Transforming Early Education: A Significant Shift in Leadership
The landscape of early education is undergoing a significant transformation as Create Learning Center, a well-respected presence in its community, changes hands. After over a decade of dedicated service, the founder, Sharon Cowley, decided it was time to pass the school into new stewardship, ensuring that the mission of nurturing young minds continues.
Creating New Opportunities for Growth
Cowley emphasizes the importance of providing children with essential social-emotional learning skills so they can thrive in today's complex world. Under her leadership, Create Learning Center developed a distinctive curriculum that she is proud to have been a part of. "While Create will always hold a very special place in my heart, I recognize the need for more children to access social-emotional tools not only nationwide but globally as well," Cowley shared.
Expanding the Reach of Social-Emotional Learning
In 2024, Cowley founded Luua, a new venture dedicated to equipping homes and classrooms around the world with crucial social-emotional skills and a growth mindset. Luua has already launched pilot programs in schools across various countries and developed educational products that support parents and teachers alike. With the transition of leadership at Create Learning Center, Cowley can focus on scaling this mission and transforming even more lives.
Aligning with a Like-Minded Successor
To safeguard the legacy of Create Learning Center and find a buyer dedicated to its play-based philosophy, Cowley turned to HINGE Early Education Advisors. With their expertise, they marketed the school to a targeted group of pre-qualified potential buyers. This meticulous approach attracted multiple offers, enabling Cowley to choose a successor aligned with her vision for the future of the school.
Laurie Denny, a Transaction Advisor at HINGE, expressed, "Sharon is an exceptionally skilled educator and entrepreneur who turns vision into value. Our team knows first-hand what effective early learning centers require, and our goal was to preserve her legacy while allowing her to expand her impact responsibly." Denny believes that with the right management of the sale process, the outcomes can be significantly beneficial for the exiting owner.
Support from Experts Makes All the Difference
Throughout the sale process, HINGE provided Cowley with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in early education. This included financial analysts and diligence managers who worked collaboratively to ensure a seamless transaction. Denny noted that successful sales are often challenging in the childcare sector, but with expert guidance, they can prove rewarding.
Continuing the Legacy of Excellence
The transaction marks a bright new chapter for Create Learning Center and its community. Cowley’s commitment to social-emotional learning remains evident within her new venture, ensuring that the foundations laid at Create will influence future generations. The new ownership is expected to bring these values forward, creating more opportunities for both children and educators.
As Cowley embarks on this new journey, she reflects on her gratitude towards HINGE Advisors for their role in positively transforming lives within the educational landscape. The community can look forward to seeing her legacy flourishing as she dedicates her efforts towards advancing social-emotional learning on a wider scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the sale of Create Learning Center?
Sharon Cowley, the founder, aimed to find a suitable successor who could uphold the preschool's philosophy and expand its impact on social-emotional learning.
How does the new ownership affect the current programs?
The new ownership is expected to continue and enhance existing programs while introducing more opportunities for students and educators.
What is Luua and how does it relate to this transition?
Luua is a new initiative founded by Cowley aimed at globally enhancing social-emotional skills and creativity in education, allowing her to focus on broader outreach.
What role did HINGE Advisors play in the sale?
HINGE Advisors facilitated the sale, leveraging their expertise in early education transactions to ensure a successful transition while marketing the school confidentially.
What future plans does Cowley have for Luua?
Cowley plans to expand Luua's reach through pilot programs and educational products while continuing to support the mission of social-emotional learning worldwide.
