The Great Franchisee | Former Professor Buys Baytown Sylvan Learning Franchise to Share Quality Education With Local Students

Certified management accountant Andrea Uquillas Quila has always had a passion for education. As a former adjunct professor for a university, she values an excellent education system and knows that every student deserves a chance to succeed in school. So when Uquillas Quila learned about the opportunity to buy the Baytown Sylvan Learning* center, she couldn’t wait to get started with the brand.

Uquillas Quila officially took over ownership on November 1. She’s witnessed firsthand the benefits Sylvan Learning can offer a student after her stepdaughter used the tutoring service. But she wants to expand and grow the brand even further. Not only does Uquillas Quila want to begin contracting Sylvan services with local schools, but she hopes to expand into other territories in the Houston area. She sees a lot of potential for the brand, and as a mother, she knows that she can provide a service other parents would want for their kids. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Uquillas Quila to learn more about her franchising journey with Sylvan Learning.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Andrea Uquillas Quila: I’m a certified management accountant with a master’s degree in economics. With that, I consult for finances. I’ve been in this industry for about 10 years. I’ve wanted to be in the education field for a long time. I was an adjunct personal finance professor for a university in Houston on the track to becoming a professor. When I saw this opportunity, I knew I could enjoy the role. 

I’ve been involved in franchising through owning a UPS store. Franchising is appealing to me because I get support from a brand, and I don’t have to reinvent the wheel to be a business owner. Partnering with a franchise gives you an advantage. There is a lower risk based on the brand’s experience and the training they can give you. Essentially, a franchisor is teaching you how to operate your business most efficiently. I also like that there is a community of other franchise owners that you can lean on.

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?

Uquillas Quila: I’ve always had a pretty good understanding of franchising. That knowledge only grows with time. 

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Uquillas Quila: Originally, I’m from Ecuador. Now I live in an area where there are a lot of multicultural people. There is a strong Spanish and Italian population here, and I speak both languages. Because of this, I’m able to reach a large group of people. I think I’ll also stand out as a business owner because I live in this community and raise my kids here. I’m involved in the schools that are in the same district as my center. I can relate to the people here because I’m a mom too. As I develop and grow the business, I’ll keep in mind my goal to create a center I would want my own children to utilize. 

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

Uquillas Quila: I believe in every child earning a great education. I think that Sylvan Learning is a great way to give that to students. My stepdaughter used to go to Sylvan, and because of that, she was able to catch up. So I have a personal connection with the brand already. That helped me a lot in making my decision. 

I’m excited to learn everything Sylvan has to offer through my training. I want to be familiar with not only the business side of Sylvan but the education side. I’m excited to be in the education field. Eventually, I would love to add more language courses because there is a lot of demand for them in this area. 

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

Uquillas Quila: I want to start making contracts with the local schools in the area. This center wasn’t doing a lot of those before, and I think there is a lot of potential for that here. If we can provide tutoring at schools, we can reach so many more students. Because that system hasn’t been developed here yet, I want to start that process as soon as possible. In the future, I would consider expanding into other territories. There are some close to me that I would want to open centers in. We have a great staff, and I can’t wait to learn and grow with them. 

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

Uquillas Quila: You should first understand what a franchise is. Do your research because there can be a learning curve when it comes to franchising. All brands have rules and regulations. That is a good thing, but it can be challenging for some people at first. If you like business and have a passion for education, then Sylvan is a great choice 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.