Four Owner Stories, One Pattern: Why Couples Thrive in Ivybrook Franchise Ownership Across the Southeast
If you have ever said, “We should build something together,” you are not alone.
Couple-led ownership is one of the most compelling profiles in franchise development, especially when the partnership is built on complementary strengths: one person with business acumen and one person with an education or education-adjacent background.
Across Ivybrook Academy campuses in the Southeast, you can see that pattern show up in different ways. These are not identical stories. They are different families, different professional paths, and different communities.
But the through-line is consistent: purpose, partnership, and a clear desire to do work that matters.
Below are four owner snapshots across Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and what a future franchise owner couple can learn from each.
1) Roanoke, Virginia: corporate leadership meets community service
In Roanoke, Ivybrook owners Chris and Sara Millehan bring a blend that will feel familiar to many second-career couples.
Chris’s background includes corporate roles and business leadership experience, along with the responsibility of managing teams. Sara’s background is rooted in supporting others through her work in healthcare.
Their “why” is direct. They describe opening Ivybrook as a heartfelt decision tied to providing an early education opportunity for their child and their community, with a clear focus on Southwest Virginia thriving.
Takeaway for prospective owners: Education-adjacent experience matters. A service mindset matters. You do not need two former educators to lead a school community well. You need leaders who are committed to people and capable of building a strong team.
2) Cumming, Georgia: global experience, local mission
In Cumming, Georgia, owners Bart and Yaning describe a life shaped by raising three children and working around the world. They connect their decision to open Ivybrook to what they learned as parents navigating educational options, including seeing their own children succeed in Montessori and Reggio Emilia environments.
They also frame early education as the foundation for lifelong learning, and they tie their work to the Atlanta-area community they serve.
Takeaway for prospective owners: Many high-fit franchise owners start as parents first. They see the need personally, then decide to build something that meets the need for other families too.
3) Franklin, Tennessee: values alignment is the lead domino
In Franklin, Tennessee, owner Sapna Misra shares that she and her husband, Surya, discovered Ivybrook in 2022 and “instantly fell in love” with the educational philosophy and heart for children.
Sometimes the story starts less with a resume and more with a feeling: this is the kind of environment I want children to experience. This is the kind of work I want to be connected to.
Takeaway for prospective owners: Values alignment is a legitimate filter. In franchise ownership, it is often the best predictor of staying power.
Julington Creek + Valley Ridge: deep roots, family perspective, and a clear mission (Jeff and Carolyn Lott)
In North Florida, Jeff and Carolyn Lott lead Ivybrook Academy in Julington Creek and Valley Ridge. They are Jacksonville natives, have been married for over thirty years, and have three young adult children. They also recently welcomed a new son-in-law into their family.
Their owner story is anchored in something your target persona will recognize immediately. Parenting changes how you evaluate education. You stop looking for “good enough” and start looking for what you wish existed when your own children were small.
In their letter, the Lotts share that bringing Ivybrook to North Florida has been a joy. They note they were the first Ivybrook in Florida and have completed their third school year. They tie their decision directly to what they wanted for their own children: a preschool that recognizes each child’s individuality and meets children where they are.
They also explicitly frame their mission as supporting families as they navigate the rewards and challenges of raising young children.
Takeaway for prospective owners: Couple-led ownership thrives when the “why” is personal and the roles are complementary. For second-career couples and empty nesters especially, the Lott story is a reminder that this work can be deeply meaningful while still being built with operational clarity and long-term intention.
What all four stories have in common
When you read these owner stories side by side, a few themes emerge:
1) The work is purpose-driven
Ivybrook positions its franchise opportunity around the impact of early childhood education and a model designed to serve families.
2) The product is differentiated
Ivybrook describes its curriculum as a blend of approaches, including Reggio Emilia and Montessori, designed to support individualized learning.
3) Couples win when they define roles early
The couples who thrive are rarely “both doing everything.” They are aligned on mission and clear on responsibility.
If you are considering ownership together, start with role clarity:
- Who owns business operations and performance?
- Who owns the people and family experience?
- How will decisions be made when you disagree?
Quick FAQ
Is Ivybrook Academy a good fit for couples?
It can be, especially when one partner brings business leadership and the other brings education or a service-oriented background. The owner stories above show several examples of couple-led ownership in the Southeast.
Do you have to be an educator to own an Ivybrook Academy?
Owner backgrounds vary. Some owners come from education. Others come from business, healthcare, and other leadership paths.
What’s the next step if we’re curious?
Request franchise information and schedule an intro conversation to explore fit, territory, and timing.
If you are a couple exploring ownership in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, or Georgia, and you want a business that allows you to make a difference in a real community, let’s start the conversation.