Susan Valwarde is the brand president of Silvan Learning, a tuition and test appearance franchise. She describes her career as a series of lucky but very unexpected turns. “
Valverde was born in Northern Mexico, in the early 1980s, coming to the US as a child, and learned entrepreneurship from his parents, who created a trucking business in Mississippi. She became the first college graduate in her family, then worked in banking and economic development – until her career changed in an unexpected manner.
This happened in the year 2000, when Walverde’s husband needed to take a professional exam. He did it at a silvon learning franchise location near his South Texas house. While her husband took her test, Valverde saw the Center in action. “It just hit a raga,” she remembers. “I noticed that children were seen running after a long day of school. I was a child who needed additional support when learned English.”
He saw the opportunity. Within weeks, she became a franchise – and went to build several successful units, which she sold in 2016 to join the Silvan leadership team. She then reached the Chief Franchise Operations Officer from the Vice President – and finally, in 2024, she became the President. Here, she shares how her time in the trenches helped to define her vision.
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Your region in South Texas was some of the most economically deprived areas of the country, yet he was a constant top artist. What were the challenges you had in that environment?
I hesitate to tell them challenges, because I think areas with limited resources are very resourceful. But there were certain obstacles that we had to overcome. For example, all our marketing messages were in English, so we had to roll and translate our sleeves. Fortunately, we are all bilingual.
What did you take special initiative for your customers?
We made a mobile model so that we can take our tuition to schools, as there are some rural pockets in Texas that are difficult to reach. The second thing we have carried forward in our market is partnered with low-income schools-we applied for federal grants, state grants and foundation grants. We were able to secure scholarship for low -income families and children who were not able to reach our services.
Is there anything about the franchise model that you find especially effective?
It is locally owned and operated. For these people, with whom I was trying to partner, I was not just a seller. These are people I run at a grocery store. We live in the same community. Therefore, there is a level of accountability, acceptance and true partnership that cannot reach a corporate-owned business.
What was the most challenging part of the transition from franchise to corporate leadership?
This requires a complete change in perspective. As a franchise, I had a very local scope and saw a direct effect; If I needed to grow, it was within my hands to do so. But if you are wearing a corporate hat, you are presenting something that is compelling with hope that people will embrace and execute. But you cannot do this for them.
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How has your background as a franchise affected you as an executive and a leader?
Because I have been in the trenches and understand the sacrifices that pass through a franchise, that pass through the owner of a small business, I filter all my decisions through that lens.
Is there an overrouud business philosophy that enabled you to succeed?
What do I believe – and it goes to my entire team – it is about success effects. If we are watching students growing, the schools will embrace the districts, communities and families we do. So if we believe what we are doing and we do really do very good work, then we are winning because of the effect. Then the revenue is as follows – not in another way.
Susan Valwarde is the brand president of Silvan Learning, a tuition and test appearance franchise. She describes her career as a series of lucky but very unexpected turns. “
Valverde was born in Northern Mexico, in the early 1980s, coming to the US as a child, and learned entrepreneurship from his parents, who created a trucking business in Mississippi. She became the first college graduate in her family, then worked in banking and economic development – until her career changed in an unexpected manner.
This happened in the year 2000, when Walverde’s husband needed to take a professional exam. He did it at a silvon learning franchise location near his South Texas house. While her husband took her test, Valverde saw the Center in action. “It just hit a raga,” she remembers. “I noticed that children were seen running after a long day of school. I was a child who needed additional support when learned English.”
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