1851

As a longtime Mergers and Acquisitions executive and proud mother to twin boys, Hetal Shah faced the challenges of being a working parent. When deciding on her next business venture, she knew that she wanted to combine her passion of working with kids and provide families with collaboration opportunities to foster better values and address the challenge of it takes a village to raise kids!! Hetal had been following&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/lightbridgeacademy/info">Lightbridge Academy*®</a>, a leading early childhood education and child care franchise, since her boys, now in college, were young.&nbsp;Knowing what amazing services and the Circle of Care, the brand has to offer parents, Hetal decided to open centers of her own. Hetal has enthusiastically signed on to bring two&nbsp;<a href="https://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-mother-and-entrepreneur-brings-lightbridge-academy-to-tampa-to-support-other-working-moms-2723074" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lightbridge Academy</a> centers to Tampa&nbsp; and expand the brand even more in the coming years.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Hetal about her franchising journey with Lightbridge Academy.&nbsp;PROFILE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Hetal:&nbsp;Many years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, helping organizations acquire or divest businesses; What got me interested in childcare was having my own twin boys. It was hard for me to get through the routine of picking up my boys everyday, so I wanted to do something for working moms. Not just anything, but a place where mothers can drop their children and get quality care. A place where people don’t have to worry about the safety and the healthiness of their children as I did so many times when my kids were younger.&nbsp;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?Hetal:&nbsp;I knew that it would definitely help having the corporate umbrella. If I were to start a daycare of multiple units all by myself, it would probably take humongous&nbsp; effort. With a franchise, it will help me with the synergetic partnership &amp; experience of the day care franchise as they would equally share experiences. There are teams that can help me with the PR, the marketing, operations, and logistics that I have no experience with when it comes to running a franchisee. People should know that franchising comes with great risk and requires great knowledge and passion for the industry that you are entering in. It is not for everyone and takes a massive effort from multiple teams of people.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Hetal: I have been following Lightbridge since they were called Rainbow Academy. I inquired about sending my own kids, but we ended up moving. I really liked what they had to offer. I had been trying to get into franchising for some time but then I had dropped the idea for a few years because life happened. I wanted to franchise with a very reputable and trusted name like Lightbridge, I liked the theme of the Circle of Care and you feel welcomed when you enter any LightBridge center. I think what’s exciting about Lightbridge is how quickly it is expanding and how quickly it is adopting new customs to keep kids more entertained. The learning and growth once you start with Lightbridge never really stops1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Hetal:&nbsp;I hope to open multiple centers in Tampa — that's my goal. I have two units for now, but I am definitely looking to grow more if I can and help the Lightbridge brand grow in Florida. I also want to create a system of reliable childcare that mothers can trust and take advantage of whenever they need. Accessibility is a necessity when it comes to raising children.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Hetal:&nbsp;As a mother of twin boys, I found it challenging to balance my family and career. I have played an influential role in bringing about changes to child development, athletic, and safety programs at public elementary schools. I have raised awareness about the importance of introducing children to community service projects, youth leadership programs, and the enhancement of oratory skills from an early age. I&nbsp;have actively supported local Cancer &amp; Autism foundations through fundraising events such as organizing 5K runs and spreading smiles! This extensive experience with youth has provided me with the ability to interact with children of various ages. This understanding has enabled me to grasp their patterns, tendencies, and how to create a comfortable and joyful learning environment for their growth and development!1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Hetal: I'm trying to get away from merger and acquisitions and get into daycare services, but this is not an easy job. I would say if you love kids, and if you have the passion for doing something for kids, this is for you. You should do it only if your mind is in the right place and you want to help make lives better for parents and kids.&nbsp;

Local Mother and Entrepreneur Brings Lightbridge Academy to Tampa to Support Other Working Moms

1851 Franchise

Having raised twin boys while working full time, Hetal Shah knows just how important good child care services are. That’s why she is bringing the early childhood education franchise to Tampa.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

local-mother-and-entrepreneur-brings-lightbridge-academy-to-tampa-to-support-other-working-moms

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

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 Development Website Builder

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

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Local Mother and Entrepreneur Brings Lightbridge Academy to Tampa to Support Other Working Moms

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS