Throughout her teaching career, Catherine McLennan was fascinated by the fact that some children picked up reading easily while others struggled. When she first saw the Readwell program, which uses a unique method to fast-track the remediation of reading problems in both children and adults, it seemed to make perfect sense.

I had always enjoyed teaching but I began to feel frustrated by all the other tasks thrust upon teachers these days, she says. Readwell gave me an opportunity to teach without all of the other hassles – and it’s a great opportunity to run a home based business which helps children reach their potential.

McLennan bought the first franchise in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire back in 1996. Then, when the opportunity arose to purchase the NSW franchise, she jumped at it.

I appointed a manager at Sutherland and the business is running very successfully, she says. Now I’m looking forward to making the program available to as many students as possible through the appointment of franchisees throughout NSW.

McLennan counts herself lucky to have been guided by Sylvia and Danny Wilson, founders of the internationally-successful Bark Busters franchise who have recently set up their own franchise consultancy.

I believe that if you’re going to ask people to put their faith in you, you have to be sure you’re offering something worthwhile, she says. Sylvia and Danny helped me to feel confident that all of the policies and procedures were in place to ensure effective franchising and attract the right people.

An initial investment of just $10,000 includes three days of training, ongoing support and help with local and regional marketing.

As well as helping students who needed to improve their reading skills and comprehension the program has been
successful in helping alleviating problems associated with dyslexia and the challenge of having English as a second language.

It is a wonderful feeling when you make a huge difference in the life of a child, says McLennan. I love it when I run into past students who still remember my name years later, or say things like ‘Look, mum, it’s the reading lady’. And I admit I can get a bit teary myself when parents are overwhelmed by the fact that their children are starting to read after just 10 or 12 lessons.