Angie Yuan got her start in Silicon Valley, consulting for startups on marketing operations, and funding strategies. But after years of helping other people build their businesses, she wanted to build something of her own. In 2013, she opened her first Mathnasium center. She now runs multiple locations spanning from San Mateo, California to Bellevue, Washington, employing 190 people and changing how thousands
of students think about math.
Born in Shanghai as part of China’s one-child generation, she watched her country’s early entrepreneurs rebuild an economy and fell in love with that pioneering spirit. She chased that dream to America, earning an MBA on full scholarship and carving out a career in the heart of the tech industry.
Over the course of 11 years, she grew from one center to eight, building a business while raising three children with her husband. She never stopped learning, never stopped coaching others, and never stopped pushing forward. This is the life she loves, she says, and “I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Mathnasium Locations:
- Mathnasium of Klahanie in Issaquah, WA opened in 2010
- Mathnasium of Palo Alto-Menlo Park, CA opened in 2011
- Mathnasium of Laurelwood in San Mateo, CA, opened in 2013
- Mathnasium of Burlingame, CA opened in 2015
- Mathnasium of Foster City, CA opened in 2016
- Mathnasium of Santa Clara, CA opened in 2018
- Mathnasium of Renton Highlands in Renton, WA opened in 2019
- Mathnasium of Eastgate in Bellevue, WA, opened in 2020
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
There were several factors that led me to explore franchising. While my corporate experience gave me a strong foundation in business, I never truly felt fulfilled in that environment. I wanted a path that allowed me to balance raising my children with building a meaningful career—one where I could be my own boss, create financial stability, and still make an impact.
Franchising offered a strong middle ground: the opportunity to own and grow a business with a proven model, but without the high level of risk I had seen in the tech startup world. Mathnasium stood out to me immediately. It had a solid concept, strong momentum at the time I joined, and aligned perfectly with my values. It has given me the flexibility to shape my work around my family, the autonomy to make decisions I believe are right, and the chance to help local students and families succeed.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Yes, I did. Since I narrowed down the industry to education and kids related only very early on, the options are limited, which makes the decision making easier. I used Inc, Entrepreneur and FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
I used my savings for my first unit. After that, I was able to tap into SBA loans to expand my business. I bank with Chase, so the team there helped me a lot.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
The training and support from Mathnasium HQ have been excellent, and they are always making improvements. Franchisees now have access to business intelligence that helps make better decisions, and new features in marketing automation have made our lives easier as operators. Everyone in the network is super passionate about what we do. The franchisee network is so collaborative and supportive, and I’ve become friends with many of them.
What are you most proud of and why?
What I’m most proud of as a franchisee is that I’ve been able to build a business that stays true to my values. At Mathnasium, our mission is to help students and families succeed, and I’ve never had to compromise that for short-term results. Every decision I make—whether it’s investing in staff training, creating a welcoming culture, or spending extra time with a student—is guided by doing what’s right, not just what’s easiest or most profitable in the moment. That alignment between my work and my values has been the most rewarding part of this journey. I know that when families walk through our doors, they can trust us to care about their children’s growth, not just their grades. And for me, that integrity is more important than anything else we achieve.
What advice would you give to new or potential franchise buyers?
One piece of advice I’d give to new or potential franchisees is to be ready to lead, not just operate. Buying a franchise doesn’t mean you’re simply running a system—it means you’re building and guiding a team, setting the culture, and inspiring people to perform at their best. Your leadership is what turns the franchise model into a thriving business. At the same time, you need to be prepared to be a lifelong learner. Business conditions change, customer expectations evolve, and your team will look to you for direction. The most successful franchisees I know are the ones who stay curious, keep developing new skills, and are willing to adapt and grow right alongside their business.
Mathnasium owners are thriving. According to a recent Franchise Business Review survey, owners continue to give Mathnasium leadership high marks.
- 91% agreed they enjoyed operating their business
- 90% agreed they were supportive of the Mathnasium brand
- 89% agreed they enjoyed being a part of the organization
In addition to receiving these high marks from their franchisees, Mathnasium also appears on the following FBR data-backed lists:
- Top Franchises for Women
- Top 200 Franchises Overall
- Most Innovative Franchises
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Recession-Proof Franchises
- Top Franchises for Culture
For more information about franchising with Mathnasium, call 888-763-2604 or visit http://mathnasiumfranchise.com.
