Simsbury Business Spotlight: Huntington Learning Center

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this new, exciting series we’re kicking off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Huntington Learning Center
Owners: Stephanie Bologa
Website: Simsbury.HuntingtonHelps.com
Address: Simsbury Commons 530 Bushy Hill Rd. Simsbury

How did you come up with the name?

The company has been the most successful tutoring franchise with a 35 year history of success.

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

We are in a location that offers easy access to all school districts of the Farmington Valley.

Briefly, what business are you in?

Education of students K through 12 and college. We have credentialed and Certified teachers that work on basic skills, study skills, writing skills, SAT, ACT, SSAT/ISEE, : Algebra 1 &2, Geometry, Calculus, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, all Languages.

What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

We currently went through ReAccredidation by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. This allows us to offer school credits when needed but also requires us to keep to a very high level of standards.

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

As a small business owner there are the challenges of “running the entire company”, you have to be both manager and marketer. The job is 24/7.

What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

Everyday there are proud moments when a student leaves the center with a smile and new feeling of accomplishment as a learner. Our proudest moments very from small achievements like seeing a student achieve grade level skills and feel confident to large achievements like helping a student with SAT scores to reach their goal of acceptance into their dream college.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

“To give every student the best education possible.”

How do you deal with difficult customers?

We always keep the student and parents goals at the forefront of what we do. Even the most difficult customers are easier to deal with when you can show them their child’s success.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

We are active in all the surrounding Chamber of Commerce events. We participate in school booster clubs and school fundraisers. This Summer we helped the girls of Grace Academy in Hartford prep for SSAT tests. It was a very rewarding summer and I am so proud of those girls and our teachers for being so invested.

Are you a local small business with a story to tell? Send it to us by clicking here.