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<a href="http://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-lightbridge-foundation-helps-support-westwood-new-jersey-center-director-2705314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lightbridge Academy in Westwood, New Jersey</a> has educated and cared for the needs of hundreds of young families in Westwood and surrounding areas. However, when a crisis struck close to home, they rallied to support one of their own along with backing from their non-profit arm, the Lightbridge Foundation. When Crystal Connolly, Center Director, learned her newborn baby would be born with a heart defect, her workplace provided support unlike any other.

On January 11, 2017, &ldquo;I was going in for a typical ultrasound,&rdquo; said Connolly, but her world was thrown upside down. After a few tests, the doctors told her that the soon-to-be baby-boy was suffering from a rare congenital heart defect while in utero. The condition is called Transposition of the Great Arteries.

In non-technical language, Transposition of the Great Arteries, occurs when the heart valves and arteries are &ldquo;switched&rdquo;. It is often discovered during pregnancy and can be fatal if not surgically treated. According to Connolly, the defect affects 1,200 out of 4,000,000 babies born per year in the U.S., which is a 0.0003% chance.

As the necessity for a major surgery became clear, uncertainty filled Connolly&rsquo;s mind. They did not know how they were going to prepare, both financially and emotionally, for what was next. The two apprehensively planned for the care of their young preschooler in addition to the needs of their soon to be born infant. Traveling from New Jersey into NYC for checkups prior to birth, a lifesaving heart surgery and then an extended recovery in the neonatal intensive care unit would be extremely difficult to manage.

Connolly requested an extended maternity leave to care for her family and the Westwood center and corporate team discussed how they could help support their standout center director.

Fortunately, <a href="https://lightbridgeacademy.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-lightbridge-foundation-helps-support-westwood-new-jersey-center-director-2705314" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lightbridge Academy is a company with core values that are focused on the word &ldquo;children&rdquo;</a>. All of the Westwood families and staff raised funds and the Lightbridge Foundation offered to match their efforts with a grant. Since the foundation was created to support the needs of all those within their Circle of Care including those in the communities they serve, Connolly&rsquo;s circumstances perfectly met the criteria.

Lightbridge Academy provided Crystal with the peace of mind and time she needed to help her son James recover and also covered all other medical and commuting expenses. Extremely humbled, Connolly accepted the offer.

James Connolly was born on May 18, 2017, and underwent open heart surgery six days after his birth.

The recovery period was intense, with the family commuting to Columbia University&rsquo;s hospital in New York City everyday for the following few weeks. Connolly explained that the commute wasn&rsquo;t that difficult, but commuting costs added up quickly with bridge tolls, gas and parking. To park around the hospital, Connolly said was almost one hundred dollars a day. &ldquo;We are so thankful for Lightbridge&rsquo;s support because at that time and in that situation, we don&rsquo;t know how we would have been able to afford it.&rdquo;

Crystal took the amount of time she needed to care for James, and returned to work on September 1st.

&ldquo;Without the help, I&rsquo;m not sure how my husband and I would have supported our daughter and daily lives. The Westwood families, staff and the Lightbridge foundation completely supported us,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;If I worked for any other company, I&rsquo;m not sure where we would be today.&rdquo;

James is now a healthy baby boy and his family looks toward his first birthday this May. He and his sister are students at Lightbridge Academy of Westwood. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a gift to get to see my both of children every day and work for a company that cares!&rdquo;

The Lightbridge Foundation Helps Support Westwood, New Jersey Center Director

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The Foundation Continues to Give Back in its Communities to Help Those in Need 

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

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What is the total investment required for a franchise?

What is the total investment required for a franchise? In this guide with expert tips, learn the costs of starting a franchise, including the fees, buildout, capital and ongoing expenses required.

The Lightbridge Foundation Helps Support Westwood, New Jersey Center Director

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