Children's Lighthouse

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-russ-1920814?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=legal-expertise-meets-heart-how-stephanie-russ-builds-franchisee-confidence-at-childrens-lighthouse-2729363" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stephanie Russ</a> joined&nbsp;<a href="https://childrenslighthousefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=legal-expertise-meets-heart-how-stephanie-russ-builds-franchisee-confidence-at-childrens-lighthouse-2729363" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Children’s Lighthouse</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/info">Children’s Lighthouse</a> 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.”<h2>Franchising Is a Relationship</h2>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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/shelly-pair-childrens-lighthouse-franchise-2727877">Children’s Lighthouse supports its franchisees</a>, 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/explaining-the-fdd-how-to-read-childrens-lighthouses-franchise-disclosure-document-2728399">Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/how-this-childrens-lighthouse-leadership-team-member-applies-her-background-in-franchising-to-help-franchisees-succeed-2728147">Children’s Lighthouse leadership philosophy</a>. “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.”<h2>Living the Core Values</h2>Children’s Lighthouse is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/childrens-lighthouse-the-family-owned-franchise-making-dreams-come-true-in-the-59-billion-child-care-category-2726092">rooted in three core values</a>: 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/executive-qa-michael-brown-president-of-childrens-lighthouse-2726984">Brown family</a> 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.”<h2>Looking Ahead: Growth With Purpose</h2>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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse/childrens-lighthouse-franchisee-ideal-2727080">anyone considering franchise ownership</a>? 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:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse">https://1851franchise.com/childrens-lighthouse</a>.

How Stephanie Russ Supports Franchisees at Children’s Lighthouse

1851 Franchise

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.

This brand page has been paid for by CHILDREN'S LIGHTHOUSE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Legal Expertise Meets Heart: How Stephanie Russ Builds Franchisee Confidence at Children’s Lighthouse

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