The Franchise Business Review is featuring Karen DeRosa, owner of Class 101-Dayton in Springboro, as a Top Performer in their 2023 Franchise Rock Star Awards. The awards honor franchise owners who set exceptional examples of success. 

When Class 101 was named to the Top 200 franchise brands this year, the national brand was invited to nominate an owner for recognition. Franchise Business Review received more than 250 nominations, and DeRosa was selected by FBR in the Top Performer category. The full 2023 FBR Rock Star Awards can be found online: https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/2023-franchise-rock-stars/ .

Karen DeRosa participates in multiple initiatives to support the national Class 101 organization. She served on the Franchise Advisory Board for three years, assisted in the composition of the national essay coaching curriculum, and led more than 30 hours of professional training for Class 101 owners throughout the country since 2019. When the national brand launched a mentorship program, she was the first veteran owner to volunteer. To give back locally, Class 101 and the DeRosas established a nonprofit scholarship fund to continue to grow local scholarship awards for local high school graduates. 

Karen and Tony DeRosa started Class 101 in Springboro in 2018. They received “Rookie of the Year” in 2019, the “Growth Award” in 2020, the brand’s “Franchisee of the Year” award in 2021, and the “President’s Club” award since 2022. As one of the brand’s best performing franchisees, the DeRosas assert that their ultimate achievement is helping students earn more than a 90% acceptance rate year after year while also receiving substantial merit scholarship offers. In addition, nearly half of all graduating Class 101 students have received local, regional, state or national competitive scholarships. 

“I am very motivated by my students. Every day is a different opportunity to help each student reach their potential,” said DeRosa in the FBR interview.  “Amazing things happen when the structure of the Class 101 business model meets strong coaching—motivating and equipping a student to own their goals, decisions, and future. I love my work! Who wouldn’t want to do this job every day?!”