Carli Sonntag Loves Building Students Up Through Her Mathnasium Franchise

Blog September 25, 2024 4 min to read

Mathnasium Franchise Owner Carli Sonntag

Carli Sonntag always knew she wanted to help kids succeed in math, but she also recognized that building an effective curriculum is no small task. That’s why she chose Mathnasium, a franchise that provides a comprehensive array of curriculum and assessments designed to meet students where they are and give them the tools they need to thrive. In this Q&A, Carli shares her journey as a Mathnasium franchise owner, the challenges she faced, and the incredible rewards of helping children build confidence and succeed in math.

Why did you purchase a Mathnasium franchise rather than start an independent business?

I knew I wanted to help kids, specifically in math, and building a curriculum is not a one-person job. Mathnasium offers a robust array of curriculum and assessments to ensure you meet a student at their current level and give them what they need to succeed.

Were you focused on a specific industry or brand from the start?

I have a math background and know that math is such an important part of a child’s life, not only in terms of skill but also in terms of confidence. I wanted to find a solution-oriented business outside the classroom that would allow students to learn at a pace that works for them and enables them to be successful long-term.

Which of your prior skills and experiences are most helpful in operating your business?

My career started at Hearst Media, where I was a national account rep focusing on sales and marketing. I took six years off from Hearst when my son was in elementary school and taught middle school math to have more time to spend with him. During that time, I taught at all math levels, including students who were behind, advanced, gifted, and talented. I realized that even the most advanced students were struggling with the pace and curriculum being taught in schools, and they weren’t getting the base of understanding you need for math. When I left teaching, I found that my knowledge of the classroom, math, marketing, sales, and my love of building students up was the perfect background for Mathnasium.

When researching franchises to buy, what criteria mattered to you most?

I wanted to be part of a business, solving a problem and making the world a better place.

Did you use FBR’s website or download franchisee satisfaction reports?

Yes. I researched several tutoring businesses before choosing Mathnasium. The business model best fit my goals for the community, and Mathnasium’s passion for education was clear.

During your research, what questions did you ask Mathnasium franchise owners?

I spoke with several franchisees to learn about the curriculum, corporate support, and the process of opening a business.

Which questions did you ask the franchisor?

How would we continue to grow? What is the company’s goal, and what is its vision for students?

What were your biggest challenges when you first started out, and how did you overcome them?

Brand recognition can be challenging as the Mathnasium franchise is still newer to the market than some competing brands. To overcome that obstacle, we participated in every community event available and worked hard to make Mathnasium a part of the local community.

How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?

I have an exceptional FBC (Franchise Business Consultant) who gives feedback, discusses new ideas, and is an excellent sounding board if I ever need support. Mathnasium is also working hard on many fronts to constantly improve and evolve, whether with marketing, communication, or curriculum. All of those things support and encourage success.

What are you most proud of and why?

I’m most proud of the fact that each day, we are helping kids feel better. Seeing a student be proud of their success, seeing them learn and apply new knowledge, is a beautiful thing. Add to that a parent’s relief that their child is overcoming something that previously caused stress, and I don’t think you could ask for a better job.

What advice would you give to new or potential franchise buyers?

This is a great, amazing job, but it is also a job. You must be present and care about what’s happening. This is a people-first, fans-first organization, and to grow, you must be a part of the community and care about your customers. It’s the most fulfilling job I have ever had, and I’m so thankful I get to do this every day.