Discover the Benefits of the Owner-Operator Franchise Model Kid-friendly franchises are great for owner-operators who enjoy working with children.

Individuals exploring franchising opportunities will find a variety of options and business models. While all provide the opportunity to be your own boss, they differ in the amount of control, involvement, training and support available. Someone interested in children's franchises may be especially interested in the owner-operator model.

First, what does it mean to be an owner-operator? In this model, you not only own the franchise but also run your own successful business and actively work in the business operations on a daily basis. You own the business but also deliver the goods or services, as well as handle marketing, billing, taxes and other aspects of running a business.

One benefit of being a franchise owner-operator is that you maintain a full-time career and build the new business yourself. For example, Kumon Center franchisees are owners and instructors, delivering hands-on instruction to their students. Many have transitioned from professional teaching careers and enjoy staying directly involved with students when they open children's franchises. While they may hire assistants as their student enrollment grows, they ensure quality and consistency as trained instructors of the Kumon Method.

A franchise investment is more affordable for many small-business owners because market research, product development and quality assurance have been done at the corporate level. In addition to these advantages, you may have a lower up-front financial investment as a working manager in one of the best children's franchises. That's because the owner-operator model ensures that your salary dollars remain in your own business rather than paying someone else to start your business for you.

Training and support from the corporate brand will be vital to your success as you grow your business. In the owner-operator model, the training should encompass both business functions and operations or services specific to the education franchise industry. This would include such things as running equipment, implementing best practices and following brand standards for creating or delivering the products or services.

Lydia Chan, the franchise owner of Kumon Center of Beacon, N.Y., worked for the New York City Department of Education for several years, focusing on special education, mainstreaming students and STEM programs. "Kumon gave me the opportunity to own my own business and not deal with so much bureaucracy," Chan said. "Working on the policy side gave me the opportunity to work on changing education at a high level but working in my Kumon Center gives me the chance to make a real difference at a micro level."

Though she knew students who had studied Kumon previously, Chan did not have firsthand experience with the methodology and received comprehensive training before becoming a franchise owner. She said her field consultant was very helpful as she learned the Kumon Method and the business side of running a center. "You are given a template to follow," she said. "To me, it was an advantage to come in with a fresh set of eyes, as someone who has never done this or had a child who has done this. I was able to put in processes that work for me."

Launching your own entrepreneurial journey requires commitment and drive. A love for the product or service is helpful, and different franchise models suit different personalities – which is why so many former educators are drawn to starting a small business with Kumon.

Chan noted that the benefit of working in the franchise owner-operator model was that it combines the economic rewards of being an entrepreneur with her love of education and giving back to the community. "I love to help kids learn that they can do anything and go anywhere," she said.

To learn if the Kumon Franchise opportunity is right for you, visit kumonfranchise.com.