1851

From surviving gunfire to a grueling week-long boat trip, Lam has several life experiences that have&nbsp;shaped him into the successful entrepreneur and leader he is today.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;His story of coming over definitely influences him as a CEO; he&rsquo;s not afraid to take big risks,&rdquo; Stephanie Zhu,<a href="https://bestinclassfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-best-in-class-education-ceo-fearlessly-conquers-franchising-8937" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Best in Class Education</a>&#39;s&nbsp;VP of business development and finance, told Franchise Times. &ldquo;For him, that&rsquo;s a minor risk on a relative scale.&rdquo;&nbsp; 
 
Lam left Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and spent a year as a refugee in the Philippines&nbsp;before starting over in Canada. After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Lam founded Best in Class Education in 1995 in Seattle and started franchising the company in 2010. In the first years of the company, Lam ran the company by himself. 
 
&ldquo;It had a similar atmosphere now where it was kind of a fun place to learn, and it wasn&rsquo;t a really rigid classroom. He kept it very light and fun, but still very educational,&rdquo; Zhu, one of Lam&rsquo;s first students at <a href="http://bestinclass.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-best-in-class-education-ceo-fearlessly-conquers-franchising-8937" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Best in Class Education Center</a>, told Franchise Times.&nbsp; 
 
Since then, the company has grown to 43 units in eight states nationwide.&nbsp;

Click <a href="http://www.franchisetimes.com/January-2017/Fear-is-relative-for-Best-in-Class-CEO/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-best-in-class-education-ceo-fearlessly-conquers-franchising-8937" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here </a>to read the full piece. 
&nbsp;

Best in Class Education CEO | Fearless Franchising Leader | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

The Vietnamese immigrant found the American Dream through franchising

Franchise Times: Best In Class Education CEO Fearlessly Conquers Franchising

franchise-times-best-in-class-education-ceo-fearlessly-conquers-franchising

Woodhouse Spas

Why Franchise Owners Continue To Invest in Woodhouse Spas

why-franchise-owners-continue-to-invest-in-woodhouse-spas

Sylvan Learning

Clay Today: Sylvan Learning of Orange Park Celebrates 40 Years of Education and Growth

clay-today-sylvan-learning-of-orange-park-celebrates-40-years-of-education-and-growth

Layne's Chicken Fingers

FOX Business: Layne’s Chicken Fingers CEO Expresses Optimism for Small Business Growth

fox-business-laynes-chicken-fingers-ceo-expresses-optimism-for-small-business-growth

Sylvan Learning - Empowering Women in Education - Susan Valverde - Denise Tompkins - Jessica Rollins

Empowering Women in Education: How Sylvan Learning’s Female Leaders Are Making an Impact

sylvan-learning-empowering-women-in-education

Shuckin' Shack

Photo of Shuckin' Shack team gathered in a room for the brand's State of the Union

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar Franchise Partners Unite for Annual Conference Focused on Innovation, Growth, and Giving Back

shuckin-shack-franchisees-unite-for-annual-conference

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with hundred dollar bill and orange "recession" banner across the middle

ABC News: Recession Risks Are Rising, Economists Say. Here’s What to Know.

recession-risks-impact-economy-franchise-world

NRA: Restaurants Focus On Enhancing In-Store Experiences To Attract Diners in 2025

nra-restaurants-focus-on-enhancing-in-store-experiences-to-attract-diners-in-2025

The Joint Chiropractic - Dr. Anthony Tran - IFA Franchisee of the Year - 1851 Franchise

The Joint Chiropractic’s Dr. Anthony Tran Named Franchisee of the Year by the IFA

joint-chiropractic-dr-anthony-tran-ifa

TruGolf - Hybrid Golf Franchise - Nexus Golf - 1851 Franchise

TruGolf Links Unveils Revolutionary Hybrid Golf Franchise Concept

trugolf-links-unveils-revolutionary-hybrid-golf-franchise-concept

Photo of a basket of chicken wings with dipping sauce and celery

RestaurantNews: Franchisees File Comprehensive Legal Complaint Against Hurricane AMT

restaurantnews-franchisees-file-comprehensive-legal-complaint-against-hurricane-amt

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

Taco Bell Joins the Beverage Boom With New Live Más Café Concept

taco-bell-joins-the-beverage-boom-with-new-live-mas-cafe-concept

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Domonique Downing - Big Frog Franchise - Fayetteville, GA - 1851 Franchise

Coca-Cola Scientist Finds Path to Autonomy with Big Frog Franchise in Fayetteville, Georgia

big-frog-franchise-fayetteville-georgia

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Tiam Behdarvandan’s Let’s Get Moving Offers a Franchise Opportunity Rooted in Growth and Support

tiam-behdarvandans-lets-get-moving-offers-a-franchise-opportunity-rooted-in-growth-and-support

Franchise Times: Best In Class Education CEO Fearlessly Conquers Franchising

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS