Finance Professional Turns Passion for Education into a Thriving Sylvan Learning Franchise

Zibaa Gowani, a former finance professional, has always been deeply passionate about education and helping students succeed. After years of tutoring and teaching, Gowani decided to take her commitment to education to the next level by becoming a Sylvan Learning franchisee. Drawn to Sylvan by its robust curriculum and strong brand recognition, she saw an opportunity to make a significant impact in her community. 

With her first location thriving, Gowani recently opened her second Sylvan Learning center in Greatwood, Texas, expanding her reach and helping even more students achieve their academic goals.

Now, as the proud owner of two Sylvan Learning centers, Gowani is dedicated to fostering a love of learning in students and providing the support they need to excel in their educational journeys.

1851 Franchise spoke with Gowani to learn more about her journey, what attracted her to Sylvan Learning, and her vision for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Zibaa Gowani: I have a background in finance and have always been interested in different businesses and investing. That drew me to start my own business. I was looking for an industry I'm passionate about. I've had 10 to 15 years of experience in teaching and tutoring, and I'm passionate about students, education and making a difference in the community. Education has played a big role in my life, helping me become successful, and I want to do the same for other kids in my community and across the country.

I researched brands and franchises that fit what I was looking for and came across Sylvan Learning. I love the program we offer — it's robust with a great curriculum, and we serve students from K through 12, which is the area I wanted to be a part of. This is my second location, and I wanted to reach students in different areas across the Houston community.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Gowani: I think what's great about having a franchise is the brand name and recognition. I wanted students and families to feel comfortable with a company that has been in business for many years, which is why I chose Sylvan as a franchise owner. It was important for me to have a big brand name in the market, with a robust curriculum and a long-standing reputation. Sylvan has been in business for about 45 years, so I felt they were a great fit. For me, franchising is about having a big brand name in the market, especially in education, and ensuring they have the curriculum and resources to make a real difference and help students.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Gowani: I picked this brand mainly because the curriculum is robust and serves students in grades K-12. We have kids who come to learn how to read, along with math, reading comprehension, vocabulary and everything in between. We also help high schoolers prepare for their SAT or ACT exams. The ability to cater to students across K-12 was very important to me when choosing a brand.

We have great teachers and a solid curriculum to train them. All of our teachers are Sylvan certified through our training program, and most are either substitute or full-time teachers in nearby schools. Having a great teaching program and dedicated teachers is what drew me to Sylvan. As I mentioned earlier, the brand name was also important to me, as Sylvan has been in business for 45 years, which is something that really stood out to me as a franchise owner.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Gowani: I hope to have many students that I can cater to and provide quality services for, helping with their tutoring needs from K-12 in various areas like reading, math and homework support. That's what I aim to achieve. I also hope to expand my locations to serve as many communities as possible in my area, making a difference in students' lives and their educational journeys. Helping them improve and fostering a love for learning is very important to me. Building confidence in students through learning is something I value, and I feel that Sylvan's program really encourages kids and helps them grow confident as they embark on their educational journeys.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Gowani: The most important thing is that I’m truly passionate about education. It’s a different career path from what I originally studied, but I feel strongly about serving students and making a difference in the community. That’s why I chose this business and this field. I want to support students, no matter their background, and help them wherever they are in their educational journey.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Gowani: The biggest piece of advice I have is to do your research and really go for it. I spent a lot of time researching Sylvan and the field I was interested in. That’s what I recommend to other franchise owners or those interested — research and find a brand that aligns with your values. It’s important to look into the company thoroughly. I did extensive research on education to find the brand that best fit what I was aiming to achieve.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING

With more than 45 years of experience and more than 710 points of presence, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE — STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep — college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey.  For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com. 

ABOUT UNLEASHED BRANDS

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Sylvan Learning and was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit www.unleashedbrands.com.