Latest news with #KiddieAcademy
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Kiddie Academy® of Grand Harbor under new ownership
Entrepreneurial brothers keeping it in the family as owner-operators KATY, Texas, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Houston natives Gorav and Nehal Jain and Gagan and Katie Jain have assumed ownership of Kiddie Academy® of Grand Harbor in Katy, having acquired the franchise location in October 2024 upon the previous owner's retirement. The brothers and their families will operate the Academy together with plans to reinforce the proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum that surpasses Texas state standards. 'Our parents have always emphasized the importance of education,' said Gorav Jain. 'So we have high standards when it comes to early childhood development. Operationally, we've been working to ensure all our educators are well-versed in the curriculum that sets Kiddie Academy apart.' Born and raised in Houston, the Jain family is invested in the long-term success of children in the area. With Kiddie Academy, they aim to create local events to foster a sense of community for families in Katy. These include hosting regularly scheduled block parties that feature local vendors, music and exciting activities for the whole family. As parents themselves, they understand what it's like to search for high quality child care that feels supportive to families. 'When my wife and I began looking for childcare for our daughter, Kiddie Academy really stood out to us for its focus on community and developing children's curiosity, critical thinking, creative expression, confidence, character and connection,' added Gorav Jain. Kiddie Academy of Grand Harbor in Katy, which is located at 24404 Kingsland Boulevard, is licensed to serve 240 children and employs 30 educators. The Academy is equipped with spacious classrooms and a large playground area with a splash pad. For more information, visit About Kiddie Academy®Since its inception in 1981, the Kiddie Academy system has been recognized as a leading brand in educational child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care, and summer camp programs, through the Kiddie Academy system. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® Curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities, and techniques help prepare children for life. The company's philanthropic efforts, including support of national nonprofit Family Promise, take character education lessons learned in the classroom beyond Academy walls. Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC has also received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit or find Kiddie Academy on Facebook at About Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLCKiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC is based in Maryland. There are currently more than 350 open Academies in the Kiddie Academy system, located in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 38,000 children. Each franchised location in the Kiddie Academy system is an independently owned and operated business. For more information, visit Media Contact:Taylor Castillejo, APR[email protected]865.257.0026
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kiddie Academy® of Grand Harbor under new ownership
Entrepreneurial brothers keeping it in the family as owner-operators KATY, Texas, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston natives Gorav and Nehal Jain and Gagan and Katie Jain have assumed ownership of Kiddie Academy® of Grand Harbor in Katy, having acquired the franchise location in October 2024 upon the previous owner's retirement. The brothers and their families will operate the Academy together with plans to reinforce the proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum that surpasses Texas state standards. "Our parents have always emphasized the importance of education," said Gorav Jain. "So we have high standards when it comes to early childhood development. Operationally, we've been working to ensure all our educators are well-versed in the curriculum that sets Kiddie Academy apart." Born and raised in Houston, the Jain family is invested in the long-term success of children in the area. With Kiddie Academy, they aim to create local events to foster a sense of community for families in Katy. These include hosting regularly scheduled block parties that feature local vendors, music and exciting activities for the whole family. As parents themselves, they understand what it's like to search for high quality child care that feels supportive to families. "When my wife and I began looking for childcare for our daughter, Kiddie Academy really stood out to us for its focus on community and developing children's curiosity, critical thinking, creative expression, confidence, character and connection," added Gorav Jain. Kiddie Academy of Grand Harbor in Katy, which is located at 24404 Kingsland Boulevard, is licensed to serve 240 children and employs 30 educators. The Academy is equipped with spacious classrooms and a large playground area with a splash pad. For more information, visit About Kiddie Academy®Since its inception in 1981, the Kiddie Academy system has been recognized as a leading brand in educational child care. The company serves families and their children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, offering full- and part-time care, before- and after-school care, and summer camp programs, through the Kiddie Academy system. Kiddie Academy's proprietary Life Essentials® Curriculum, supporting programs, methods, activities, and techniques help prepare children for life. The company's philanthropic efforts, including support of national nonprofit Family Promise, take character education lessons learned in the classroom beyond Academy walls. Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC has also received corporate accreditation from the globally recognized Cognia accreditation system, signifying its commitment to quality education and the highest standards in child care. For more information, visit or find Kiddie Academy on Facebook at About Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLCKiddie Academy Domestic Franchising, LLC is based in Maryland. There are currently more than 350 open Academies in the Kiddie Academy system, located in 40 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 38,000 children. Each franchised location in the Kiddie Academy system is an independently owned and operated business. For more information, visit Media Contact:Taylor Castillejo, APRtcastillejo@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kiddie Academy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Entrepreneur
11-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Female Owners Thrive in Franchise Businesses
New research from Kiddie Academy shows that a majority of women who become franchise owners report greater happiness, confidence and balance than they had in prior roles. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Excellence in time management, organization, multitasking and communication, plus impressive command of skills like patience, empathy and fortitude is the perfect formula for an effective leader. That's why many moms with entrepreneurial ambitions are a great fit for owning their own business and, specifically, for franchise ownership. And the flexibility of being your own boss is an inherent advantage of the franchising business model that busy parents gravitate toward. At Kiddie Academy, where I serve as chief development officer, almost all franchise locations have at least one woman on the ownership team, and nearly 95% of these women have children of their own. Many female entrepreneurs have discovered Kiddie Academy as a path to business ownership that fits within the structure of their lives. And, while early childhood education and motherhood go hand-in-hand, other franchise organizations offer similar opportunities to the 89% of aspiring female business owners who plan to build a career around their busy lives in the next five years, according to Kiddie Academy research. Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget. 'More freedom in their lives' The recent Kiddie Academy survey of current and aspiring female business owners also indicates that 62% of respondents became business owners because they wanted more freedom in their lives. After making the transition, 93% found the freedom they were looking for. So, how do I know we've got a great franchise candidate on our hands? Here's how: she tells us she's a mom. I can be very sure she's got the values and hands-on experience we're looking for, and I know she will appreciate the flexibility franchising provides. Moms already run an organization within their own homes. Most mothers take the lead on handling family communications, schedules, relationships, finances and more. It's a microcosm of the business world, where mom serves as the CEO of the household, making sure all of the parts and pieces work together to run smoothly and that the family culture is strong. I often hear from mothers that they're not sure if they have the skills or experience to run a business. The reality is, they already do. According to our survey, 91% of current female business owners feel fulfilled in their professional lives, compared to just 55% of those who haven't made the leap to business ownership. Current female business owners also found that they were happier (58%), more confident (54%) and more empowered (54%) than they were in their previous roles. Ambitious working moms are looking for a strong work-life balance and because the franchise model works like a family, they are uniquely positioned to own it. Related: She Quit Corporate Accounting to Start a Business on Track for $3 Million: 'If I'm Working 14-Hour Days, It Should Be for Me.' Flexibility and support One of the most important considerations of opening a franchise is knowing that you're not alone. Franchising offers a similar support structure all the way from signing a franchise agreement to securing real estate and holding a grand opening to advising on ongoing marketing and operations to achieve success. Within the franchisor/franchise owner framework, personal flexibility is a result of the support system. Business owners set their own schedules as long as they've structured their operations to reinforce that. Each franchise industry comes with different perks. For example, moms of young children who own a Kiddie Academy have on-site child care and Monday-Friday business hours. Related: How to Decode Franchise Fees and Find the Right Investment Building a legacy Working moms who start a business of their own or open a franchise location expand the possibilities and help shape the future for their families. There are several franchise owners I know personally who have integrated their families into business operations, setting up a legacy opportunity to eventually transfer ownership to their children. With nearly 30% of our survey respondents making the jump to entrepreneurship due to a desire to leave a legacy, moms who choose a path of franchise ownership can inspire their children and grandchildren to follow in their footsteps. Almost all those we polled (90%) also believe that it's important the next generation of children see female business owners in their neighborhoods. Owning a business is a great way to lead by example. It's important that female business owners proudly share what they do, knowing that their products and services are integral to customers and to the community. Related: She Was a Lawyer with No Restaurant Experience. Now, She's Reviving an Iconic Restaurant Chain.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Four Ways To Turn Company Milestones Into Continued Growth
Joshua Frick, President of Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care. Running a business is a bit like owning a car. As in business, all of the parts and systems of a car work together to bring us to our intended destinations. Once you reach a certain mileage, you take your vehicle to the shop for regular maintenance to keep it in top shape. Likewise, corporate milestones are a key time outside of a typical annual or quarterly cadence to check in and evaluate how you've gotten here and where you're going. The company where I serve as president, Kiddie Academy, just opened its 350th franchise location. While we're always attuned to our annual business goals and constantly evaluating key performance indicators, we like to use milestones such as this to check in on our brand vision and what we're doing to stay ahead of the curve. As your organization reaches monumental moments, you should look at four key areas that affect future growth potential: scalability, technology and innovation, economic climate and customer engagement. Here are some questions to consider: Scalability requires a business model that can be replicated strategically while maintaining quality and consistency that is true to your brand. Family-owned companies have a distinctly different model from private equity-owned organizations, which focus on rapid growth over a short period. If you grow too quickly, you risk a decline in quality and lose the ability to strategically move into spaces that are the right fit. However your business is growing, it's important that the quality of your products and services remains consistent. Make sure you're developing your brand and its reputation to demonstrate the value of your deliverables. Then find ways to remove friction to provide a seamless customer experience. Growth milestones give you the opportunity to ensure that the services you're offering are something your brand can stand behind as you continue to expand. Consumers' needs are constantly changing, so market research helps you make data-driven decisions when identifying the best places for expansion. Make it a priority to invest in research as you achieve milestones, which will help inform the path forward. If your staffing model requires specialization, market research can also help you understand the current state of the industry for the professionals you employ. Recruiting and nurturing top talent, while also being aware of your team's needs, will lead your brand to success. With technology changing at breakneck speeds, staying abreast of the latest trends and advancements is a constant effort. Achieving a corporate milestone provides an opportunity to pause and re-evaluate the technology you are currently using and what technology you might need as you continue to grow and scale. Perhaps a customer relationship management system or learning management system wasn't necessary in your last stage of growth, but reaching a new level has opened a door for the implementation of new technology. At every growth milestone, you'll want to decide how to leverage current digital tools for scaling operations, enhancing customer engagement and providing training to operate efficiently and maintain a seamless experience across your brand. Likely, your corporate milestone has put you in a position to increase your technology budget to help scale and grow your business. Consider using additional funds to strengthen your online presence through digital marketing, implement new software or invest in AI-driven customer engagement tools. Be sure to always look for new ways to innovate that meet the evolving needs of your customers. We live in a constantly changing political and economic landscape. The conditions that existed when a particular goal was set may no longer be relevant as your company progresses through different stages of growth. The same goes for predicting what's to come—if things seem particularly volatile at this moment in time, make sure you evaluate forecasting models and reassess and realign your company's planned expansion strategies as needed. It's important to remain resilient and agile in the face of change, therefore, it's also crucial to consistently assess the potential impact of external factors on your business. This includes staying informed about shifts in regulations, policies and supply chain dynamics, as well as any other developments that could reveal vulnerabilities that could impact your business model. Using mid-year corporate milestones as an opportunity to tune in to what's going on in the world enables you to proactively explore alternative strategies and pivot as needed. Furthermore, you can take action to mitigate any negative impacts and position your business for continued success. To remain at the forefront of your industry, it's crucial to refine your approach based on customer feedback, emerging trends and evolving social and environmental challenges. Actively seeking and incorporating customer feedback through surveys, social media listening and/or focus groups allows you to tailor your offerings to meet consumer expectations. Strengthening your commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a way to authentically connect to your customers. CSR efforts can and should be evaluated at key moments, especially in light of current events. Look for ways to strengthen your commitment to social responsibility by supporting causes that align with your brand and your customers. These types of efforts can create a positive impact in local communities while reinforcing brand loyalty. Growth occurs with resilience, adaptability, innovation and strategic foresight. Reaching corporate milestones like winning an industry award, hitting a revenue goal or opening a new location offers chances for mid-cycle reflection on these growth metrics. These milestones also provide the opportunity for business shifts that can benefit your organization in the long term. Just as keeping your car tuned up will take you far, refining your business strategies will fuel ongoing growth and success. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
