How would you describe Huntington Learning Center as a business?
As a business, if you follow the Huntington system and put in the time, your center will be highly profitable. The greatest satisfaction to me as a franchise owner is knowing that my destiny is in my hands – Huntington provides you with the support and tools you need, and the execution and the financial gains are controlled by you. Additionally, there’s a substantial community component – it’s very rewarding to know that you’re helping someone. And, once you get into it, within a few months you start seeing the impact that you’re having.
Do you think Huntington is a good fit for fellow veterans?
In my career serving in the U.S. Army, I have found my fellow service members to be very good at implementing proven systems, that’s exactly what you get at Huntington, a proven system. There’s also a sort of self-selecting that happens in the military – many military members are called to serve and there’s a strong element of providing for your community associated with running a Huntington franchise. I highly recommend Huntington to veterans who want to own their own business.
Did you think about going into other industries and, if so, why did you choose Huntington?
When I was deciding what to do after the Army, I was looking at several industries. What brought me into education and eventually Huntington, was that I was looking for more of a professional business that had a substantial community element. As I considered other tutoring companies I evaluated several competitors. When I did my research on how they operate and the programs involved, I felt like Huntington was the premier service and offered the greatest potential as a business.
Any parting thoughts for those considering investing in Huntington?
The business is like the program for students. When you put the time in and follow the system, you’ll get great results. It works for the students we teach and it works running the business. Being devoted to running your business will make you successful. Tutoring isn’t going to go anywhere as a business – parents are always going to be focused on their kids education, and it’s rewarding to control my own success.
The Franchisee
Shawn Livingston
Owner
Huntington Learning Center
Locations: 2 Learning Centers in Raleigh, N.C.
# of Employees: Shawn works full time in the business with 2 additional full time staff members and many certified part-time teachers.
Military Service:
Army (1998-Present)
MOS: Special Forces Communications Sergeant
About Hungton Learning Center
Huntington Learning Center is the nation’s longest-running supplemental education services provider. Today they continue to be an industry leader providing instruction in reading, writing, spelling, phonics, mathematics and study skills as well as subject tutoring and SAT and ACT preparation to tens of thousands of students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
