Nancy Portscheller didn’t go looking for a franchise. A teacher friend brought one to her.
Her friend bought the territory first. A year later, she had to move out of state. Nancy had been helping run the business, so she bought it from her.
That was 13 years ago.
One Territory Became Two
Five years in, Nancy bought a second franchise next door and combined both into one operation in St. Louis, Missouri.
It wasn’t about empire building. It was about leverage: one team, one calendar, more kids reached.
“I really loved the concept. It’s an opportunity where you feel like you’re making a real impact.”
Nancy Portscheller
What Keeps Her Going
After 13 years, two things keep her energized:
- She likes solving problems. Technology shifts. Markets shift. COVID rewrote everything overnight. Nancy treats those moments as puzzles, not threats.
- She loves working with kids. “Who doesn’t love kids? It’s fun, it’s meaningful.”
“There’s always something changing. I enjoy figuring out the best way to adapt.”
Nancy Portscheller
For Anyone Thinking About It
Nancy’s story quietly proves three things worth remembering:
- The best opportunities often come through your network, not a franchise portal.
- You can grow by buying the territory next door, not by starting over.
- Longevity comes from liking the work and loving who you serve.
If that sounds like the kind of business you want to build, the next conversation might be yours.
