When funding for her rural school dried up during the early 2000s, Tokoroa principal Kathy Redwood was forced to re-evaluate her career options. So, like many Kiwi entrepreneurs, Mrs Redwood launched a business from her garage.
She saw a niche for maths tutoring in the rural township and began offering home-based training for children.
Just eight years later, her business mathZwise has expanded into six franchises across the region, tutoring 300 students each year from branches in Taupo, Tokoroa, Hamilton, Cambridge and Tauranga.
While based on the school curriculum, the programme also incorporates activities and games, to help primary and high school students. Tutors are limited to two children each.
“That means we don’t make as much money as other companies … although we get better progress for our children,” she said. More.