1851

Tina Francis is no stranger to hard work and dedication. She is a mother of two and balances a full-time job in the banking and mortgage industry. Additionally, she owns two IDEA Lab Kids, the Houston-based STEM + Arts education franchise that offers after-school classes, camps, birthday parties, and open labs to children from ages 4-14 years of age.&nbsp;Francis was originally drawn to the brand because her son was very advanced at a young age, and she was told to look into STEM programs for him. She began doing her research and found that her community did not have anything that focused on more than one area of learning. When she stumbled across IDEA Lab Kids, she met with the area developers and was instantly sold.&nbsp;Now, Francis has filled a void in the Pickering community with her first opening in 2021 and signed for another location to open this summer in Whitby. After seeing such high demand with waiting lists and families traveling from Whitby to Pickering, she knew opening in this area would be beneficial as well.&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?Francis:&nbsp;I still work full-time in the banking and mortgage industry. I’ve been doing that for over 20 years, with my last 10 years in business development. I was originally drawn to IDEA Lab Kids when my son started talking very early and knew all his animals, colors, etc. I was told to look into STEM programs for him because he was very advanced for his age. I couldn’t find anything in our area, but I came across IDEA Lab Kids, which seemed like the perfect thing for him. I reached out to the area developers in Toronto and met with them at a Starbucks nearby to discuss opportunities to open locations in my community. I instantly loved the concept of the camps and courses they offer. I opened Pickering in 2021 and&nbsp;am hoping to open my second location in Whitby this summer.&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?Francis: I have&nbsp;always been drawn to startups. I liked the idea of getting into IDEA Lab Kids early and being able to build it out and get the name recognized. In the past, I helped start a brokerage, and I have a portfolio of rental properties. Having multiple income streams is important to me, especially in today’s economy. I knew franchising was right for me because there’s a team providing marketing support and a research and development team providing new curriculums, which I wouldn't have been able to do on my own.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Francis:&nbsp;I love the fact that my son enjoys it so much. He loves science, coding, and culinary arts. To have the ability for my kids to enjoy and benefit from something I created is a great feeling. IDEA Lab Kids also has a wide variety of curriculums, while some concepts similar to this in our community focus on one area of learning.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Francis:&nbsp;I bought three licenses with the brand. My plan is to get Whitby open and then build a third location within the next couple of years. I just don’t know exactly when or where that location will be yet. My long-term goal is to become a household name in this region for being a STEM provider. I can see myself expanding throughout our region.&nbsp;I’m getting inquiries already from parents about Whitby because we have a lot of families from there who are coming to Pickering, but it's a bit of a drive. When I opened Pickering in June 2021, our summer camps were already full and had waiting lists. I actually had to rent additional space in Ajax because of the overflow, so it is clear that the demand is here, and there is also not a lot of competition.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Francis:&nbsp;It’s not easy, especially trying to juggle two kids and a full-time job, but IDEA Lab Kids has a great infrastructure for someone new to franchising. That has made it easier for me.&nbsp;

Local Mother Notices Lack of STEM Programs in Community; Opens IDEA Lab Kids to Fill Void

1851 Franchise

After Tina Francis opened IDEA Lab Kids in Pickering, she was eager to sign for another location in Whitby after seeing such high demand.


local-mother-notices-lack-of-stem-programs-in-community-opens-idea-lab-kids-to-fill-void

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Stands Out Among Other Children’s Education, Childcare, and Daycare Franchises

how-childrens-lighthouse-stands-out-among-other-childrens-education-childcare-and-daycare-franchises

The Growth Coach

The Growth Coach Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-growth-coach-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Why One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Sees People as the Power Behind Franchise Growth

one-hour-heating-air-conditioning-franchise-growth

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

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

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

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

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

photo-of-laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

23-Year-Old Entrepreneur Brings Soon to Be Famous Chicken™ to Southern Oregon With 3-Unit Layne’s Chicken Fingers Franchise Signing

laynes-chicken-fingers-dalton-dennis-southern-oregon

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

Local Mother Notices Lack of STEM Programs in Community; Opens IDEA Lab Kids to Fill Void

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS