Nick and Nikki Foundas own and operate Celebree School of Sudbury. Nikki, an elementary school principal with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, is passionate about fostering environments where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Nick brings expertise in human resources, specializing in compensation, performance management, and career development to support team growth and culture.
You decided to pivot into franchise ownership while still pursuing previous career paths. What drew you to franchise ownership, and how did you determine the right time to make the move?
Franchising appealed to us because it offered a more stable entry point into entrepreneurship than starting a business from the ground up. My background in HR gave me a strong foundation in systems, people, and operations, so I felt I could bring a lot of relevant experience to the table while still benefiting from a proven business model. The right time to make the move came when we found a concept that aligned with our goals, trusted the leadership team behind it, and felt confident we could divide responsibilities in a way that made our dual-career path realistic and sustainable.
What drew you to the early childhood education niche, and what about Celebree School resonated with you personally?
Nikki’s experience in early childhood education made it clear just how important those formative years are in setting kids up for long-term success. For us, this wasn’t just about investing; it was about finding something that aligned with our values. Celebree School immediately stood out with its mission to “Grow People Big and Small.” It’s an education-first brand with a strong focus on development and community, and that commitment to holistic growth really resonates with us.
What support from the franchisor mattered most during your franchise development phase?
The development phase really sets the tone for a successful launch. From site selection to permitting and buildout, having a franchisor that offered hands-on support and stayed actively engaged throughout the process made a significant difference. What stood out most was that Celebree School didn’t disappear after we signed. They remained a true partner, helping us navigate key decisions and connecting us with a network of franchisees who could share firsthand insights. That combination of hands-on support and peer guidance gave us a clear picture of what to expect and proved invaluable throughout the development phase.
What tools, playbooks, or rules did you use to guide you through the development phase into opening?
We focused on clear timelines, defined milestones, and consistent communication with both our network and the Celebree School team. Leveraging our professional backgrounds helped us stay organized and intentional throughout the process. We also stayed closely involved during construction, making sure we understood each phase of the buildout. As a result, when opening day arrived, we felt prepared, confident, and ready to hit the ground running.
As a husband-wife duo, how did you build out structured leadership without overstepping boundaries?
We were very intentional about defining roles and boundaries from the moment we decided to step into entrepreneurship together. Our respective backgrounds naturally guided those lanes, as Nikki leads with an educational and strategic lens, ensuring we’re building a safe, welcoming, and high-quality learning environment, while I focus on day-to-day operations, using my experience to foster a positive culture and support a passionate team of educators. Just as important, we’ve been disciplined about maintaining boundaries at home. There, we’re partners and parents first and protecting that separation has been critical to both our business success and our relationship.
How did you build out a long-term vision for your business, and what long-term support have you received from Celebree School?
We’ve approached this journey with a long-term mindset from day one, focusing on building something sustainable and impactful rather than chasing short-term returns. Celebree School has been a consistent partner post-opening, providing ongoing operational support, education, and training. That steady support validates our investment and gives us confidence as we continue to grow with the brand.
Sourced from CityBiz.
