Huntington Learning Center Celebrates National Small Business Week

By: Huntington Learning Centers | 1 Shares 149 Reads

Oradell, New Jersey (Grassroots Newswire) – The week of May 16, 2011, Huntington Learning Center honored small businesses across the country as an important part of our nation's economy.

Started in 1963, National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of small businesses to the financial well-being of the United States of America. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are approximately 27.2 million small businesses in America and more than half of Americans own or work for a small business. Small businesses also account for 60 to 80 percent of new job growth.

"Entrepreneurs and small business owners hold a very special place in my heart, as 34 years ago, my wife, Eileen, and I started our very own small business," said Dr. Raymond Huntington, founder of Huntington Learning Center. "Like any entrepreneur, we founded our company to address a community need about which we were passionate. We believed that we could create an organization dedicated to helping young learners reach their full potential."

Huntington opened its first learning center in 1977 in Oradell, New Jersey. Eileen Huntington was a high school teacher and Raymond Huntington was a business analyst for AT&T when the couple decided to open a learning center that offered individualized, supplemental instruction to students similar to those Eileen had noticed in her school—students who lacked basic reading and study skills, and were therefore falling behind their peers in the classroom. Huntington began franchising the concept in 1985. Today, the privately held company has nearly 300 centers nationwide and also works with school districts to improve their academic performance as required by the No Child Left Behind Act.

On June 13, 2011, Eileen Huntington will serve on a panel for a seminar hosted by the Thypin Oltchick Institute for Women's Entrepreneurship in New York City. "For years, Ray and I have spoken to many different groups about building, growing and running a successful business," said Mrs. Huntington. "We understand the fear and challenges that small businesspeople face, and it is my honor to be a part of such an event soon after National Small Business Week."

"National Small Business Week is a wonderful way to recognize and honor the many entrepreneurial men and women in this country, the millions of small businesses that support our nation's economy, and the organizations and businesses that help small businesses thrive," said Dr. Huntington. "In many ways, we at Huntington still think of ourselves as a small business and strive each day to make a positive difference one student, one family, one community at a time."

About Huntington Learning Center

Founded in 1977, Huntington Learning Center is the nation's longest-running supplemental education services provider. Today they continue to be an industry leader providing instruction in reading, writing, spelling, phonics, mathematics and study skills as well as SAT and ACT preparation to tens of thousands of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Huntington prides itself on its unparalleled programs that help parents, caregivers and educators identify the gaps in skills and knowledge that can limit learning potential. Huntington's personalized programs of instruction enable children to excel. To learn more or to locate a center near you, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

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