Today we’d like to introduce you to Alysia Sims.
Hi Alysia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In October of 2016, I was a full time mom and wife in Southern California with 3 children. Suddenly, on the advice of my pastor, I was faced with divorce after over 20 years of marriage. I had little work history outside of my home, yet I was faced with a major career change at the age of 51. It would have been frightening, but my drive to succeed overwhelmed the fears and “what if’s” that can be paralyzing.
Beyond the suggestion to divorce, my pastor also suggested I move to Texas, I believed that I would like Texas because I raised my children on Shania Twain and Tim McGraw. I was either naive or faithful. As I scrolled the internet looking for a means of supporting myself and my 9th grader, a banner ad popped up. “Kumon,” a company that I was only slightly familiar with offered work with children. I had homeschooled, so I knew I could do that. The initial franchise fee was a meager $1000. After the sale of our home, I had enough to invest in my business. I knew I needed to purchase a fishing pole and not a fish.
By June 2017, I had moved away from everything that was familiar. I was in Texas! Putting one foot in front of the other, my Kumon had its Grand Opening on November 16, 2017 with 17 students. By April 2018, enrollment was at 100 students. Since then the business has flourished and is a part of the community.
It is my consistent prayer that I bless this community as much as it has blessed me and my family.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening any business is never perfectly smooth. A big part of what makes a strong business owner is the ability to push forward during the rocky roads, like Covid. In 2020, as the news report became increasingly dire, I began to educate my parents through emails and meetings about the plan B that I had created just in case the city was shut down. Within a week of beginning to communicate to parents, the city was closed. Parents were very secure with me and the business because we did not miss one day of class.
Over the years, I have seen my attitude change from fearful when the business has unexpected surprises to excited about what the circumstances will teach me. When none of the staff was present because of snow, I learned how much I can accomplish alone. When I have a demanding parent, I have learned the power of kindness and patience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Kumon has been helping children around the world achieve above grade level knowledge for over 70 years. Kumon is in 50 countries and is the largest math and reading extra-curriculum business in the world. My portion of that is my neighborhood franchise in Arlington, Texas.
My goal is to impact children’s lives through improving their abilities in math and reading, developing a strong work ethic, and creating independent learners. I love meeting the insecure children and helping them develop into confident and capable students. All of my children begin at Kumon below the international standards for their grade level, but as they work a little bit everyday, they transform. I love when they smile at me and say, “We’re not even doing this in school, yet!” It makes me so proud to be a part of an organization that changes the trajectory of children’s futures.
The surprise that has come from my center is the great diversity. So many parents from all over the world have shard with me that as they sat in the lobby they were shocked and comforted as they watched Vietnamese, African, Indian, American white and black, and Hispanic children coming in and out of the classroom. My center is an environment where your skin color, language or religion does not matter. We are a community of people who love our children and want them to have the best education possible. I’m proud that I partner with parents to help them achieve the goals of strong math skills done the old fashioned way and reading, including phonics and comprehension. And unless the child is doing the worksheets on the tablet, there is no technology, like AI or calculators.
What matters most to you?
I am a Christian; therefore, my faith is the most important part of my life. The love that I have for all of God’s people is reflected in the diversity of not on my families, but my team members. My business has become a platform for me to be a blessing to my students, their parents, my young staff and the community.
It matters to me that the families know that although I am not a non-profit, I care for them more than I care about their money.
It matters to me that my students are impacted by my passion for life. I’m 59 1/2, older than many of their grandparents, but I have won the Cinco de Mayo 5k 2 years in a row. My center is located in an area where poor health is prevalent. I want my students to question their food choices when they see me.
Pricing:
- $175 for Math OR Reading
- $335 for Math AND Reading
- $80 Registration 1 time
- FREE Materials fee from this article (normally $30)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kumon.com/arlington-southeast
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KumonOfArlingtonSoutheast/
