When Stephanie Russ joined Children’s Lighthouse as Vice President and General Counsel, she brought with her something more than legal expertise — she brought a rare dual perspective forged from years of working alongside both franchisors and franchisees. With 15 years in operations, training, and HR roles for major franchise systems before attending law school, Russ now uses her deep understanding of the industry to make a real impact on franchisees entering the Children’s Lighthouse system.
“I always had that connection to both sides,” Russ said. “I got to see the issues and the impact on both ends. That’s the perspective I bring to this brand — one that respects the legal framework, but also understands what it feels like to be in a franchisee’s shoes.”
In Russ’s view, franchising isn’t just a business transaction — it’s a long-term relationship. “There are actual franchise relationship laws, and for good reason,” she said. “This is a partnership. Both sides need to listen, communicate, and sometimes compromise. It’s not personal, but it’s deeply relational.”
This mindset informs how Children’s Lighthouse supports its franchisees, from Discovery Day through development and beyond. “We want to set expectations early,” she said. “The last thing we want is for someone to join the system and then feel surprised or unsupported. That’s why we emphasize honesty and integrity every step of the way.”
For most prospective franchisees, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can feel like a barrier instead of a bridge. “The FDD is designed to be a plain-language document,” she said. “Yes, it can be long, but the core content is only about 20 pages. If people take the time to read it and ask questions, they’ll feel more confident — and we want them to feel confident.”
That approach is emblematic of the Children’s Lighthouse leadership philosophy. “A good franchisor welcomes questions,” Russ said. “We want franchisees to come into the system with their eyes wide open. That’s a sign of a healthy relationship — transparency, mutual respect, and communication from the start.”
Children’s Lighthouse is rooted in three core values: Integrity, Passion, and Excellence. For Russ, these aren’t just words — they’re non-negotiables.
“If you don’t have integrity, you can’t be here,” she said. “It creates respect for others, their ideas and their goals, and it pushes us to support those goals.”
That culture of integrity extends to the very top. Founded by the Brown family in 1997, Children’s Lighthouse maintains a strong family business dynamic — and Russ says it’s one of the reasons she took the job.
“I had reservations about working for a family business, but the Browns are exceptional,” she said. “They live by the values they preach, and that creates an environment of trust and stability. There’s no chaos here — no wondering what’s going to happen next.”
As Children’s Lighthouse continues expanding — with 70+ schools open and more in development — Russ is proud to play a role in scaling the brand while protecting its values.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to elevate the brand, from improving internal processes to entering new markets,” she said. “It’s inspiring to work with a team that’s not afraid of change, but also deeply committed to doing what’s right for our franchisees and the families they serve.”
Her advice to anyone considering franchise ownership? Do your homework — and trust your gut. “Franchising is a long-term commitment,” Russ said. “Make sure you’re aligned with the brand’s values and leadership. You want to work with a team that truly cares about your success.”
At Children’s Lighthouse, that’s exactly what franchisees find — a legal leader who knows the business inside and out, and a team that believes success starts with strong relationships.
For more information on franchising with Children’s Lighthouse, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.
Children's Lighthouse
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With decades of franchising experience and a passion for relationships, Russ is helping Children’s Lighthouse create a stable, trustworthy foundation for franchisees to thrive.
When Stephanie Russ joined Children’s Lighthouse as Vice President and General Counsel, she brought with her something more than legal expertise — she brought a rare dual perspective forged from years of working alongside both franchisors and franchisees. With 15 years in operations, training, and HR roles for major franchise systems before attending law school, Russ now uses her deep understanding of the industry to make a real impact on franchisees entering the Children’s Lighthouse system.
“I always had that connection to both sides,” Russ said. “I got to see the issues and the impact on both ends. That’s the perspective I bring to this brand — one that respects the legal framework, but also understands what it feels like to be in a franchisee’s shoes.”
In Russ’s view, franchising isn’t just a business transaction — it’s a long-term relationship. “There are actual franchise relationship laws, and for good reason,” she said. “This is a partnership. Both sides need to listen, communicate, and sometimes compromise. It’s not personal, but it’s deeply relational.”
This mindset informs how Children’s Lighthouse supports its franchisees, from Discovery Day through development and beyond. “We want to set expectations early,” she said. “The last thing we want is for someone to join the system and then feel surprised or unsupported. That’s why we emphasize honesty and integrity every step of the way.”
For most prospective franchisees, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can feel like a barrier instead of a bridge. “The FDD is designed to be a plain-language document,” she said. “Yes, it can be long, but the core content is only about 20 pages. If people take the time to read it and ask questions, they’ll feel more confident — and we want them to feel confident.”
That approach is emblematic of the Children’s Lighthouse leadership philosophy. “A good franchisor welcomes questions,” Russ said. “We want franchisees to come into the system with their eyes wide open. That’s a sign of a healthy relationship — transparency, mutual respect, and communication from the start.”
Children’s Lighthouse is rooted in three core values: Integrity, Passion, and Excellence. For Russ, these aren’t just words — they’re non-negotiables.
“If you don’t have integrity, you can’t be here,” she said. “It creates respect for others, their ideas and their goals, and it pushes us to support those goals.”
That culture of integrity extends to the very top. Founded by the Brown family in 1997, Children’s Lighthouse maintains a strong family business dynamic — and Russ says it’s one of the reasons she took the job.
“I had reservations about working for a family business, but the Browns are exceptional,” she said. “They live by the values they preach, and that creates an environment of trust and stability. There’s no chaos here — no wondering what’s going to happen next.”
As Children’s Lighthouse continues expanding — with 70+ schools open and more in development — Russ is proud to play a role in scaling the brand while protecting its values.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to elevate the brand, from improving internal processes to entering new markets,” she said. “It’s inspiring to work with a team that’s not afraid of change, but also deeply committed to doing what’s right for our franchisees and the families they serve.”
Her advice to anyone considering franchise ownership? Do your homework — and trust your gut. “Franchising is a long-term commitment,” Russ said. “Make sure you’re aligned with the brand’s values and leadership. You want to work with a team that truly cares about your success.”
At Children’s Lighthouse, that’s exactly what franchisees find — a legal leader who knows the business inside and out, and a team that believes success starts with strong relationships.
For more information on franchising with Children’s Lighthouse, visit: https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse.
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