From Health Care to Child Care: Couple Expands Business Portfolio by Franchising with Children’s Lighthouse

Christopher and Muke Touoboun, both healthcare professionals with previous experience in business ownership. The couple own a home care agency focused on senior care and recently decided to expand their caregiving expertise into the child care industry by franchising with Children’s Lighthouse in Royse City, Texas. The driving force behind this decision comes from a personal connection to Children’s Lighthouse, where their children are currently enrolled. After their son’s birth, they found it difficult to find the right child care provider, especially given that their son had complications after birth and needed special care. However, they found Children’s Lighthouse to be the perfect match and have been incredibly impressed with the quality of care ever since. 

The Touobouns took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say.

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

Christopher Touoboun: I’ve been a pharmacist for over 10 years, and my wife is a nurse with about four or five years of experience. We’ve owned a home care agency for around six to seven years now, focusing on senior care with contracts through the VA and Texas Medicaid. We also own a trucking company, and I’m a State Farm agent. Given our background in care, we wanted to expand into childcare, which led us to explore opportunities in this space.

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

Muke Touoboun: Our kids currently go to Children’s Lighthouse, so that was a significant factor in our decision. We’ve had a very positive experience with the care they provide. The centers have cameras, so we can check in on our kids throughout the day, and the teachers have been fantastic. That level of care and the overall organization of the brand made it an easy choice for us. Additionally, when our first son needed special attention due to complications after birth, the staff’s patience and understanding were invaluable. The facilities are well-equipped, and we felt reassured by the daily updates and pictures we received.

1851: What’s your big goal for your first year with Children’s Lighthouse?

Christopher: Our main goal is to have 200 kids enrolled by the time we open. We plan to start our marketing efforts early and engage in community outreach to build awareness before the school opens. That way, on day one, we’ll have a full roster of students ready to start.

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

Christopher: Initially, we were a bit skeptical about franchising. We’ve seen others go through the franchise route with different businesses and fail, so we were cautious. However, we realized that franchising with Children’s Lighthouse could provide us with the foundational support we needed to avoid starting everything from scratch, especially considering the capital-intensive nature of this venture. The franchise offers a head start, which is valuable when entering a new industry like childcare.

1851: What advice do you have for aspiring franchisees?

Christopher: Do your research. Talk to other franchise owners to understand the margins, the startup process and what it takes to succeed. Location is crucial — choose a prime spot where you’re more likely to start off successfully rather than struggling to break even.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S LIGHTHOUSE:

The Children’s Lighthouse brand was established in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1997. Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools™ promise to create a safe, fun, and happy place that gives children confidence, a sense of comfort today, and a lifelong love of learning, friendship, and community. Its proprietary curriculum helps children of all ages develop healthy brains, bodies and best behaviors.