How did you get into the industry?
Our founder, Lia D. Johnson, has over 30 years’ experience in early childhood education but, more importantly, Lia is the product of a farm-school educational model, which we have turned into an easy to replicate bilingual, home based, sustainable educational model. Lia was taught sustainability and environmental stewardship by her mother and grandmother in Argentina. She studied Fine Arts and Political Science at university level for three years, and in 1989 she left Argentina to travel the world with her husband, George. During her travels, she studied Fine Arts and Early Childhood Education in Germany, at Central Texas College, and the Delaware College of Art and Design (which was part of the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC). She also raised three wonderful children of her own, who have contributed to Little Tree Huggers since inception. With over thirty years of training in fine arts and early childhood education, Lia settled in Leesburg, Virginia where she founded and directs Little Tree Huggers (LTH) Preschool and continues to devote herself to environmentalism and early childhood education. She is passionate about the arts, embracing all cultures, taking care of our planet and sharing her vision of sustainability.
What’s New in the Business or in the Franchise Model?
We have developed an easy to replicate, home-based sustainable education model that allows virtually any homeowner, with access to half an acre or more, and a love for children and the environment, to make a generous income, with minimal investment. The franchise model also counts with the support of an award-winning curriculum, state of the art training facility and experienced leadership team; just 35 miles from the nation’s capital.
Where do you See Opportunities or Challenges for the Franchise/Business Moving Forward?
The sky is the limit, virtually anyone can do this from their home.
What is your Goal for the Business Moving Forward?
To empower as many families as possible to embark on the sustainable education journey from comfort of their homes.
Talk to us About Training and Support, How Do You Deliver?
We offer 40 hours of training at our headquarters, which includes, lodging, classroom instruction and on the job training for our franchisees. Initial training is conducted onsite in Leesburg, VA. LTH’s founding location is 35 miles from the nation’s capital and just 11 miles from Dulles International Airport. LTH counts with two comfortable apartments onsite where families or teams will have the option to stay for the 5 days of initial training. This location showcases both a top tier educational environment, complete with a fully restored 160-year-old bank barn and working mini-farm, as well as a more modern franchise operation operating out of the basement of a standard single-family home.
Your most difficult moment at the Franchise Business?
Having the confidence to contact Franchise Marketing Systems to get the ball rolling.
Define your Franchise Model:
A. Training and Support Model?
5 days of on-the-job training, where franchisees can take as many videos, photos, and notes as necessary. Complete curriculum, with recommended coursework and themes to cover year-round. Periodic updates to the curriculum and Parent Handbook as necessary. 2/4/7/365 support from the leadership team.
B. What is the Fee Structure?
Franchise Fee is $30,000, either paid in cash or $10,000 down payment, plus 12 monthly payments of $1,666.67.
C. Territory Definition?
Zip Code or Zip Codes encompassing roughly a 10,000 population.
D. Day in the life of a Franchisee?
8:00 Arrival – Greeting and Socialization through free play 8:30 Clean Up & Water Break
8:40 Affirmations
8:45 Calendar time – language and science
9:20 Potty & Water Break
9:30 Fresh environmental time
9:35 Snack Time
9:45 Music – Get The Wiggles Out
9:50 Guided Exploration Time – Story Time
10:00 Group Meditation, Stretching, & Breathing in the garden 10:15 Potty & Water Break
10:30 Outdoor Chores
10:45 Free Exploration
11:10 Clean Up
11:20 Potty and Wash Up
11:30 Lunch time – Story Time
12:15 Project Time
12:40 Indoor Time
12:50 Potty, Brush Teeth, & Set Mats
1:00 Yoga
1:20 Potty & Resting time – Siesta
3:15 Wake Up – Worksheet – Academics
3:45 Snack – Fresh environmental Time
4:45 Free Exploration – games – Clean up
5:00 Farewell
What does Your Franchisee Do in the Business Every Day?
LTH strongly recommends the Franchisee occupy the role of lead teacher or assistant to get the strongest grasp possible about the business and to familiarize him or herself as much as possible with the student and parent population. Doing so will also earn the franchisee an additional $34,000 – $46,000 a year.
Who is the Ideal Franchise Candidate?
Literally anyone who loves children, cares for the environment, and has access to a quarter acre of land for outdoor educational component.
Success Stories and Failures with Franchisees?
Both the initial LTH location and our first franchise reached full capacity within 12 months. No failures.
What Goals Do You Have for the Little Tree Huggers Franchise Model in the Future?
To have at least 10 LTH locations in Virginia and one in every U.S. state, Europe, and Latin America within the next 2 years.
For more information on the Little Tree Huggers Brand, visit the corporate site: https://www.littletreehuggers.com/