For Franchisees Kai Lee Awaya-Yoder and Tobin Yoder, Sylvan Learning is a True Family Affair

Even before becoming franchisees, Kai Lee Awaya-Yoder and Tobin Yoder were no strangers to Sylvan Learning. The couple had each grown up with the supplemental and enrichment education brand in completely different parts of the country, eventually meeting for the first time at a Sylvan Learning conference. Now, the two have become owners and operators of a Sylvan center in Mililani, Hawaii after Kai Lee’s uncle retired and transferred ownership.

Hawaii-native Kai Lee originally started working at Sylvan Learning as a teenager after her mother met the owner of the Kahala, Hawaii Sylvan Learning center, Joe Weldon. Kai Lee’s brother began attending the center and from then on, Kai Lee’s family built a strong relationship with Weldon and the Sylvan Learning brand.

“In 2000 I volunteered for Joe Weldon and was hired as a ‘bookpuller’ at the Kahala Sylvan Learning center, back before everything was digitized,” said Kai Lee. “Eventually, I worked my way from information and grant specialist to substitute teacher and then center director.”

In the meantime, Kai Lee’s uncle, George Naito, was coming back to Hawaii from New York City, where he had been a high-powered building manager. Naito wanted to teach math to pass the time in his retirement. After doing some research, Naito purchased a different Sylvan center in Mililani, Hawaii and Kai Lee eventually went to work for him in 2007.

It was around that time that Kai Lee met her future husband, Tobin Yoder, at a Sylvan Learning conference. Tobin had also grown up with the Sylvan Learning brand back on the U.S. mainland —his parents purchased a Sylvan location in Saginaw, Michigan when he was in middle school. He spent some time participating in the center’s programs and even cleaned the center on weekends for some extra spending money.

“A few years after graduating from college, I decided my professional life was not going where I had hoped and wanted to find something different,” said Tobin. “My parents had spent almost ten years operating the Saginaw Sylvan Learning and wanted to open a second. They approached me about opening a new center in Midland, Michigan. As it turns out, Sylvan Learning was the perfect career for me. The positive impact Sylvan has on a child and their family is extraordinary, and I am so proud to be able to be part of that truly rewarding experience.”

When Naito decided to retire from ownership after a long, varied and successful career, the Sylvan Learning model made it very easy for Kai Lee and Tobin to take over the Mililani center. Plus, the brand’s competitive royalty fee structure and other financial incentives make Sylvan Learning an accessible and rewarding franchise brand for every generation of entrepreneurs.

“Sylvan Learning has provided so many opportunities for our entire extended family,” said Kai Lee. “I think the biggest opportunity is to make a difference in someone’s life. We all know that success in school leads to having options later in life such as being competitive for college and career opportunities.”

Since day one, Sylvan Learning has been paving the way for student success thanks to industry-leading technology like the personalized learning platform SylvanSync™, proven ACT/SAT test prep curricula, in-demand STEM courses and more. That said, it’s not only a brand’s offering or model that drives success—it’s the people.

With an incredible network of franchise partners and a multi-layered support system, the Sylvan Learning team positions owners like Kai Lee and Tobin for continued success as part of the growing family.

After 40 years of business and counting, Sylvan Learning has established a proven and successful business model and a strong brand name that customers can trust. Moreover, Sylvan Learning offers franchisees an opportunity as rewarding financially as it is emotionally.

“In addition to giving kids the power to choose their own path, Sylvan Learning has also given us the power to be our own boss and have a system and community behind us that allows us to stay current and effective,” said Kai. “Sylvan Learning has been such an important part of our family’s story, and we are proud to give back to the families of our community on a daily basis with the brand.”

The startup costs for a Sylvan Learning franchise range from $70,270-$163,625. The franchise fee is $24,000. To learn more about franchising with Sylvan Learning, visit https://sylvanfranchise.com/.