Erica Inman/1851franchise.com/ -- Mathnasium, the tutoring franchise with over 1,100 units, provides a unique franchise opportunity for entrepreneurial teachers who want to run a rewarding business that allows them to still positively impact the lives of students.
Former teacher Pete Nelson has found that opening his own franchise with Mathnasium in Northborough, Massachusetts has allowed him to connect with students outside of the typical classroom environment.
Before teaching, Nelson worked in computer software sales and consulting. It was during this time that the idea of becoming a franchisee with Mathnasium first crossed his mind. “During my travels as a salesperson, I saw a Mathnasium and I was interested,” explained Nelson. “It looked like a really cool place, so I Googled it. I decided that I would really like to do that someday. I’ve always felt that math is important, and I've always had that entrepreneurial spirit. Being able to have a business of my own where I have the ability to help my community sounded perfect. It's been a really great experience.”
A Background in Education
Mathnasium is an excellent choice for former teachers turned franchisees. Even though teaching experience isn’t required to run a Mathnasium Learning Center, skills used in the classroom can greatly contribute to their success as franchisees.
For Nelson, his teaching background has given him a deeper knowledge on how to guide students to success. “My experience as a teacher has given me an understanding of what every family is trying to do for their child, as well as how to navigate the journey through the grading and homework system,” Nelson said. “I also know how hard it can be to get individualized attention from teachers at school. I have been able to use my knowledge of the school system with Mathnasium to help kids make progress and to build their confidence.”
Some other vital skills Nelson learned from his time in the classroom that have helped him find success in franchising include listening to the families, clear communication and setting high but realistic expectations.
When it comes to listening, Nelson explains that ensuring a customer’s happiness starts with listening to their needs. “They're going to tell you what they want for their children. You need to be able to not only listen to that, but also be able to show them how you can do that in a really clear way,” Nelson said.
As for communication, Nelson advises Mathnasium franchisees to open a dialogue with students and their families so everyone understands the progress that is being made and the areas that need more work.
When it comes to expectations, Nelson aims high but stays realistic. “One thing from the Mathnasium convention this past year that hit home for me was the idea that we should be treating everybody like they're a VIP,” Nelson said. “I try to find ways to go above and beyond. I definitely make sure I am managing expectations about what I can realistically accomplish at the same time, though.”
Support from Mathnasium
Having an education background can be beneficial, but a key part of franchisees’ success is also the comprehensive business training and support Mathnasium provides them. “There's a bit more to it than just teaching, but that's certainly the heart of it,” Nelson said. “There's the business side of it, as well. You need to really think about how you're going to be systematic about how you're working with your families and how you can be really consistent with the quality of your instruction.”
While he does teach students himself, he also requires a team of reliable employees. “I need to be able to hire good instructors to do what we need to do for our students and provide them with a kid-friendly instructional environment,” Nelson said.
However, Nelson is not on his own and receives a great deal of support from Mathnasium. Every year, for example, Mathnasium holds a convention, where franchisees meet to swap strategies and ideas. “It is a really great way to share knowledge and experience while having some fun. It inspires me to go apply new ideas back at my own learning center,” reflected Nelson. Mathnasium also hosts regular training sessions from franchisees and their employees.
A Rewarding Opportunity
It is no secret that while many teachers find their roles rewarding, many seek a change after spending some time in a demanding career. Owning a Mathnasium franchise allows former teachers to reap the benefits of teaching in a different way, while removing some of the extraneous demands.
“As a classroom teacher,” Nelson said, “you have a lot of responsibilities. You have many students, all of which you're trying to meet the needs of in different ways, and it can be really tough. At Mathnasium, we can be more focused on each individual's requirements, and we can challenge them in a way that is just right for them.”
“I love that I am still able to teach and tutor but do it in a way where I feel really motivated to do it every single day,” Nelson said. “You're having that connection with a student and you're really helping to build up their skills and they're feeling more confident about their math. It is a different feeling than being a classroom teacher, but it still is accomplishing my goal of helping kids every day.”
