Inside a Family's Multi-State and Multi-Generation Journey with Mathnasium Franchises

From the sunny shores of San Diego to the expanding suburbs of Dallas, a true family legacy is flourishing thanks to Mathnasium Learning Centers, the expert math-only tutoring franchise. 

The Lossings joined the Mathnasium franchise back in 2013 with the establishment of their flagship location in San Diego. Prior to becoming a franchise owner with Mathnasium, Karen Lossing was a special education teacher and math curriculum writer for the state of Texas. Mathnasium became a family business in 2017 when Karen’s daughter Libby joined forces with her after graduating from UCLA. The two were later joined by Karen’s son Evan, after he graduated from Texas Tech University's Business College and Steven, her husband, when he retired as the chief stores officer of Petco. 

Now, the family of four works alongside their learning center management and instruction teams to provide the best education experience possible to hundreds of students every school year.

From Passion to Profession

Karen was originally drawn to the Mathnasium franchise based on a personal experience. Evan struggled in school early on due to a hearing impairment, and he vividly recalls the dedication his mother showed toward his education. 

“I was actually her original inspiration as a kid,” Evan said. “I couldn’t hear until I was three years old, so I always had difficulties with school. My mom really worked hard with me to help. She knew math was something I always enjoyed, so she wanted to ensure it was something I could be successful in. By the time I was in the fifth grade, she started subbing at my elementary school. Following that, she became a full-time teacher and then became a librarian. She’s really done everything.”

Steven, on the other hand, came from a long career as a retail executive. His interest in franchising was primarily motivated by his desire to step away from the corporate world. It was a combination of Karen's and Steven's dreams that led the Lossing family to the Mathnasium franchise.

"My dad could own his own business, while my mom could have more of an impact," Evan said. This perfect synergy of goals led them to open their first Mathnasium learning centers when Evan and his sister, Libby, were just deciding their future paths.

“Working at Mathnasium became our first summer job when we were teenagers,” Evan said. “Once I saw what some of these elementary kids could do, I was blown away. I was really sold on the Mathnasium concept that first summer. I am a product of this program myself. I originally thought I wanted to be a high school algebra teacher and soccer coach, but with Mathnasium, I realized that I wanted to do something with smaller groups outside of a school system so I could have more of an impact.”

Libby, who left college knowing that working alongside her family’s Mathnasium franchise was going to be her future, says she was primarily drawn to the business side of the venture. 

“I always wanted to make it on my own, so I was very drawn to the idea of business ownership,” Libby said. “The more I learned about Mathnasium and saw the business grow, the more I realized that I didn’t need an education background to find success. You really fall in love with what you do, and I’ve fallen in love with the Mathnasium brand and what we’ve been able to accomplish.”

A Family Legacy Across the Map

Today, the Lossing family proudly owns and operates a whopping 14 Mathnasium locations across several key U.S. markets, including San Diego, Phoenix, Denver and Dallas. Each region tells a story of growth and the personal touch the Lossings bring to their learning centers.

“From day one, we wanted to make sure we could impact as many students' lives as possible,” Evan said. “After opening our first three centers in San Diego, we moved into the Phoenix market and then started acquiring several locations a year.”

And Libby says the family has no plans of slowing down now — they recently saw six new acquisitions in just 16 months. 

“We are continuing to grow and we are in it for the long haul,” she said. “My only job will only ever be franchising with Mathnasium. We are hoping to continue to expand through the Southwest, and we are even talking to extended family about joining the business on the east coast. One day, we will hopefully be passing the business along to a third generation!” 

Evan, now regional director and part owner, takes pride in overseeing the HR and operational aspects in Texas, while Libby, also part owner and regional director in Phoenix, handles all marketing initiatives for the entire portfolio.

“Building something together as a family is very enjoyable,” Libby said. “We all have distinct roles — marketing for me, human resources for my brother, operations for my dad and education for my mom. Each of us fully owns our responsibilities and trusts each other to excel. A healthy family business requires a healthy family foundation, and we’ve always been very close. Even when the business presents challenges, these have never strained our family ties. It's always us against the problem, not each other. Our family bonds are strong enough to overcome any obstacle.” 

As the Lossings continue to build their legacy with Mathnasium, their story is a clear example of what makes the franchise special. Owners are able to support not only their own family business, but also the families in the communities they serve by creating impactful educational environments that foster confidence and academic excellence in students. 

"We’re really proud to be a part of this business,” Evan said. “I’ve watched my parents follow their passions my whole life, and that was a huge inspiration. Now, it's amazing to work alongside family to not only build a successful business together, but also to have a major impact on the lives of so many kids throughout the country.”

For more information on franchising with Mathnasium, visit: https://1851franchise.com/mathnasium.