Franchise Update Magazine Issue I, 2016 | Page 38

Female Founders Needham. Inspired by an article about franchising she’d read in Inc. magazine, 3 years later DiMinico licensed the company’s first franchise location, in Andover, Mass. In 1995, she began a regional developer program that accelerated growth, and today Learning Express Toys is the nation’s leading franchisor of educational toy stores, with 126 stores in 35 states. “My father was an entrepreneur and instilled in us the belief that we could do anything if we worked hard,” says DiMinico. “This company is my passion and my joy. And every day I continue to learn.” DiMinico says she was attracted to the franchising model for growth not only because of the Inc. article, but also because, she says, “I believe that owners of a business will work harder and do a better job than store managers of a business.” She cites her father as her best mentor and says he inspired her along her own path. “My father started his own company when I was seven years old,” she says. “He was always very encouraging and supportive.” Learning Express is on track to do more than $100 million in revenue this year, and DiMinico hopes to continue a pace of opening 5 to 10 stores a year. The brand will also open a corporate location with the launch of a new children’s activity center concept, Learning Express Play, which will open in June 2016 in Bedford, Mass. And, of course, DiMinico will be there cheering on the continued growth of a brand she has nurtured, loved, and developed since day one. GETTING STARTED What inspired you to start your business? I owned a construction/retail business for 10 years before marrying my husband and starting a family. When I was shopping for my daughter’s nursery with my sister, I was amazed at how exciting and moving it was shopping for a baby. At the register, I told my sister, “My next business is going to be a kid’s business.” I immediately understood how parents want to provide every opportunity for their children. I looked into furniture, gear, and clothing, but decided on toys. There were not many really