Khya Fellingham is the Global Marketing Director at Tutor Doctor. With a career spanning two decades in franchising she joined the home-tutoring company in 2017, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience she’s now using to help catapult the brand into an exciting new era.

After initially studying to be a journalist Khya took a year out to travel and on her return found a job with a national drugstore retailer – which just happened to be a franchise.

“My first real job in marketing turned out to be in franchising! My first three years gave me a huge knowledge of franchise industry and marketing. It was one of those companies where everyone did everything so I learnt a lot. Since then, I’ve only ever worked in franchise marketing!”

Khya’s has worked with household brands like Pharmasave and Tim Hortons. In 2008, she joined global giant, The Dwyer Group, where she truly forged her name as a franchise marketing expert! Though not on the lookout for a new role, after being approached by Tutor Doctor in 2017, the prospect of a new challenge with a business she felt genuinely passionate about, started her on an exciting new path.

“Initially I was hired to look after one of the Dwyer brands but by the end I was Global Marketing Director looking after nine brands in Canada, and working with Germany and the UK. I loved my time there but in learning about Tutor Doctor, I could see that here was a company on the cusp of something truly amazing. I could see the growth potential was huge and I wanted to be a part of moving them to the next level. From a purely personal standpoint, I’ve always been a big believer in helping to educate the leaders of tomorrow so the ethos of the company really resonated with me.”

Khya, 47, says there’s never a dull moment when working in a franchise. As well as being proud of her professional achievements, helping the brands she’s worked with to develop a greater global presence, she has personal experience that makes the industry even more special to her.

“It’s very rewarding to know you’re a part of not only building a great company but also impacting the lives of franchisees at a local level. Growing up, my dad owned a butcher shop but, as an independent, was never quite able to make much money. That’s always helped me relate to franchising because almost anyone can buy into a business and have the framework and support to help them through to genuine success.”

Khya believes that franchising is equally accessible for women as men and, in fact, believes she’s had more opportunity as a woman in franchising than had she been in a strictly corporate world: “I think the franchise industry is a great place for women. In most of roles I’ve had female bosses and there are lots of iconic women in franchising. Women are inherently more emotional and I think it’s a valuable asset in this world - emotion leads a lot of what I do and decisions that I make. It makes me a better marketer and a leader as I’m able to look at all sides and consider how people think and feel instead of being purely focussed on profits.”

Khya says that she’d give women considering becoming a franchisee the same advice as she would any man: do your research, don’t be afraid to hire good people to surround you, and make sure you’re fully bought into the culture and values of the brand because it’s something you’ll need to live and breathe from day one.

“Women tend to think if they don’t have 100% of the skills required, they can’t do it. It’s a confidence thing and that’s why franchising is so great for helping to support, encourage and empower women to realise they can do it, and do it exceptionally well. Women make great franchisees as they tend to be process driven, are often used to juggling many different tasks at a time, can lead with both heart and mind, and collaborate with others well.”

Khya herself is one such multi-tasking marvel! As well as her professional commitments, she’s a dedicated volunteer to several local and national charities including Reach Child and Youth Development Society and the Delta Animal Community Shelter. She still finds time for her love of travel and the great outdoors and, as a self-confessed foodie, loves cooking and entertaining, and appreciates a good wine!

Source: BFA