More women are entering the franchising sector, according to data recently released by FranNet, a national franchise matchmaking firm. In West Michigan alone, female business ownership has been increasing since 2013.
"There’s been pretty much a steady growth overall," said Brigitte Betser, FranNet consultant for the West Michigan market.
Hillary Tilton, Sylvan franchisee, grew up in the Sylvan business when her parents started 33 years ago. Hillary and her husband currently operate six learning centers, plus two satellite locations in West Michigan and seven in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"I started out running one center as center director. I learned the business from the ground up," Hillary said. "After that, I started overseeing all of the West Michigan centers. As time went on, I started taking more of the franchisee responsibilities."
Hillary got her degree in education and worked as a special education teacher before working at Sylvan, where she learned the operating and business side of teaching. As a Sylvan franchisee, Hillary enjoys being able to mentor her female employees in their professional goals.
"I enjoyed helping to teach our employees how they can grow and be a role model and develop professionally," she said. "It’s kind of a new way of teaching."
For the full article, Female business ownership on the rise, by Ehren Wynder, please visit the Grand Rapids Business Journal's website.