2014 Economic Impact Awards 1-5 Years in Operation Finalist: Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services Inc.

After closing 2013 with its second straight year of 50 percent revenue growth, some companies would settle in. Not so with Kevin and Leisha Baker, local franchise owners of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services Inc.

Already in 2014, the couple relocated the Nixa business to new space at 227 E. Downing St., Ste. 6, while concurrently launching a separate but complementary partner business dubbed the Impact Center for Enrichment.

In addition to expanded revenues, Club Z! has grown its staff to 35 part-time tutors, whom Kevin Baker credits with always being willing to step up when the seasonal demand for tutoring services takes off.

“We feel we’ve been able to manage our growth pretty well,” Baker says. “Leisha and I do every consultation [with prospective client families], which at times has been challenging. But we know we can rely on our tutors to take on extra hours in those busy times.”

He says each tutor must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and state teaching certification before applying, meaning many of the Club Z! staff are the teachers of the future.

With an average tutoring wage of $16, it’s a part-time job that offers a viable income for area graduates in a holding pattern after finishing their degree program. Baker says these type of bridge positions in the education industry are critical to keeping qualified teachers in the area until they can land a full-time teaching position.

Also an Economic Impact Awards honoree in 2013, Club Z! has added six local schools to their roster of client institutions in the year since.

The company now provides tutoring services to students of Springfield Catholic, Ash Grove, The Summit Preparatory School, New Covenant Academy and Greenwood schools. Additionally, clients include students of all four local higher education institutions – Missouri State, Drury and Evangel universities and Ozarks Technical Community College.

Beyond the demand for added help in the subjects of math and science, Baker has seen increased requests for assistance in test-taking strategies and techniques. “Standardized testing helps us do our job by giving us a good baseline for new clients,” Baker says. “But we are seeing it translate into an increased demand for instruction on test-taking strategies, basic study skills and organization.”

Club Z! also has begun partnering with Cross Fit Kids of Springfield to offer classes in tandem with the fitness company. Baker says not only does the physical aspect encourage a well-rounded student and person, but he believes there are new found clinical benefits.

Moving forward, the Club Z! franchisees will continue to push for partnerships, particularly with the Impact Center, which provides a social-learning component to complement the one-on-one tutoring that is the franchise focus. But Baker says the summer school camps and regular after-hours adult learning events – on topics such as barbecue, yoga and wine/beer/whiskey tasting – are all designed to make learning an enjoyable endeavor for clients of any age.[[In-content Ad]]