Bhavna & Vishal Ajwani are a husband and wife team living in New Jersey. They invested in a Lightbridge Academy back in 2018 and currently have 3 in Michigan in development. The couple have 35 employees! Bhavna shared a bit about their effort to find more work and life balance.
In a few sentences, please tell us a little about yourself!
We are a husband-and-wife team. We currently live in New Jersey and have two children, one in elementary school and one in middle school. We love to travel the world with our boys.
My husband, Vishal, has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wayne State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. His working career started at Macy’s, where he worked for 16 years. He held various positions, including store operations and corporate. Vishal parted ways with Macys in 2018, when we opened our first Lightbridge Academy.
I, Bhavna, am a licensed Physical Therapist with a Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology & Cardiovascular Sciences from Northeastern University, Boston. I served as the Director of Rehab Compliance & Education at Global Healthcare before moving on with our entrepreneurial endeavors.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
Our biggest driver when we started to pursue a franchise opportunity was a way to create a better work and life balance and be present for our children. Just as important, we wanted to work with a franchise brand that brought deep expertise in the child care industry—a trusted partner we could grow with and learn from.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
During our initial research, we did not use FBR’s website as we were not aware of it. Instead, we relied heavily on online research and meetings with various franchisors as part of our due diligence process. Looking back, having access to FBR’s insights and data would have provided a clearer picture and made our decision-making process more efficient.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
The Lightbridge Academy Home Office team connected us with preferred vendors, and we went with the route of an SBA Loan, which was a seamless process.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success? (e.g. culture, training, coaching, support, marketing, franchisee network, etc.)
Everyone at the Lightbridge Academy Home Office supported us every step along the process. From the beginning and early stages of development, up until this day, where we are a fully operational and successful school, the team truly cares about our success. They have resources and established processes to lead you to success. The Home Office team has experts in their respective departments that will assist you during your journey. Lightbridge truly embraces their culture of making sure everyone in the Circle of Care is well taken care of.
What are you most proud of and why?
We take immense pride in the culture we’ve cultivated within our childcare center—one that closely reflects the core values and supportive environment of Lightbridge Academy. This partnership and alignment have been a cornerstone of our success!
What advice would you give to new or potential franchise buyers?
For anyone considering a Lightbridge Academy franchise investment, our advice is to do your homework—research thoroughly and ensure the company’s values genuinely align with your own. Just as important, once you’ve joined, fully commit to following the proven systems and processes put in place, they are tried, true and they work! That alignment and consistency are key drivers of long-term success.
Bhavna and Vishal found the right franchise for them by doing extensive research and finding a brand whose values aligned with their own. They also sought balance between work and their lives. Franchise Business Review surveyed Lightbridges’ franchisees and found that:
- 96% of franchisees agree that they enjoy operating this business
- 83% of franchisees are likely to recommend this franchise to others
- 100% of franchisees are likely to “do it again” if given the chance
To read more, download their report!
Read more stories about Lightbridge Academy franchisees — one who owns multiple units and another who came to Lightbridge out of a need for childcare.
For more information about becoming investing in a Lightbridge Academy location, visit their website or email [email protected].
