IT Leader Celebrates One Year of Sylvan Learning in Simi Valley: A Passion for Education and Technology Drives Her Mission to Help Students Succeed

For Venetya Evans, opening a learning center wasn’t just a business decision — it was personal. Nearly 26 years ago, when her son was diagnosed with ADHD and struggled with math, she saw firsthand how one-on-one tutoring with the right educator could make a world of difference. That experience planted the seed for what would later become her journey into education.

With a background in information technology and software development, Evans spent over 30 years in corporate roles before beginning to explore business opportunities for retirement. After researching multiple learning center franchises, she discovered Sylvan Learning, a brand that aligned perfectly with her vision — offering individualized academic support and incorporating STEM programs that inspire students.

Now, as she celebrates her first year in business, Evans reflects on the challenges and successes of bringing Sylvan Learning to Simi Valley, California, where the community has embraced her center and its mission to close learning gaps and build student confidence.

1851 spoke with Evans to learn more about her background, her journey with Sylvan Learning and her plans 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?

Venetya Evans: I always wanted to create a learning center, especially after seeing my son struggle in school. He was diagnosed with ADHD, but the special needs program at his school wasn’t very helpful. He had a hard time with math, and that’s when I found an amazing algebra teacher who agreed to tutor him one-on-one. The way she engaged him and explained concepts was incredible — it made such a difference. That experience made me realize how powerful personalized learning can be, and I started thinking about creating a space where kids could sit down with passionate educators who truly want to help them succeed.

My career, however, took me in a different direction. I worked in IT, moved into a desktop support role with a major insurance company and eventually became a software developer. But as I started thinking about what I wanted to do after retirement, I began researching learning centers again. I looked into three or four different franchises, and that’s when I found Sylvan Learning.

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?

Evans: In software development, you don’t want to reinvent the wheel. If someone has already spent years putting in the work to build a successful framework, why start from scratch? Creating a learning center is no small feat — there are so many moving parts. Franchising with Sylvan gave me the structure and support I needed to get started without having to figure everything out on my own.

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

Evans: Sylvan had everything I was looking for, especially their commitment to technology. I had previously worked with young girls teaching robotics and coding, and I wanted to incorporate some form of STEM into any learning center I opened. Seeing that Sylvan already had a strong STEM program in place was a major selling point.

Beyond that, the numbers made sense. Sylvan has built an excellent system, and they truly believe in innovation. The leadership team is invested in making sure franchisees succeed, and that gave me confidence in my decision.

1851: How has your first year in Simi Valley been?

Evans: There have been ups and downs, but that’s expected in your first year of business. A lot of the mistakes I made early on were simply due to inexperience, but I learned from them quickly. The great part is that most of the people I brought onto my team in the beginning months are still with us today.

A year in, I can honestly say that I love what I’m doing. I used to get depressed on Sunday nights thinking about going to work the next day, but now, Sunday nights are exciting. I can’t wait to come into my center. It’s a culture we’ve built, and I love it. The kids are incredible, and I feel like I’m doing what I was meant to do.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive — they’ve really embraced us.

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

Evans: My priority right now is to perfect what we’re doing — making sure we are running smoothly and staying in compliance.

Eventually, I’d love to expand. I’m also interested in institutional teaching, helping students bridge learning gaps and increasing test scores, especially as many kids are still catching up from the pandemic. That’s a major issue in our area, and I’d love to be part of the solution.

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

Evans: I actually majored in French literature at UCLA and speak French fluently. So, if any French-speaking students come in, I can help them too!

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

Evans: First and foremost, make sure you have enough capital saved. Getting through that first year is tough, and financial stability is key.

Second, location is everything. Think carefully about where you open your business — are you in a place where the market can easily find you, or will you need to invest heavily in advertising? Visibility is crucial.

Lastly, pay attention to the brand itself. What are parents and kids saying about it? What is the earning potential? Is it something you can realistically live on? And most importantly, is there a strong support system? Those are the key factors that will determine your success as a franchisee.

For more information on franchising with Sylvan Learning, visit: https://1851franchise.com/sylvanlearning.

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.