Early Education Business Valuation Workshop

Back by Popular Demand!

October 2nd & 3rd, 2025 | Hotel Van Zandt — Austin, Texas

You Have Worked Too Hard to Leave Value on the Table

Discover the true value of your early education business and real estate — and learn how to maximize and realize their worth.

Whether you’re ready to capitalize on the market and sell, or are looking ahead to an eventual transition years down the road, planning your exit is one of the most important responsibilities as an ECE owner. HINGE Advisors’ in-demand VALUE Workshop is a unique opportunity to sit down with the nation’s top early education financial and transaction advisors to get the knowledge you need to make confident, future-focused decisions — and exit at maximum value.

Ticket Price: $999/per person

Space is limited and this event will sell out quickly again!

Make sure you’re on the list to be the first to know when registration opens.

A Must-Attend Event for ECE Owners

Through one-on-one coaching and engaging expert presentations, VALUE provides clear insight into how early education businesses and real estate are valued, the complexities of the selling process, and how to prepare well in advance for a successful transition. You’ll walk away from this workshop with…

  • The early education industry’s most trusted business and real estate valuation, customized for your organization based on real financials and proprietary insight

  • Clarity on your school’s true worth — and how business decisions can maximize or undermine your valuation

  • Actionable strategies for increasing profit without increasing costs

  • A deep understanding of market trends to guide smarter, more informed business strategies

  • Essential knowledge about the selling process, tax strategies, and legal considerations

  • Personalized guidance on selling considerations and timing

  • Access to ongoing support so you can plan confidently and exit at maximum value

Don’t miss this opportunity!

What Owners Are Saying

  • “I’ve poured everything I have into building my childcare. It’s not just my financial foundation. It’s my legacy. Knowing one day I will exit my business, it was incredibly reassuring to walk away from VALUE with a clear, informed plan — rooted in strategy, not emotion.”

    - Rhonda A., Childcare Owner

  • “The VALUE Workshop delivered exactly what we’ve come to enjoy from the HINGE team: applicable content, practical guidance, and real tools we could put to use right away. HINGE has become a trusted partner, offering insight and support well beyond the conference room.”

    - Gus and Kristin LaFontaine, The Nature Schools

  • “HINGE certainly lives up to their reputation for being the top advisors and experts in the industry.”

    - Founders of Miniapple
    International Montessori Schools

  • “HINGE made me look at my business vastly different than I was before, and I'm able to dissect it in a way that I wasn't doing previously."

    - David Webb, Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool

  • "As a childcare owner, you need to know what your school and real estate is worth. HINGE's strategic valuation was instrumental in positioning us for a very successful sale."

    - Milan Patel, Little Learners 

  • "We had no idea what to expect in terms of the financials or the process, but HINGE showed us the way."

    - Kiah Gluck, Columbus Pre-School

Learn From The Early Education Experts

During this comprehensive childcare valuation seminar — covering business, real estate, and operational performance — you will have the opportunity to tap into top ECE business and transaction leaders. With more than 300+ years of combined industry experience, the HINGE team is comprised of sought-after industry experts, including former and current childcare business owners, early education financial analysts, and business and commercial real estate brokers.

Kathy Ligon
Founder & CEO

Alec Ligon
Transaction Advisor

Wes Simmons
Transaction Advisor

Mike Pepper
Transaction Advisor

Kathe Petchel
Business Advisor

Nan Rikard
Transaction Advisor

Rusty Bailey
Sr. Financial Analyst

Rich Hubschman
Transaction Advisor

Marnie Rhen
Financial Analyst

Laurie Denny
Transaction Advisor

Paolo Duarte
Financial Analyst

The Schedule

  • Thursday, October 2nd | 1:1 Valuation Reviews & Coaching

    12 PM - 5 PM

    Arrive for your scheduled one-hour, one-on-one valuation review with a dedicated HINGE team member who will provide expert insights on your worth and opportunities to maximize its value for the future.

  • Thursday, October 2nd | Welcome Reception

    5 - 7 PM

    Gather at the Brass Poppy for complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking with other early education owners!

  • Friday, October 3rd | The Workshop

    9 AM - 4 PM

    i. Welcome & Introductions

    ii. Opportunities for Your Future — What’s Next?

    iii. The Valuation Process

    iv. How to Increase Your School’s Value

    v. Preparing to Grow or Sell

    vi. The Transaction Process

    vii. Closing Remarks

Frequently Asked Questions

  • HINGE Advisors’ VALUE Workshop empowers early education owners at all stages of business to better understand, maximize, and realize the true value of their organizations — and effectively plan short- or long-term exit strategies that deliver the best possible outcomes. Whether you have 2 schools or 20+ locations, VALUE will equip you with critical business information and individualized strategies that yield dividends.

  • As an early education owner, planning for your exit — whether it’s now or 10 years from now — will be one of the most important business decisions you ever make, for you and the children, staff, and families that rely on you. The more you know up front about valuations, the selling process, and other key considerations like tax and legal strategies, the better prepared you’ll be to lead with greater purpose.

    Plus, with such a strong seller’s market, an offer that’s too good to turn down may come your way sooner than you expect. This is an opportune time to be armed with the most information possible about your business and real estate.

  • The VALUE Workshop brings a select group of early education owners together to learn from the nation's leading experts in growing and selling childcare businesses. This is your opportunity to tap into seasoned, industry-specific financial analysts, transaction advisors, and real estate experts who have been entrusted by hundreds of top school owners to plan and guide profitable, purposeful exits.

    You’ll also hear from industry leaders about their personal experiences successfully growing and exiting schools. Come ready to network!

  • Registration for the VALUE Workshop includes:

    • A comprehensive, industry-leading ECE business and real estate valuation crafted for your organization based on real financials, future projections, demand in your local market, and many other nuanced factors

    • A one-on-one valuation review and value coaching session with one of HINGE Advisors’ experienced experts

    • An engaging, full-day valuation and exit planning workshop

    • ECE owner networking cocktail hour

    • Gourmet breakfast, lunch and refreshments

  • Unlike generic or cookie-cutter valuations, HINGE Advisors' early education business-focused  valuations provide specific, actionable information about your unique business and real estate. Beyond our extensive industry knowledge, we use key financial information from your business to provide an accurate and thorough valuation. You likely have most of this information readily available, such as financial statements and tuition rate sheets. After you register, we will let you know exactly what we need from you and how you can share that information with us confidentially. We do ask that you submit all of the requested information by Friday, August 15th to give our team time to complete our detailed review.

  • The information you provide for your valuation is 100% confidential. Each one-on-one valuation review is private, and we do not share your information with anyone (ever!). When all attendees are gathered together at the workshop, you're not expected or required to share any specific information about your business. If you choose to share with the group, that's up to you!