Nan Rikard has spent her entire 40+ year career in early childhood education.

Nan started her career as the Owner/Director of Gilbert Daycare and Learning Center in 1988. She went on to serve as the COO of The Sunshine House in 1997, and, in 2010, she founded Big Blue Marble Academy (BBMA)—now one of the nation's largest early education providers.

In 2018, Nan sold her ownership of BBMA with the help of HINGE Advisors. She continues to serve as an active board member for the brand.

Now a former childcare business owner, Nan has transitioned to the other side of the table as a Transaction Advisor for HINGE. Having been a part of more than 200 transitions of early education programs — whether in the acquisitions or divestiture — Nan is helping to expand HINGE’s reach in the early education space by focusing on helping swim school business owners gain maximum value for the brands they’ve built — just as she did.