1851

As a mother and former employee of the U.S. Department of Education, Sara Qadir Yang understands the importance of a strong support system throughout a child’s K–12 experience. However, after the pandemic, she struggled to find inclusive tutoring for her own children and quickly found a substantial amount of her days committed to chauffeuring the girls from place to place as she worked to piece together well-rounded academic support.She knew it would be much easier to have all of the resources available under one roof. When her own mother asked about a Sylvan center in the community, she realized that this was just what was missing and began to pursue ownership with the franchise.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Qadir Yang:&nbsp;I worked for the U.S. Department of Education for about a decade. I was in the Office of Postsecondary Education, and we did a lot of grants and funding for underdeveloped colleges to build and strengthen their institutions. One of the things I realized throughout my time there was just how important the K–12 years are for aspiring college students, and a lot of these communities where these colleges were pulling students from may not have had the most rigorous or supportive K–12 programs.I got married in 2011. When I had my daughter the following year, I made the decision to resign from that position in order to devote more time to her. I became a full-time mom and had my second daughter a few years later, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.&nbsp;Now the girls are both school-aged, and I saw firsthand, especially after the pandemic, how many children have an academic gap. I’ve always had a tutor for academic support - even prior to the pandemic but no matter how many places I went, we still weren’t getting exactly what we really needed. I was spending so much time juggling academic support, not to mention their other extracurriculars. I found myself talking to my mom about how difficult this was, and she said, “Don’t you have a Sylvan?” We didn’t! The nearest one was at least an hour and a half away. That got me thinking about the model and how there really isn’t anything comparable to what Sylvan provides.&nbsp;I never saw myself as a franchisee, but I realized our community could really benefit from a Sylvan, and the rest is history.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?Qadir Yang:&nbsp;I didn’t really have any perceptions. I had always wanted to have my own business, preferably something that would help children and the community.&nbsp;What I want people to know is that it&nbsp;is possible. You can do it, and the support from the franchisor plays a crucial role in making it attainable.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Qadir Yang:&nbsp;I chose Sylvan because of what they provide. It’s everything you need, A–Z, under one roof. That’s hard to find.&nbsp;The more I learned about the brand, I saw them as tech-advanced, really catering to the needs of the students. My undergraduate degree is in computer science, so it’s exciting for everything to be so efficient. All of the children are using iPads in comparison to other concepts, where they are still using paper, pencil and a timer. I like that Sylvan is up-to-date and is catering to what we need. The model is advanced enough to provide that.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Qadir Yang:&nbsp;I hope to contribute to the community by providing access to these academic support services. My hope is to have not just two centers but hopefully more in the area so we can have that outreach for every community. There’s nothing comparable in our area, and there’s so much need. I hold a masters degree in Higher Education Administration and also in Clinical Nutrition. Thus, education and science have always been my passion. I hope to bring more STEM options to the area, as well as a variety academic support options - not just to Roseville and Folsom but in the surrounding areas as well.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Qadir Yang:&nbsp;What makes me unique is my experience as a mother. That has allowed me to really understand what the students are going through and where the need is.We have tried many times to sit down with our kids and help them with schoolwork. We certainly have enough know-how for a second and fifth grader, but at the end of the day, most kids do better in a different environment than home. They need to be in an environment that allows them to really focus and provides a sense of excitement.Between my personal experience as a mom, educational background and work experience, I feel like I understand the issue from all sides. It just felt like the right fit for me.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Qadir Yang:&nbsp;They should explore what being a franchisee is really about. With Sylvan, it feels more like a family than just a business or franchisor-franchisee relationship. They’re very welcoming.&nbsp;You have to find the right fit for you. Find something that inspires and motivates you, and you’ll start to feel like you’re part of that family or team. That’s what makes it the right franchise for you.ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING:With more than 40 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. Sylvan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRG). For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

Local Mother Signs to Bring Sylvan Learning to Roseville and Fulsom After Experiencing the Need Firsthand

1851 Franchise

Sara Qadir Yang realized her community was lacking resources as she worked to find academic support for her two daughters. Now, she has signed for two Sylvan locations with plans for additional growth.

local-mother-signs-to-bring-sylvan-learning-to-roseville-and-fulsom-after-experiencing-the-need-firsthand

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Melting Pot

Melting Pot 50th anniversary photo, featuring three people enjoying celebratory drinks and fondue

Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments

melting-pot-50th-anniversary-fondue-celebration

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Kathy Turner: The Filta Franchisee Keeping LA's Kitchens Cooking (and Green)

kathy-turner-the-filta-franchisee-keeping-las-kitchens-cooking-and-green

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 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

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Local Mother Signs to Bring Sylvan Learning to Roseville and Fulsom After Experiencing the Need Firsthand

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS