In 2022, Lavanya became a Zebra Robotics franchisee, opening Zebra Robotics Brampton East centre in Ontario, Canada . She is a Senior Manager in Engineering by day and inspires the future leaders of STEM by night at Zebra Robotics. Lavanya is strongly backed by her husband Raghavendra and her two sons who stand by her and share the same values of making a positive impact in STEM education and their community.
Q: Could you tell us about your career prior to joining Zebra?
A: Before joining Zebra Robotics, I accumulated over 15 years of experience in delivery management, enterprise and solution architecture, and technical leadership. In my current role as a Senior Manager in Engineering, I oversee critical applications that support operations and ensure teams have the robust, reliable systems they need to deliver exceptional service. As an engineer myself, I recognize that technical skills alone are not sufficient for success. Therefore, I focus on fostering essential soft skills such as effective communication, teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability, leadership, time management, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, networking, and creativity. By instilling these skills in students, I aim to prepare them to become strong leaders in their respective fields.
Q: What sparked your interest in STEM education and business ownership?
A: Growing up, I was always fascinated by technology and how things worked, which led me to pursue a career in the STEM field. As I advanced in my career, I noticed a significant gap in resources and opportunities for underrepresented groups, particularly girls and children with visible and invisible disabilities.
After numerous years of volunteering for this cause, and feeling limited in making concrete progress due to changes in leadership and vision, I realized I wanted to take control over the impact I could have and create a lasting vision for significant change.
Becoming a business owner with Zebra Robotics allowed me to turn this vision into reality. It provided me with a platform to develop programs and initiatives that focus on accessibility, engagement, and fostering a love for STEM among students. Through my work, I aim to break down barriers and encourage every student to pursue their passions in technology and innovation.
Q: What are some aspects of Zebra Robotics as a company that led you to become Zebra franchise owner?
A: As a senior technology leader with a strong educational background in computer science and extensive experience in the software industry, it was crucial for me to choose an organization that prioritizes quality in its curriculum. I also wanted to focus on developing students’ interpersonal and essential skills, and the curriculum at Zebra Robotics meets all those needs.
As Peter Drucker once said, “Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it.” This philosophy resonates with me, as Zebra Robotics not only aligns with university-level education but also reflects industry requirements, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers. The company’s vision of fostering a love for STEM and empowering future leaders further solidified my decision to become a franchise owner.
Q: What franchise support has been the most beneficial to you?
A: As an engineer at heart without a business background, the comprehensive training provided by Zebra Robotics has been instrumental in my development as a franchise owner. The numerous-hour coach training covered essential topics such as program offerings, curriculum development, classroom management, and the use of the student portal and learning management system. Additionally, as manager/owner, training focused on sales and customer engagement, corporate IT systems, and marketing techniques. This extensive training has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and grow my franchise.
Most recently, the franchise summit was a great addition to this experience, where we had the opportunity to learn collectively as a team from other franchise owners. It truly felt like a close-knit family that learns and grows together.
We wish Lavanya continued success as a Zebra franchisee and business owner! To learn more about Zebra Robotics franchise options, please visit our website.
