When One Brings the Business Experience and One Brings the Classroom Heart: Meet Ann and Kevin Drucker (Cary, NC)
There’s a specific kind of partnership that shows up again and again in strong franchise ownership: one person has the operational mindset, and the other brings a deep connection to children, learning, and families.
It’s a practical pairing. It’s also personal.
In Cary, North Carolina, Ivybrook Academy owners Ann and Kevin Drucker represent that “shared strengths” model in a way that feels both grounded and aspirational. Ann brings over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, and together they lead Ivybrook Academy’s Cary and North Raleigh campuses with a clear focus on children and the families who trust them.
A couple’s decision becomes a community decision
Owning a business is rarely just a business decision. It becomes a lifestyle decision. A calendar decision. A values decision. For Ann and Kevin, it is also a family decision. They have been married over two decades and are raising three children, which gives them a lived-in understanding of what parents need from early education: warmth, structure, respect, and a place where each child is known.
That’s an important point for prospective owners who are exploring a second career, a partnership venture, or an “empty nester” chapter where the work needs to feel meaningful. Many people are not looking for “a business.” They are looking for a purpose that can scale into a real enterprise.
The Ivybrook difference, through an owner lens
Ivybrook Academy’s franchise opportunity is positioned around early education that is built on a blend of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Multiple Intelligences.
The way Ivybrook describes the curriculum is important for franchise candidates because it explains what makes the product marketable and what makes the work feel worthwhile. Ivybrook’s curriculum approach is framed as a blend of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and individualized assessment, designed to support children academically, socially, and emotionally.
If you are a couple where one partner is strong in systems, operations, and business performance, and the other is strong in education or child development, you can see the appeal quickly:
- One person protects the vision and experience for children and families.
- One person protects the health of the business so the mission can keep going.
That combination is what makes long-term ownership sustainable.
What this looks like in real life (and why it matters for couples)
When couples ask us what makes a strong franchise ownership team, the answer is rarely “two people who are both exactly the same.”
It is more often:
- Shared values
- Complementary skills
- Willingness to learn
- A clear agreement on who owns what day-to-day
Ann and Kevin’s story communicates something subtle but powerful. Their work is described as warm and family-oriented, and their commitment is tied directly to providing high-quality, individualized care for young children in their community.
That phrasing matters, because the best franchise development is not about selling a model. It is about attracting the right owners to carry a model into a community with integrity.
If you are considering a second-career chapter, start here
If you and your partner have talked about owning a business that feels different from what you have done before, ask yourselves a few honest questions:
- Do we want an impact that we can see?
Early childhood education is local by nature. You see families. You see progress. You become part of a town’s story. - Do we have complementary strengths?
Operations + education is a proven pairing. Education-adjacent backgrounds (healthcare, coaching, HR, training, leadership) can also translate well. - Do we want a model built for family life?
Ivybrook positions its franchise model around half-day programming and family time as part of the overall value proposition.
If you are exploring ownership in North Carolina, or any of our other available territories, we would love to start the conversation.
Next step: Request franchise information and schedule an introductory call with our team.