She Helps To Set Up ‘Third Generation’

AsiaOne:

From running a franchise six years ago, Ms Susan Loke now manages franchisees and shares her experiences with potential ones.
cherie

In her late 30s, she was the first franchisee of childcare centre chain Cherie Hearts when she opened a branch in Kembangan in September 2003. The chain has 50 outlets today.

It was the first foray into running her own business for Ms Loke, then a senior business development manager in the construction industry. Cherie Hearts founder Sam Yap, a former colleague, had shared his expansion plans with her over lunch.

‘I knew him well and was used to his working style. I knew that he was a man with foresight and I was confident that he would do well,’ said Ms Loke, who roped in childhood friend Jesselin Foo to handle the day-to-day operations of the centre.

‘My biggest concern was the learning curve. We were both unfamiliar with the field and there were many rules and regulations,’ she said. ‘What if the licences weren’t approved but we still had to continue paying our staff and rent?’

Various licences had to be obtained from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) before a childcare centre could be set up. Read more.

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