Hannah Lee Is Channeling Her Passion for Personalized Education and Community Into Her New Sylvan Learning Franchise

After more than a decade in the classroom, Hannah Lee was ready for something new — but she wasn’t ready to leave the world of education behind. The longtime Montessori teacher and Jersey City resident found the perfect next step in franchising with Sylvan Learning, a supplemental and enrichment education brand whose philosophy closely aligned with her own values. With encouragement from a close friend and fellow entrepreneur, Lee set out to bring Sylvan’s personalized approach to a city she has long called home.

“I have to give credit to one of my close friends, Ingrid Meagher,” Lee said. “She’s an entrepreneur, and we had coffee one night. She asked me, ‘Have you heard of Sylvan Learning?’ I said yes — I didn’t attend it growing up, but I’d heard of it. She said, ‘There’s no Sylvan Learning in Jersey City. Why don’t you open one?’ That sparked my interest.”

Driven by her passion for literacy and a desire to serve her community, Lee dove into the franchise world — a space she admits she once viewed with hesitation. But her experience so far has defied her expectations. “It’s not competitive or backstabbing like some people think business is,” she said. “It’s the opposite of what I expected. There’s this unspoken tradition of helping others succeed because if they succeed, you succeed.”

On track to open her first center by the end of the month, Lee is focused on building a positive, nurturing environment for students and hopes to one day grow into a multi-unit owner. But more than anything, she’s guided by a deep-rooted sense of purpose. “I’m at a stage in life where I want to take on something meaningful,” she said. “But first, I want to create a positive, nurturing culture in this center. Once that's established, I’d love to expand and open another center. But right now, it’s about doing this well and laying a strong foundation.”

1851 Franchise spoke with Lee about her franchising journey with Sylvan Learning and her passion for giving back to the community. Here’s what she had to say:

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

Hannah Lee: I just retired from teaching after over 12 years at a Montessori school. I know other franchisees are retired teachers as well, so that might not stand out, but it’s a big part of who I am. I have two kids — one is in high school and the other is a freshman in college — so that’s another important factor in why I decided to go into this. I wanted to stay in the education world.

I have to give credit to one of my close friends, Ingrid Meagher. She’s an entrepreneur, and we had coffee one night. She asked me, “Have you heard of Sylvan Learning?” I said yes — I didn’t attend it growing up, but I’d heard of it. She said, “There’s no Sylvan Learning in Jersey City. Why don’t you open one?”

That sparked my interest. I still love teaching, but I was at a point in my life where I wanted to do something different. This felt like the perfect route to transition into something new while staying true to my values.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Lee: I was a teacher for over 12 years, and like many teachers, I found comfort in a well-oiled, functioning system. Even though I wanted to tap into my creative side, I think teaching already requires a lot of creativity — whether it’s through interpersonal skills or lesson planning.

I wanted to be challenged in a new way. Rather than starting a brick-and-mortar educational business from scratch, I looked into existing franchises that had a strong system in place. I considered Kumon and Mathnasium* — we already have those nearby. I even looked into Huntington. But the word “personalized” really stood out to me with Sylvan. That’s one of the pillars of Montessori education, so it fit my philosophy perfectly.

It felt like a very natural transition. When I looked Sylvan up and saw they had just celebrated their 45th anniversary and I had just turned 45, I thought, “That’s kind of a sign.” I don’t ignore those kinds of things. I did my research, talked to friends, looked at my educational background and really wanted to elevate myself as an individual and female entrepreneur. Everything came together, and it felt meant to be.

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?

Lee: Like a lot of people, when I thought of franchising, I thought of business and corporate environments. I have to admit I shared some of those views. But when I went to Sylvan’s Launch Day, where they bring potential franchisees to their headquarters, it really changed my perspective.

I met like-minded people right away, and I continue to meet more. Of course, it depends on the franchise and your interests, but because I wanted to stay in the education world, I’ve met really wonderful people — supportive franchisees who gave me advice that I’m now eager to pay forward.

It’s not competitive or backstabbing like some people think business is. It’s the opposite of what I expected. There’s this unspoken tradition of helping others succeed because if they succeed, you succeed. It’s been a lot to process, coming from a 9-to-5 job, but I’m embracing it fully and learning every day.

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

Lee: My background in teaching focused on literacy, and there’s a big need for reading and literacy support in Jersey City. That was a huge motivator.

I also love the flexibility Sylvan offers. They provide a strong platform and framework, but there’s room for creativity. They hold weekly meetings and seminars where franchisees are encouraged to share ideas and support each other. That really appealed to me.

Between the local need, the philosophy of personalized learning, and the community of Sylvan franchisees, it just made sense. It was a leap of faith, but the more I dive into it, the more I know I made the right decision.

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

Lee: Of course, there’s the financial side, but I went into this for personal growth, too. I’m at a stage in life where I want to take on something meaningful.

A lot of franchise systems have five- and ten-year benchmarks, and I’d love to reach those milestones. But first, I want to create a positive, nurturing culture in this center. Once that's established, I’d love to expand and open another center. But right now, it’s about doing this well and laying a strong foundation.

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

Lee: I grew up in Manhattan and now live in Jersey City. Being in an urban area, surrounded by so many different people and conversations, is enriching. That’s how I was raised — to give back to the community I live in. Through my children and my own personal educational experience, I have navigated through the public, charter and private school systems and discovered value and connections in each community. Sylvan Learning of Jersey City would be a great communal space to welcome students from all parts of the city. 

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

Lee: Believe in yourself. I know that sounds cliché, but it really is the biggest barrier to starting a business or going into franchising. You have to believe that you can do it — and just go for it.

It’s easier said than done, and I’m very lucky to have a strong network of friends and family. But at the end of the day, it really comes down to you. You’re the one who has to take on this new adventure.

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.