When you picture a Mathnasium franchisee, you might imagine a former teacher or someone with a background in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). But Vince Martinez, a franchisee based in El Paso, Texas, shows that what matters most isn’t a resume filled with academic credentials — it’s a commitment to making a difference and the ability to lead a team.
Prior to becoming a franchisee, Martinez spent 30 years working in the retail industry, primarily with Walmart. “I really started from the bottom while I was a student in college,” he said. “I started here in the local community in El Paso. It was intended to be a part-time summer job while I was going to school, but eventually it turned out to be a career for me.”
That career was defined by upward momentum. “I spent the first three years as an hourly associate, then I entered a management training program and worked my way up to store manager. As a store manager, I got the opportunity to help build two new stores, which was a big learning experience. Later, I moved to our corporate office as an HR manager for the state of California, then to the Bay Area as a district manager, and eventually back to Texas to become a regional manager.”
Once he decided to retire, Martinez and his wife knew they wanted to open a business of their own. That’s when a conversation with a friend sparked a new path.
“I had a friend who was also in retail who had opened a Mathnasium in the recent past,” Martinez said. “He told me what he was doing and it motivated me enough to look into it. I knew I could use Mathnasium to serve a broader purpose to the community in El Paso, where I was born.”
Martinez launched his first Mathnasium in 2015 and, five years later, opened a second location. While his friend had a background in education, Martinez did not — but he wasn’t discouraged.
“I studied a lot of math in high school and college and that is what led me to feel comfortable with the brand,” he said. “Part of my mission was to give students who might be the first ones in their family to attend college and graduate with the confidence to continue their math performance. Truly making a difference really fit well in our mission.”
And Martinez’s connection to education started early. “As a second grader, I was promoted to the third grade because of the support of my teacher and my principal,” he said. “Looking back, I knew that their jobs were important because they made a difference in my life. Because of that, I always felt an academic edge. I had the confidence to never give up and try to do my best.”
He carried that drive into his business career, where his math skills quietly played a pivotal role. “As a business executive, this allowed me to measure reports and different areas of operation,” he said. “It really all led back to my math skills.”
One of the most common misconceptions about owning a Mathnasium is that you need to be a teacher or mathematician. According to Martinez, that’s simply not the case — but you do need to be hands-on.
“It’s important to know your business. Obviously, math is your business,” he said. “So to feel comfortable, you need to at least have a working knowledge of the level of math that they are teaching. And know that you can hire others who have more knowledge in math.”
Mathnasium is North America’s leading math-only supplemental education franchise. Since 2002, the Mathnasium Method™ — the result of decades of hands-on instruction and development — has been transforming the lives of children in grades K-12 by offering comprehensive assessments and fully individualized learning plans to teach true math comprehension. The franchise’s focus on math and its unique approach to making learning fun and customized for each student, rather than relying on rote memorization and repetition, differentiates the brand from other education-focused and subject-specific enrichment franchises.
For franchise owners like Martinez, this presents an opportunity to break into a crucial and high-demand industry.
“As long as you are a good leader and you are able to train your staff and keep them informed and updated on the goal of the operation and how your results are going — that is the foundation for building great teams,” said Martinez. “That was something that was transitional for me from the retail business, where I dealt in billions of dollars. But the bottom line was: If we offer a service, and you are committed to offering a service that customers expect — and then give them a little bit more — then you are setting yourself up for success.”
What keeps Martinez passionate about his business isn’t just the numbers — it’s the people.
“I really love making a difference, from elementary all the way to adults who want to take some qualification testing. I love seeing how they put their trust in us and rely on us to help continue their success or start in a new direction and report to us on how their success has been,” he said. “That is really the way that we measure our own success and the value that we are offering to a community that I have always been part of, because I was born and raised here.”
Martinez is proof that success at Mathnasium isn’t reserved for educators or engineers. With strong leadership skills, a people-first mindset and a desire to give back, franchisees from all backgrounds — retail, corporate or otherwise — can find fulfillment and profitability.
To learn more about owning a Mathnasium franchise, visit: https://1851franchise.com/mathnasium/info.
Mathnasium
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Vince Martinez’s journey from Walmart executive to Mathnasium franchise owner shows how leadership, community values and a passion for impact are what truly matter.
When you picture a Mathnasium franchisee, you might imagine a former teacher or someone with a background in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). But Vince Martinez, a franchisee based in El Paso, Texas, shows that what matters most isn’t a resume filled with academic credentials — it’s a commitment to making a difference and the ability to lead a team.
Prior to becoming a franchisee, Martinez spent 30 years working in the retail industry, primarily with Walmart. “I really started from the bottom while I was a student in college,” he said. “I started here in the local community in El Paso. It was intended to be a part-time summer job while I was going to school, but eventually it turned out to be a career for me.”
That career was defined by upward momentum. “I spent the first three years as an hourly associate, then I entered a management training program and worked my way up to store manager. As a store manager, I got the opportunity to help build two new stores, which was a big learning experience. Later, I moved to our corporate office as an HR manager for the state of California, then to the Bay Area as a district manager, and eventually back to Texas to become a regional manager.”
Once he decided to retire, Martinez and his wife knew they wanted to open a business of their own. That’s when a conversation with a friend sparked a new path.
“I had a friend who was also in retail who had opened a Mathnasium in the recent past,” Martinez said. “He told me what he was doing and it motivated me enough to look into it. I knew I could use Mathnasium to serve a broader purpose to the community in El Paso, where I was born.”
Martinez launched his first Mathnasium in 2015 and, five years later, opened a second location. While his friend had a background in education, Martinez did not — but he wasn’t discouraged.
“I studied a lot of math in high school and college and that is what led me to feel comfortable with the brand,” he said. “Part of my mission was to give students who might be the first ones in their family to attend college and graduate with the confidence to continue their math performance. Truly making a difference really fit well in our mission.”
And Martinez’s connection to education started early. “As a second grader, I was promoted to the third grade because of the support of my teacher and my principal,” he said. “Looking back, I knew that their jobs were important because they made a difference in my life. Because of that, I always felt an academic edge. I had the confidence to never give up and try to do my best.”
He carried that drive into his business career, where his math skills quietly played a pivotal role. “As a business executive, this allowed me to measure reports and different areas of operation,” he said. “It really all led back to my math skills.”
One of the most common misconceptions about owning a Mathnasium is that you need to be a teacher or mathematician. According to Martinez, that’s simply not the case — but you do need to be hands-on.
“It’s important to know your business. Obviously, math is your business,” he said. “So to feel comfortable, you need to at least have a working knowledge of the level of math that they are teaching. And know that you can hire others who have more knowledge in math.”
Mathnasium is North America’s leading math-only supplemental education franchise. Since 2002, the Mathnasium Method™ — the result of decades of hands-on instruction and development — has been transforming the lives of children in grades K-12 by offering comprehensive assessments and fully individualized learning plans to teach true math comprehension. The franchise’s focus on math and its unique approach to making learning fun and customized for each student, rather than relying on rote memorization and repetition, differentiates the brand from other education-focused and subject-specific enrichment franchises.
For franchise owners like Martinez, this presents an opportunity to break into a crucial and high-demand industry.
“As long as you are a good leader and you are able to train your staff and keep them informed and updated on the goal of the operation and how your results are going — that is the foundation for building great teams,” said Martinez. “That was something that was transitional for me from the retail business, where I dealt in billions of dollars. But the bottom line was: If we offer a service, and you are committed to offering a service that customers expect — and then give them a little bit more — then you are setting yourself up for success.”
What keeps Martinez passionate about his business isn’t just the numbers — it’s the people.
“I really love making a difference, from elementary all the way to adults who want to take some qualification testing. I love seeing how they put their trust in us and rely on us to help continue their success or start in a new direction and report to us on how their success has been,” he said. “That is really the way that we measure our own success and the value that we are offering to a community that I have always been part of, because I was born and raised here.”
Martinez is proof that success at Mathnasium isn’t reserved for educators or engineers. With strong leadership skills, a people-first mindset and a desire to give back, franchisees from all backgrounds — retail, corporate or otherwise — can find fulfillment and profitability.
To learn more about owning a Mathnasium franchise, visit: https://1851franchise.com/mathnasium/info.
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