Lightbridge Academy’s Enrollment Success with LineLeader
Lightbridge Academy, founded by Guy and Julia Falzarano in 1997 with a focus on inclusion and determination, has grown to 133 centers across 8 states by leveraging Guy’s marketing expertise and the LineLeader by ChildcareCRM platform to streamline family communication and enhance the enrollment and retention experience.
Guy and his wife Julia set up Lightbridge Academy in 1997. Two decades later, they have 15 company-owned child care centers and 38 franchises across 8 states, with over 80 additional franchises sold and in the process of opening. LineLeader by ChildcareCRM helps Lightbridge retain families with ease.
When Lightbridge Academy started, Guy wanted a business that was not a bureaucracy and would welcome everyone. Their concept was: everybody is welcome under the rainbow.
If you’ve been in the early childhood education (ECE) space, you’ve likely heard of Guy Falzarano, CEO & Founder at Lightbridge Academy. Guy and Julia’s journey led to 133 centers in just 23 years. For Guy, Lightbridge’s success comes down to three things:
- 1.Determination
- 2.A focus on inclusion
- 3.Great technology
The Lightbridge Story: From One Strip Mall Child Care Center to a Multi-Million-Dollar Franchise
After leaving a high-level corporate job, Guy and Julia decided to open a preschool. With Guy’s marketing background, they reached 54% capacity from day one by building relationships with local businesses and spreading the word about their inclusive concept.
With LineLeader by ChildcareCRM, Lightbridge:
- Streamlines communication with families
- Builds a high-quality family experience
- Innovates with new technology
Guy Falzarano’s Three Secret Ingredients for Success
1. The Fence is Uncomfortable, Don’t Sit on It
Guy emphasizes the importance of decisiveness and persistence:
“If you want to succeed, don't hesitate over decisions. Find out all the facts, get as much information as you possibly can, make a decision, and move on.”
He believes that life is a journey filled with obstacles, and persistence is key to overcoming them.
2. Shine the Spotlight on Inclusion
From the start, Lightbridge Academy prioritized inclusion by hiring a diverse staff representative of the community. Guy’s philosophy, the Circle of Care, places the child at the center, surrounded by parents, employees, owners/franchisees, and the community—all equally important.
“You need everybody to be treated equally.”
Guy wanted a happy environment that welcomed everyone, especially during times of social unrest.
3. Lead the Way with Technology
Lightbridge Academy has been a leader in using technology to enhance the customer experience:
- Parent View: Since 1998, parents can log in and watch their children in class via live camera.
- Child Care Management System: Teachers use iPads to track milestones and share updates with parents.
- Tech-Led Security: Facial recognition door access for safety and logging.
As the business grew, the need to streamline multiple tech platforms became clear. Staff empowerment and reducing administrative work became priorities.
Evolving the Customer Experience with Exceptional Child Care Management Software
Guy’s dedication to customer experience led to the search for a unified childcare experience platform. Ben Blake, CIO, gathered over 110 requirements to compare options and selected LineLeader by ChildcareCRM based on factors like business continuity, cost, integration, scalability, security, and support.
“LineLeader by ChildcareCRM really shined and demonstrated their flexibility throughout the whole selection process.”
Having a unified system allowed Lightbridge to continue expanding, even during challenging times like the pandemic.
The ECE Leader’s Magic Formula for Growth
Lightbridge’s model is based on determination + inclusion + tech = business growth. Their streamlined systems and partnership with LineLeader have supported their rapid expansion.
“We chose to partner because we felt we could do something exceptional in the field together. We believe in them, we believe in their company and we believe in their culture. And we think it's an excellent partnership.”
Whether opening one new center or many, LineLeader by ChildcareCRM provides a platform to manage all tools under one digital roof, supporting better quality care for children.
A Unified Platform to Manage Your Entire Business
- Capture and convert more leads. Automate lead follow up, tour scheduling, registration, and reporting.
- Automate daily reports and share memorable moments. Easily communicate with parents with the family engagement app.
- Automate billing and invoicing. Manage classroom ratios and curriculum. Track and report on attendance, payroll, and more.