Personal Experience and a Desire To Make a Difference Led Anthony and Onyinye Igbokwe To Franchise With Sylvan Learning

For Anthony and Onyinye Igbokwe, franchising was never just about business — it was about making a meaningful difference in children’s lives. Originally from Nigeria, the couple moved to the United States in pursuit of education and opportunity, values that have remained central to their family. Onyinye, a family physician, and Anthony, a former classroom teacher turned school administrator, always envisioned giving back to their community in a way that aligned with their personal and professional backgrounds. 

“We always wanted to own a business, something rewarding for us and beneficial to the community,” Anthony said. “We discovered Sylvan Learning when our son, who was in early elementary school during COVID, had some learning gaps. A relative recommended Sylvan, and we were blown away by his progress and confidence. That experience convinced us to invest in a Sylvan franchise.” 

With Anthony’s background in education and Onyinye’s lifelong passion for learning, franchising with Sylvan felt like the perfect fit. “It was personal for us,” Onyinye said. “Our two older daughters never needed much help with school, but our son needed more structured support. Sylvan not only helped him academically, but it also built his confidence.”

The Igbokwes recognize that education is foundational to success, and they are eager to help other families provide their children with the tools they need to thrive. “Parents play a huge role in shaping their children’s futures,” Onyinye said. “Education isn’t the only path to success, but it’s foundational. No matter what career a child chooses — business, entertainment, athletics — they need education. As parents, it’s our job to recognize their strengths and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.” 

Anthony and Onyinye are on track to open their Sylvan Learning in Monroe, North Carolina, on April 1, 2025. As new franchise owners, they are focused on bringing Sylvan’s proven model to their community, ensuring that more children can benefit from the same transformative support their own son received. 

1851 Franchise recently sat down with the Igbokwes to discuss their journey  from education and health care into business ownership, the personal experience that led them to Sylvan Learning and their plans to make a lasting impact in their community. Here’s what they had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Onyinye Igbokwe: I grew up in Nigeria and moved to the U.S. when I was 12 in 1994. I always had a dream of starting a business and giving back to the American community that has provided us with so many opportunities. Education has been a key part of our lives. My parents instilled in us the value of education because it bridges gaps and allows us to support those around us.

I went through school here, attended college and medical school, and became a family physician. My job is to help my community stay healthier and grow. My mom was a teacher, and my husband is a teacher, so education is a natural fit for us. Our three children are growing up in a household where education is non-negotiable. It has been a constant in our lives, and now we’re excited (and a little nervous) to take this step into business ownership. We truly believe our community needs this, and we’re ready to help fill that gap.

Anthony Igbokwe: I am also from Nigeria. I moved to New York right after high school to pursue higher education. I graduated from college in New York and unexpectedly found my passion in teaching. I spent over ten years as a classroom teacher and then became a school administrator in the New York City public school system. Three years ago, during COVID, we moved to Charlotte to find better work-life balance. Our children are active in sports, and we wanted to be present for them.

We always wanted to own a business, something rewarding for us and beneficial to the community. We discovered Sylvan Learning when our son, who was in early elementary school during COVID, had some learning gaps. A relative recommended Sylvan, and we were blown away by his progress and confidence. That experience convinced us to invest in a Sylvan franchise.

1851: How did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Anthony: We’ve never run a business before. I worked in education, and my wife is a doctor. We wanted something with a proven concept. Sylvan already had the structure and support we needed, and we believed in the product because we saw it work firsthand for our son. We researched other opportunities but felt Sylvan was the right choice because of its strong support system.

Onyinye: The unknown was the scariest part. Franchising gave us a roadmap so we wouldn’t have to start from scratch. While we could bring our own ideas into the business, we liked knowing there was already a structure in place. That security made franchising the best fit for us.

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?

Anthony: We did a lot of research and looked at many franchises. Initially, we were worried about fees, but once we understood what they covered, it made sense. What I love most is the support — having someone to walk you through challenges and answer questions is invaluable.

Onyinye: I didn’t realize how much costs fluctuate. You make a budget, but it’s wise to add at least 50% as a buffer because things change. I’m a numbers person, so adjusting expectations was a learning experience. That said, seeing our center come together is exciting. Watching an empty space turn into a fully operational Sylvan Learning Center makes the investment feel real.

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

Onyinye: It was personal for us. Our two older daughters never needed much help with school, but our son needed more structured support. Sylvan not only helped him academically, but it also built his confidence. We wanted to invest in something that made a difference in children’s lives. With Anthony’s background in education, Sylvan’s approach made sense to us — it provides fundamental learning skills that help kids for life.

Anthony: I did extensive research on learning centers and fell in love with Sylvan’s model. They’ve been around for 45 years and remain a leader in the industry. Their reputation and success rate reassured us that this was the right investment.

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

Anthony: We want to serve as many kids and families as possible. Of course, this is a business, and we need to be financially successful, but we also see it as a way to give back. Right now, we’re focused on marketing, connecting with local schools and making our presence known in the community.

Onyinye: Our goal is to make an impact and eventually open our second location. We have two territories, and while we’re focused on getting this first location off the ground, expansion is definitely in our plans.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Onyinye: Parents play a huge role in shaping their children’s futures. Education isn’t the only path to success, but it’s foundational. No matter what career a child chooses — business, entertainment, athletics — they need education. As parents, it’s our job to recognize their strengths and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.

Our oldest daughter is now at boarding school — the North Carolina School of Science and Math for 11th and 12th grade. It was a hard decision to send her away, but we knew she was ready. We put in the work to prepare her, and now she’s thriving. That’s what we hope to do for other families through Sylvan — provide kids with the foundation they need to succeed and become independent thinkers.

Anthony: Family, education and setting an example for our kids are our priorities. We want to show them that through hard work and service, they can create a meaningful and successful life.

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

Onyinye: Do something you enjoy and believe in. Franchising is a big step, and if you’re new to business ownership, it helps to start with something you understand. Some investors go for data-driven opportunities, but for first-time owners, it makes sense to choose something you’re passionate about.

Anthony: Do your homework. Research thoroughly, compare options and be prepared to be hands-on. Owning a franchise requires involvement, and the more invested you are in the day-to-day operations, the more successful you’ll be.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/sylvanlearning.

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.