Local Entrepreneur Brings Sylvan Learning to St. Johns County, Florida, Championing Personalized Education for Local Students

For Anil Singh, a longtime entrepreneur and startup strategist, education has always been more than just a prerequisite to a job  — it’s a transformative force that shapes futures through understanding and critical thinking. Having spent 25 years in the technology sector, including over a decade helping startups grow, Anil began to reflect on where his time and energy were going. Rather than building businesses for others, he wanted to create something meaningful and impactful for himself and his family and to give back to his neighbors and community. That realization, combined with both his and his wife’s passion for education, led them to Sylvan Learning. 

When Anil and his wife, Mala, moved to St. Johns County, Florida, they saw firsthand how much local families valued education. Even in one of the top-rated school districts in the state, parents frequently sought supplemental learning programs to help their children excel. Inspired by this demand, the couple set out to find a way to provide high-quality educational support. Sylvan Learning, is a brand that not only aligned with their values but also leveraged technology to engage students in a way that felt natural to them. The couples goal is also to help underserved and underprivileged children within the community.

The Singhs plan on opening two Sylvan Learning centers in St. Johns County by April, with a third center in the works for later in the year. For them, franchising with Sylvan isn’t just about owning a business; it’s about giving back. They believe education is one of the most powerful tools for change, particularly for underserved children. By bringing Sylvan Learning’s adaptive learning tools to the area, the couple hopes to create opportunities for students to build confidence, develop strong academic foundations, and unlock their full potential.

1851 Franchise spoke to Anil about the franchise journey he and Mala have undertaken with Sylvan Learning, as well as his passion for technology-driven education. Here’s what he 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?

Anil Singh: We moved to Florida about three years ago, and now we have a 21-month-old. As we looked ahead, we wanted to start our family in a great place, and Florida, specifically St. Johns County, stood out. We had been coming here for over 30 years and love the sense of community and family centric values. We also were excited to be near the Kennedy Space Center and Universal. It has one of the best school districts in the state, but after speaking with PTAs, PTOs and parents, we realized many families supplement their children's education in some way.

I’ve been in the tech sector for the last 25 years, spending the last decade in startups, helping companies develop their technology and grow. Some of those companies, unfortunately, went out of business, while others are still running today. At one point, my wife asked me, “Why are you building other people’s companies? Why not do something for yourself?” That question made me take a step back and really think because I decided that I wanted to help kids build their future. We chose Sylvan because of its forward thinking attitude towards technology and meeting kids at their current level to help them learn and grow academically. We also loved meeting the Sylvan executive team and have faith in the leadership as we embarked on this journey

As we considered our options, education kept coming up because once you have a strong academic foundation, you can really shoot for the stars and the sky is the limit. My wife and I both believe a solid education is crucial. I would not be where I am today without it. That doesn’t necessarily mean having advanced degrees — it just means having a strong foundation. My dad always told me, “Someone can take away your house, your car or your belongings, but they can’t take away your education. As long as you have that, you can always build something.” Whether it’s in trades, sciences or professional careers, education provides a foundation to move forward.

With that in mind, we explored different franchises in the educational space. We ultimately chose Sylvan because, unlike the others, they take technology seriously and integrate it into their curriculum. If you have kids, nieces or nephews, you know that children today are incredibly tech-savvy. My daughter, at just eleven months old, was already navigating my phone better than I could!

Technology is an integral part of kids’ lives today, and every future generation will be more technologically inclined than the last. Sylvan recognizes this and meets children where they are by incorporating technology into their curriculum. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from my mentors is to meet people where they’re at — and kids are no different. They have their own interests and ways of learning, and by using technology as a tool, Sylvan engages them in a way that feels natural.

Sylvan has extensive research demonstrating how its curriculum improves math, reading and writing skills. That’s why we felt confident in our decision — it wasn’t just about running a business; it was about making a real impact in education.

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?

Anil: My perception of franchising was that you open something, pay someone else and they make all the money while you take all the risk. That’s still true to some extent, but with franchising, you also have a team. Through all the research we did across different franchises — both in education and other industries — I saw that some people have really bad experiences. Some franchisors change rules and terms unexpectedly.

Sylvan, however, has a solid history. It’s owned by Unleashed Brands, which I liked because it's part of a bigger organization with established processes. As they grow Sylvan and their other brands, they aim for consistency, which is important. Sylvan itself has been around for 45 years. When researching online reviews — taking them with a grain of salt, of course — I didn’t see franchisees complaining about Sylvan. I saw a lot of negative feedback about other competitors, but not about Sylvan. 

As for support, Sylvan provides a lot. Yes, you’re paying fees, but you’re getting valuable resources in return. I don’t need a team of 100 teachers to develop a curriculum from scratch — that alone would cost far more than what I pay Sylvan. They also provide marketing, operational guidance and training, so I’m not starting from scratch. Instead of figuring out everything on my own, I’m already a few steps ahead in areas like marketing and operations.

With over 700 franchisees in the U.S., Sylvan connects me with experienced owners who can offer guidance. If I were building something brand new, I’d have no one to turn to for advice. Instead, I can talk to other franchisees who’ve been in my shoes and say, “Hey, don’t do that, here’s why,” or “You should try this instead.” That kind of network is invaluable. So, overall, franchising isn’t just about paying fees — it’s about gaining a head start and leveraging a proven system.

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

Anil: It was really about the fact that Sylvan is an education company, but more importantly, they integrate technology into their approach while focusing on helping kids succeed. One of the things I love about technology is the ability to get instant feedback on students’ skills, learning progress, strengths and weaknesses. Sylvan is the only truly personalized education company because every student’s experience is tailored to their needs.

Unlike traditional methods where every student gets the same book, takes the same test and waits for results, Sylvan’s system is adaptive. If a student answers a question correctly, they get a harder one. If they struggle, the system adjusts to find their level. This means we get immediate insights instead of waiting two weeks to realize a student is struggling in a certain area. With Sylvan, we know in minutes, allowing our teachers to make real-time adjustments to ensure the most effective use of a student’s time with us.

For me, the biggest reward is when a student no longer needs us. That means we’ve built a strong foundation, and they’re able to succeed on their own. Our happiest moments are when students no longer need Sylvan — or any educational support — because they’ve truly mastered what they need to move forward.

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

Anil: When we first started, our initial plan was to open one location and see how it went. This was before we chose Sylvan. But after learning about Sylvan and the level of support they provide, combined with our passion for education and helping kids, we realized that opening just one location wasn’t enough.

St. Johns County doesn’t have a Sylvan Learning center. Other programs exist, but from what I’ve seen, they don’t offer strong educational support. Even after speaking with schools and PTA/PTO organizations, it became clear that parents don’t feel they have solid options. However, when I mention Sylvan Learning, the reaction is immediate — people recognize the brand and ask, “When are you opening?”

That’s when we realized the significant need in St. Johns County. Right now, we’re opening two locations in April, with plans to launch a third by the end of the year. Our long-term goal is to expand further into underserved communities as we establish a strong foundation.

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

Anil: Both my wife and I grew up in New York City and attended the public school system there. If it weren’t for the great teachers we had, we wouldn’t be where we are today. The teachers who truly took the time to invest in us made all the difference.

While this is a business, we also want to give back to the community and support underserved and underprivileged children. Whether it’s through local charities or directly offering free enrollment opportunities, we want to make an impact.

Another reason we chose education — though we don’t necessarily rank them — is that unlike other businesses, where the most you can give away is a cup of coffee or a donut, education has the power to change lives. If we can help a child build confidence in their math, reading and writing skills, that child can go on to accomplish incredible things. There are underserved children across this country who need help, and through Sylvan and our business, we’re committed to doing everything we can to give back to the communities we serve.

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

Anil: I would say, do your research. If you choose a franchise, make sure it provides a strong level of support so you're not starting from scratch. Many brands claim to offer support, but in reality, they don’t and they end up winging it in certain areas.

At the same time, be cautious of franchises that are overly rigid. While well-established franchises have processes in place, some won’t allow you to deviate at all. What I like about Sylvan is that while they do have processes we need to follow, they are also open to discussions because they understand that the world — and individual communities — are constantly changing. St. Johns County is very different from New York City or Los Angeles, and Sylvan recognizes that. They are willing, within reason, to adapt and help franchisees meet their communities' needs.

So, do your research. Don’t choose a franchise with no structure, but also avoid one so rigid that it only focuses on making money without flexibility. If your goal is purely financial, follow the system and you’ll likely be fine. But if you have a passion for something, find a franchise that allows for conversations and direct access to decision-makers.

With Sylvan, I’m only one step removed from the people who make the big decisions, which is great. I don’t call them all the time, but when I do, I know they will listen. That ability to communicate and be heard is invaluable.

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.

 ABOUT UNLEASHED BRANDS

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Sylvan Learning and was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit www.unleashedbrands.com.