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SmartyKids

Join our exclusive webinar: Start your rewarding business with SmartyKids!

Looking to start a rewarding business? Join us for an exclusive webinar where we will introduce our proven educational franchise model, giving you the opportunity to learn more about becoming a part of the global SmartyKids network! 

Meet our speakers:
🔹 Dimitar Siderov – Franchise Recruitment Specialist
🔹 Kristian Velizarov – Franchise Onboarding and Training Expert

Guest speakers:
🔹 Cristian Belean – SmartyKids Franchise Partner from Târgu Mureș, Romania
🔹 Marijana Malenko – SmartyKids Franchise Partner from Skopje, North Macedonia
🔹 Kiril Kitanov – SmartyKids Franchise Partner from Sofia, Bulgaria

During the webinar, we will be joined by three successful SmartyKids franchise partners, who will share their personal stories and experiences in building their businesses with SmartyKids.

What our partners say about their experience with SmartyKids:

Kiril Kitanov, who opened his SmartyKids center in Sofia, Bulgaria, in October 2024, shares:

I was drawn to the SmartyKids franchise because of its innovative approach to learning, which aligns well with my experience and passion for educational development. Establishing local brand awareness was one of the toughest challenges as a new business. However, by leveraging all of SmartyKids’ resources and marketing strategies, I was able to create strong visibility for the center.

Marijana Malenko, the franchise partner in Skopje, North Macedonia, opened her center on April 1st, 2023, and says:

I want to create an environment where kids don’t feel pressured but are encouraged to be curious and develop their own ideas. Running a SmartyKids center allows me to support this vision by teaching children valuable mental arithmetic skills while fostering their personal growth and confidence.

Cristian Belean, who opened the SmartyKids center in Târgu Mureș, Romania, in March 2023, shares:

I was drawn to the SmartyKids franchise because of its innovative approach to learning, which aligns well with my experience and passion for educational development. Establishing local brand awareness was one of the toughest challenges as a new business. However, by leveraging all of SmartyKids’ resources and marketing strategies, I was able to create strong visibility for the center.”

👉 Reserve your spot now!

📅 Date: November 21st, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (CET)
💻 Platform: Zoom

We asked them 5 questions:

1. When did you open your SmartyKids center, and what was your previous work experience before starting this venture?
2. What initially attracted you to the SmartyKids franchise, and why did it feel like the right choice for you?
3. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a new center owner, and what resources or strategies helped you overcome them?
4. What motivates you to work with children, and how does running a SmartyKids center support that?
5. What advice do you have for someone considering a SmartyKids franchise, especially for the first year?

And here are their answers:

Kiril Kitanov:
I opened my SmartyKids Center this October. Before that, I spent several years creating and developing educational products, which sparked my passion for innovative learning methods. This background gave me a strong foundation to understand what kids need in a modern educational environment.

I was drawn to the SmartyKids franchise because of its innovative approach to learning, which aligns well with my experience and passion for educational development.

Establishing local brand awareness was one of the toughest challenges as a new business. However, by leveraging all of SmartyKids’ resources and marketing strategies, I was able to create strong visibility for the center. Engaging actively with the community, hosting events, and promoting through social media helped build trust and interest, steadily growing our student base.

I’m motivated by a desire to help children grow into well-rounded thinkers. Running a SmartyKids center allows me to directly impact their development in a supportive and fun environment.

My advice is to be patient, stay involved in the local community, and use all the resources offered by SmartyKids. Focus on building strong relationships with parents and children in the first year.

Marijana Malenko:

I opened my SmartyKids center on April 1st, 2023 – it felt almost like a joke at first, but now it’s my reality! Before starting this venture, I had worked in various fields, but I had always known I wanted to work with children. My experiences in different industries helped me build a strong foundation for my business, but it’s my passion for working with kids that really guided me to this path.

I was always aware of the abacus program and mental arithmetic and had a deep interest in these methods. I’ve always wanted to work with children because I love how they think and their unique ideas. Plus, I’ve always known that I didn’t want to work for someone else. When SmartyKids came into my life, it felt like a great opportunity that aligned with both my passions and my goal of running my own business. The franchise offered the perfect platform for me to work with kids in a meaningful way, and it felt like the right fit.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was opening the center while I had a newborn. We signed the contract when she was just 5 months old, and we officially opened the center when she was 9 months old. My husband was by my side through it all, and we did everything ourselves, keeping the franchise a secret from most people at that time. It was especially challenging to find a venue, sign the necessary documents, and meet all the legal requirements while managing the responsibilities of a newborn. Another challenge I’m still working on is attracting more students to the center. SmartyKids is not widely known in Macedonia, so we’re still working hard to build recognition and trust. I’ve been relying on my marketing experience and the support from the franchise to create awareness. We’re continually working on this, using word-of-mouth, local advertising, and social media to spread the word and build a community.

I truly believe that kids are our future, and I want to contribute to shaping a better world by helping them grow into self-aware, happy individuals. I want to create an environment where kids don’t feel pressured but are encouraged to be curious and develop their own ideas. Running a SmartyKids center allows me to support this vision by teaching children valuable mental arithmetic skills while fostering their personal growth and confidence.

My advice for someone considering a SmartyKids franchise is simple: Go for it! But, make sure you have good intentions in your heart. The first year can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing your time and resources. Be patient, stay organized, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Running a SmartyKids center is incredibly rewarding, but it’s important to approach it with the right mindset. It’s all about passion, dedication, and a love for working with children.

Cristian Belean:

I opened the SmartyKids Târgu Mureș center in March 2023. My motivation came from my experience as a parent – I grew (figuratively) alongside my son, trying to find programs and activities that would help him develop harmoniously. Additionally, my military background provided me with valuable lessons in discipline, strategic planning, and adaptability, which I have integrated into the day-to-day activities of the center.

I was fascinated by the idea that these courses not only improve math skills but also contribute to balancing the two hemispheres of the brain, stimulating creativity and logical thinking at the same time. After learning about these mental arithmetic courses, I began to search for alternatives that could develop the brain in a similar way, but I found that there aren’t really any comparable options. The franchise had already been present in Romania for 4 years, with great results, which confirmed to me that it is a tried and proven business model.

The first few months were a real challenge, especially in terms of attracting the first clients and managing community promotion. One of the biggest difficulties was convincing parents of the benefits of such an innovative course. The main resources that helped me were well-structured demo lessons and constant communication, both through local promotional campaigns and by actively participating in community events. Also, I had no business experience, only theoretical knowledge, so I joined a business networking group, where I still receive support and a lot of specific business learning.

Working with children brings me immense satisfaction because I can see firsthand the impact of my work on their development. The greatest satisfaction, both for me and for our team of teachers, is when a parent comes in with positive feedback that amazes us and fills our hearts with joy. It’s like a small boost of confidence and motivation. Running an educational center for children is not easy, but when I weigh the pros and cons, I’m glad I made the decision, when I did, to start this business, which is both profitable and fulfilling.

For anyone considering a SmartyKids franchise, the most important advice is to be prepared for a lot of hard work and community involvement, especially in the first year. Building direct relationships with parents and being open to the needs of the children are essential. I recommend organizing many demo lessons and maintaining a positive and friendly atmosphere in the center. You need to be willing to put energy into local promotion and not get discouraged easily – results will come with persistence and passion. Additionally, it is important to understand the methodology well and have a reliable, prepared, and dedicated team for the educational mission.

Don’t miss this chance to explore how the SmartyKids franchise can lead you to a rewarding and profitable business. Register today and start your journey towards making a lasting impact in your community! We look forward to meeting you!