Where are you from? How and why did you become involved with Tutor Doctor? What does your job entail?
A native New Yorker, but an Atlanta transplant since 1989.
I became involved with Tutor Doctor because it is a brand who’s time is now! Low barrier of entry, real estate, high margins, much needed service. All of the stakeholders win with this brand. Franchisees, franchisor, and the families in the communities that we serve.
I am the Vice President of North America Franchise Development. I oversee a team of professional franchise recruiters and manage our relationships with our franchise marketing partners and brokerage networks.
As a member of Tutor Doctor management team, what’s the most rewarding part of being part of a franchise?
Being part of a dynamic and passionate leadership team is personally, very rewarding. It is great having a peer group that shares the same vision, values and ethics.
Quickly describe the franchisee selection process to me. What do you look for in a franchisee? Do you have a profile in mind?
There is nothing quick about our process. We very carefully and methodically work with our candidates to be certain that both sides of their brains are fully engaged in what it takes to successfully operate a Tutor Doctor franchise. Many times the applicants are tutors or teachers, which can work out just fine, but the profile is more of a marketing and networking professional that can manage multiple relationships: tutors, families and other members of the community, with whom our franchisees do LOTS of cross promotion.
What can we expect from your franchise concept in the years to come? What can we expect from the children’s education industry in the future?
You can expect continued, sustainable growth. The need for the services that our franchisees provides is a growing segment. Kids unfortunately get less and less attention as education budgets get slashed in tough times. We pick up lots of that slack for families that want the very best for their children.
How extensive is the training for your new franchisees? Do you try and develop personal relationships with them?
Franchisee training is intensive. There is a 50 hour pre-training curriculum that is followed by 6 intensive days in the classroom and in the field at Home Office. Following that, there is ongoing e-learning and actual mentoring with high level producers that spend two weeks with our new franchisees shadowing them in the mentor’s territory and then two weeks of the mentors working with the new franchisees in their territories. Personal relationships are a cornerstone of the Tutor Doctor culture.
Do you provide ongoing support? If yes, how so?
Would you expect anything less from a professional franchise organization that is focused on tutoring? We provide ongoing multi-media e-learning programs, support coaching calls, conferences and seminars throughout the calendar year.
How’s business? Is Tutor Doctor growing?
Growth is explosive. We are one of the fastest growing brands in one of the most explosive market segments.
How was the idea of starting Tutor Doctor conceived?
About 10 years ago we had a simple idea and a desire to make a difference. We wondered why parents had to adjust their family’s busy schedules and drive half way across town, just to put their kids into another classroom with more kids, when in fact it was the classroom experience that their child was stuggling with in the first place.
How has the recession affected sales and growth?
Parents may cut back on their “Fourbucks” in tough times, but will not cut back on services for their kids. Strangely enough, parents will spend less with Tutor Doctor for a more personal, custom tailored experience for their kids and we come to the home, as opposed to paying more and receiving less at a learning center.
You’ve got tremendous business and franchise experience. What’s some advice you’d give those who are beginning the franchise selection process? What would you tell someone who’s in a management position like yours in terms of advice?
Begin with the end in mind. Do your introspectives on drives you… what would you do with your time if you didn’t have to earn a living working. Seek your passion and make a go of owning your business doing what matters to you. As for what I would say to others in positions like mine, believe in your concepts and the opportunities you are representing with all of your heart. You are helping people make life changing decisions. Make it about those that you are serving. Help the right people, at the right times, for the right reasons and everyone will win.
Is Tutor Doctor involved in VetFran? Does Tutor Doctor provide any financial incentives for veterans?
We are very engaged in VetFran and have active programs to encourage returning veterans to join us.
Tutor Doctor was founded in 1999 as an alternative to the “one-to-many” teaching model most extra-curricular learning centers offer by providing a personalized one-on-one, in-home tutoring service to students. The company quickly grew and in 2003 turned to franchising as a way of expanding the company’s impact and meeting the vast market demand. Now with offices internationally in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, the Tutor Doctor vision is becoming a reality as the lives of students and their families are being positively impacted throughout the world. Tutor Doctor is affiliated with the National Tutor Association (NTA) whose mission is to foster the advancement of professional and peer tutoring, support research into best practices and standards for all tutors, support tutor training, advocate for tutor certification, and uphold the NTA Code of Ethics.
About Stan Friedman
Stan Friedman is a Certified Franchise Executive specializing in franchise development for more than 23 years. He has held leadership and executive positions including Senior VP of FranConnect, a franchise client conference, Executive VP and partner at Wing Zone, Executive VP at WSI Internet, ERA Franchise Systems and Prudential Real Estate Affiliates. Friedman is a founding Board member of The International Franchise Association’s (IFA’s) Diversity Institute, where he has served as First Vice-Chair since its inception. In 2011, the International Franchise Association honored Friedman with its Ronald E. Harrison Diversity Award, previously awarded only seven times in the IFA’s 52 year history. Friedman also chairs the advisory board of the Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative, (PAFI) collaborating with IFA and its members to bring soon-to-retire professional athletes to a new playing field, that of franchise ownership. Now, Friedman has expanded his professional profile to include Tutor Doctor, a one-on-one, at home tutoring franchise with more than 200 units in 7 countries. Friedman became its VP of North American Franchise Development on May 1, 2012.