Advice From a Multi-Unit Franchisee: Ramesh Sakarepalle, Children’s Lighthouse

Ramesh Sakarepalle and Jyothi Oblum’s decision to become a multi-unit franchisee with Children’s Lighthouse, the family-focused early education and child care franchise, was fueled by their passion for education, his desire to build a successful business and a strong commitment to community service.

Sakarepalle and Oblum’s journey began with a strong foundation in the corporate world, where Ramesh worked for nearly two decades before transitioning into business ownership. Jyothi made a gradual entrance into entrepreneurship with a smaller STEM-focused concept, Mad Science. This transition was driven by a desire to contribute to the community while ensuring personal growth. 

“My wife and I especially wanted to do something in the childcare industry,” he said. “We have two girls and we know the importance of learning science and STREAM. That was our key motivation for starting off so that we can give something back to the community.”

Their initial foray into franchising with Mad Science laid the groundwork for a deeper involvement in the childcare industry. However, from the outset, Sakarepalle had his sights set on growth, so he sought out a scalable model, which led him to invest with Children’s Lighthouse. 

Children's Lighthouse stood out among other childcare franchises for several reasons. 

“We are really impressed with the franchise model and with Children’s Lighthouse,” said Oblum. “It provides us with the opportunity to scale our business with outstanding support from the corporate team. We also appreciate that the brand already has a strong reputation in Texas.”

The decision was cemented after meeting with the franchise's leadership as they were impressed with both their flexibility and support. 

Sakarepalle and Oblum acquired their first Children's Lighthouse in 2018, but didn't stop at just one location. Within a year, they purchased their second location. From there, they found it easier and easier to replicate their success, quickly building up to five locations in total. 

The focus on financial stability and a replicable model has been a significant driving force for Sakarepalle and Oblum. 

“Profitability is key for any child care,” he said. “Once you have mastered the model, your investment can turn into financial benefit which you can invest in multiple units. As you go from one unit to multiple units, you see the advantage of the profit that’s already in place and the  consistency of the model, which makes it easily scalable.”

Another key to their success has been the personal touch they give to each school. Oblum visits their schools on a weekly basis, keeping an interpersonal connection with staff and parents. “It truly is an increased effort going from school to school and personally managing different situations nearly everyday, however it makes all the more difference,” Oblum says. “At the end of the day, it's the connection you make, getting to know your staff, the families, and the children, without this it would be impossible to expand to such a multitude.” 

As they continue to grow their franchise empire with the brand, they see more and more advantages beyond profitability. Not only are they able to make a bigger impact on their community, but they are also able to do so with a smaller, more refined team.

"One of the key advantages we see across our locations is the ability to share staff between units," he said. “This approach allows us to implement best practices consistently across all schools, ensuring a high standard of performance.”

Sakarepalle and Oblum’s multi-unit franchise journey with Children's Lighthouse is a testament to the brand’s robust franchise model and the rewarding nature of the industry. While they have experienced a fair share of success, they have continued plans for growth going forward.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/info.