Posted Under: Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Franchise, Our Heroes, Startup

Amy Debock is featured in and as “Our Heroes” today! Amy was encouraged to start her own Kumon Center because of her husband’s relocation. Read on to see how she turned an unexpected situation into a great new opportunity.

DD: What kind of corporate job were you at?

AD: I worked for Allstate Insurance Company in accounting for the mergers & acquisitions department.

DD: What made you leave the job? When did you realize that you wanted to be an entrepreneur & why?

AD: My husband’s job relocated our family from Illinois to Massachusetts. I had always wanted to start my own business, and over the years my husband and I had researched many different franchise opportunities. I could have easily transferred to a new branch office within Allstate Insurance, but I used the move as an opportunity to follow my dream to own my own business.

DD: What did you do to break the corporate jail? How did you prepare for the employee to entrepreneur transition?

AD: It was really fate and guts. I was a mother of three at the time, and I used my husband’s relocation as a good reason to break the cycle of the 9-5 grind and begin a new opportunity. I knew if I was brave enough to move my entire family and start all over in a new city, I could take steps to think about what I really wanted to do, instead of heading back into the office.  I prepared by holding myself accountable. As an entrepreneur, you must stay organized, prepared and acknowledge at all times that this is your own business, and go above and beyond. The Kumon University training also helped me prepare for the transition. I learned a lot in the business plan process. Creating a business plan is a tremendous amount of work, but it’s critical and a vital investment. Opening your own business is not a walk in the park, you must take serious consideration into who is buying your product, if the business viable in your market and if I can be successful.

DD: What is one resource that helped the most/best?

AD: The one person who most helped me was my husband. He was extremely supportive, encouraging and helped me stay grounded.  He has a strong business background, and when I was drafting my business plan, he was extremely supportive. I took the process very seriously. He helped me keep on track, be confident, move ahead, and not get too stressed with the details. Even today, I run things by him to gain a perspective. For example, I recently had to slightly increase my tuition for the first time in three years, and it was very difficult. My tuition is still below my competitors, and I wish I could give Kumon away for free since it’s such a good program, but my husband reminds me, I am working to put our kids through college, so I need to also have a viable business. I couldn’t do this without him and he’s an excellent sounding board.

DD: What do you know now that you wish if only you knew when you made the transition?

AD: Opening a business is not as hard as you think! I would have opened a Kumon Center ten years ago if I knew it was this manageable. It feels overwhelming at first, but in a franchise, becoming a small business owner in a supportive franchise system was a benefit. From developing your business plan, to training, to finding commercial space, negotiating a lease to doing your build-out, you’re never on your own because you have the support of the franchise.

DD: What are your suggestions for aspiring entrepreneurs?

AD: Know your product and be passionate for it. Know your market and where you’re positioning yourself. Keep moving forward, and don’t give up during the first hurdle. It’s easy to lose confidence after your first negative experience, but don’t. Also, join a support system. I joined the Chamber of Commerce and they have a women’s small business owners networking group that has been very helpful to me.

DD: How are you doing and how do you feel now?

AD: I am doing well, but I am never fully satisfied.  I am always thinking how I can accomplish more and improve my business. My business has been growing steadily in the past three years, and with 154 students, I recently moved my new space to accommodate the demand for my service. In my new location, I am now more visible, and I am learning that a prime location is also critical to a company’s success. I am gaining new customers that just didn’t even know I existed before.

Amy Debock went from being a corporate machine stuck in a 9-5 jail to being an independent woman who opened a Kumon Math & Reading Center, an after-school math and reading program. Not every entrepreneur has to start a new business from scratch, there are options like Franchising and/or buying an existing business. Amy worked with a supportive franchise system to create her learning center branch. Though, whether you are starting from scratch or building onto a tried and trusted franchise, your business will be your own. Along with the support of Kumon, Amy also had the support of her husband. She said that she still values his perspective and opinion when it comes to how to run her business. Who do you depend on for help and support in your business? Share via comments below.