Sylvan Learning

<a href="http://sylvanfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sylvan-center-director-turned-owner-to-open-new-center-serving-lexington-north-carolina-2726793" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sylvan Learning</a>, the supplemental and enrichment education franchise, is coming to Lexington, North Carolina, thanks to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-varoutsos-1437b934/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sylvan-center-director-turned-owner-to-open-new-center-serving-lexington-north-carolina-2726793" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Michelle Varoutsos</a>, a former educator, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal and, most recently,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/sylvanlearning/info">Sylvan</a> center director.&nbsp;After seeing the impact that Sylvan Learning had on students’ success during the pandemic, Varoutsos knew she wanted to explore a deeper involvement with the brand. Now, she will soon open her first center at 128 Forest Hill Road to serve the students and families of the Lexington community.1851 Franchise spoke with Varoutsos to learn more about her journey to franchising and plans for the future.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Michelle Varoutsos:&nbsp;I've been an educator all my life. I taught in Connecticut for about 10 years, taught for more than a decade in North Carolina, became a curriculum coordinator and an assistant principal. I’ve never done something in education that I didn’t like.When COVID came, I knew it was time to do something different. I started as a center director at a Sylvan center during COVID. When I saw what Sylvan was doing for the kids, I was amazed. After a giant career in education, I knew this was my chance to continue in a different way.I wasn’t pursuing franchising specifically. I wanted to own a Sylvan center. If that hadn’t been an option, I would’ve continued to work as a center director.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?Varoutsos:&nbsp;I had a good understanding of what the franchise model looked like thanks to my time spent as a center director, but there were also a lot of things that I’m now learning I didn’t know before.From what I did experience during my time as center director, I knew that Sylvan was very methodical — a great fit for my personality. The brand and approach with students isn’t necessarily cookie-cutter, because every student is different, but there is a reliable approach to creating a reliable, successful learning plan for each student.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Varoutsos:&nbsp;During COVID, I saw that we were able to keep kids on grade level through Sylvan programming. That was a huge feat for kids, teachers and parents during the pandemic, so I was impressed. That solidified the scale of the impact Sylvan can have and sparked my interest in becoming involved in another way.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Varoutsos:&nbsp;Professionally, I want to become a stronger business owner. I’m learning every day, and I want to keep learning and improving.In terms of expansion, I could see myself pursuing a second center at some point.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Varoutsos:&nbsp;We have raised two amazing children and, as a parent, there were a lot of things that I didn’t need to know to successfully raise my kids. As a teacher, it’s easy to assume that parents do know these things, and they don’t.Working at Sylvan has opened my eyes to all the things parents don’t know, and that’s why they come to us. We’re able to bridge that gap. We’re there for the parents just as much as we are for the students, and there’s so much we can do to help.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Varoutsos:&nbsp;Get to know the business as much as humanly possible. Sylvan can tell you all about Sylvan, but they are not the contractors, permitters, landlords or fire marshalls. Make sure that you have someone that can answer those questions for you and guide you through those less obvious aspects of business ownership.ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNINGWith 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.&nbsp; For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sylvanlearning.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sylvan-center-director-turned-owner-to-open-new-center-serving-lexington-north-carolina-2726793" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.SylvanLearning.com</a>.

Sylvan Franchise To Open Soon in Lexington, North Carolina

1851 Franchise

Michelle Varoutsos, who served as a center director before buying her own franchise, will soon open her new location at 128 Forest Hill Road.

This brand page has been paid for by SYLVAN LEARNING. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Former Educator, Assistant Principal and Sylvan Center Director Becomes Sylvan Franchisee

sylvan-center-director-turned-owner-to-open-new-center-serving-lexington-north-carolina

CONSUMER INFORMATION

The Sylvan Promise

How Sylvan Helps Students Get College Ready

Test Prep

Tutoring

Learn

Visit Website

SYLVAN LEARNING

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

YouTube

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

How This Multi-unit Sylvan Learning Franchisee Grew Her Business During the Pandemic

Why Retired Teachers Love Working With Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning Franchisees Discuss Multi-Unit Ownership and Scaling Their Businesses

SYLVAN LEARNING MOST READ STORIES

LOGIN

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

How One Sylvan Franchisee’s Long-term Exit Strategy Positioned The Next Owner For Success

how-one-sylvan-franchisees-long-term-exit-strategy-positioned-the-next-owner-for-success

Sylvan Learning Des Moines - $450,000 Grant - 1851 Franchise

Sylvan Learning of Johnston & Des Moines Awarded $450,000 Grant for Accelerated After-School Tutoring 

sylvan-learning-grant-des-moines

Why Former Schoolteacher and Sylvan Learning Parent Amanda Cockrum Bought a Franchise of Her Own

why-former-schoolteacher-and-sylvan-learning-parent-amanda-cockrum-bought-a-franchise-of-her-own

A Day in the Life of a Sylvan Learning Franchisee

a-day-in-the-life-of-a-sylvan-learning-franchisee

Sylvan Learning Brand President Susan Valverde stands against blue background

From Franchisee to Brand President: How Susan Valverde Is Shaping Sylvan’s Future

how-susan-valverde-is-shaping-sylvans-future

Former Marketing and Management Professional Signs Tenth Location With Sylvan Learning In North Carolina, the Brand Eyes an Opportunity to Add More Than a Dozen Locations

former-marketing-and-management-professional-signs-tenth-location-with-sylvan-learning-in-north-carolina-the-brand-eyes-an-opportunity-to-add-more-than-a-dozen-locations

Why Sylvan's Corporate Team Loves Working for the Brand

why-sylvans-corporate-team-loves-working-for-the-brand

Valley Business Report: How Susan Valverde Brought Sylvan Learning to the Rio Grande Valley

Valley Business Report: How Susan Valverde Brought Sylvan Learning to the Rio Grande Valley and Transformed Local Education

valley-business-report-how-susan-valverde-brought-sylvan-learning-to-the-rio-grande-valley-and-transformed-local-education

Former Educator, Assistant Principal and Sylvan Center Director Becomes Sylvan Franchisee

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS