Originally posted on franchisingmagazineusa.com
Most 23-year-olds are still figuring out their first steps in life and their career.
We were figuring out how to own a business.
In 1997, freshly out of roles as instructors and educators, we made a leap that changed the trajectory of our lives. We bought our first franchise of The Little Gym without any access to venture capital or business school pedigrees. What we did have was experience working with children, a belief in the value of youth enrichment, and a willingness to learn everything the hard way.
Choosing franchising as our entry point into entrepreneurship was intentional. The franchise model offered something we needed at that stage of life: a proven operating framework, established systems, and ongoing support. As first-time business owners, that structure allowed us to focus on execution instead of invention.
Today, nearly three decades later, we operate seven The Little Gym locations across Maryland and Virginia. Some of those locations generate more than $1 million in annual revenue. We also own and operate two Snapology STEAM education franchises, including one of the first co-branded The Little Gym and Snapology facilities in the country.
What started as a single leap of faith has evolved into a multi-brand, multi-unit business built on systems, people, and purpose.
Why Franchising Was the Right First Step
As instructors, we understood how powerful structured programming could be for children and families. What we did not yet understand was how much structure matters in business ownership as well.
Franchising gave us a clear roadmap. We were not starting from scratch. We had operating manuals, training programs, and brand standards that created consistency from day one. That consistency helped us build trust with parents and confidence within our team.
Just as importantly, franchising accelerated our learning curve. We learned how to read financials, manage staffing, and make operational decisions within a system that had already been tested. For two 23-year-olds without capital or prior ownership experience, that support made the difference between surviving and building something sustainable.
Building Systems That Drive $1M+ Locations
Revenue milestones like $1 million do not happen by accident. They are the result of disciplined operations and strong teams.
From early on, we focused on building systems that could scale. Staffing was a top priority. We hired people who aligned with our mission and invested heavily in training and leadership development. Clear expectations, documented processes, and accountability created stability, even as we expanded into multiple locations.
Operational consistency has become our competitive advantage. We standardize everything possible, including class schedules, customer communication, performance metrics, and financial reporting. This allowed us to identify trends early, replicate best practices, and address challenges before they became problems.
One of the hardest lessons we learned was letting go. It was tempting to stay involved in every detail, but we knew that true growth required delegation. When we shifted our focus from daily execution to coaching leaders and reviewing data, our business reached a new level of performance.
Managing Growth as a Family Business
With five children who grew up in our gyms, family and business naturally overlapped. Over time, several of our kids chose to work in the business and take on leadership roles. That opportunity came with responsibility.
From the beginning, we established non-negotiable boundaries. Family members working in the business are held to the same standards as any other employee: roles were clearly defined, performance expectations were clear and advancement was earned.
We also made a conscious effort to protect family time. Work conversations stay at work. Meals and vacations are for being parents, not business owners. That separation has been critical in maintaining healthy relationships while growing a successful company.
We didn’t set out to build a business that only works because it is family-run. We wanted to build a business strong enough to support the next generation – if they chose to be part of it.
Expanding Into a Second Brand Through Co-Branding
After years of success with The Little Gym, we began looking for opportunities to expand in a way that deepened our impact without diluting our focus. That search led us to Snapology, a youth STEAM education brand that complements physical development with creative and cognitive learning, and to the broader Unleashed Brands platform that made integration possible.
Both The Little Gym and Snapology are part of the Unleashed Brands portfolio, which is designed to create intentional synergies across complementary youth enrichment concepts. That shared platform allowed us to co-brand with confidence, knowing the systems, values, and customer experience standards were already aligned. Rather than operating as two disconnected businesses, the co-branded model functions as a single ecosystem focused on whole-child development through movement, creativity, and problem-solving.
Bringing the two brands together under one roof enhanced convenience for families while expanding the value we could offer. Children can build physical confidence through movement-based programs and then transition seamlessly into hands-on STEAM learning, all in one location with one trusted team. From an operational standpoint, the Unleashed platform supports efficiencies such as shared real estate, integrated staffing models, and cross-brand marketing, allowing us to scale thoughtfully without unnecessary overhead.
Most importantly, the co-branded approach strengthened our relationship with the community. Families were not just enrolling in classes. They were engaging with a unified enrichment experience designed to support kids academically, socially, and physically. For us, co-branding was not simply about adding another revenue stream. It was about leveraging the power of a platform built for strategic growth and long-term sustainability.
Looking Ahead
What started as a leap into franchising at 23 has become a long-term commitment to purposeful growth, operational excellence, and family values. Franchising gave us the foundation. Systems and people built the business. Clear boundaries allowed our family to grow alongside it.
For aspiring franchise owners, our advice is simple: choose a model you believe in and invest in systems early on. We would not be where we are today without building leaders, not just our locations. Our growth was not accidental – it was built one decision at a time.