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Abrakadoodle remarkable art education is capturing the limelight among businesses that serve children. Abrakadoodle was ranked as the Top Art Education Franchise for 2007.   Abrakadoodle was also named “Best of the Best” in Children’s Services for 2007, Top Home-based Business for 2007 and Best New Franchises for 2007 by Entrepreneur Magazine.  Abrakadoodle was further recognized as one of the “Hottest Franchises” by Black Enterprises Magazine 09/06 and “One of the Top Franchises” by Franchise Market Magazine.

In a recent independent survey by Franchise Business Review, Abrakadoodle received the highest rating of 4 Stars and featured a quote from an Abrakadoodle owner who said, “Abrakadoodle makes fun a serious business.” Abrakadoodle owners responded to key questions involving everything from franchisor integrity to initial training. Nearly 80% of owners responded to the survey (see www.franchisebusinessreview.com).
97% responded that Abrakadoodle represented a high standard of business ethics.
94% responded that Abrakadoodle was good to excellent in product service.
92% positively that Abrakadoodle faired very well in the competitive marketplace.
88% responded that training was good to excellent.

“We receive many, many accolades and awards for our fin
e program, but the two that mean the most are the outstanding endorsements from both our remarkable franchise owners and the thousands of children who love building their own personal style and creativity in Abrakadoodle classes,” remarked Mary Rogers, M.Ed., and CEO of Abrakadoodle. “We can’t thank them enough for sharing their personal growth, enthusiasm and creativity with us.”

Reston, VA (March 9)—Mary C. Rogers, president and CEO of Reston, Va.-based Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art Education, received the International Franchise Association’s Bonny LeVine Award on February 26, 2007 for her ongoing efforts to mentor women seeking careers in franchising. In accepting the award before a record 3,000+ attendees Rogers included among her thanks the namesake of the award, crediting Bonny LeVine for laying the groundwork for female entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.

IFA represents franchisees, franchisors and suppliers whose concepts span 75 diverse industries and, combined, have operations in more than 100 countries.  The late Bonny LeVine, for whom the award was created in 1994, co-founded PIP Printing and was known for her business acumen and mentoring of other women entrepreneurs.  

Rogers has been involved in franchising for nearly 20 years and launched two successful franchise companies. With a master’s degree in early childhood education, she began her career as a teacher of disabled children and since then has focused her efforts on both franchising and childhood enrichment programs.  In 1989, after 10 years of teaching, Rogers co-founded and served as CEO of ECW Corp., the U.S. and international franchisor of Computertots and Computer Explorers.  

As CEO, she led that company's growth to 150 U.S. franchises and licensing programs in 11 countries. Under her leadership, the company received many awards.

Rogers and business partner Karen Marshall were named “Washington Women Entrepreneurs of the Year” by Ernst and Young in 1997.  Rogers served as executive director of the IFA’s Educational Foundation from 1998 to 1999 and co-founded her second franchise, Abrakadoodle, in 2002.