Franchise Players is Entrepreneur’s Q&A interview column that puts the spotlight on franchisees. If you're a franchisee with advice and tips to share, email ktaylor@entrepreneur.com.
When Pat Lakatta's first heard about franchising opportunities in childhood education, she was skeptical. Lakatta is a free-thinker and had in the past chafed under micromanagement. She didn't want franchising to be another constricting experience.
Fortunately, she learned more and signed on to be an Abrakadoodle Art Education franchisee. One decade later, she says that the sky is the limit.
Pat Lakatta
Image credit: Pat Lakatta
Here's what she's learned.
Name: Pat Lakatta
Franchise: Abrakadoodle Art Education, in Baltimore County and Baltimore City, Maryland
How long have you owned a franchise?
I’ve owned my Abrakadoodle franchise 10 years -- since 2004.
Related: Former In-N-Out Employees Get Entrepreneurial and Open Their Own Franchise
Why franchising?
I was introduced to the world of franchising through an extended family member, who was in sales with Franconnect. She knew of my interest in children and in education. At the time, I wasn’t convinced that franchising was for me, because of my past leadership experience in corporate and community settings. I was an independent thinker and program creator, so I was skeptical of how much flexibility I would have as a franchisee. Ultimately, that was just fear of the unknown!
What were you doing before you became a franchise owner?
I had been working in the broad spectrum of professional communications. My college and graduate degrees in Nursing, Communications/Music and Business and Marketing allowed me flexibility in choosing my career path. Because Communications encompasses so many areas, I was schooled in the value of service through my experience as a registered nurse. I was able to practice as a professional writer, producer of film, video and audio-visual productions and as a PR practitioner and spokesperson for Johns Hopkins Health System, American Red Cross and other Baltimore hospitals. I also worked as a singer/songwriter and music producer and as an education advocate, especially for children. I learned to appreciate and love the arts during my liberal arts education at Goucher College.
Why did you choose this particular franchise?
I visited the Abrakadoodle corporate office several weeks prior to the roll out of the franchise. I was drawn to Abrakadoodle because it is an educationally motivating, service-driven franchise, which focuses on my favorite marketing sector: children. I liked the company model and I felt a strong connection with Mary Rogers and Rosemarie Hartnett. I shared passion for the plan they created for children’s art education in a variety of settings. I researched several options over the course of six months, but I couldn’t seem to get Abrakadoodle out of my mind!