For many mission-driven professionals, the road to Kumon ownership begins with a simple realization: They want to build something of their own that provides ongoing connections with students and parents and outlasts a single school year. It isn’t just about a career change; it’s about finding a sustainable way to stay connected to a lifelong passion for helping children. Whether returning to business ownership after years away or carrying on a family legacy, these people are finding that the most fulfilling career path is one where professional success and truly personal involvement go hand in hand.
We spoke with Kumon learning center owners Christie Wilkins and Heath Bailey to discuss what led them to start a new chapter.
Question: What were you doing before becoming an educational owner with Kumon?
Christie Wilkins: Before becoming an instructor, I worked at a local school as a reading intervention specialist, where I led small groups for children who were falling behind in reading. Our main focus was on comprehension, fluency, writing skills and phonemic awareness. I described my time there as rewarding and fun, but I eventually reached a point where I wanted to return to business ownership.
Heath Bailey: I started in the insurance industry, but then I became a high-school special education teacher and case manager. I spent years in the classroom learning how to manage people and goals, but I eventually chose to apply those skills to another form of leadership that didn’t require me to leave education.
Question: Did you have any prior experience with Kumon? What motivated you to invest?
Wilkins: We didn’t have personal experience with Kumon, but a friend told us how well his daughters were doing. That’s what got us curious. My husband and I had actually owned another child enrichment franchise roughly 20 years ago, but we had to close during the 2008 recession. I always wanted to return to owning a business that benefited children, and the structure at Kumon made it appealing.
Bailey: I was a Kumon student when I was in the sixth grade in Hawaii. I was really struggling with math, and Kumon helped turn that around. After seeing what Kumon did for me, my mother bought a Kumon franchise in 1998, and when she decided to retire, I took over the learning center. I’ve had it for about six years now.
Question: What does your average day look like at your Kumon learning center?
Wilkins: I check to see who the day’s students are and where they are in their progress, then adjust the individual lesson plans as necessary. I coordinate with my assistants on which students they’ll work with and what they’ll be working on. The heart of my day is the interaction with students and the assistants, as well as parents during orientations. I assess students to find each one’s ideal starting point, and I explain to parents how starting there gives students a comfort level to build from. I always remind parents that Kumon is a team effort between me, the assistants, the students and them.
Bailey: It’s all about managing people for success. I find that keeping the mornings structured and predictable helps everyone stay grounded if unexpected issues pop up. I enjoy training staff and strive for role clarity so the center runs smoothly even if I’m pulled aside. I work on effective scheduling systems that allow families flexibility while managing space limits.
Question: After seeing students progress through the program, what is the most rewarding part of the job?
Bailey: I find great pride in witnessing students’ academic and personal growth. I love showing parents the then-and-now comparison to highlight students’ progress. Part of it, too, is reflecting on how much I’ve grown as an owner and leader. Every decision is mine. I’m responsible for ensuring that I’m providing both high-quality instruction and strong operational structure.
Wilkins: For me, it’s witnessing the shift in how students approach learning and getting to watch the children gain confidence in their abilities. It’s different from the classroom, but in many ways, it’s the same. The joy of seeing kids grow never changes.
Learn more about being an educational owner with Kumon.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.