. He transformed into a confident mentor, displaying a complete personality shift. Despite no longer requiring my assistance, he chose to stay on our team while pursuing his engineering degree. Whenever we meet, his father expresses deep gratitude, attributing his son’s transformation to our program and support.
While the boy was already a good student, Kumon provided him with a level of confidence and skill that went beyond what he was learning in school. By realizing he could tackle reading and math at higher grade levels, he gained a newfound belief in himself. This confidence was evident in his personality, speech, and overall demeanor. I’ve seen young kids go from asking the meaning of words like “commence” to incorporating those words into their conversations with pride. It may seem like a small achievement, but it builds their confidence and sets them apart from their peers.
Kids often say that something is difficult or that they don’t want to do it because admitting they don’t know how – feels challenging. This pattern can lead to disciplinary issues and a reluctance to engage. Kumon aims to change this mindset and empower children by showing them that subjects like math and English are accessible and manageable.
Working with children is always fulfilling because we have the opportunity to shape their futures. Seeing their growth and knowing that we played a part in it is incredibly rewarding. Heartwarming moments, like a 5-year-old student giving me her favorite fruit and calling me her favorite teacher, reinforce the positive impact we have. Moments like these make my day and reminds me of the positive impact we have on these young minds and reinforce my belief in the power of education.
When I first considered opening this business, I, like any average person, thought about the potential benefits. One aspect that stood out was the freedom it would provide. Unlike a typical nine-to-five job, I imagined having more time for myself and my family since I could schedule work after school hours. At that time, I had a young child at home, so the prospect of spending more time with my family was appealing. Moreover, being an entrepreneur offered flexibility that I didn’t have before. I could choose to work from home or at a business location based on my preferences.
Initially, I did enjoy the time flexibility that came with running the business. Although my workload increased with the addition of a second location, I never really counted the hours I spent working. I genuinely loved what I was doing, and it served as a stress reliever for me. I may indeed spend over 40 hours a week managing both centers, but I don’t mind because I find fulfillment in my work. Thankfully, I have a fantastic team of 22 staff members between the two locations who share the workload and provide valuable support. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of both facilities, and I am grateful for their assistance. Without their help, I wouldn’t be able to manage everything on my own.
When I acquired my second location, I decided to revamp the entire staff structure. While I retained one staff member from the previous owner, I hired a brand new team that aligned with my vision for the business. It was important to me that everyone worked in a manner that met my expectations. Fortunately, my father-in-law, who is a professor, was thrilled with my decision to open a Kumon center. As the only person in his family involved in the education sector, he saw it as a meaningful continuation of his legacy. It’s worth mentioning that my sister-in-law, who married my husband’s brother, is now also a teacher. So, education seems to be gradually becoming a part of our family’s fabric.
I must admit that I am incredibly content with my choice to open a Kumon center. It serves as my stress reliever, and I couldn’t imagine going back to a regular job or changing my line of business. I am fully dedicated to this endeavor, always striving for self-improvement and betterment. Training our staff, discovering new ways to help the children, and continuously learning are ongoing challenges. We want to ensure that we identify each child’s abilities and nurture them accordingly. Kumon’s personalized and individualized program allows us to tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of every student. We have witnessed numerous success stories where children have excelled academically and achieved great results.
Although there are many Kumon centers in various locations, each center operates independently. We all receive the same training and materials from the parent company, but we each run our centers differently. This diversity presents an opportunity for continuous learning and growth as we share ideas and best practices. Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a Kumon instructor from another center who wanted to visit and learn from our center’s practices. We had a fruitful exchange of ideas, and she even expressed interest in implementing some of our strategies in her center. It’s this collaborative environment and willingness to learn from one another that makes our network of Kumon centers strong and supportive.
Looking back, it has been eight years since I embarked on this journey. Although we primarily focus on teaching math and reading, our impact extends far beyond the subjects themselves. We have witnessed young students exceeding grade levels, and we continuously strive to push each child to their maximum potential. The key lies in identifying their abilities and providing the necessary support. With Kumon’s personalized approach, we cater to students of varying abilities.”
