This is a guest blog post by Annabel Jones.
For some, math is really as easy as 1-2-3. For others, it’s about as painful as a trip to the dentist. Mathnasium, the rapidly growing children’s education franchise, aims to
change that.
Mathnasium has been franchising since 2004, but long before the concept was growing above 2% a year, educator Larry Martinek was making a difference in the lives of his
math students. Larry noticed that his students were developing mathematical shortcuts: ways of solving problems not taught in his or other teachers’ classrooms.
Other teachers saw these shortcuts as cheating. Larry saw it as a confirmation that children don’t learn the same way that educators necessarily teach them. With the help
of his son, Nick, Larry created Mathnasium’s teaching curriculum in the same verbiage as his students. Directions are written in the vocabulary of a fourth grader as opposed to a fourth grade teacher’s.
The curriculum is focused on developing what Joe describes as “number sense”– the building blocks of math– to build confidence in Mathnasium’s students. As it turns out, that’s a big part of why kids don’t like math in the first place.
Today, Mathnasium has over 270 centers in operation, with plans for more. It’s no wonder, considering the amount of support and success of Mathnasium’s curriculum.
When it comes to its franchisees, Joe Novak, Senior VP of Franchise Marketing and Development, is dedicated to figuring out who’s best for Mathnasium. “I’ve spent many
hours thinking about this,” he says, “I’ve looked at over 70 variables.” Though he’s yet to narrow down a tried-and-true franchisee profile, he’s identified several indicators of a franchisee’s future success.
“Mathnasium is a very good opportunity for those who want to be involved in their communities and who love kids,” Joe says. Joe mentions that Mathnasium looks for
people who are go-getters. It’s vital for a Mathnasium franchisee to become part of the local community by going to PTA meetings, sponsoring little league teams, and doing
everything within his or her grasp to take advantage of local opportunities.
Another great thing about this children’s franchise is that, “you don’t have to be a millionaire to start this concept,” says Joe.
In the past, Mathnasium franchisees have been lawyers, accountants, those with an IT background and, yes, former educators. “Don’t get me wrong,” says Joe, “you have to
love math.”
About Annabel Jones
Annabel Jones is the Public Relations & Social Media Director for Franchise Clique. She manages the company’s social media platforms, publicity and, occasionally, publicity for the company’s clients. She can be reached at annabel@franchiseclique.com.
About Franchise Clique
Franchise Clique, one of the nation’s fastest growing Internet-based marketing companies, specializes in lead generation services and solutions for franchises and business opportunities. Founded in Charleston, S.C. in 2009, Franchise Clique has used its uniquely designed innovative technology in conjunction with its team’s combined 20 years of experience to become one of the industry’s highest-ranking lead generators. Franchise Clique enjoys a top rating from the Better Business Bureau and an association with the International Franchise Association. For more information, go to http://www.franchiseclique.com or call 877-252-2340.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I am very interested in opening up a Mathnasium franchise and am working with their franchising people at HQ going through some due dilligence. In the mean time, I was wondering if anyone has had experiences, good, bad, or indifferent with the Mathnasium concept. Much appreciated. Mark Ahrens
Summit Learning Services is a young, fast growing provider of tutoring services. Though we applaud Mathnasium and their success, the fact is they have also had several locations close. One might claim their particular misfortune to the economy, others may say it is the lack of quality with Mathnasium’s services. We are not claiming either but, merely stating a point. Again, we admire Mathnasium and the growth they have experienced.
It is however, common knowledge that many of their locations hire “tutors” wthout a teaching license. Also, many of their locations hire these “tutors” and pay them minimum wage, or just above minimum wage type salaries. In our opinion, the ability to successfully tutor a child and obtain favorable results often rest with the pedagogy of the tutor and offering a fair and respectable salary.