1851

<p>When some people see a kid playing a video game, they just see a kid wasting time.&nbsp;</p><p>Not <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferturliuk/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-jennifer-turliuk-ceo-of-makerkids-2714386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>Jennifer Turliuk.</u></a></p><p>She sees tomorrow’s coder, creator or entrepreneur. All they need is a little direction.</p><p>That’s why in 2013 she founded Toronto-based <a href="https://makerkids.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-jennifer-turliuk-ceo-of-makerkids-2714386" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><u>MakerKids</u></a>, a STEM-focused educational enrichment business. The curriculum focuses on three core areas: coding, robotics and the virtual-world-building video game Minecraft.&nbsp;</p><p>Why Minecraft?</p><p>“It is a very educational game,” she explains. “It leverages kids’ interests in video games to teach them real-world transferable skills like coding, as well as 3D design ... as well as softer skills like group collaboration and goal setting.”</p><p>Her unique approach is paying off. MakerKids has been a success in Canada, and today, as its CEO, she’s starting to franchise it out to other entrepreneurs who are passionate about the supplementary education space. In fact, her plan to franchise the concept landed her the 2017 NextGen in Franchising Grand Prize, a global competition to find the best new ideas in the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>We asked her about her start, why she thinks franchising is right for her business, and her growth strategy for 2021.</p><h4>1851 Franchise: What inspired you to start MakerKids?</h4><p>Jennifer Turliuk: It kind of stemmed back to my experience as a kid. I coded a Harry Potter website for a class project that ended up being featured in a magazine and going viral. It really helped empower me to become more engaged at school. Suddenly, the bullying I was experiencing became less relevant.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: How did you begin?</h4><p>Turliuk: Many years ago I became a camp instructor. Then I was in a program, Singularity University, based at NASA Research Park in California, where we learned about technology and how to apply it to areas like education. And I want to try to provide opportunities like that for more kids.</p><h4>1851: Tell me about the early days.</h4><p>Turliuk: We started in a basement, actually. It was full of all sorts of materials and machines for projects including sewing and woodworking. We just started to attract more and more kids. And then we ended up moving it and focusing on our three core topics of coding, robotics and Minecraft, and it just started taking off and getting more and more enrollments. Then we started to get a lot of people asking if we were considering franchising the business.</p><h4>1851: You were only the third Canadian to win the NextGen in Franchising Grand Prize. What was that experience like?</h4><p>Turliuk: It was a really cool moment. I was presented the award by someone who's heavily involved in franchising Subway. That was cool because I had read all the materials I could get my hands on about Subway to learn about franchising. And then, here I was up on stage with someone who was instrumental to Subway franchising. It was quite a cool moment.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: Why is MakerKids a good franchise model?</h4><p>Turliuk: It allows local owners to really get to know the families that are coming to the programs and to develop a bit of a community and relationship with them. For franchisees, it's a great opportunity to experience the potential for a year-round income, as well as to tap into a multi-billion dollar after-school program market and a growing trend of parents wanting more extracurricular enrichment opportunities for their kids.</p><h4>1851: Like schools, your programs are class-based. How did you respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?&nbsp;</h4><p>Turliuk: I heard about some of the lockdowns and asked one of my colleagues to start developing a plan for delivering our programs virtually. It was more of a side project at the time, because obviously, no one was sure how things were going to go. He identified things like what software to use and how to deliver the virtual programs. When campuses were mandated to close the Friday before March Break, we basically spent the weekend developing all our plans for virtual programming and pivoting all of our training for franchisees to virtual formats as well.&nbsp; We had a couple of days where we were closed, but then by Tuesday, we were up and running with virtual programs.&nbsp;</p><h4>1851: So what’s your growth strategy for 2021?</h4><p>Turliuk: Our strategy is to continue focusing on our virtual programs, which we're running right now and our franchisees are running as well. Then if we find franchisees that are a good fit, we can present them with a ready-made set of contacts who are participating in virtual programs within their area. They can get up and running with that virtually and then open in person down the line.</p>

Young Ones To Watch: Jennifer Turliuk, CEO of MakerKids

1851 Franchise

How this Canadian franchisor is creating the next generation of tech whiz kids by tapping into the need for STEM education programs. 

young-ones-to-watch-jennifer-turliuk-ceo-of-makerkids

ServiceMaster Restore

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

ServiceMaster Restore Powers Into the Second Half of 2025 With Strong Growth and Purpose-Driven Impact

servicemaster-restore-powers-into-the-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-growth-and-purpose-driven-impact

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Coffee & Analytics graphic with photo of Nick Powills

Franchise Growth Is Messy. Lead Gen Is Uncomfortable. Let’s Fix It.

franchise-lead-generation-insights

How Franchise Brands Can Prepare for the Rise of AI-Driven Advertising

how-franchise-brands-can-prepare-for-the-rise-of-ai-driven-advertising

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

Young Ones To Watch: Jennifer Turliuk, CEO of MakerKids

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS