By Jessica Hoover
Scott and Mindy Smith, franchise owners of Primrose School at Gray Eagle and Primrose School of Carmel, were selected last month out of nearly 350 other franchise owners across the nation to receive the President’s Award.
The award is presented to franchise owners who display excellence in the commitment and service they provide to their school, according to the Primrose Schools website.
“The other franchise owners in the past that have received this award are all people that we’ve looked up to as leaders in the Primrose family, just really great people,” Scott said. “It’s just a huge honor for us to be recognized by our corporate staff.”
Scott and Mindy discovered Primrose schools when they enrolled their child in Colorado. After moving to Indiana, they decided to open a school of their own. Soon after, they opened another. Both schools have been ranked among the top five Primrose Schools in the nation for parent satisfaction and parent loyalty.
The schools also serve as training schools for the other owners and directors. The two have raised nearly $100,000 for charitable fundraising events.
Scott and Mindy pride themselves on being hands-on owners.
“We really want kids to enjoy their earliest years, and we want them to play,” Mindy said. “(Our schools) let children do that while they’re working on their social skills, building strong character and developing their academics. We love the kids at the school like family, and we really are committed to them and to hiring people that share those beliefs with us and that share our commitment to kids.
“We love what we do every day. We like the importance of making a difference, but it’s also fun for us because every day you get a hug or laugh or a funny story. So our hearts are in it, and we love what we do.”
